The Headmaster's Only Mistake

A Different Midnight Duel

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Harry reached the Hospital Wing panting, bending over himself to catch his breath. Madame Pomfrey spared him a short glance before returning to tend a fourth year student who had nails growing on their face.

"Damian!" Harry called, walking over to the bed containing his housemate.

"Harry?"

"Here, you dropped this when you fell." Harry extended his arm and showed the other boy the figurine. Damian paled slightly before quickly grabbing the toy. He then gave Harry a smile that was so big, Harry feared it would break his face.

 "Thank you so much!" Harry returned the grin before excusing himself.

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"So let me get this straight." Hermione said. "You went against direct orders from a teacher, broke school rules,  threatened to push someone off their broom, made a fifty-something-foot dive, could've broken your neck, and instead of getting punished, you got put on the quidditch team? And not only that, but the youngest seeker in a century?"

"Yes, that sums it all up."

It was a few hours later and the whole friend group-including Fred and George-as well as Terry Boot, who had also become their friend, were walking around the grounds, enjoying the crisp fall air.

Tracey shook her head and laughed, "Unbelievable, we thought you were going to be expelled!"

"Nah, Uncle Sev wouldn't." Neville told her.

"You do realize this means we will have to compete against you for the quidditch house cup?" George asked, smirking.

"Of course I do. Prepare to be beaten!" Harry said dramatically. The twins rolled their eyes at him before starting to chase Harry around the grounds. Harry laughed loudly before taking off.

Harry turned around to see if the twins were gaining up on him, and accidentally bumped into another student.

"Oh, sorry!" Harry said, rubbing his neck. He had just bumped into Terrence Yaxley, prince of Slytherin.

"Do you even know who I am? Watch where you are going, Potter, or I'll make sure you regret it."

Harry couldn't resist rolling his eyes.

Terrence growled. "Respect your superiors, Potter. I'm not prince for nothing."

"A real prince wouldn't be abusing his power and threatening his own house mates." Harry shot. back. He knew what he was doing, he just hoped he was doing it well enough.

"Are you challenging me, Potter?"

"Might be, what would you do about it if I was?" Harry smirked. A violent growl ripped through. Terrence's throat as his hand lifted onto Harry's neck and pushed him up to a tree.

"Listen to me, Potter and listen to me well. I am your prince. You will listen to me. You will bow down to me. You will serve me and be there at my beck and call. You think so mightily of yourself. You are just a boy. A small, useless, powerless brat, trying to fit in with the big kids. You are all talk. If you truly wish to challenge me, meet me at the common room at midnight, the whole house will be there to see you lose." Despite the threats Terrence was spitting at him, Harry's smirk never left his face. The thick hand around his neck didn't bother him at all, either.

'THAT BASTARD. THAT INSOLENT STUPID IDIOTIC BASTARD. IF HE DOESN'T LET YOU GO IN THE NEXT THREE SECONDS, I SWEAR I WILL COME UP THERE AN- oh. Good. He let you down.' Harry almost giggled out loud at his mate's reaction.