Aspen in the Sunlight - A Year Like None Other

Harry's mouth dropped open just as Aran's had the moment before. "Why on earth would Aran accept a challenge like that?"

"Challenge spell accepted for him," said Ron in a voice that said Draco wasn't the only one who understood pureblood customs. "'Cause he lied, see? When a wizard invokes a duelling challenge against you, he has to lay down specific charges. You can admit your guilt and avoid a duel, if you like, but if you deny a charge that's actually true, the spell will make you go through with the duel. That way, the challenging wizard gets satisfaction, one way or another."

"But why would he be stupid enough to lie, then?"

"Because he's Aran?"

" And because he doesn't know any more about ancient wizarding law than he does about Defence," added Draco. "He's probably just as confused as Harry. No offence, Harry."

By then, the Headmaster had made his way over to the wizards bound by the challenge spell. Looking at the icy strand joining them, he nodded brusquely. When he spoke, his voice rang out with authority. "A challenge has been issued and accepted."

"I didn't accept!" squeaked Aran, beginning to shake all over. Small shards of ice rained down on the floor as they broke free from his hair.

Dumbledore ignored him completely. "A challenge has been issued and accepted," he said again. "The spell is cast and cannot be recalled." Lifting his wand, he cut through the foggy strand with a sharp chopping motion. Instantly, the noise of a gong reverberated through the hall.

The challenge spell fell to Snape and Aran's feet, the icicles vanishing clean away.

"Before this time tomorrow, the combatants must face one another in a wizards' duel," pronounced the headmaster. "All those present are called upon to serve as solemn witness!"

His voice changed then, to one far less formal as he glanced from side to side. "Might I suggest the Quidditch pitch? Things are bound to get messy and the house-elves really do already have tasks enough."

Harry almost burst out laughing.

"But, but, this is barbaric!" Aran stammered. "Headmaster, you can't let this happen!"

Dumbledore shook his head and raised his hands as if in defeat. "As you must surely have realised by now, Professor Aran, the matter is completely beyond my control. Powerful magic is at play, and it must be satisfied."

Aran's looked like he might pass out, by then. "But it'll be murder!"

"Oh, surely not," said the headmaster, his kindly blue eyes twinkling. "I have great faith in my Potions Master." Dumbledore's voice grew deadly serious, then. "And contrary to your allegations, he is not by any means a dark wizard."

"Indeed not," drawled Snape. "Though that should hardly ease your mind, Aaron. After all, one needn't be a dark wizard to follow through on the ancient form of the duel."

"To the death," whispered Draco. Harry shot his brother an irritated glance. He could have figured that one out, himself.

Aran visibly gulped.

The Headmaster spoke up one more time. "All sections of Defence Against the Dark Arts will be dismissed for today so that the professors might have time to prepare. The duel will commence tomorrow morning before breakfast. Please, everyone, continue your meal."

Aran definitely wasn't going to continue his. In fact, he looked rather green.

Snape turned in a swirl of robes, his dark gaze studying the crowd below the high dais on which stood the head table. He was looking for his sons, Harry felt sure.

But something stopped him from coming down to them straight away.

"Oh, Aaron," said Snape in a sneering tone as he whirled back to face the other teacher. "One more thing."

As soon as the Defence professor looked up at him, Snape punched him squarely in the face.

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Coming Soon in A Year Like None Other :

Chapter Ninety-Six: A Fitting End

Comments very welcome,

Aspen in the Sunlight and Mercredi

Chapter 96: A Fitting End

http://archive.skyehawke.com/story.php?no=5036&chapter=96

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A Year Like None Other

by Aspen in the Sunlight

and Mercredi

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Chapter Ninety-Six:

A Fitting End

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After Snape swept out of the Great Hall in a majestic swirl of billowing robes, Harry and Draco were left gaping at one another.

"So much for revenge being bad for you," the Slytherin boy finally whispered in an awed voice.

Harry flicked a glance to where Aran lay unconscious. "Yeah, but just think of what Dad could have done."

"Think of what he will do," said Ron, rubbing his hands together.

Draco huffed, ever so slightly. "Well if he does what he just threatened , I'm never listening to his lectures on vengeance again, am I?"

Personally, Harry thought that factor was probably what would stay Snape's hand. Then again, the man had done some pretty awful things in his life, hadn't he? He felt bad about them, though. Harry still remembered his father's anguished voice from months ago.

I can't save them, Harry . . .

So how likely was it that he'd kill Aran in cold blood, and in front of a school full of children, no less, including his own sons? Harry nodded to himself. Probably that theory explained the punch they'd just witnessed. Snape had a temper, after all. He had to do something about that horrible newspaper article.

"Well, I'm glad I have someone to stick up for me," said Harry. "It makes for a nice change."

"Hey, I always stick up for you!" Ron immediately said, his face flushing a bit.

At the same moment, Draco rounded on Harry. " Serpensortia ," he said in an undertone, speaking right over Ron's words.

Harry smiled at both of them. "I know. I meant the adults."

"Oh," said Ron and Draco in unison. They both looked irritated about it afterwards. Actually, Ron looked irritated and Draco looked put out.

"You'll get used to agreeing," said Harry, laughing. "And that'll make for a nice change, too."

The teachers at the head table had merely stared, round-eyed, at the scene they'd just witnessed, except for Dumbledore who had formalised the duel. Now, they were beginning to come out of their shock. Pomfrey rushed over to Aran's side and after a cursory look at the unconscious professor, cast Mobilicorpus to move him.

Harry almost laughed again at the sight of Aran's body hanging like a limp marionette as it bobbed its way between the Hufflepuff and Gryffindor tables and out the doors of the Great Hall. Pomfrey was making a clucking noise as she followed it. Harry hoped that didn't mean she was planning to lecture Snape about not knocking the other teachers unconscious.

Ron started heading back to his seat, saying something about grabbing a few more bites before they had to head to Charms.

"I'll catch up with you there," said Harry quickly. Suddenly things didn't seem so funny, any longer. Charms involved a lot of wand waving, after all. His sleeves might slide up. And that was all he needed after that horrible article, people wondering how his arms had got so scratched up.

"Ha. Not likely," said Ron, turning around, a scowl on his face. "I'm not having your father blast me, again , about leaving you to walk the halls alone."

"When did he talk to you?"

"Didn't. Sent a Howler to me and Hermione. Through the common room Floo. I don't think teachers ought to be allowed to do a thing like that!"

A Howler. Harry knew it was probably wrong of him to almost like that. But it was nice to have an adult who would stick up for him. A father. A real father. "Um, so what did it say?"