A/N: Harry Potter isn't mine; it belongs to JK Rowling.

Blasted off into the thunder

Won't admit that they'd just ground me

If they found me

As I am now

You I couldn't fool anymore, though

You were born a rebel, a fighter like me

You were more than willin' to break my guard

And set the fire free

She awoke with a start.

Scowling and shaking the heaviness from her eyes and the thick fog from her mind, she looked down and raised an eyebrow. Frozen on the ground in their compartment was the famous Boy-Who-Lived. She blinked and looked over at Draco. She noticed something silvery in Draco's hands.

"Draco, why is Harry Potter laying on the ground in our compartment?" She asked, raising an eyebrow. "And is that an invisibility cloak?"

"It seems that Potter was spying on us." said Draco, he looked amused as he inspected the invisibility cloak. "Perhaps we should throw it back on him?"

She nabbed it from Draco's hands and conducted her own inspection. Her silver eyes flashed as she noticed the marking of the Hallows. It was small and innocuous; had she been unfamiliar with their existence then she wouldn't have noticed the marking.

She clicked her tongue. "You're so unimaginative, Draco. I've got a far better idea; one that'll make daddy proud of both of us."

She unclipped one of her hairpins and smiled down at the panicked visage of Harry Potter. She frowned and sighed.

"I must say, I'm completely disappointed," She said, rising to her feet and standing beside Draco. She looked down at the vulnerable boy-who-lived. "The fact you were caught so easily . . . what were you even trying to do? I've heard some nasty things about you from Sna - er - the professor and others, I had thought they were exaggerating but I was wrong. You really are quite stupid, aren't you?"

She shook her head. Coming in here without a plan. If he came here to prank us, then he's juvenile like that idiot father of his. If he came here to get intel on the Dark Lord then he's a complete idiot. Who would talk of such activities in a public setting on a train to a private school controlled by Dumbledore?

Potter glared and seemed to flush red. She let out a "tsk, tsk" sound while shaking her head. "Put the cloak to the side and leave us, Draco."

Draco scowled, probably miffed that she ruined his idiotic fun, but he took the cloak from her and put the cloak on the bench. He exited the compartment to leave her with Potter. She shut it after he walked out and turned to look down at Harry Potter. She pointed her wand at her hairpin.

"Portus," She muttered. She regarded Potter with an innocent smile. "As soon as I drop this hairpin, it'll transport you to a location that'll put your life in imminent peril. I'm sure you are familiar with the peril I am speaking of, yes?"

Harry's eyes widened in a panic and he began struggling against the binding with all his might. She continued to shake her head and shot him a look of contempt. Slowly, she held the hairpin over his prone body and dropped it. Harry shut his eyes tightly. For two minutes, he felt nothing happen but heard a soft movement.

"Is ickle, lickle Potty-kins scared of a hairpin?" whispered a hot breath to his right ear. Harry opened his eyes to see the blonde girl's face so close to his that their noses were touching. She moved back and revealed the hairpin in her hand. "By the way, this really was dangerous . . . and as I just showed you mercy, you now owe me a life debt."

Harry's eyes bulged. She smirked, waved her wand to release the binding, and sauntered out of the train.

This is the Chosen One with power equal to the Dark Lord? I beat him without even trying.

"Professor!" She called out. She suppressed a smirk as Severus Snape walked down the steps to meet up with the pair as they walked up. "Glad you came. I'm so sorry for taking up your time."

"Why, precisely, are you and Potter late for the feast?" said Snape, he was barely suppressing a snarl. He gazed at the two with a sour expression. "You need to hurry so that you can be sorted on time."

She waved her hand. "Oh I know, but it's urgent that I speak with you. It seems Potter here tried to observe Draco and I changing on the train during our respective turns. He's a bloody voyeur."

Harry Potter gasped in shock and then threw her a withering look. "I was not -!"

"Detention, Potter!" snapped Snape, Harry scowled at Snape. "I'll be notifying the Headmaster and your Head of House of this vile deed. It seems the fame has really gone to your head. To think Mr. Malfoy and . . . the new student . . . aren't safe around you."

"But I wasn't - !"

"Care to explain what you were doing then?" She questioned him, turning around to look down on him from her level on the steps. Potter frowned at her. "Well? We're waiting."

Silence.

She snorted, walked down a step and looked at Harry Potter directly in the eyes.

SLAP!

Snape looked stunned and Harry Potter stepped back a stair as he touched the red mark on his cheek.

"That was for being a voyeur, you sick fuck," She bit out. Harry Potter looked stricken by the comment. She turned about face and marched to the castle without a backwards glance.

"Snape, Delphini!" called out McGonagall, calling forth the only 16-year old of the group and the last to be sorted.

Harry stared in muted shock. Ron's mouth hung agape and food fell out of his mouth as he paused mid-bite. Even Hermione gaped and tried to get a clearer view of Delphini Snape. Fierce whispers broke out when McGonagall announced her name. The young woman moved to the stool with a prideful gait. Her shoulders straight and a firm smile on her face, she gave a slight nod to McGonagall as if ordering her to place the hat on her head. The hat was firmly on her head for several minutes.

"Snape, did she say?"

"Blimey! Snape has a daughter?!"

"No, no way is that bombshell related to Snape! I mean, do you see those highlights in her hair?! How the hell is she related to that slimeball!"

Snape glared at the offending Hufflepuff who mouthed off the last statement. Ernie Macmillan avoided his eye but grinned unabashedly.

"Slytherin!" announced the Hat.

I bet nobody's surprised, thought Harry, as the Slytherin table cheered and welcomed the new sixth year. Where else would the greasy git's daughter go?

"A dueling club?" said Hermione, looking through the events board in the Gryffindor Common room. Harry and Ron had just got out of bed for the morning to stand beside her.

"Dueling club?" repeated Ron, frowning. "Reminds me of the idiot, Lockhart. Who is setting it up?"

"Let's see . . ." said Hermione, inspecting the flyer. "It says Delphini Snape is hosting it tonight as a challenge to all 6th and 7th years. The flyer has a quote from her claiming she's an avid duelist and she's going to prove that she's the best in the school. There's . . . what?!"

"What is it, Hermione?" asked Harry, looking over her shoulder. His eyes widened.

"She's challenging me and several others specifically," said Hermione, frowning. "A duel in the Great Hall during club hours tonight."

"What a nutter," muttered Ron, shaking his head. They began walking out of Gryffindor tower. "I don't care if she is Snape's daughter. She's going to get herself injured challenging all the sixth and seventh years to a duel."

"I won't be going," said Harry grimacing, as they neared the entrance hall. "Dealing with one Snape is enough as it is."

"And what is that suppose to mean, Potter?" said a strong feminine voice behind him. Harry stiffened and turned around to see the sneer on the face of a young woman with grey eyes, pink lips, and blond curls with blue highlights. Delphini's eyebrows were narrowed, her hands folded, and her forefoot tapping on the ground. "What? Couldn't get your jizz on from trying to see Draco and I change clothes yesterday, you bloody voyeur?!"

Harry's eyes widened and he noticed people around the hallway stop to watch. Hermione frowned. "Harry, what is she talking about?"

Delphini turned to Hermione with a sneer. She pointed rudely at Harry. "This little leech was trying to watch me change clothes yesterday. Possibly Draco too, but I'm certain he only hid himself to watch me. Not even a day in the new school and who knows what would have happened had Draco not spotted him in time. I was asleep, so I can't help but wonder what untoward intentions this depraved lunatic had."

"Harry, you weren't ac -" Hermione was cut off.

"It's not what you think!" said Harry, his voice a pitch higher than usual. He felt a chill move up his spine at the doubtful look on Hermione and Ron's faces. "You see . . . I, well . . . I didn't mean for . . ." Oh bloody hell, now I sound guilty!

Suddenly, Delphini was closed in on his personal space and Harry took an involuntary step back. Her grey eyes narrowed at him. Her cheeks were a shade red and her hands were balled into fists. She cast Harry an utterly loathsome look.

"Did you sneak into my compartment yesterday on the Hogwarts Express?" asked the strong feminine voice.

"Yes." Harry's eyes widened as the words slipped out of his mouth. Hermione gasped and Ron looked stunned. What the?! Why did I respond with a yes? Great going Potter, now it'll be harder to explain my side!

"Did you make yourself invisible while inside my compartment?" questioned the blonde Slytherin. Her grey eyes bored into his green ones.

"Yes." Harry panicked and looked over at the disappointed faces of his friends. Onlookers began whispering amongst themselves and looked at Harry in disbelief. What the bloody hell is going on?! Have I been jinxed?!

"Did you do all of this while I was asleep in the compartment?" The eyes gazed piercingly at him now. Harry felt his body shudder.

"Yes." responded Harry. What did she do to me?!

Delphini grinned as Harry looked on to the shocked and horrified faces of the students. Even Ron and Hermione looked speechless and confused. Delphini moved back and sneered at him.

"Now, Potter, sit on your knees," said Delphini. Harry struggled but his body forced him to painfully collapse on his knees. He hissed in pain and glared at the blonde Slytherin. "What's with that look on your face, Potter?"

"What did you do to me?!" snarled Harry, glaring at the haughty Slytherin as she smirked down at him.

Ron and Hermione gazed uncertainly between the two. The crowd around them was gathering to watch the earliest piece of Hogwarts gossip.

"What did I do? Are you truly so daft?" said Delphini shaking her head and giving Harry the most patronizing gaze that he had ever received. "You owe me a life debt, remember? That means your own magic has bound you to my service until you've repaid your debt by saving my life somehow."

Harry's eyes widened. "What?!"

He heard Hermione gasp and Ron seem to shuffle about. Delphini glanced at them briefly before looking back down at Harry. "Is this a joke? You're sixteen and in two years you'll be expected to carry the responsibilities of an adult wizard. How can you be this stupid at your age? Did you never once take the time to open a book and simply read about magic oaths and Wizarding culture? Did you never take the time to just learn for yourself at one of the most illustrious schools in the country?"

Harry's cheeks flushed pink as Delphini gave him a look of utter disgust. Onlookers began to whisper amongst themselves. Hermione looked ready to step in before Delphini waved her hand, causing Harry to feel whatever was binding him to loosen and regain control of his body. Delphini stalked off into the great hall and didn't give any of them a second glance.

Harry growled in frustration and walked off on his own toward the library. He ignored his friends calls to come back. I need to get out of this mess . . .

Later that evening

"Welcome one, welcome all, to my Hogwarts dueling club!" said Delphini grinning brightly and striking a ridiculous pose with her arms spread wide. The students who had arrived laughed at the demonstration but Delphini just maintained her grin. She put her arms to the side and continued. "Now, as you all should know from the flyers, this isn't your typical dueling club. Indeed, most of you will be relegated to spectators to witness my glorious skills in action. The last club was unable to stop mere second years from hurting one another and a snake nearly bit a student from what I'm told. Two qualified teachers simply weren't enough to keep an entire great hall filled with students safe. I am unashamed to admit that I have studied the finer points of wizard dueling at a young age and I am most likely the best duelist in this school. I will be showing my mastery and you shall all gain a visual style of education by watching my duels."

Delphini smirked as the more boisterous members of the student body mockingly laughed at her. Others looked dismayed by her words. "Worry not, my fellow classmates, for I shall demonstrate my superiority and prove, in no uncertain terms, that I am the best in the school hierarchy. That should assuage your doubts. Ah, but one cardinal rule shall be in place to prevent any whining or glibness. Under no circumstances will any of you be allowed a rematch with me. Therefore, you should all bring your best performance in these duels, because I assure you that I will be. If you lose to me, you're not allowed to whine and pretend you weren't doing your best. Now, who here would like to volunteer to be my first challenger?"

She surveyed the student body and her eyes caught someone. "How about you, Macmillan?"

Ernie Macmillan snorted with his arms folded. "Sorry, but I'd rather not look bad knocking out a girl."

Delphini frowned as Ernie's best friend, Justin Finch-Fletchley, laughed alongside him. Delphini scowled at the pair and then smirked. "Ah, what's the matter, your balls drop off?"

Whispers echoed across the crowd as Ernie glared at Delphini. Hermione's eyes narrowed as she witnessed the events. She's using Ernie's angry temperament against him. This isn't going to end well and it's a rather obvious ploy at his bravado. Did Snape teach her that? It doesn't seem to fit, Snape's temperament is hardly better than Ernie's when looking at the pair objectively.

"Look babe, you may think you're all that because of your looks or whatever," said Ernie, sneering at Delphini. "but let's be honest, you're not going to win against me in a duel. I'll just look like the bad guy, even if you deserve it."

"So your balls did drop off, then?" said Delphini sneering back, Ernie's visage turned puce and his shoulders shook. Delphini grinned. "Very well, let it be known that Macmillan is too chickenshit to face me in a-"

"Alright, that is fucking it!" bellowed Ernie, pushing roughly past the crowd and walking up the steps to the dueling platform. "This bitch is going to be taught some manners!"

"Now, all we need is a mediator . . . let's see . . ." Delphini inspected the crowd once more and grinned. "Granger, how about you? I've heard quite the bit of talk in Slytherin about your love for equal rights and justice. I think a Gryffindor with an upstanding background and outstanding academic performance such as yourself would be best suited for the position of mediator."

Hermione blushed at both Delphini's compliment and the sudden attention of the room focused solely on her. Hermione squeaked out. "Err . . . s-sure. I'll - I can do that."

Hermione quickly made her way up the steps to stand on a plateau connected to the dueling platform meant for the referee. "Alright, bow, and then on the count of three, the duel shall begin."

The combatants followed suit with proper dueling decorum. Smug smirks adorned both duelist's visages. Hermione sent sparks into the air to signal the duel could commence.

Ernie straightened his wand hand. "Stupefy!"

A bright jet of light shot forth towards Delphini. Delphini raised her wand toward the trajectory of the sparks and said nothing. The sparks slammed onto her wand hand and a bright flash erupted. The audience looked away until the lights subsided. Once everyone was looking at the dueling platform again, gasps rang out throughout the crowd.

Ernie lay on the ground unconscious and a smirking Delphini stood at the spot she had been shot at. A sneer crept up her lips and she turned to the audience to do a mock bow. Whispers broke out among the crowd and Hermione enervated the unconscious Hufflepuff.

The crowd became dead silent as various facial expressions of awe, surprise, and shock could be seen across the room.

"Who's next?" asked Delphini grinning as she surveyed the room.

"Bloody hell," said Ron, "she . . . she beat almost all the seventh years . . ."

Hermione frowned and nodded. She looked ahead to see Delphini confidently walking across the corridor presumably towards the library. Delphini had just walked past the snogging couple situated in the middle of the corridor close to the far wall. Hermione did a double-take realizing that it was Ginny and Dean snogging, she looked towards Ron and noticed that his attention was focused straight ahead. Hermione turned to look beyond Delphini and frowned as she noticed Harry had just rounded a corner from the opposing side. He was heading straight in their direction towards Delphini.

Harry briefly glanced at Ginny and Dean in mild surprise before turning to scowl at Delphini. Delphini stopped and folded her arms; she sneered in a strange mixture of satisfaction and annoyance. Suddenly, Harry pulled out his wand and raised it up. Delphini's eyes widened in surprise.

Hermione stared speechless and out of the corner of her eye, she could vaguely see Ron's posture stiffening as he watched the oncoming altercation. Harry wouldn't just attack someone, he's better than that. So, why is he raising his wand?

"I, Harry James Potter, Heir to House Potter and sole child of Lily and James Potter henceforth pass my blood obligation unto Peter Pettigrew of House Pettigrew in completion of his blood obligation to my person."

WHAT?! thought Hermione, staring shell shocked.

"Bloody what?!" shouted Ron, his eyes widened. Ginny elicited a gasp of surprise as she and Dean had turned to look at the pair too.

Delphini's eyes widened like saucers and her mouth hung slack jawed at his Oath proclamation. Delphini closed her mouth and cast Harry a gaze of utter loathing, Harry couldn't help but feel his lips twitch upwards at the pissed off expression on her visage.

"You . . . you . . .!" said Delphini, her voice trembling. Her hands knotted into fists and she seemed to be forcing herself to keep calm as her cheeks flushed puce. Harry froze at the tint of red in her eyes. "How dare you slander me and my family name! H - How dare you insinuate . . . How dare you . . . !"

Hermione and Ron hastily walked towards the pair to hold off any further confrontation. Hermione blurted. "Harry! Don't you realize . . . what you just implied?"

Harry blinked as he gazed towards his closest friends. "What? I just read how to perform the oath, I skimmed the part about its meaning. Something about how you feel the debt must be equivalent or . . . whatever. I thought the debt Wormtail owed me was equivalent to whatever debt I owed her."

"Mate, it's not that simple," said Ron frowning, "passing your life debt unto Wormtail means that you consider her and her entire family to be the equivalent of Wormtail in terms of social status, behavior, and . . . how you view the worth of their lives."

Delphini seemed to snap out of her stupor as she straightened her posture and gazed coldly back at Harry. "I'll remember this, Potter. Believe me when I say that."

She stalked off past him. Harry turned to see her go and felt a shiver up his spine. The hair behind his neck prickled. I haven't felt that type of foreboding since Riddle in second year . . .

Two Days Later

Snape surveyed the defense classroom and frowned. Delphini stood alone without a partner. Despite the girl's bravado, I know this situation will only make her feel agitated and lonesome. Part of this enterprise was for her to develop adequate social skills and connections on her own, but who else besides Draco would be a suitable fit as her partner?

Snape cleared his throat.

"Miss . . . Snape," said Snape silkily, he winced at the awkward usage of his own surname to address her. I need to get used to that. Delphini raised her head attentively. "You will need a partner for class for practical demonstrations."

"I could . . ." began Draco but Delphini looked around the room until she spotted Hermione.

"Granger, you're the best in this class, right?" questioned Delphini, ignoring Draco. Draco frowned but didn't say anything. "How about you become my partner."

"Er . . . well, no, I'm not," said Hermione, she glanced briefly to her two best friends. "My theoretical scores are good but . . . well, the undisputed best in this subject throughout our year is Harry."

Delphini snorted. She turned to Snape. "Professor, who is the best student at this subject among the sixth years?"

Snape glanced at Delphini sourly and sighed. "I must regrettably inform you that Ms. Granger is not exaggerating. Mr. Potter has the best theoretical and practical grades among all Sixth Years and for that matter, his scores in this area and on the OWL exam rival the other seven best known scores on this subject."

The classroom looked stunned at Snape's announcement. Delphini's eyes widened. Hermione gasped.

"But Professor . . . if Harry has the best scores among Hogwarts curricular history then . . ."

Severus looked miffed. "Only on defense, Ms. Granger . . . every other subject score was average to dreadful."

Harry flushed at several of the other students absently shooting him glances of shock, jealousy, or awe when they thought Snape wasn't looking their way.

"You said seven . . ." said Delphini, her tone neutral. "Who were these other seven apart from Potter?"

Severus let out an exasperated sigh. "They would be . . . in chronological order; our esteemed Headmaster Albus Dumbledore, Tom Marvolo Riddle, Alastor Moody, Kingsley Shacklebolt, Joseph Dawlish, Molly Prewitt, and . . ." Snape looked particularly disgruntled before saying the last one. "Sirius Black."

The classroom looked stunned again. Some shooting glances at Ron this time.

"Sirius was one of the best in all of Hogwarts?" muttered Harry, he recalled Sirius seemingly joking around during one of his exams in Snape's memory. It makes sense, he did get into the Auror department right out of Hogwarts despite not having connections after his family disowned him . . .

Delphini seemed to have a proud smirk when Severus Snape gave them the list. Some of the most famous and powerful wizards were among that list. However . . .

"My mother?!" said Ron looking flabbergasted. "But . . . but she never . . . I never knew . . ."

Snape seemed to wince. "Enough about this, it's time to begin class. Ms. Snape, you'll be required a partner for the practical portion so select someone among the class."

Harry frowned as he noticed that Snape was no longer giving others an option on who his daughter could select. Delphini skimmed the classroom until her eyes fell upon him and she scowled.

"Why aren't my test scores in the hall of fame of Hogwarts?" asked Delphini, not even bothering to turn around to look back at Snape.

Harry stared dumbfounded at her overt rudeness. I guess Snape has a soft spot about respect when it comes to his daughter?

Snape sighed. "Because you transferred here, and you never technically took the OWL examination amongst the judges. Therefore, your scores, however well you did, cannot be applied."

Delphini scowled and briefly glared at Snape before looking back at Harry. She stood from her seat and brazenly walked over to his desk. The class became more attentive at Delphini's open disrespect for class decorum as she glared down at Harry.

"Alright then, I suppose I'll select Potter since he's apparently the best," said Delphini, her eyes narrowed and her lips twitched upwards. "But I'd like to see him prove it. I challenge you to duel me at my dueling club this following week; if you're not a coward, you will come and we will duel. We'll both have this week to prepare."

Harry scowled back at the blonde. "You can't just make demands of me and try to force me to do what you want."

"Besides," said Hermione interjecting, her eyes glancing between the two in panic. "Harry has detention so he can't be there, right?"

Delphini glanced at Hermione with her eyes widening before she turned to Snape. She smiled serenely. "Professor, could you cancel the rest of Mr. Potter's punishments and instead let his detention be served to help my dueling club, I think his talents would work wonderfully in prepping younger and older classmen in learning the fine art of dueling. He already has practical experience as an instructor for teaching spells and his stint in the Ministry - whether lucky or not - gives credence to his competence in a real life combat situation. I think this is the perfect opportunity for teaching students how to survive in a real life situation involving enemy wizards and witches."

Snape rubbed his forehead and seemed to suppress another sigh. He waved his other hand. "Very well, Mr. Potter, from now on you shall serve the rest of your detentions helping Ms. Snape with her club activities."

"What?!" Harry blurted out and scowled. What the bloody hell?!

"Five points from Gryffindor for your cheek, Potter." said Professor Snape, as Delphini went and sat back down. "Now, time to begin our lesson for today."

Harry clenched his teeth to keep from retorting.

The two combatants squared off. Hermione was chosen as mediator after Delphini announced that she had full trust in Hermione's fair judgment to the surprise of the newcomers who hadn't seen or heard little of the previous club event.

"Go!" said Hermione.

They measured each other and waited for each other to make the first move. Harry scowled at the smiling visage of Delphini. He relaxed his posture and flicked his wand forward.

"Expelliarmus!" shouted Harry, the red jet of light headed straight for Delphini.

In a split second, the spell seemed to collide with where Delphini placed her wand and then fog enveloped the area that Delphini stood. A multi-colored jet of light beamed straight towards Harry. Harry threw himself to his left just to dodge the rapid jet of light and rolled to his right to avoid the blue and purple jets of light that headed towards him on the floor. Harry scrambled to his feet and saw a large and almost vivid pale blue, see through shield protecting the entire area; it reached both isles of the table and was two feet larger than Delphini's height.

Harry breathed deeply, he tried to lessen his ragged breathing, and scowled at her. Delphini rolled her eyes and smiled back at him. Harry pointed his wand at the large shield. REDUCTO! BOMBARDA! REDUCTO! BOMBARDA! REDUCTO!

The spells flew at the shield one after another. Delphini snorted. The red jet of light of the reducto struck the shield with no effect. The bombarda rapidly struck after the reducto causing shaking on the table but little more. The crowd was rapt in attention as the second reducto hit the shield and Delphini froze as she saw a thin crack on the semi-translucent shield. Her eyes widened as the second bombarda hit the shield and caused several cracks to appear. The table shook as the third reducto slammed into the shield and tore the shield into nonexistence. Delphini pushed her legs up as the remainder of the spell blew her backwards but she slammed her feet on the table and gracefully managed to stand upright.

Harry expected to see a scowl or glare on the slimy, arrogant Slytherin's features, instead she looked . . .

Is she impressed? thought Harry, his eyebrows furrowed. What?

Delphini's eyes had widened upon being blown backwards but she seemed to be smirking at Harry. Her eyes squinted at him, as if analyzing him. She raised her wand and spoke "Reducto!"

Harry lurched to the left side as a clear bombarda spell nearly collided with him. He dove to the floor on instinct as he felt more than suspected the oncoming reducto spell and then quickly rose to his feet.

"Protego!" shouted Harry, a thin semi-transluscent shield telegraphed the stupefy spell that Delphini had sent him before he had fully risen to his feet. It shattered upon impact but it's job was done. Harry knew it was unlikely that a strong shield spell could counterweight her rapid fire spellwork and decided physically dodging them was the better decision to conserve energy.

Harry's eyes suddenly widened. "That's how you did it . . . you pretend to cast a spell by speaking it aloud but then rapid fire with silent spells that you cast in your mind. It's taxing, but you can rapid fire spells before opponents realize what hit them. It causes confusion and helplessness. You must have trained your magical core well to use such rapid spellwork. You've really trained hard, I bet you could make it to the professional league, if you tried hard enough . . ."

Delphini grinned as whispers around the crowd echoed across the hall at Harry's announcement. Harry snapped to attention, he hadn't realized that he had been staring at her in awe for a brief moment. Delphini seemed happy enough to bask in the praise.

"I admit, Potter, you're not at all what I expected. Draco and . . . Professor Snape . . . kept telling me that you were arrogant and relied too much on blind luck. I had thought they were right after what you pulled on the train . . . but now I'm beginning to reconsider," replied Delphini, staring pointedly at him. "You definitely have talent with defense and dueling. I think they neglected to really consider your hard work in surviving catastrophe after catastrophe and you definitely have a brain on your shoulders; you got a good grasp of my strategy when all the 7th years that challenged me failed within less than five minutes and fell for it each time with little variation. You even mastered silent casting in a week. Tell me, how did you manage that?"

"Well, I just worked at it without Sna-" Harry began replying then hastily pulled his wand up. "PROTEGO!"

The spell shattered through the haphazard protego spell and knocked Harry down. Harry sat up and glared at the grinning Delphini.

"Tut tut, best make sure you're always at the ready," said Delphini, she yelped in surprise and silently cast a protego that shattered as Harry sent a silent expelliarmus at her. She held tightly to her wand and glared at him as he rose to his feet. Then, she smiled at him. "You've got more Slytherin in you than people realize."

"The hat said I would be a good fit for Slytherin," said Harry shrugging.

Delphini gaped and looked truly thunderstruck by his revelation. The chatter in the hall seemed to peak at Harry's words. Delphini hastily cast another silent protego as Harry sent a stupefy her way. Delphini seemed to scowl and smirk at the same time.

"I've decided, I never thought it was possible but . . ." said Delphini, smiling at him. Harry narrowed his eyes and tightened his grip on his wand as he resumed a dueling position. "I think . . . yes, I think I like you."

"What?" said Harry, he blinked as he noticed yet another pair of oncoming spell and muttered "Protego."

The twin spells hit his shield causing it to collapse but did nothing else. Delphini raised and eyebrow then paused and narrowed her eyes while smirking. "It's too bad none of this hard work and talent that you're displaying now can change the fact your dog is dead."

Harry froze and moved a split second too late. The first jet of light hit his arm and he held on tightly to his wand to prevent the disarming curse from taking full effect. The multi-colored jet of light struck him on the chest and knocked him to the floor. Harry gritted his teeth and a slew of curse words flowed across his mind as the stupefy curse was trying to take full effect just as his body hit the ground.

Harry growled in fury as he wobbled to his feet and swayed where he stood. He shook his head to clear his mind and glared at Delphini. His hands shook and his teeth clenched as he thought over how to counter her. Delphini froze and raised an eyebrow at him.

"You . . . you broke the curse before it could take full effect . . . well, he did mention that you were able to run fast despite the acromantula bite and venom in your blood. Interesting . . ." said Delphini, she smiled at him. "Do you hate me for speaking the truth? You stupidly fell for a trap and your dog died. Do you disagree?"

Harry hunched his shoulders. "No . . . you're not wrong. It was completely my fault. I'm a bloody idiot, I realized that after thinking through everything. Nothing I say or do now can take away the fact that he died because he had to save me from a bloody trap. I don't think a day goes by when I don't think over how much I wish I had either never fallen for it or died that day to make it up to him, a friend I lost two years ago, and my parents. If I just didn't exist . . . they'd be safe and alive."

Delphini gaped at him. She stopped gaping and shook her head. "Well . . . I honestly don't understand how or why Draco or Professor Snape could or would ever think you were arrogant and out for more fame. You seem to be the type to take too much responsibility for your shortcomings and failures, if anything . . ."

Delphini looked around and frowned. She returned her attention to Harry. "I think it's time we take this battle up a notch and give the crowd a real show. Since there's no suit of armor here, I'll just have to make do. Be prepared to sustain injuries, if you aren't careful, Potter."

Delphini began moving her wand in an intricate pattern. Just as Harry raised his wand to fire a spell at her, she was finished and a magic flash erupted across the room. There stood a suit of armor in pristine condition, holding a lengthy scimitar with the tail end the size of Harry's entire head. The blade looked sharp and newly minted. The armored knight was the size of Hagrid but leaner. The behemoth pointed his scimitar at Harry.

Harry's eyes widened. Oh bloody hell . . .

"Are you trying to kill me?!" Harry shouted, almost reflexively. The armored behemoth began charging rapidly at his position. Harry took a calming breath and pointed his wand at the monstrosity.

Delphini grinned at him and shrugged. "If I didn't think you were capable of handling it, I wouldn't have summoned it. See that you do your utmost to prove me right, Potter."

Harry scowled. Alright, this is going to need a powerful spell . . . I haven't tested it too much, but if I put more power to the spell, it should be stronger than a Bombarda Maxima. Here it goes . . .

Harry waited until the monster was close and had raised his scimitar. The crowd waited with baited breath, Hermione gazed in fright and looked ready to step in, and a confident smirk was on Delphini's visage but etched with more worry as Harry didn't move from his position as the armored knight approached his position.

EXPULSO!

The large jet of blue light streaked from his wand and hit the armored knight square upon it's breastplate. Three thunderous blasts erupted from the middle, top, and then bottom of the behemoth. The light flashed across the entire great hall, momentarily blinding the audience, and echoing the thunderous blasts throughout the room. The large middle section was completely vaporized from Harry's spell. The top half was blasted into the air before falling off the dueling platform and dissipating into nothingness before it reached the crowd. The sword had vanished instantaneously from the first blast and the bottom half rolled loosely on the floor before vanishing into nothingness.

Harry breathed hard as he looked over at Delphini who was just as exhausted from conjuring the monster. Harry felt ready to fall to his knees from the exhaustion overwhelming his body but kept to his feet. His back felt sweaty and his muscles sore. Delphini was sweating from exertion too. She grinned at Harry. Her eyes directed solely at him. She nodded to him with a grin.

Approval? I guess that I impressed her with that stunt. Took too much magic though . . . I'm not sure I can keep up. thought Harry, How do I limit her movements or at least match it?

An idea struck Harry. He grinned back at Delphini and raised his wand. Delphini took a defensive pose.

"Accio!" hollered Harry, his wand raised to the sky. The double doors of the Great Hall flew open and Harry caught his firebolt in his free hand. He pointed his wand at Delphini. "Stupefy!"

Delphini whacked the spell with the tip of her wand, not even bothering to utilize a shield. The spell flew past her to the far wall and slammed onto the wall to dissipate into nothingness. The crowd gasped and murmured in praise at her skill. Harry took the time to mount his broom and fly into the air. Delphini shot forth four spells in quick succession but Harry easily swerved and avoided the spells. Harry responded with spells of his own at a much faster pace thanks to being on a broom.

Delphini let out an aggravated sigh as she was forced to run around the dueling platform and make an effort to physically dodge spells; some of Harry's spells were scrapping her and only barely being dodged. Delphini bit her lip and glared as she returned fire with silent casting. Harry scowled and continued his bombardment of spells raining down upon Delphini.

The crowd went wild; cheers for either Delphini or Harry matched in equal fervor. The duel had surpassed all others in both expectation and entertainment value. It seemed almost like a light show. Flickers and jet streams of blue, indigo, red, purple, white, and multi-colored spellwork were shot back and forth from the sky and ground of the dueling platform. The intense battle raged for what felt like almost an hour. As wave after wave of spellwork rained down or skyrocketed up with some spells knocking into each other and causing concrete blasts that boomed and erupted into sparks akin to multi-colored fireworks. The sounds echoed across the entire great hall and made for a compelling light show.

Delphini's visage slowly turned a shade red. Enough of this shoot and dodge crap, I need to take a risk . . . I can't believe he mastered Occlumency to such an extent. Snape was wrong about his prowess . . . or perhaps, he didn't consider Potter's personality characteristics. It's clear that Potter can close his mind already by mastering non-verbal casting within a week. All the information I used to understand Harry Potter, based upon Draco and Snape's personal accounts, are utterly worthless. Considering how sincere they seemed about their testimonials and how important my mission is, I can only conclude that they never took a thorough assessment of what he's like and judged him from their own House biases over the years. I can't fly at Potter without revealing too much, so given the information that Potter has utilized, this ploy of his is brilliant. But I shall not fail! I can beat this, if I try . . . to . . . EXPELLIARMUS! EXPELLIARMUS! STUPEFY!

Harry's eyes widened at the rapidly approaching spells. He tried to use his broom to do a barrel roll to avoid the collision but froze upon realizing that his broom was stuck in midair. He looked down and scowled at Delphini's smirking face. Her wand pointed straight at his broom and forcibly stopping it with a powerful non-verbal spell. Harry wracked his brain and raised his wand just as the three spells were ready to hit him.

Harry gritted his teeth and had a vice grip on his wand as the expelliarmus spell hit him fully on the chest. He brought his wand down. BOMBARDA MAXIMA! EXPELLIARMUS! STUPEFY!

The remaining expelliarmus hit his wand hand and knocked his wand off of his hand. His wand fell to the ground and Harry watched helplessly as the stupefy spell struck him upon his chest and his unconscious body careened down to the floor. Delphini was ready to use the levitation spell to stop his fall but suddenly had to use a shield charm to block the bombarda maxima. The intensified bombarda spell broke through the hastily cast shield and knocked Delphini backwards. The expelliarmus spell then struck her in the abdomen causing her wand to go flying behind her. Delphini's eyes widened as the stupefy spell knocked her unconscious.

Hermione quickly chanted wingardium leviosa to prevent Harry's fall. She looked between the unconscious Harry floating in the air from her spell to the knocked out Delphini on the ground. She carefully lowered Harry onto the floor alongside his brook and used accio to bring their wands to her.

"Both combatants have knocked each other unconscious . . ." said Hermione, looking at the stunned crowd. "the battle is a draw!"

Cheers erupted at the announcement. The battle between the unconscious pair would be floating around the Hogwarts rumor mill for quite some time.