THE ARISE OF A LITTLE SISTER[Percy Little sis of boy who lived (Book 1)]

CHAPTER 16 : CERBERUS HERE WHAT

HARRY'S POV

Wood had instructed me to keep my new seeker position a secret, but I couldn't resist telling Ron. He was thrilled, and Fred and George, our new beaters, were equally excited. After they left, Malfoy decided to intrude on our conversation.

"Enjoying your last meal, Potter? When are you heading back to the Muggles?"

"You seem braver with your little friends around," I retorted coolly. Crabbe and Goyle, though hardly little, were restrained by the presence of teachers at the High Table.

"I'd duel you anytime, just you and me, tonight. Wands only – no physical contact. Ever heard of a wizard's duel before?" Malfoy challenged.

"Of course he has. I'm his second. Who's yours?" Ron interrupted.

Malfoy hesitated, sizing up Crabbe and Goyle. "Crabbe," he decided. "Midnight alright? We'll meet you in the trophy room. It's always unlocked."

Before Malfoy could leave, Laia appeared and asked us, "Trophy room at midnight... What's going on?"

Ron explained, "Malfoy challenged Harry to a wizard's duel."

"A wizard's duel? What the hell, Harry..." she exclaimed.

"Calm down, Laia. Malfoy's just trying to provoke us, that's all," Ron reassured her.

"Just trying to provoke us? Ronald, do you understand the gravity of this duel? Harry is new to all of this, and being the Boy Who Lived doesn't make him invincible. Do you even know how many spells you guys know?" Laia demanded.

Ron scoffed, "Sure, we don't know everything. But who am I in front of the Potions Prodigy? And, Miss Black, how many dark wizards have you defeated? Oh, sorry, I forgot, you're the granddaughter of the Dark Lord."

Interrupting the escalating tension, I stepped in, "That's enough. Stop it, both of you. Enough. Can someone please explain what a wizard's duel actually entails, Laia. It's done. We can't change it now, so let's just stop arguing and focus," I said firmly.

" You're unbelievable. It's okay, Harry. Save your breath," Laia said before abruptly leaving.

Turning to Ron, who looked stunned, he apologized, "I'm sorry, mate. I know I lost my temper. I didn't mean any of that."

"I know, Ron. Let's give her some time to cool off, and then we'll apologize. Alright?"

"Yeah, you're right. And by the way, a second is there to take over if you die in the duel, but that only happens in real duels with experienced wizards. The most we and Malfoy can do is cast spells at each other. I bet he expected you to refuse, anyway. That's why I agreed."

"What? So, if one of us is incapacitated, the second takes over the duel?" I clarified, feeling uneasy.

"Pretty much," Ron confirmed.

"Oh god... And what if I wave my wand and nothing happens?"

"Throw it away and punch him on the nose," Ron suggested half-jokingly.

"Excuse me," Hermione Granger's voice interrupted us. We turned to find her standing there.

"Can't a person eat in peace around here? And I've already had enough," Ron grumbled.

Ignoring him, Hermione addressed me directly, "I couldn't help overhearing what you and Malfoy were discussing."

"You probably could have," Ron muttered under his breath.

"Laia's right, you know. You mustn't wander around the school at night. Think about the points Gryffindor will lose if you're caught. It's really selfish of you," Hermione scolded.