One Tin Soldier

Chapter 14: Justify, Part 2

"We shall see, wont we?" Harry answered, not taking his eyes off his opponent. "Well? Your answer?"

Fudge nodded, as he realized the same thing. "I...accept...uh where do we uh when...?" The poor man looked like he wanted to be anywhere but in front of the intense young man, and the mob of reporters.

"Here and now," Harry announced forcefully. "We wouldn't want the media to get the impression that you are a spineless wonder, especially after all the bragging you've done over the summer. Would we?"

The rotund minister sputtered in denial as the reporters covering the press conference were busily taking notes on everything that was happening.

Cornelius Fudge knew that if he didn't so something, and fast, his name would be dragged through the mud just as he had done to the Potter brat since the Third Task. To refuse an honor duel would have all of the purebloods turn against him. He wished Lucius was here to advise him and stand as his second.

This teen before him wasn't the same tired, beat down brat from the night he returned from the Third Task spouting nonsense about He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named's return. The little shite now looked every inch a Lord of an Ancient and Noble House. How did this happen? Lucius promised him that the impudent brat wouldn't be a problem to keep subdued.

Turning to Madam Bones, he gave her a pitiful look. "D...do we really have to do this? Can't we settle this in my office?" he hissed sotto voce at her.

"Man up," she snapped as she directed the aurors to clear a space on the platform behind them. She took out her wand and enlarged it to the official size of a wizard dueling arena, and placed safety barriers.

Reporters started to shout question after question as the announcer from the Wizard Wireless began his blow by blow commentary.

Lord Potter calmly walked up the steps to the enlarged platform and gave a slight bow to Madam Bones.

"If you don't mind Madam, I would like you to referee the duel. I've already asked Lord Greengrass to be my second, which is why he is here. I need to know who Mr. Fudge wants as his second?" the young lord quietly asked.

Cornelius sputtered. Second? Second?! Was this really happening?! He looked over the platform and the crowd before him. There was no one he really wanted to ask present. Lucius had bowed out of today's conference citing a business meeting, so he was out. Dolores Umbridge, his faithful Under Secretary, was at Hogwarts. Then Fudge's eyes landed on one of the aurors that routinely accompanied him as a bodyguard.

"You, what's your name? Never mind, you'll do as my second," he said, pointing to the auror. After all, aurors were trained to duel, weren't they?

"Uh, John Dawlish, sir," Dawlish replied, clearly not wanting to be involved. He looked over at his boss who gave a curt nod. "Of course, Minister."

"Do it, so we can get this over with," she commanded in a whisper, pulling out her wand. "I'll set the shields."

"If you allow me, Madam," Lord Potter said. He clapped his hands together and spoke loudly, in Japanese: "Bakudo 81: Danku Splitting Void!"

A golden rectangle of light immediately formed around the platform, encasing everyone standing on it. "This shield is strong enough to take anything short of the killing curse and not fail," Harry assured.

Cornelius' eyes grew wide. Potter had just performed wandless magic? And in a language that wasn't Latin? According to Lucius, Potter didn't have that kind of training or strength.

Madam Bones tested the shield with a spell only to have it absorbed and not change the strength of the golden barrier. "I don't know what spell you used, but it's very impressive, Lord Potter. I don't think I could've raised one stronger."