Chapter 61. Duel
In truth, Harry really wanted to duel Malfoy.
Although Adrian Wesson had told him to consider the consequences—he had considered them.
If they weren't caught, nothing would happen.
Even if the professors did find out, it would only count as being out after hours.
At most he'd earn a few days or weeks of detention and lose a handful of points.
Detention… the Weasley twins had long since told him there was nothing to it. For Gryffindors, getting detention was an everyday occurrence; when they were first-years, they were often caught for being out after hours.
A little past ten at night, Harry was still talking with Ron about which of the few spells he knew might work against Malfoy.
"I'm thinking I'll start with the Levitation Charm," Harry said. "And then? Maybe a fire spell—ah, that might not work; I don't know how to put the flames out... What about a Severing Charm? Though I feel like it might be weaker than my fingernails..."
"Where did you learn so many spells?!" Ron found it more and more suspicious the longer he listened.
"Didn't I tell you?" Harry explained. "I studied a bit during the holidays."
Ron shut his mouth, only thinking Harry felt a bit unfamiliar.
The Gryffindor dormitory had five to a room. In this one, besides Harry and Ron, there were three other students: Dean, Seamus, and Neville.
At the moment, Dean and Seamus had already drifted off to sleep; Neville, having broken his arm, was still being treated by Madam Pomfrey.
"Come on, Harry, it's about time," Ron glanced at the clock, climbed down from his bed, and beckoned to Harry. "We should go. You know where the Trophy Room is, right?"
"Give me a second."
Harry thought for a moment and went over to the Chinese Chomping Cabbage on the windowsill.
After some consideration, he decided to bring the Chinese Chomping Cabbage along as well. If he couldn't beat Malfoy, at least he could have it take a good bite out of Malfoy's backside.
Harry gently jostled the Chinese Chomping Cabbage's leaves.
It was still asleep; roused, it couldn't help baring its teeth.
"Little one, give me a hand," Harry hurried to stroke the cabbage's leaves—this would calm it down. "Can you make yourself a bit smaller?"
Sensing Harry's familiar scent, the Chinese Chomping Cabbage drew back its fangs and obediently shrank to the size of Harry's fist.
"Brilliant."
Harry quickly slipped the Chinese Chomping Cabbage into his pocket.
"Hurry up—what are you dawdling for?" Ron urged from the door.
"Coming."
…..
Hogwarts was silent in the dead of night, the corridors lit only by faint moonlight spilling across the floor through the windows.
The two tiptoed down the stairs to the Gryffindor common room.
In the gloom, Harry and Ron felt their way forward, until…
"You actually dare to do this! Harry, and Ron."
They jumped. Turning, they saw Hermione sitting in a chair with her arms folded, staring at them coldly.
"You've been waiting here for us this whole time?" Ron couldn't believe it. "Just for this? Are you barmy!"
"I nearly told Percy," Hermione said icily. "He's a prefect—he would have stopped you."
"Oh, Percy, that git…" Ron muttered, seemingly unimpressed.
Harry, on hearing Hermione, felt angry—and a bit relieved.
"At least you haven't told him yet, have you?" he said to Hermione.
Hermione drew a deep breath. "Don't think I'm making empty threats—I really will."
Harry said nothing more, only tugged Ron towards the door.
But Hermione kept following them, muttering, "Harry, you can't just think about yourself; you should care more about Gryffindor! Do you know how many points Gryffindor will lose if you're caught out after hours? All the points I got from Professor McGonagall will be wiped out."
Harry stopped and turned, a trace of impatience in his voice. "I've earned quite a few points in Herbology and Charms too. Even if we lose some, it's not for you to manage. Besides, I've already agreed to Malfoy. If I don't show, what do you think Slytherin will say about us?"
Hermione was choked off, her face growing uglier.
Harry and Ron, however, headed straight for the door, paying her no mind.
In Harry's eyes, since he'd agreed to the duel, he had to keep it.
Not going would be the act of a coward.
When Harry and Ron reached the door, they found Hermione had come out after them as well.
As she was about to go back, she suddenly discovered the door had closed; the portrait hole's frame was empty—the Fat Lady had vanished.
With that, Hermione had no choice but to go along with Harry and Ron.
"I was only trying to persuade them to go back," she murmured under her breath, as if convincing herself. "Now that I can't get back, there's nothing I can do."
The three had barely gone a few steps from the common room when Harry suddenly felt his foot land on something soft.
"Awoo~"
A low, pained yelp came from under Harry's foot, and then a familiar voice, tinged with grievance and alarm, sounded: "Who stepped on me!"
All three were startled by the voice and hastily looked down.
Neville Longbottom was curled up on the floor, rubbing his toes, his face twisted in pain.
He had clearly only just come back from Madam Pomfrey's; bandages still clung to his arm, and he looked rather the worse for wear.
"Neville?!" Ron's eyes went wide as he hissed, "What are you doing here? Weren't you supposed to be in the Hospital Wing?"
Neville lifted his head, a little embarrassed and aggrieved, and said quietly, "I forgot the password to the common room. The Fat Lady isn't here, so I can't get in, so… so I waited here to see if anyone could help me."
Hearing this, Harry was at a loss for words. "Why didn't you find a professor to help?"
Neville's face flushed scarlet. He ducked his head and mumbled, "I… I was afraid of losing points. If I went to a professor because I forgot the password, they might think I'm too dim and take points from Gryffindor…"
"Professors wouldn't take points for that," Hermione sighed, casting a sidelong glance at Harry and Ron. "If certain people had your sense, that would be for the best."
"All right, Neville," Ron seemed not to have heard Hermione at all and said to Neville, "the password is 'Pig snout.' When the Fat Lady comes back, you can go in. Now, we've got important business to handle. See you."
With that, Ron turned to go.
But Neville clutched at his leg and pleaded, "Don't leave me… I'm scared on my own…"
Harry and Ron exchanged a look and sighed helplessly.
"All right, Neville—stick close and keep quiet," Harry whispered.
And so, their little party gained one more member.
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