The Weasley Twin (Harry Potter Love Story)

[8] The Midnight Duel

"You're joking."

It was dinnertime. Harry and I had just finished telling Ron what had happened when we'd left the grounds with Professor McGonagall. Ron had a piece of steak and kidney pie halfway to his mouth, but he'd forgotten all about it.

"Seeker and Chaser?" he said. "But first years never -- you two must be the youngest house players in about--"

"-- a century," Harry and I chorused. Harry shoveled a piece of pie into his mouth before saying,"Wood told us."

Ron was so amazed, so impressed, he just sat and gaped at Harry and me.

"We start training next week," I told him. "Only don't tell anyone, Wood wants to keep it a secret."

Fred and George came into the hall, spotted Harry and me, and hurried over.

"Well done," said George in a low voice. "Wood told us. We're on the team too -- Beaters."

"I tell you, we're going to win that Quidditch cup for sure this year,"said Fred. "We haven't won since Charlie left, but this year's team is going to be brilliant. You must be good, Harry, Wood was almost skipping when he told us. And you sis, must be bloody brilliant to get on the team before we did, nice one." I smiled at my brothers as they looked at me with pride.

"Anyway, we've got to go, Lee Jordan reckons he's found a new secret passageway out of the school."

"Bet it's that one behind the statue of Gregory the Smarmy that we found in our first week. See you." Fred and George had hardly disappeared when someone far less welcome turned up: Malfoy, flanked by Crabbe and Goyle.

"Having a last meal, Potter? When are you getting the train back to the Muggles? And you, Weasley? You're family willing to take you back in?"

I stabbed my fork into my pie, imagining it was Malfoy's face. Harry noticed what I did and put a reassuring hand on my knee underneath the table.

"You're a lot braver now that you're back on the ground and you've got your little friends with you," Harry said coolly. There was of course nothing at all little about Crabbe and Goyle, but as the High Table was full of teachers, neither of them could do more than crack their knuckles and scowl at us.

"I'd take you on anytime on my own," said Malfoy. "Tonight, if you want. Wizard's duel. Wands only -- no contact. What's the matter? Never heard of a wizard's duel before, I suppose?"

"Of course he has," Ron said, wheeling around. "I'm his second, who's yours?"

Malfoy looked at Crabbe and Goyle, sizing them up. "Crabbe," he said. "Midnight all right? We'll meet you in the trophy room; that's always unlocked."

When Malfoy had gone, Harry, Ron, and I looked at each other. "What is a wizard's duel?" said Harry. "And what do you mean, you're my second?"

"Well, a second's there to take over if you die," said Ron casually, getting started at last on his cold pie.

Catching the look on Harry's face, I quickly added, "But people only die in proper duels, you know, with real wizards."

"The most you and Malfoy'll be able to do is send sparks at each other," Ron said. "Neither of you knows enough magic to do any real damage. I bet he expected you to refuse, anyway."