Chapter Twenty
"Sting a Bit? Harry said incredulously once they were done, "That hurt like a mother fucker!"
"Harry!" Madam Pomfrey sputtered her face red.
"Sorry Madam Pomfrey," Harry said contritely his wing twitching from where it was now burning slightly.
"Yes, well, don't do it again- Oh god I'm scolding a bloody dragon, somehow that doesn't seem quite correct." she said with an ironic lilt towards the end of her sentence.
There was some shared laughter and then Dumbledore stiffened, "Are, it appears that Miss Davis has arrived, I will let her in, oh, and now Miss Granger has as well." Dumbledore said, sending a spell that allowed them through the aversion field. They entered the clearing shortly thereafter.
"Oh my," Hermione breathed as she walked into the area, "Well, that's impressive."
Tracey snorted a laugh, "You're rather good at understatement aren't you."
Hermione smiled slightly at the raven-haired girl and walked closer to Harry, "You wanted to see me."
"I wanted you to see," Harry told her gaining a smile from his friend.
"Thank you, I'm terribly impressed," Hermione, told him with a grin.
"Wench,"
"Indeed I am," Hermione told him, and then looked at his wing, "Got into a scrape did we?"
"Pesky creatures those Nundu," Harry told her.
Tracey rolled her eyes, "You two are trying too hard to be - what was it- Oh yes, cool."
This caused everyone present to chortle a little, "Though I take it this bad wing of yours is the reason we can't meet?" Tracey asked.
Harry nodded, "Once they are done with me, hang around we'll talk anyway."
Tracey nodded, "Very well," she told him, her shields in place even if her humour was making the occasional appearance.
Hermione looked at the other woman in Harry's life, one of the other women at least. She was wondering what he saw in her at that moment in time. Yes, she was attractive, extremely attractive, but she seemed to cool and distant that did not strike her, as something Harry would really like all that much. She had to suppose that there was much more to her, the fact she liked to watch was obviously one thing. She doubted that it was the be all and end all of what Harry found interesting about her though.
"Right, Harry, I will be back with Charlie in a few hours, say two and we'll see about putting the salve on then. Charlie can help me with the proper application, but I would imagine the potion involved is much the same?" Poppy said to Harry and asked Charlie.
Charlie nodded, "Oddly enough it is, dragons can use quite a few medical potions that humans do."
"Because, we are not so different to humans," Harry told him, "We are merely a different branch."
"What?" Charlie asked.
Harry shook his head and refused to say more, it was something in his memories something that was in fact racial memory it was a long way back he was going to have to study that later. Since he was going to be stuck in his draconian form all night, he had an excellent opportunity to study his own mind in that form. This was not something he had done previously, or had even thought of doing.
Charlie looked at him steadily for a long while then turned back to Madam Pomfrey when he realized he was not going to get an answer. "As I was saying, most potions are fine for dragons, but they obviously have to be more powerful because of the extra thickness of skin."
Poppy nodded, then slung an arm into Charlie's elbow, hooking arms in other words, "Come young Charlie you and I have not talked in a long time. Once you could've given Harry a run for how many times I saw you of a term," she said drawing Charlie away for which Harry was grateful.
Dumbledore and the others quickly took the hint, and got everyone back up to the castle and leaving Harry with two of his fledgling Harem, though only Hermione had joined officially so far.
Once everyone was well away from them Harry's long neck swivelled and angled downwards so his head was level with Tracey, "You're taking this well."
She smiled at him, her eyes bright, "I told you I know that you were special Harry. The fact that you have a dragon form is of little surprise to me," she told him, not even backing up a step from the head that was bigger than she was. "I knew it was you as soon as I laid eyes on you actually. It also explains a lot-"
"You're going to mention the Harem thing aren't you?" Harry said wryly, which was impressive from a dragon's voice box. "Everybody always mentions the Harem thing."
She beamed at him, her eyes twinkling madly, "How do I join?" she asked.
"You already have," Harry told her, his voice surprisingly soft. "I wanted you to see me, like this because I find myself trusting you rather a lot," he added.
"Surprised that you trust a Slytherin?" she asked, her posture defiant.
"No, but I've come to trust you a great deal in a short time. That is what surprises me, I also wanted you to see me as well," Harry said, his head swinging around to face Hermione, she also did not back up.
"Thank you Harry, but why in specific?"
"So you know everything there is to know, so you can see me as I am in all forms."
Hermione smiled at him, moved forward and placed a kiss on his snout. "You'll always be gorgeous to me, in whatever form Harry."
Harry could not blush in that form, for which he was extremely grateful. "Thank you Hermione."
Hermione turned to Tracey, "So- You like to watch hmm?"
Tracey looked at Hermione steadily, "So- You like to be watched hmm?" she shot back.
The two looked at each other steadily and then smiled at each other. Harry let out a breath he had not realized he was holding, blowing both of the girls' hairs up in its draft.
"Awww, he was worried," Tracey, said with a chuckle, "He thought we wouldn't get along or something."
"Apparently, he need not have worried though. I'm not doing the jealous thing, even if you are one of the best looking girls in the school."
Tracey smiled, "Are you flirting with me?"
"Maybe a little"
"Can you two not flirt when I'm in no position to enjoy it?"
-#-
Harry sat bored out of his mind. He had sent the two women away after his second treatment and now he was without a single thing to do. He was not allowed to fly and he was not allowed to change, meaning he was well and truly stuck. He had explored his own mind a little, digging as deep as his primal memory would go. So far, there were no more hints to the flash of information he had gotten before, about the different branch and exactly what he himself had meant by that. It was more than a little frustrating to say the least. Then suddenly he felt someone arriving in the area and he mentally tracked them, luckily there was one thing he could do easily without moving and he promptly turned invisible.
Capelle Zabini walked into the area in which Harry had been and looked around, a little confused. In her arms were a sketchpad and some charcoals as well as a tiny little bag.
Seeing that it was a friend and not a foe Harry allowed himself to be seen.
Capelle jumped backwards in shock, her hand going to her heart, "Bloody Hell Harry!" she said in surprise.
Harry spurted a laugh of fire, which turned to a wash of warm air by time it hit the arts professor.
She raised an elegant brow at him.
"Sorry," he muttered moving sheepishly, which was an amusing look for a huge dragon. Luckily, he was in complete control of The Black at that moment. Otherwise, a much larger fireball would have hit the woman, though not deadly it would have cooked her around the edges for her arrogant assumption to chastise a dragon.
She beamed at him, which was a startling look from a woman as beautiful as she was, "I was hoping that I could take advantage of your inactivity."
"You want to sketch me?"
"No, I want to paint you. I have my full kit with me, it will take all night, but then- You aren't going anywhere are you?" she asked her teeth flashing in the moonlight.
Harry snorted in amusement and nodded his head, "Then, of course you can paint me. This is obviously not a portrait style painting then?"
"Oh, what makes you think that?"
"No soul stone, I wonder- actually, what the soul stone would show if I had my portrait done- Me in Harry form or me in this form? Perhaps, eve, I would show up in my feline form, though in truth I doubt that."
Capelle smirked at him, "You're bored aren't you?"
"How did you guess," Harry said ironically.
"Well, I can, thankfully, talk and work- so I suggest that you and I get to know each other a little better."
Harry looked at her steadily, a slight smile on his maw. "Something about me really fascinates you doesn't it?"
She smiled coyly at him, which normally would have put him off further questioning with a wash of hormones. In his dragon form though, it was related to his mind than hormonal and thus easily controlled. Therefore, he just continued to look at her steadily, "Yes" she said finally, "You do rather fascinate me. If not for Severus I would most likely take you into my bed to fully explore that fascination."
Harry briefly wondered if Severus had moved quarters yet and if he could hit the tower form there with a fireball. He shook off the thought, because as gorgeous as Capelle Zabini was, Severus deserved something good in his life and she was it. "I'm flattered," he said finally, not knowing what else to say. "I still sense you are trying to put me off the real reason though."
She smiled at him in a cunning fashion and an appreciative one as well, "You are the most powerful wizard in a thousand years, possibly more than that. It does indeed interest me greatly to find out more about you. Perhaps ally myself with you; a powerful patron is not a bad thing after all."
"I am already your patron Capelle," Harry said, feeling that they were out of the paradigm of a student/professor relationship. "I am quite willing to continue that during your tenure here and possibly beyond it. Art amazes me, it makes me smile and it makes everyone feel something different. I will also be looking after Dean in the future as well. It is my honest hope that I can stop him from having to leave the wizarding world. I also hope, at a later date to bring music back into Hogwarts."
Capelle looked at him with some amazement, "That was remarkably easy."
Harry laughed, a rich sound that rumbled around the area, "I have an honest appreciation for the arts. I know little about them, well perhaps more than a little. I could learn quite a bit more if you will let me, tomorrow."
"What does that mean; you went off track there like it had just occurred to you."
"I can- copy your knowledge of such things, if you will allow me to."
"You are asking permission to - what, read my mind?" Capelle asked, setting up her kit as she talked.
"I suppose I am; I will of course understand if you are against it."
"I'm not, in theory. I would prefer for my patron to truly appreciate the things I do for him- Harry?"
"Sorry mind wandered, it's your fault with all the talk of taking me into your bed earlier."
Capelle laughed gaily, "You're a bit of a tom cat at heart aren't you Harry?"
He smiled slightly, he was very amused but he did not want to show it too much. Hermione had told him that his draconic smile was a little on the side of terrifying. In addition, he would swear Capelle was playing him for some reason he had not figure, but two could play at that game. "Is it normal to sleep with one's patron?" he asked with a carefully modulated tone.
She smirked slightly, setting up her easel as she spoke. "It's not something I've contemplated before now, but then ones patron isn't usually an exceptionally powerful young man who happens to be extremely attractive." she paused, tapping her chin thoughtfully, "Perhaps I should persuade Severus to share me- What do you think?"
"I think you're flirting with me, and I have to admit that's a bit of a shock. Makes me wonder why you would want to."
Capelle smiled again, "Is it so hard to believe that I do actually find you not only interesting but attractive as well. I saw those two girls that were here earlier, they are both interested in you. You know it and they know it and you aren't so shocked about them."
"It's not that I think I'm unattractive or anything, I'm just curious to know what you - want."
Capelle laughed, setting up a short table and then a comfortable chair before she replied. "I'm pressing your buttons to see your reactions Harry. It's something I tend to do to people I like, but want to be sure of them."
"Did you press Severus's buttons?" Harry asked his voice was thick with amusement.
"You know very well what buttons I pushed with Sev. He is, at the same time a complex and simple man. In that, he has complex emotional issues, but simple needs. You have personally tended to the major issue in his life. For that alone I like you, he has come to mean rather a lot to me."
"What is it I did?"
"You removed his dark mark, as you well know. Killing Voldemort is largely unimportant compared to that. By flushing the dark magic out of his system, you have allowed to him to feel lighter. This in turn has allowed him to show his lighter emotions. I, as the direct recipient of those lighter emotions thank you. I am not like Sev Harry. I am a complex individual in emotions and needs. I am wondering if you can help me fill some of those needs. You have already said that you will help with one. Dean's future was another thing I needed to ensure. For anything else, I need to know you better."
"A straight answer that will help your case a great deal I assure you." Harry said, smiling slightly again.
Capelle smiled, sitting back in her comfortable chair a sketch pencil in her hand. She looked at him for a long moment, and then her hand began to flow across the canvas she had set up. Her face relaxed and her posture changed completely becoming oddly comfortable.
Harry watched her as she sketched out what was no doubt the beginning of her next masterpiece. "There must then be something in particular that you wish to know?"
"How do you feel?" She asked the question seemed out of place somehow, so Harry looked at her curiously. She took the hint, "Like that, in that form- How do you feel. This is for the art by the way, not my curiosity. I want to make that- what was it you said, take something and make it shine out."
"Powerful, as if I can do anything." he paused for a long moment, "Arrogant, or at the least, superior to everything around me, right now though I am frustrated because I can't fly."
"Do you like to fly?"
"I love to fly, especially like this. I have a Firebolt, one of the fastest brooms in the world and it is pedestrian compared to the speeds I can reach like this, the way that feels is incomparable to anything else in my admittedly limited experience."
"Better than sex?" she asked with a slightly impish smile curling her lips.
"No, I don't think anything beats that. In human form at least."
"Why human form?"
"Dragons just sort of get the job done, it's not about pleasure. They have very different ways of giving each other that."
"Such as?" Capelle asked, now curious despite herself.
"They sing," Harry, said wistfully, "All the time, I can hear it even now. There is a clutch of dragons up in those mountains," he said with a nod in the direction of the just visible mountains. "Their flame is strong and proud, as they should be. It angers me that dragons are in subservient positions in places like Gringotts. I understand why they are there, but all the same it pisses me off."
"You make it sound as if Dragons are comparable to humans." Capelle noted, her hand still flowing over the canvas as she spoke.
"That's because they are, we are rather, though A Black is above even that really. We are sentient beings, who think, love, and have a freedom of expression and even our own forms of art."
"Fascinating, I have made several studies of Dragons during the course of my career. They fascinate me greatly, such noble looking creatures and elegant in their form. You are different from most dragons I have seen. Your forelegs are shorter, more prehensile than normal dragons are. They have four legs and you have two and forearms. You are somewhat larger; looking rather like the Muggle dream of the dragon in this country, Other than that though your shape is similar, though your wings do seem disproportionably large."
"They fold back a fair bit, when I'm going faster I'm being propelled by magic. I can break a good deal more than the speed of sound, instant transportation via full use of my magic, or faster than any Muggle jet with only a little. The extra size is because of the power I need to do that. My wings fold back when I dive of course."
"I feel that I should've borrowed the Headmasters quick quotes quill." Capelle told him seriously; "I will endeavour to remember instead." she looked up and then did a few strong strokes with her pencil nodding to herself. "I'm going off point somewhat aren't I," she said with a smile. "But - can you sing for me?"
Harry shook his head, and then paused, "Well I can- but you won't be able to hear it. I could probably call some here but frankly they seem at peace where they are."
"Fair enough," Capelle noted with a nod of her head.
Harry lapsed into silence as she began mixing some paints together. "You are a powerful man politically now," Capelle said suddenly, dipping her brush in some paint then blending some colours.
Harry would have loved to lift an eyebrow at that point but was unable to due to his lack of an eyebrow. "I'm not sure I would say that," he said eventually.
"I would say that for certain you have a great deal of political power now. I am sure that when the time comes you would be able to- direct the flow of various decisions."
Harry looked at her steadily, which was a very impressive look on a dragon.
She sighed, "Very well, Severus has enemies, due to the way he has treated people and because of the things he has done in the past, not the least of which was spying for many years against some hefty political bodies. It is my hope their political power will be diminished shortly, however, I am not sure it will happen."
Harry nodded thoughtfully, "I see, you want me to protect him don't you?" He paused for a moment and then said, "If you had asked me that last year I would've laughed in your face." He laughed, with another slight fireball accompanying it. "Now you don't have to ask me to do it, I would do it anyway."
She smiled at him brightly and thankfully, "Thank you Harry."
"You care for him don't you; you must do to beat around the bush like this and try to butter me up first of all."
"I do, very much- I was however being serious about how attractive I find you as well as how interesting I find you."
Harry smiled again, making sure he did not show teeth, "Then you have other questions?" he asked her semi-seriously as he had a feeling that she would indeed have more.
"I do," she admitted, "Some are personal some are about your form. I really am very interested in Dragons, there was a reason I was chosen to make the sculptures of the Tri-Wizard dragons. I also still have yet to ask you my favour."
"Let's start with that, I know you want me to do a sculpture and the specifics are going to be difficult for me."
"Well, you need to know the subject well, your memory is enhanced by many factors I am sure?"
"Yes, the better I know something, the more vivid an image the more - vivid the sculpture will be."
"I wish two sculptures made; one can of course be a copy of the other. Not animated with no instructions and set Gongari pieces. One is for Severus, and one is for my private collection."
"You have a private collection?"
"I have an extensive private collection," Capelle told him seriously, "I occasionally; allow those I am close to access to it. Perhaps you will see it one day."
"I think I would like that, but this sculpture?"
"I have a specific piece and pose in mind, and I am afraid that you may say no if I tell you."
"Really, I hate to think what it could be."
"It's not onerous, or at least- I hope it isn't."
"Well, just tell me what it is and we'll go from there."
Harry's eyes shot open when Capelle smiled and said, "I wish a nude."
-#-
Harry felt much better the next day, his phantom wing pain was gone and he had been able that morning bright and early, to stretch his wings a bit. In other words, he flew to France and back before breakfast.
He walked into the school and was grabbed once more. He should probably be getting used to it by now, but he really did not think he ever actually would. The identity of the grabber though was more than a little bit of a surprise to him.
"Pansy?" he asked, his voice and face laced with shock.
"Potter- Harry, I-" she trailed off and looked miserable.
Part of the shock he had felt was not only the identity of the attacker, but also the way she was dressed. A pair of amazingly high heels was on her feet, legs glad in white stockings and a Basque top finished off the look. In truth, she looked hot, but her makeup was overdone and her hair was a bit of a mess. The thing that stopped him dead from being turned on though was the look of utter mortification in her eyes.
"Draco put you up to this didn't he?" Harry asked with a heavy sigh, watching her as tears filled her eyes. "I am so sorry Pansy, so very- very sorry. I would have sex with you in a heartbeat by the way; you certainly do not need to dress like that to get me to do that. That said, I know this isn't for real and you look so- horrified and upset that I'm not about to be turned on."
The tears began to fall down her cheeks, "I'm so sorry," she cried her shoulders trembling.
"What's the plan? Is he going to jump in with a camera and catch us in the act?"
Pansy shook her head, so he pulled her into a hug. She was so distraught that she accepted it gladly. Harry turned his head to the side and sent off an Adfero, "You were to- seduce me then?" he asked, she was so far gone that she had not even seen him sending a message.
She nodded miserably against his chest, holding him tightly.
"Do you even fancy me Pansy?" he asked, his voice a little dark. He was not angry with her, he was furious with Draco.
She nodded, which was a bit of a surprise to Harry. He pressed on though, "Not enough to shag me though I am betting."
She shook her head this time, confirming his suspicions quite nicely. He let out a breath, "What's the idea then, I go into breakfast today and Draco stands up in a huff and shouts rape? Your maidenhood is checked and it is confirmed via inspection that we have had sex? Doesn't he know there's probably not a girl over the age of 14 in this school with a hymen?"
She pulled back and looked at him curiously, so he smiled, "I know about the wand trick," he explained which caused her a moment of amusement.
He pushed her back and transfigured her clothing into something less embarrassing for her. "I'm so sorry you've got caught up in this Pansy. You're a very attractive girl; you can do much better than Draco Malfoy."
"Like who, you?" she asked with a trembling lip.
"I'm a bit of a tart Pansy, and the thought of doing anything with you are far from unattractive to me. If you are looking for the boyfriend type though, then no- Not me, but there are a lot of good looking, influential and more importantly, honourable guys out there. Blaise jumps to mind for starters. I'm fairly sure he isn't actually gay as most seem to think."
She giggled slightly, and then started to cry again. He pulled her in for another hug and soothed her by rubbing her back gently, "You know either way, even if you report failure, that Draco will push this ahead don't you?"
She nodded on his chest with a sigh along for the ride.
"That's going to be embarrassing for you Pansy. There is not a lot I can do about that. Other than, make him eat his words obviously. He is going to impugn my good name through merely the accusation, half of Gryffindor knows that I was caught kissing Ginny. They will have any doubts cleared as soon as he stands up and declares me a rapist. I will have to put him down and put him down hard."
"Why are you being so nice to me?" she asked, still sobbing slightly so her words came out in small hiccups.
"I never got the feeling that you were really feeling the insults you chucked at me, that you were following after Draco. You love him don't you?"
She shook her head, "I did- until he forced me to do this. I was going to do it as well, I am sorry for that I really am, but then I saw you and I just could not do it. Now my family will be disgraced, my reputation will be in tatters and any influence I had will be gone in a flash- All because of his petty hatred of you and your girlfriend."
Harry looked at her steadily for a moment, "I have someone on the way that will get you back in the Snake Pit. She will do it quietly because she owes me a few favours." He told her, the last part a bit of a lie, but he knew Tracey would do this for him, but Pansy would understand it better if he told her it was repayment. "When Draco makes his announcement if you wish, stand up and call me a rapist. I will just deal with the fallout. It sounds like your situation is more untenable than mine is even. With all that has happened lately I may be able to weather this I suppose."
She looked at him for a long drawn out moment, her eyes were - stunned. "W-W-W-"
"It's alright; I understand things better than most think you know. I'm not overly bothered by the way people think of me. Those I care about will know the truth, everyone else can go whistle."
"B-B-B-" she stuttered at him.
"Don't worry about me, I'll be fine. Tracey will be here soon. If you want me to, I can- urm- give you evidence."
She dove onto him, her lips on his and kissing the air out of him. He was just starting to become aroused when a polite clearing of a throat came from behind them; it was Tracey. Pansy broke away and looked at Harry in shock, "I've made a decision," she said, no hint of a pause or a stutter. "For starters Draco and his family can go fuck. I am going to go right now and write to my parents, to warn them what is happening. I will stand up and call that weasel fucker a liar. They will test me and find nothing. I want you to challenge that dick-less fuck to a duel and I want you to thrash him," she said her eyes burning with passion. "You made me feel like a human being Harry, someone that should've just slapped me and walked away just treated me better than Draco has in the past 6 years. You think I will stand by and let him try to ruin you?" she shook her head. "No way, no way in hell!"
Harry smiled at her, "Are you sure Pansy, it could get rocky- unless- We give testimony under Veritaserum, which might do it." He said obviously thinking as he spoke.
"Fine by me. The little shit could be out of the school by the end of the day if we did that." She looked at Tracey who was smiling at her slightly, then back at Harry. "Just so you know-" she said, kissing him quickly again, "I don't want Blaise."
With that, she walked out head held high and Tracey trailing behind her. Tracey glanced back and smiled warmly at him, before putting an arm around Pansy's back and leading her back towards the Slytherin common room and then a private conversation.
-#-
That morning's breakfast had an air of expectancy about it, or it did for a few in the know. The only real regret Harry had was that he could not kill the little bastard for this, or permanently hurt him. He did after all know his mother rather well and did not think that she would take to that kindly.
He wondered when Draco would pull of his move. All told, it was far from the best plan in the world. Perhaps if Pansy had not a moral bone in her body she would have done it and Harry may well have fallen for it. In the Muggle world, they had ways of telling if sex was mutual, forced or even mutual with violence. He was not so sure about the Magical world, certainly not sure enough to stake his reputation on it. Luckily, Pansy had shown there were lines she would not cross and he had a feeling that he had made a friend for life with the way he had reacted. It would have been easy to do as she had said, to just slap her one and walk away. That did not seem to be right to Harry not right at all. Therefore, he had reacted as he hoped someone would do for him and apparently, that had been the correct thing to do.
He looked across to the Slytherin table; Draco had an almost keen look on his face so Harry suspected he would not wait for long. The breakfast mail arrived, with several owls swooping down to those that had various missives from home. One headed straight for Pansy and she eyed it warily. He felt for her he really did, even though it was not his place he would make sure she did not cop too much fallout for Draco's stunt if he could manage it. He did after all have a few methods at his disposal did he not? A large island if he needed it laid waiting for him and anyone he needed to hide for one thing. He suspected that he could be happy there, a forest to run in, local food and even books to read. The airspace above the island was naturally clear as well and as soon as he got a chance he could get Thisiliar out of bondage and they could fly together free from the concerns of human kind.
Her eyes scanned the letter and she smiled widely, her eyes flicking to his for a moment. Whatever the note contained it was a balm to her that much was obvious. She carefully put the note away and continued to talk to those around her. Harry had to give Slytherin's one thing that the excelled at, they could really act.
Breakfast was served and Draco was apparently waiting for the lull as everyone dug in. Then he jumped up onto the table. Harry's assertion was further proven as Draco affected a righteous anger and yelled, "Harry POTTER RAPED MY GIRL FRIEND!" at the top of his voice.
Harry gave Pansy a moment to make her denial, or her agreement. She stood up her face lived and she hauled off and slapped Draco stupid, "He did No Such Thing!" she breathed, her voice laced with venom and her eyes spitting fire. "Unlike some I can mention he is an honourable man. He has never laid a hand on me in the way you are accusing of that I am willing to testify under Veritaserum!"
Draco looked like he had been slapped, but then- he had. It was her words though that had more of an impact.
Harry decided it was his turn. His power jumped out around him crackling with justifiable anger and his eyes glowed with it. "I demand satisfaction," he purred dangerously.
Draco looked about ready to shit himself. "But-"
"Now!" Harry growled, and it was a frighteningly realistic sound.
Dumbledore stood up, his face creased in worry, "Harry, perhaps a more peaceful solution can be found?"
"I don't want to duel him to the death," Harry said in a more reasonable tone of voice, "I know someone that may not like that." he added, sowing a seed into Draco's subconscious. "I actually care about what they think. No, I will have my satisfaction though, and I want it now. I have been accused of a most heinous and despicable crime. Honour demands no less than total satisfaction Headmaster."
Dumbledore looked at him piercingly, so Harry met his eyes and 'pushed' his memories of the events of that morning into his mind. Dumbledore himself then looked angry, "Very well" he said in a surprisingly level voice. "Everyone will please clear the great hall immediately."
Instant chaos and pandemonium as everyone ran like buggery for the nearest exit.
"I want a second." Draco said quickly, his voice cracking.
"I will do it," Severus said with a sigh. He was so utterly disappointed in his godson at that moment, but he had to do his duty not only as a godfather, (Something he had thus far failed in) but as the head of Draco's house also.
"I will second Harry" a voice came from behind Harry causing him to turn in surprise.
"Davis!" Draco growled dangerously, "What do you think you are doing you traitor."
Tracey looked at Draco evenly, "Do you honestly wish for me to detail the events that have led up to this duel?"
"Feel free" Pansy said, "I will be making a full report. Harry, will you take my favour?"
Harry looked at her for a moment before nodding. Somewhat like a joust, a favour could be anything from a kiss to an item of clothing. Harry was hoping for a handkerchief all things considered. "Take my favour and fight with my honour as well as your own." Pansy declared in a clear strong voice as she handed him what Harry had hoped. "As it is not only your honour sullied this day."
The speech was very formal, but then this was a very formal event.
"I will be making a complaint to the Ministry Mr. Malfoy. I have the full support of my parents in this matter. Not only did you try to force me onto someone, that at the time, I was not interested in. You ignored my plea and then threatened me with harm upon my family and its name if I did not do as you asked."
Draco was becoming more and paler as she went on.
"This and more I will testify to under truth serum." she finished, her head held high but Harry could see her resolve was on the knife-edge.
Harry smiled at her, that appeared to help somewhat and he stood beside her. "I accept your token of favour under the terms you mentioned."
Pansy smiled at him in return and backed away, now silent, and stood beside Tracey.
Most of the hall had now cleared out, but a few had been around to hear all of that. This was exactly as Pansy had wanted.
"I will be drawing up the papers for your expulsion Mr. Malfoy if testimony is found true." Professor Dumbledore said his tone carefully modulated to show no preference either way.
Draco was shaking slightly now, this had all backfired on him rather spectacularly. If he failed to beat Potter, he would be without honour. If their testimony was found admissible then his name would be worth nothing, and not even his father could save him from that. If he was expelled from Hogwarts, they would snap his wand and he would be unable to do magic. Worse, still, if he were convicted of something like threatening behaviour and intent to ruin an ancient name he would be in Azkaban.
Harry appeared to read that last one loud and clear. "Cissy would never forgive me if I let her son go to Azkaban."
Draco's face flushed with anger. "So it's you that has been hiding the traitorous bitch then?"
Harry stepped forward, and slapped Draco around the face, "Strike Two Draco, that means one more and I will not hold back. It's my respect for your mother that is stopping me from demanding what is my right and having a duel to the death."
Draco looked as if he were about to wet himself.
"Ten paces away from each other gentlemen," Dumbledore said, due to his position it was up to him to a) Try to mediate, and if that failed then, b) Referee the duel. Frankly, he was glad that Harry was not pushing this to the full extent of his rights. There had not been a killing by duel in the school for a hundred years and he hoped never to see a student kill a fellow ever again in the hallowed halls.
"Make ready" he called out, "Begin."
Draco did not even see Potter move; his wand had come up ready with some of the nastiest curses he knew. Intending to go all out on the bastard when instead, Harry just seemed to blur in place. This was not like anything he had seen Harry doing before. There may have been spell chains; he was not sure, since he was already airborne by that point and bleeding all over his face. He did not have chance to land before a bashing curse hit his side and broke three ribs. Now spinning in the air he was sent flying into a wall and then finally blessed relief came when a big hand seemed to swat him out of the air and made him go splat on the hard floor.
Harry had already stopped moving by that point his wand still glowing nearly as much as his eyes were.
Dumbledore stepped forward, "I would say that Harry Potter prevails- Again.