The Traitors [HP6] *EDITING*

Chapter 27- A Tried Tie

{NOT EDITED}

"I can't believe it..." Harry said to himself quietly as the loser's area was slowly lowered to the ground by Professor Flitwick. "Voldemort has the Watch evidently, he must have somehow stolen the Stone too, and now he has the Bracelet. If he gets the Glove from Dumbledore...."

"Let's all give a hand to our new Dueling Club champion... Chris Zimmermann!" announced a beaming Professor Flitwick as he made the walls around the loser's room disappear, and everyone filed out into the Hall. He was standing next to Chris and holding his arm in the air, like a referee would do with a boxing champion.

"I must say, Chris," he continued, "that I don't think anyone here expected a second year to win."

"All I know is," said Chris, looking a little confused, "is one second I was about to attack someone, and then the next I'm standing on top of a pile of magical glass boxes, being proclaimed the winner!"

"Ah yes," sighed Professor Flitwick happily. "That's what they all say. Time really flies when victory is at hand."

Harry took a deep breath. If only that were the truth... only he knew what had really happened, Malfoy had taken control of him and the other lot of Gryffindor second years. Even though it seemed impossible now that he had shown his true colors in battle, Harry had to try and bring Malfoy back to his side. It was his only hope of getting the Bracelet back.

"Why don't we have the Dueling Club captain, Harry Potter, come on up here and give little Chris here some congratulations," suggested Flitwick. "I have to go clean up this Hall anyway, hopefully no one in the boxes got too hurt."

"Nice job, Chris," said Harry, not really paying attention to him and scanning the room for Malfoy as he shook Chris' hand.

"Thanks Harry," he said back, still looking a little dazed. "But I have to say, it doesn't really feel like I've won."

"Yeah, that's good," said Harry, practically ignoring him and spotting Malfoy over Chris' shoulder. He was sitting on the floor behind the crowd and rubbing his head, probably still recovering from the battle. After all, it's not every day that you switch bodies with someone.

"Excuse me Chris," said Harry, not looking at him, ducking as Flitwick flew overhead, rapidly fixing up the Great Hall, and making the glass boxes around everyone disappear. A few other teachers filed in too, to help him out. "But I've got something to do."

"Yeah, no problem Harry. I'll see you down at the field in a little while."

Harry walked through the crowd, making his way to Malfoy, trying to decide what emotion he should be feeling, and what expression he should be wearing. He didn't want to sound angry, then Malfoy would never come back to his side. But, he didn't want to sound too loving either, then Malfoy would just shove him off. When he finally got right in front of him, Harry just said the first thing that came to mind.

"Hello Malfoy," he said in his most bland voice possible. Malfoy looked up at him from his seat on the floor, and took his hand off of his head. He stood up, brushed himself off, put his hands to his side, and glared at Harry. "What do you want?" he hissed.

"So..." Harry said, trying to come up with something, "at least I didn't win, eh?" "What do you want?" he demanded again.

"I want to know why you had those four second years steal Hermione's Bracelet

during the match," said Harry coolly, trying his hardest not to sound nearly as angry as he was feeling.

"I don't know what you're talking about," said Malfoy, not even looking at Harry and shaking his head. He was looking around the room, in search of something. "But I have to go see Ginny now, so... go away."