Polyjuice

Chapter 8: Duel’s after Dinner


Harry and Ron approached the Slytherin table at supper that night. Draco and Blaise stopped talking as they watched the pair approach. Hermione looked over her shoulder to see what they were looking at.

“Harry and Ron are coming” she whispered to Ginny.

Ginny nodded and stood to confront them.

“Sit back down Ginny,” Harry said. “This doesn’t concern you.”

Ginny retook her seat with a puzzled look on her face.

“Malfoy” Harry spat with disgust.

“What can I do for you Potter?” Draco asked.

“Duel tonight at 11 in the forest if you are man enough. Just you and me. Anything goes” Harry said slowly then turned and walked away flanked by Ron.

“No Draco, you can’t do it” Hermione said quickly.

“I have to” he replied. “If I don’t show up this will never end.”

“Please don’t hurt him Draco” Ginny pleaded. “I know you are more powerful than him. Just knock him out.”

“I think that would be sufficient” Draco replied. Hermione and Ginny sighed in relief.

“Actually, I think that would be a good gesture” Blaise said. “Simply knock him out or disarm him. That way everyone will know that you could have done much more, but chose not to hurt him. That would go a long way toward improving the reputation of Slytherin house.”

The rest of dinner passed in a blur for Hermione. She was unable to concentrate with the duel hanging over their heads. Her stomach was queasy and upset with fear for both competitors. Blaise and Ginny tried to comfort her while Draco prepared mentally for the duel.

At 10:45 they snuck out of the head common room and used a secret passage in the kitchen to sneak out of the castle. When they reached the clearing in the forbidden forest a host of sixth and seventh year Gryffindors and Slytherins were waiting for them. Harry was standing in front of the Gryffindors with a dark look on his face.

The Slytherins let out a cheer as Draco moved through them to the front. Blaise, Hermione and Ginny followed to stand right behind him.

“Potter” Draco said, nodding toward the other boy.

“Malfoy” Harry returned. “I didn’t think you would show. Shall we start?”

“How many paces?” Draco responded.

“I think thirty will do.” Harry said. Turning around so his back was to Draco.

Draco moved closer to Harry and turned around as well. They waited back to back, almost touching until Ron started counting the paces. The gathered students backed up, finding a little cover amongst the trees around the edge of the clearing on either side of the opponents.

“….twenty-nine….thirty” Ron finished.

Harry and Draco turned at the same time. “Stupefy,” Harry yelled.

Draco dodged the curse and wandlessly threw a disarming curse at Harry.

Harry looked down in surprise as his wand was thrust out of his hand. He reached his hand towards his wand, “Accio wand.”

The wand flew though the air back toward Harry, but Draco was faster, casting the bat bogey hex on Harry. Bats were all over Harry, hitting him in the face and chest. Instead of reaching for his wand he swiped at the bats trying to make them get out of his face.

“Accio Harry’s wand” Draco said quietly. Harry’s wand landed in his hand and Draco put it in his robe pocket quickly.

Harry saw that his wand was gone and heard cheering. The Slytherins were all cheering loudly to drown out the boo’s from the Gryffindor side. Draco turned toward the Slytherins and took a quick bow as they moved out of the cover of the woods and came toward him.

Ron jogged toward Harry, “Sorry mate.” He said.

“Give me your wand Ron” Harry said quickly. “This isn’t over.” He watched Draco kiss Hermione on the cheek.

Ron handed Harry his wand. Harry pointed it at Draco and whispered, “ Sectumsempra.” The cutting curse sailed toward an unsuspecting Draco.

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Hermione was so happy. Draco kept his word and only disarmed Harry. Draco kissed her on the cheek and she jumped up to hug him, wrapping her arms around his neck. Draco spun around in a circle with her before settling his mouth on hers. She didn’t kiss him back. Draco opened his eyes and saw a look of pain on her face. He though squeezed her too tight in his excitement so he loosened his grip and lowered his hands to her waistline, where he felt something wet under his right hand.

He took a step away from her and saw her white shirt was red with blood, visible through her shredded school robes. Draco caught her as she started to fall forward.

“Baby...Hermione” Draco said. “Blaise go get Madame Pompfrey quick!”

Blaise turned and ran toward the school as Draco held Hermione to him. Ginny took her cloak off and spread it on the ground. “Lay her down Draco. Let me see if I can slow the bleeding down any.”

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Harry and Ron couldn’t see what was going on, but they heard the sudden roar of voices and saw Blaise run toward the school at a sprint.

“Give me some space” they heard Ginny yell.

Harry and Ron gasped in shock when the Slytherin’s stepped back. Draco and Ginny were on the ground huddled around Hermione still form lying on the ground.

“Merlin” Harry whispered. “I was trying to hit Draco.”

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Author's Note: Hey all, sorry for the cliffie and the short chapter today. It's late and I have to get to bed. I'll post a longer chapter tomorrow.

Annie