Furious Angels

Chapter Seven: The Most Gentlemanly Of Vices

The sorting ended with "Zahir, Suleyman" placed into Ravenclaw. When the dark-complected boy joined his Housemates, the entire mood of the room changed. McGonagall cleared away the stool and the hat, while the children looked expectantly at the empty platters and bowls on their tables. "Oh come on, already..." Harry heard Ron whine. "I'm starving over here." Harry smiled at his friend's desperate-sounding plea. Ron could eat at any time, it seemed.

When McGonagall returned to the Hall, Dumbledore stood and waited for all sound to die down. "Welcome, students, to another year at Hogwarts!" There was a smattering of applause. "Thank you! Now... before we begin what I am sure will be a scrumptious feast, I only have a couple of words to say: tuck in!" As Dumbledore sat, the dishes on the table were filled with foods of nearly all sorts. The students fell upon the banquet with enthusiasm.

As soon as the food had arrived, Harry began loading his plate up with mashed potatoes, baked chicken, and something that looked like candied carrots. He was about to start in on his dinner when his attention was drawn to the Slytherin table. Draco Malfoy, along with Crabbe and Goyle, had stood up and were rushing toward the head table. The three boys had a hurried conference with Professor Snape; it was obvious that whatever they were talking about, the boys were upset. Snape at first simply stared at his approaching students, but as they continued the Potions Master shifted his gaze across the room.

Snape's eyes met Harry's and the professor sneered. In return, Harry simply gave him a blank stare. For a moment Harry felt a slight pressure in his head, accompanied by a dull buzzing. Harry frowned as he realized what was going on. Got you, you slimy git bastard. Without really knowing what he was doing, Harry brought to mind a vision of Snape choking to death on his own blood. He thought to himself, loudly, You are going to die alone, the betrayer betrayed and no one will mourn you. Did you know that, at the end, she hated you and everything you had become? The buzzing abruptly ceased.

The Potions teacher jerked, as if hit by electricity. At Snape's stunned expression, Harry smirked. The Boy-Who-Lived made a "gun" with his right hand, cocked his thumb, and "shot" Snape, and when he was done, he turned and blew across the end of his finger. Snape's mouth dropped open in surprise as he stared at Harry for a moment before resuming his usual hate-filled grimace. Snape said something short to Draco, dismissing the boy and turning to the Headmaster.

Harry watched Dumbledore put the conversation he was having with Professor McGonagall on hold in order to listen to Professor Snape. Snape was in fine form; he seemed to be so angry he was spitting. The Potions professor pointed in Harry's general direction several times while ranting. Harry wished he could hear what was being said, but the noise of the crowd blocked it out. Though that might not be a problem for long. Harry looked around the room and noticed that more and more of the students were turning to look at the drama unfolding at the High Table.

McGonagall leaned forward to listen, turning every once in a while to glance in Harry's direction. She was surprised and concerned by what she was hearing, no doubt. Dumbledore himself lost the twinkle-and-smile expression he usually held during the Welcoming Feast, but wasn't frowning. Harry took that as a good sign; he might be in trouble but Dumbledore would at least be fair about it.

Beside Harry, Neville Longbottom sat still as a statue. He put a hand on Harry's arm. Harry turned to look at Neville, but the other boy was staring up at the High Table. "Harry, if you get asked why you attacked Malfoy, tell them you gave him fair warning under the second law. The second law, Harry, remember it, okay? And if they ask you about snapping and disposing of the wand, tell them that you had the right to do so under the fifth law, given the contempt your opponent showed for honorable settlement. Remember that phrase too, Harry... 'contempt for honorable settlement'. And absolutely refuse to admit you might even be a little bit in the wrong."

Hermione turned to Neville with a look that was half accusation and half befuddlement. "What are you talking about, Neville? Harry, this is childish. you don't have to fight Malfoy if you don't want to," Hermione said. "Let Malfoy whine and complain all he wants. Ignore him."

"Keep out of this, Hermione." Ron responded, his mouth half-full of food. "You're a Mu... you're a Muggleborn, so you don't really understand what's going on. I don't even know everything, and I'm a pureblood." He turned to Neville. "Neville... do you think Malfoy's going to try for forced recompense?"

Neville nodded. His face grew grim as he spoke, "Harry kicked him in the bollocks. He's going to claim it was a dishonorable attack... like he knows how to even spell honor. I might not be the bravest soul on the planet, but I wouldn't stoop to insulting someone else's wife..." Neville glanced at Ginny and Hermione and blushed. "But potentially, this could be bad; the largest contingent of children from the Twelve Families here at Hogwarts is in Slytherin. The rest of us are scattered among the other Houses in ones and twos."

"Oh, crap," Harry muttered to himself. During the long ride on the Express, he had asked Neville about who the other families in the Twelve were, but as soon as he arrived at the school, the information had faded into the background. Harry's eyes moved to the Slytherin table. One by one, he met the eyes of Pansy Parkinson, Daphne Greengrass, and Guy Beaumont. They were paying attention to what was going on at the High Table, occasionally glancing back at him like he was a piece of meat staked out for a lion. Harry looked at the Hufflepuffs, searching for Ernie MacMillan. Ernie was watching the High Table too, but hadn't apparently connected it to Harry. Susan Bones, on the other hand, was sitting close enough to Parkinson and Greengrass to have overheard. Susan was brazenly staring at Harry, smirking the whole time. And Brett MacFarlane... the Ravenclaw boy was deep in conversation with someone else, and wasn't paying attention to what was going on.

Harry did the math. Children from nine of the Twelve Ancient Houses attended Hogwarts, and almost half of them were Slytherin. The situation with Malfoy was beginning to have serious political ramifications.

Neville spoke again. "They could side with Malfoy if this isn't played out correctly, and Harry, I hate to tell you this mate but right now the Potter family is just you and Ginny. Your name carries a lot of weight, but it might not be enough to protect you should it come to house-to-house warfare.

"Warfare?" Hermione was finally paying attention.

"Political maneuvering... ruining businesses, hostile takeovers, maneuvering so that another House is disgraced to the point that it's considered expunged from the Twelve... it's happened before," Luna explained.

Harry didn't know what to say. "So what does that mean? Recompense and all."

"It's not that big a deal." Ron swallowed what he was eating. "He's going to get you to pay some sort of penalty. Like a fine. That's all. Get you to apologize publically."

"Or have you horse-whipped," Neville said. "That's another possibility. But I don't think he'd get it since you issued a warning to the Malfoys previously. But if he demands a rematch in a formal duel, you're going to have to fight him again, Harry."

"Thanks, guys. I appreciate the information. If I have to fight him again in a formally declared duel, I'll need a second." Harry stared at the High Table, wishing that Malfoy would simply drop through the floor into the earth and die.

Ron turned to Harry with a determined look in his eye. "I'll be your second, Harry. No worries at all."

Harry smiled and opened his mouth to agree, but Neville interjected, "Might not be a good idea. Sorry, Ron, but you're a great guy but a lousy negotiator. Harry, you're going to want someone who can keep a level head and maybe negotiate a way out of this."

Ron opened his mouth to say something, but shut it instead. He scowled at Neville and sat back as much as he could. He looked offended at the idea that someone would think he wasn't good enough to help out his best mate.

Every student in the room turned to watch as Dumbledore stood and walked out, followed closely by Snape, Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle. McGonagall also stood, but her objective was obviously the Gryffindor table. She loomed over Harry and his friends for a moment, before gesturing toward him. "Follow me, Mister Potter."

Harry stood... and so did the others. Luna, Neville, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny all made to follow McGonagall. The Transfiguration professor stopped and turned to her students. "The Headmaster wishes to speak to Mister Potter and only Mister Potter. The rest of you return to your meal."

"With all due respect, Professor... absolutely not!" Ginny said. She stepped forward and took Harry's hand. "We just saw Professor Snape leave with not only Draco Malfoy in tow, but Crabbe and Goyle. We were all there on the train, and we all saw it happen. If you think we're going to allow three to one odds against Harry, then you are sorely deluding yourself." She glared at the older woman, as if daring her to do something about it.

"Ten points from Gryffindor for your impertinence, Miss Weasley. You do not address Hogwarts professors with that tone."

Ginny stared for a moment, but didn't move. "In that case, Professor, you might as well make it twenty points."

McGonagall's expression grew icy. "And why is that, young lady?"

"Because my name isn't Weasley and you know it's not Weasley. It's Potter, Professor. Potter, not Weasley. I would respectfully request you remember that in the future, because calling someone by the wrong name when you are aware of the correct one is rude."

The professor's expression soured even further, but she didn't say anything. "Fine... follow me." She turned on her heel and led them out the same door Dumbledore had gone through. It led to an ornately appointed chamber behind a pair of iron gates. Dumbledore sat at a long wooden table, while Snape, Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle stood to one side. As the Gryffindors entered, Snape's expression grew positively venomous.

"Certainly, Headmaster... let's all hear whatever cock-and-bull story Potter's concocted to explain this baseless attack." The Potions Master was positively dripping with distain and hate.

"Minerva..." Dumbledore looked over the other children. "... we only required Harry's presence. Why are the rest of them here?"

"They wouldn't allow Mister Potter to leave alone. Apparently, they were witnesses to the encounter between Mister Potter and Mister Malfoy on the train, and feel their testimony is pertinent."

"Ah. I see..." Dumbledore looked the six Gryffindors over very carefully. "Very well then, Harry... Draco tells me that on the train you attacked him for no reason, and did so in a most unsavory manner. He also says that you stole his wand before he was able to escape your attack. Would you like to answer these accusations?"

"Um... yes, sir... we... that is, the six of us... were just talking in our compartment. We were talking about what House Luna and Ginny wanted to be sorted into, when Malfoy just barged in and started insulting people. Specifically, he insulted Ginny and me. He accused her of being unfaithful to me, sir, and of having an affair with Luna." That caused the adults in the room to raise their eyebrows. "He also said I wasn't enough for Ginny, but I'm not sure precisely what he meant. It sounded like an insult, so I took it as one."

"Harry, physically attacking another student because of a few verbal insults isn't proper behavior at Hogwarts. That reason isn't good enough," Dumbledore said.

"But Professor... I warned his father that if Malfoy said another word against Ginny, there'd be a fight. I made that warning under... under law..." Harry glanced toward Neville. The other boy had a hand on his chin, and he was maintaining a very neutral expression... and as Harry watched, Neville curled his fingers in until only were two left.

"... Under Law Two. I gave proper warning, so when Malfoy continued his insulting behavior, I was free to act as I saw fit under the law." Harry saw Dumbledore glance back and forth between Neville and Harry quickly, and noticed the slight smile the Headmaster gained.

"And Mister Malfoy's wand?" McGonagall asked.

"I took it, as was my right under the..." a glance at Neville. "... Fifth Law."

"I see." Dumbledore sat back. His expression was unreadable. "In that case, I have no choice but to concede that the fight was legally proper and thus cannot be punished by the staff of Hogwarts. Harry, would a formal apology from Mister Malfoy be enough to gain back his wand?"

"Perhaps, sir... had I not snapped Malfoy's wand and discarded it out the window of the train." Harry was amazed he was able to say that without smirking. Draco, Snape, and Dumbledore all gasped in response to Harry's words.

"Harry, do you realize the statement that such actions make to the Malfoy family?" Dumbledore asked. His eyes were on Draco Malfoy, who was fuming. "You're telling him you think he's not worthy to possess magic."

Harry looked into Malfoy's eyes for a long moment before responding, "All right. I'm fine with that."

"You're fine with... You just snap... Explain to me, Mister Potter, how you expect Mister Malfoy to function in class, if you've snapped his wand?" From McGonagall's face, she was livid.

"Professor, with respect, I fail to see how that is my problem." Harry barely kept himself from laughing. He respected McGonagall too much to laugh at her. "What I did was legal and appropriate according to custom. I did nothing wrong. If anyone is to blame for Malfoy losing his wand, it's Malfoy. Next time, maybe he'll learn to keep his mouth shut."

McGonagall let a long, irritated breath out of her body. She looked to Dumbledore, who was tapping his lips with a finger as he watched the exchange. "And if he comes back to you, seeking retribution?"

"Well, Professor," Harry said, utterly serious, "I suppose snapping his wand could become a habit for me."

"You see what I mean, Headmaster? The boy is a spoiled, arrogant brat. He's flaunting school rules regarding student fighting and is proud of his theft and his insults to another student." Snape sneered down his nose at Harry. "He should be expelled, and when he is, I suggest we allow Mister Malfoy the pleasure of snapping Potter's wand." Harry didn't react. He'd come to the decision right then and there that he wasn't ever going to convince Snape to see him for who he was rather than who his father had been...

The thought shook Harry for a moment. Now just where did that come from? What does that mean, who his father had been? I don't know anything about my dad...

"Severus, we'll talk about this later. In the mean-time, it seems that while I disagree with the actions Harry has taken toward young Draco, they fall within the law and are not within the jurisdiction of the Office of Headmaster," Dumbledore said. "However, I'd like to serve notice that unsanctioned dueling will be punished as severely as I am able. Is that clear?"

Harry nodded immediately. Draco merely sulked.

"Good," the Headmaster continued. "Now, all of you... I suggest we return to the Feast. It won't end, as the saying goes, until the Headmaster says it ends, and to be brutally honest I was looking forward to seeing what was offered in the way of puddings this year."

XxxxxxX

Ginny slid into wakefulness slowly. She stretched a little and yawned. Harry was already awake, she knew. He was always awake before she was, though he usually fell asleep before she did. She scooted back and Harry gave her a hug.

"Good morning," he said. "Your first morning at Hogwarts!"

"I know!" she said in a hushed voice. She did not know what time it was exactly but it seemed pretty early. Ron snored loudly from the bed beside theirs, and the other boys made wheezing, snuffling sounds in their sleep. They did not have to be up at any particular time, as long as they made it to breakfast before ten. As September 2nd had fallen on a Thursday this year, they had three more full days before classes began.

When the Feast had ended the night before, Professor Dumbledore gave a series of notices. He had reminded everyone that the Forbidden Forest was off-limits; he's announced that try-outs for the House Quidditch teams needing players were being held the second week of the term; he'd introduced Gilderoy Lockhart as the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher; and then he had sent everyone up to bed.

She snuggled up against him even closer. In many ways, having a husband was like having a large teddy bear that could talk, and Harry was a champion cuddler. No wonder why Mum and Dad like being married so much, Ginny thought. She frowned, though, when she felt something poking her. Did Harry forget to put his wand away? It couldn't be her wand. She remembered placing it in an honored position on the bedside table.

"Harry, did you sleep with your wand?" she asked.

"No," he said, confused. "Why?"

"What's that thing poking me then?"

"Oh!" he said. "That." Harry sounded a tad embarrassed. "That's my... you know. It sticks out in the mornings when I really have to have a pee."

Ginny snorted into the pillow. "Seriously? Boys are so weird!"

"So are girls," Harry said, sounding defensive. "Girls are always up to odd things."

"But we don't stick out when we've got to pee." Ginny giggled.

"How do you know?" Harry asked. "You might have something weird that you just don't know about yet. This didn't start happening until last year."

Ginny turned over so he could see her grin. "Doubt it. Girls just aren't weird like boys."

"I'm not going to win this, am I?" Harry said. He tried to sound put-out but his green eyes were twinkling. She shook her head. "In that case, I'm going to go have that pee..."

"And then can we explore?" Ginny sat up when he rolled out of bed. "With your cloak? Like you told me about? Oh, can we go see Hagrid? I haven't seen him for so long!"

"Breathe, Ginny." Harry shoved his glasses on. "We'll do all that and more. I'll even show you where Fluffy almost ate us up."

Ginny swung her legs off the bed, but couldn't help diving back to the pillow to muffle her laughter. It wouldn't do, after all, to wake up Harry's dorm-mates.

"What is it this time?" Harry whispered.

"Just your pajamas," she chortled and pointed. "You're still pokey!"

He tapped her on the head and fluffed her hair a little. Ginny had already noticed that Harry liked her hair and touched it whenever he could. "Just you wait... I'll bet there's a thing about girls that's even weirder. Now go get dressed and I'll meet you down in the Common Room in five minutes. Breakfast, then I can show you around the castle!"

XxxxxxX

After breakfast, the group split. Harry announced to everyone that he was going to explore the castle and the grounds with Ginny. He half-way expected everyone to accompany them. Ron, however, declared that he was going to take advantage of the free time by sleeping. Neville, Luna, and Hermione mentioned finding something to read in the Library. The Fearless Explorers were reduced to two, and that suited Harry just fine as well. The tour let them spend time alone together, and time alone was something they'd had a hard time finding. But after an hour it was clear that the castle was basically the castle.

"Well..." Ginny had said, "I never thought a big pile of stones would be all that boring with nothing going on, but it is. Do you think we could go outside, Harry?"

"I don't see why not. We could walk around the lake, or go down to the..." Harry trailed off.

"It's too bad you forgot your broom, Harry. We could go flying!" Ginny said, hugging him.

"So let's go get my broom." The pair made their way back to Gryffindor Tower, and shortly thereafter was approaching the school's Quidditch pitch.

"I've never been to a real pitch, Harry... just the field behind the house, and that doesn't count."

"You were at the World Cup. Its the biggest pitch I've ever seen," Harry said softly.

"What? I've never been to the World Cup, Harry. What are you talking about?" Ginny asked.

"Hmm? What? The World Cup? No, I've never been either. I think it would be wicked fun, though," Harry shrugged. "So... you can go first since we've only the one broom."

"Are you sure?" Ginny looked surprised. "I figured you might want to... you know... fly tandem, or take turns, but I figured you'd want to go first."

"Nah, you go on." He handed her the Nimbus. In moments, she was soaring across the grass. She was, he thought, a marvelous flyer, though obviously under-practiced. That's what happens when the only time you're allowed on a broom is the middle of the night, he thought to himself.

"Morning, Harry!" a familiar voice called from behind Harry. Oliver Wood approached. "Getting in some flying practice to keep the form up? Perfect day for it..." The sky was a spectacularly clear blue today, and the temperature was fine for Scotland in the late summer. "Who's that then?" Wood asked, indicating the girl on the broom.

"That's Ginny. I'm letting her have first go on my broom. She doesn't have one of her own, though I think I might have to remedy that at Christmas." Harry smiled as he watched the love of his life bob and weave, putting his racing broom through its paces.

"Ginny... she's the one you..."

"I see you read the Prophet then," Harry said sardonically.

"Well... it was pretty hard to miss. Congratulations, I suppose. Never saw you as a married man, to tell you the truth... especially not at age twelve," Wood laughed. "You're always a surprise, Harry."

The pair of them continued to watch Ginny as she climbed sharply, tipped the nose of the broom downward, and dove for the grass. She pulled out at around the twenty foot mark, and shot across the field toward the far goal.

"She's good," Oliver said, never taking his eyes from Ginny as she sped around the pitch. "Not as good as you, Harry, but then you're the best flier Hogwarts has ever seen. But she is good."

Harry looked at Wood out of the corner of his eye. One of those strange, fuzzy thoughts popped into his head, but he bit down on it before he said anything. "You know, Oliver... if we had some backup players, then we wouldn't be a man short if we have injuries, or illnesses, or... I dunno... Defense Teachers who try to kill me or something."

Oliver Wood snorted. "I'd heard rumors about Quirrell, but didn't want to intrude to ask." He continued to watch Ginny. He turned to Harry before saying, "Backups are a good idea, but... if you were thinking about her..." He bobbed his head in Ginny's direction. "... I'd like to remind you that she's only a first year."

Harry put his hands on his hips and just looked at the other boy, an odd expression on his face.

There were several seconds of silence before Wood nodded and grinned. "All right, point. I'll talk to the other members of the team and see what they think of having a try-out for some backups."

"I'm sure they'll go for it if it increases our chances to win. I can think of three or four people who I might encourage to try out already," Harry said.

"Oh yes?" Wood eyed Harry speculatively. "Such as?"

"Well, Ginny of course... then there's Ginny's brother Ron, who I think would make a fair Keeper with some training and practice." At Oliver's scandalized look, Harry quickly added, "Hey, I'm not the only person on this team who can be injured..."

After a moment, Wood nodded. "Anyone else?"

"Sure... three more of the Firsties. I think Coote and Peakes might make pretty good backup for the twins, and that girl Demelza Robins... she might make a fine Chaser one day. We'd need to train them so they were ready, and I doubt they'd see play... this year at least, but it never hurts to see what's what, right?" Harry waved as Ginny swooped low over their heads, laughing.

"So you've talked to these kids yet?"

"Oh no..." Harry said. "Just a feeling, really... I'm not sure why I suggested those guys, but..." Harry shrugged, not able to really tell Oliver Wood where the names came from. "I'm thinking it will be our first step to permanent Gryffindor supremacy on the Quidditch Pitch."

"Ahah! Yes, I like that idea, Harry." Wood slapped Harry on the back. "Well, I'm going to pull out a broom and hit the air. Want me to grab one for you so you can have your girlfri... huh... your wife, I mean, fly rings around you on that broom of yours?" The captain of the Gryffindor House Team stepped toward the door leading to Gryffindor's storage area in the pitch's broom closet.

"Yeah, I suppose that'll be fine." Harry stepped toward the door, but stopped at Oliver's expression. The older boy had just opened the door to the broom shed, and had stopped, open-mouthed, before stepping inside.

"Holy Mary, Mother of God! Where did these come from?" The older boy stepped in, and in a moment stepped out with two shiny, black-handled Nimbus 2001s. "These are the latest model! They've only been out for three months! How did we end up with seven of them?"

"Oh... yeah... wow... they got here quick!" Harry cast his eyes about, looking for a convenient lie to tell Oliver regarding the broom's origins. "I suppose an anonymous donor took pity on the school and replaced the house brooms."

Oliver Wood eyed Harry speculatively. "Do you know anything about this?"

Harry smiled, but said nothing.

XxxxxxX

An easy-going Friday became an easier-going Saturday. The entire student body took it upon itself to enjoy the last of the truly warm weather as summer began to end. Scotland was a relatively cool country and summer never lasted that long; any chance to be outside in the sunshine was a chance taken. The castle was overrun with children with too little to do and too much time to do it in.

While the professors viewed it all with some amusement (such a condition had occurred before in their memory, of course), they also saw the constant chaos as slightly exasperating. There wasn't too much in the way of harmful horseplay - the occasional jinxing back and forth between rival students, or the Weasley twins upping their seeming crusade to annoy the Slytherins as much as possible - all kept the teachers on their toes. But it also kept them distracted, which is why they never saw the duel coming.

The other students in Gryffindor had already noticed that Harry, Ron, Hermione, Neville, Luna, and Ginny were hanging together as a group, even over such a short period as the long weekend. Most had read the articles about Harry Potter and his supposed "wedding" to Ron Weasley's sister, but they weren't actually sure what to make of it, really. What they did know was that the six of them hung out together almost exclusively over the weekend.

They were all sitting at breakfast, chatting over their last day before classes, when Neville's head abruptly snapped up. "Prepare to have your morning ruined," he announced to his friends. When they looked at him curiously, Longbottom pointed toward a group of approaching Slytherin students; Draco Malfoy was prominently in the lead. "Seems Draco's been doing some politicking," Neville commented off-handedly.

Other than the ever-present Crabbe and Goyle, Malfoy was accompanied nearly Slytherins' entire remaining roster of children from the Twelve Families. To Harry's eyes, only Daphne Greengrass was missing. He looked past the approaching group toward the Slytherin table; sure enough, Greengrass was watching... but she didn't look very happy about what was going on.

Harry swallowed what he had been chewing, gave Ginny's hand a squeeze, and stood up. He casually wiped his mouth off with a napkin, and had time to take a quick sip of pumpkin juice before Malfoy spoke up.

"Potter," Malfoy put as much disgust as he could into the single word.

"Malfoy," Harry, on the other hand, put nothing but boredom in his voice.

"On Thursday, on the train to Hogwarts, you attacked me in a manner unsuited to gentleman and certainly of such a nature as to be dishonorable. As such, you're supposed right to take my wand was negated. The fact that you then snapped that wand is an insult I refuse to bear. I formally declare in the presence of these witnesses and in the presence of Longbottom there..." Draco pointed past Harry. "... All members of the Twelve Great Families that I seek enforced reparations."

Harry stood silent for a moment. "Wow, Draco... how long did it take you to memorize that? Couple of hours, I bet." Standing just behind and to the right of Goyle, Guy Beaumont abruptly snorted and grinned. Harry's eyes widened as he realized that his joke was more accurate than he expected. He studied the group for a moment. Harry turned to look at his friends. Ron seemed anxious, Hermione looked nervous, Neville was studying everything that was going on, and Luna... seemed to be daydreaming again.

"Well, I suppose we'll have to agree to disagree, Draco." Harry knew that the continued use of Malfoy's first name just made the insult deeper, as it showed disregard for the other boy's status. "I gave you fair warning back at Flourish and Blotts that any rudeness toward my wife would be punished. You were rude to my wife, and you were punished."

"Through ungentlemanly means, Potter," Pansy Parkinson interjected. "Mister Malfoy isn't disputing your right to attack... merely the method of your attack itself. Now, will you stand to and offer reparations, or are you admitting to being dishonorable."

"What reparations are you demanding, Malfoy?" Harry asked.

"A chance to redeem my honor, Potter... a real duel this time. Refereed, with rules and everything. That way, everyone will see which person is superior..." Malfoy's sneer deepened "... and which one is polluting his bloodline."

Harry rolled his eyes. "Fine... when do you want to fight me?"

"Oh, I'm not challenging you, Potter," Malfoy smirked. "I'm challenging her!" Malfoy raised his arm and pointed right at Ginny. "She's the cause over which you struck the low blow, so she's the cause of the conflict. She'll be the one to defend it."

"No... I will not allow it," Harry said, his voice rising.

"Five points from Gryffindor for yelling in the Main Hall. Where do you think you are, Potter...?" Harry closed his eyes in frustration. He hadn't even heard Snape approach. "What is going on here, Mister Malfoy?"

"We are attending to a matter of honor according to the Old Code. I've been insulted and have asked for enforced reparations, sir." Draco's smirk had become an open smile. "According to Law Six and Law Thirteen, I've just challenged Miss Weasley to defend her supposed family."

"And I said I won't allow it," Harry said.

"Tut tut, Mister Potter... surely a scholar of the Old Code knows that under the laws stated by Malfoy, you have no say in the matter." Snape turned toward Ginny. He examined her for a moment in the same way that he might examine a newly discovered fungus. "Well? How do you answer Mister Malfoy's challenge, Miss Weasley?"

As they spoke Ginny had grown redder and redder and redder. "It's Missus Potter, Professor, and I will thank you to remember it. As for Draco's challenge, I accept." Her eyes met Harry's and her expression softened. "Don't worry, love... he asked for a controlled duel. What's the worst that could happen?"

"Very well, Miss Weasley... who will be your second?" Snape emphasized the use of the incorrect name, grinding the insult home.

"Hermione."

"What? No, I'll be your second!" Harry demanded.

"You can't be, Harry," Neville said, suddenly. "You're the head of the family, and as such you can only answer direct challenges to you. I'll be her second. No offense to Hermione, but I know the rules better than she does." Neville turned his attention back to Malfoy. "Who is your second, sir?"

Draco nodded back toward Crabbe. "Vincent Crabbe."

Neville nodded. He'd expected it. "Crabbe, I'll be meeting with you shortly to discuss the rules of engagement. Professor Snape, I expect you already have the where and when set up?"

"In order to be most accommodating to all involved, an area and time has been arranged," the Potions Master said. "Four this afternoon, in the back courtyard. And Miss Weasley, I suggest you show up, or else I'll let the Slytherins know its open season on your entire family." With that, the bat-like professor left.

The Slytherin delegation had turned to leave when Ginny abruptly called out, "Malfoy... just out of curiosity, whose wand will you be borrowing for the fight?"

Draco stopped and responded, "Not that it matters to you, but my father bought me a new one!" He held up the new wand with a flourish.

"Good! I'd hate to see you get someone else's wand snapped. Be seeing you." Ginny sat back down, her face flushed.

Hermione just shook her head. "This is not good."

XxxxxxX

"You know Snape is behind this, don't you?" Hermione asked.

"The slimy git almost has to be... this was pre-planned, of course, but there's nothing to be done about it now but forge ahead." Neville put a hand on Ginny's shoulder. "So... remember the rules, okay? You're not allowed to use anything lethal, or anything normally non-lethal in lethal ways. Oh, and Crabbe insisted on no physical contact. If you're disarmed or rendered unconscious, you lose. If you're knocked off the platform, you lose. If you concede by demanding mercy, you lose. Got it?"

Ginny just nodded.

"Good," Neville continued. "Oh, and if either of you cheats by striking a dishonorable blow, or using a spell you're not supposed to, all bets are off; your opponent can use whatever spell he wants, outside of the Unforgiveables if you cheat. I wouldn't count on Snape objecting if Malfoy decides to cheat, so kick his ass and kick his ass quickly."

Ginny nodded again. "Thanks, Neville."

The three of them were gathered at one end of the long, thin platform that had been erected in the back courtyard of the castle. Word had quickly spread across the school, so naturally enough the entire school was gathered around the periphery to watch. The headmaster and the other teacher's were all gathered on one of the ramparts overlooking the courtyard. Among all the instructors, only Professor Snape, who had declared himself the referee, and Professor Lockhart, who had tried to give Ginny all kinds of bad advice, were down among the students.

"All right... let's get this over with," Snape finally called. "Combatants, please take your places."

Ginny climbed up to the platform and watched as Draco Malfoy appeared at the other end. When they had taken their places, Snape waved his wand and a pale, translucent wall of magic came up around the entire platform, protecting the spectators from stray spells.

"I only ask this because custom requires it. Draco Malfoy, is there any way this matter can be solved outside of combat?" Snape asked the question in such a casual, off-hand way it was obvious he knew what the answer was.

"Miss Weasley there can get down on her bony, blood-traitor knees in front of me and kiss my white ass, begging for forgiveness the whole time." A low murmur rose among the crowd at the intense insult Malfoy was offering. Ginny gripped her wand so tightly that she came close to snapping it. At the last second, though, she took a deep breath and brought herself to a level of calmness she didn't expect. It was almost as if she was suddenly watching herself from outside her own body...

"Response, Miss Weasley?" Snape asked.

Ginny eyed the Potions Master speculatively. Attacking the referee of a duel was considered dishonorable, which was too bad. She really wanted to shove her wand somewhere painful and fire off the most vicious hex she could think of. "Draco doesn't need me to kiss his ass, Professor... that's what Crabbe and Goyle are for. I'm sure they're more used to being on their knees in front of Malfoy than I ever will be."

Draco's mouth fell open in shock. "You bitch!"

"Believe it!" Ginny responded.

"Enough!" Snape interrupted any possible response. "When I give the signal, you may commence your duel." Snape stepped down from his position at the center of the platform and began the count. "One! Two!"

On two, Malfoy slashed with his wand and called, "Relashio!"

Ginny barely had time to duck out of the spell's way. She hadn't anticipated the cheating to start so soon. Ginny smiled as she heard Harry protesting; her husband's voice was muffled by the Spectator Ward, but she could clearly hear him calling for Snape to do something. Not that he would, of course. Silently, she pointed to Malfoy and thought Duploconflagrio! Two fist-sized balls of fire rocketed toward her opponent. She rolled sidewise and thought, Rictusempra! Tarantallegra Stupefy!, pushing as much power as she could into all three spells.

Malfoy's eyed widened in shock. He managed to get a Shield Charm up in time to block the twin fireballs; the three additional spells struck his shield as well, and it barely held. He quickly cast two Stinging Jinxes in return.

Ginny jumped to the side, but was clipped in the shoulder by the second Jinx. She felt her shoulder swell in pain; her left arm was useless to her now... it just hurt too much to use it. She fell back in shock as a Cutting Curse she hadn't seen coming struck her in almost the same location. First blood to Malfoy! she thought.

She stared at Draco Malfoy for a second. He was accurate with a wand, though his spell choices were limited. And he couldn't cast silently yet. She cast a Bedazzling Charm, hoping it would disrupt his aim, and cast one of her favorites at him. Chiroptomucosa!

Draco saw the far end of the platform blur and smiled in response. "A duelist who goes on the defensive is a duelist who's about to lose, Weasley!" He called. Draco saw the gray-green beam of light coming at him and dodged aside. "Stupefy! Stupefy!" He sent the two curses toward two separate locations on the platform, hoping to bracket Ginny.

Ginny called up a Shield Charm and stepped directly into one beam's path, knowing he was going to try to shoot the center spot. Change the conditions of the game, Ginny, a familiar, comforting voice sounded in her head. It was a woman's voice, and it sounded so familiar... He's more accurate than you are, and faster... you know more spells, so use that against him. She nodded to herself, and then changed her point of aim. For the first time in the duel, she cast a spell audibly: "Confringo!"

The platform below Draco's feet exploded. The boy himself flew backwards, crashing into the Spectator Ward and falling to the ground limply. Malfoy started to wail, obviously in pain. His legs were bleeding heavily and everyone in the audience could see long, bloody splinters of wood piercing his robes through into his legs.

Ginny walked to the edge of the ruined platform. "My opponent is no longer on the dueling platform. I win," she said to Professor Snape, who was watching her in shock. She turned to leave, but remembered something. "Oh... yeah... I forgot..." She turned back to Malfoy. "Accio Malfoy's Wand!" The new wand flew into her hand.

Snape began, "Miss Weasley, do not do what --"

"My last name is Potter, Professor." Ginny snapped Malfoy's new wand almost casually and tossed the pieces onto the boy's bleeding body. "I insist that you use it in the future."