Lilliana made her way back to the Slytherin common room. Upon entering she looks around and sees the person she is looking for. Walking up to Malfoy she says, “Malfoy for the insult of not fighting me yourself I challenge you to a duel to earn your honor back.”

  Malfoy looks up from the conversation he was in, taking a moment to process what Lilliana just said. After he gathers himself he says, “ How dare you insult my honor, I have no idea what you are referring to. I have no reason to accept a duel from a no name girl spouting nonsense.”

  *You'd think with how much faith he has in his family's influence that he'd know better than to insult someone else's family,* Lilliana thinks, her sadism fully active now.

  Lilliana grins menacingly and says, “Well, heir Malfoy. You have just insulted my family's name. Another reason for my challenge. Accept the duel or admit you are just too scared to lose to a ‘no name girl’.”

  Malfoy looks around, realizing there are several other Slytherins watching the exchange. He swallows and says, “Fine, I accept your challenge. When and where would you like this duel held?”

  “This afternoon, 4 o'clock. In the Great Hall, I've been told it can be converted into a dueling room,” Lilliana says, still grinning.

  “Acceptable. I will see you there Grim,” Malfoy says.

  Lilliana turns and leaves to find a professor that might agree to referee the duel.

  A few minutes ter, after she's calmed down, Ana comes across Professor Flitwick and says, “Excuse me Professor.”

  “How can I help you miss…Grim,” He says.

  “Correct Professor. Would you be able to referee a duel between myself and Malfoy? I believe the school rules state we need a member of staff to observe to ensure fairness,” Ana says.

  “I'd be delighted. As long as I have the time, when did you pn for this duel to happen?” Professor Flitwick says.

  “At four this afternoon. I was hoping to have it happen in the Great Hall. I've read it can be converted to a dueling room,” Ana responds.

  “That it can. I have no pns at that time either. I suppose I will see you then. Have a good day miss Grim,” Professor Flitwick says before turning and walking away with a bit more spring in his step.

  With the adult supervision handled, Ana decides to take a look through the library in order to pass the time till lunch. She searched through the shelves, looking mostly for books on rune work and enchanting, but also keeping an eye out for other interesting topics. She finds a few books on enchanting, but most of the library seems to ck any books on “dark” magic. She gets so focused on reading what she found that the only reason she notices it's time for lunch is because the clock strikes noon. After returning her books to the desk she decides to head to the Great Hall to get food.

  When Ana gets to the great hall it's already rather busy. Looking around she spots the trio of Gryffindors. As she approaches Ana hears Hermione excitedly talking to the other two.

  “She told me I can't get much detail, but I think it'll still be quite useful for at least runes. I read a common problem for beginners is putting too much magic into one and overloading it,” Hermione says.

  “You really are quite excited about that, aren't you?” Ana says, choosing to sit next to the other girl.

  “Oh! Ana, hi. Yes, I'm always excited when I learn new things,” Hermione says, a little embarrassed.

  “Especially when it'll help her get better grades,” Ron says through a mouthful of food.

  *Really no manners whatsoever on this one,* Ana thinks.

  “I can get behind that. We are in a school after all. I spent some time in the library, reading up on enchanting,” Ana says.

  “Not another one,” Ron says, rolling his eyes, “but that's not all you did if the rumors are true.”

  “Rumors?” Hermione asks.

  “Word is she's going to duel Malfoy. Today,” Gsses says, poking at his food.

  “You are not! That has to be against the school rules,” Hermione says.

  “Explicitly allowed actually. As long as it's a formal challenge and is observed by a member of staff,” Ana says, grinning.

  “You challenged him? And the little coward actually accepted?” Ron says.

  “He tried to weasel out of it by saying I had no reason for the challenge. Then, he insulted my family name in front of every Slytherin in the common room,” Ana says.

  “Ha! Backed himself into a corner with that. I hope you give him a good thrashing. He really needs one,” Ron says, thankfully right after swallowing.

  “I don't understand. How does insulting Ana's family name force him to accept?” Hermione asks.

  “Pureblood traditions. Since she's pureblood it's a grave insult to speak ill of her family, even if they don't have much influence here. His choices were to either accept the challenge or apologize and he'd never apologize,” Ron expins.

  “How do you even know all that, Ron?” Hermione asks, a surprised look on her face.

  “We don't have any influence and don't care for traditions, but the Weasleys are one of the Sacred Twenty-Eight y'know,” The boy expins, “Mum gave us all a lecture on traditions and how not to get our family in trouble with more influential families.”

  "Wait, if your family is one of the Sacred Twenty-Eight, why haven't you ever challenged Malfoy? Him and his father have certainly insulted the Weasley family as a whole enough.” Gsses asks.

  “The Weasleys and Malfoys have a long standing feud. So we're allowed to insult each other until that's settled,” Ron says, before continuing at a lower volume, “I'm also not entirely sure I'd win. He's probably got formal training paid for by Malfoy senior. I would never live it down if I lost to that git. Good luck to you, Ana.”

  “You said you needed a staff member to observe. Who did you find that even agreed to?” Hermione asks.

  “Professor Flitwick. He seemed quite excited once I told him about the duel,” Ana says.

  “I suppose he would. He was a circuit duelist in the past. What time is this duel supposed to happen anyway?” Hermione says.

  “4 this afternoon,” Ana says.

  “Are you sure you're ready? I know you did most of the work with Crabbe and Goyle, but like Ron said, Malfoy has actual training,” Hermione says.

  “I'm quite confident I'll be able to at least hold my own. I can't say I have formal training, but my moms did teach me how to protect myself,” Ana says, “How did things with…who was it… Wood? Go.”

  “They went fine, got the practice schedule and tryouts will be next week. Hopefully Fred and George stay off my back about it,” Ron says.

  “Who are Fred and George?” Ana asks.

  “My brothers, identical twins and the most notorious pranksters in all of Hogwarts,” Ron expins.

  “I wouldn't go that far little brother, there was a group we think would give us a solid run for our money, The Marauders. We've seen their signature in half a dozen good hiding spots,” A tall redheaded boy says after coming up beside Ron suddenly.

  “We even asked McGonagall about them once and all she told us was to not to get any ideas,” says another, identical, redhead that comes up beside Ana.

  “Anyway, pleasure to meet you, I'm Fred, He's George,” says the one next to Ron, Fred(?).

  “Or was it the other way round today?” says the twin next to Ana, George(?).

  Giggling a bit Ana says, “I'm Ana, at least for the moment.”

  “I'm impressed our little brother is even speaking to you. He's had it in for the snakes since before he even got his letter,” Fred says.

  “Well, I guess I made a good first impression on the train,” Ana says, “saving him from a couple of Dementors might've won me a few points, besides the house points that is.”

  “That actually happened? We thought it was just an exaggerated rumor," says George.

  “It definitely happened. I can still feel the terror,” Ron says, with a small shudder.

  Noticing that Gsses is starting to zone out. Ana thinks *better change the subject before he completely checks out.*

  “Yes, it did happen. Let's not dwell on it too much.” Ana says.

  “Alright. Then how about this other rumor we heard. Something about a duel between you and a certain Blonde?” George asks.

  “I challenged Malfoy to a duel. It's happening in a couple hours,” Ana says.

  “At 4 if our sources are correct. We already have bets going. Odds are not in your favor at the moment. Him having training and you being an unknown,” Fred says.

  “We bet on you tho. A lot of people did. Malfoy has a lot of enemies,” George says.

  “Maybe I could tilt the odds a bit then. Gsses, you've duelled him. Wanna give me a few pointers?” Ana asks.

  After a pause Gsses says, “Wait, me? Why did you call me Gsses?”

  “On the train you seemed to flinch at your name after the…Dementor thing. I decided to call you Gsses instead, unless there's something you'd genuinely prefer to be called.” Ana expins.

  “Well he'd probably like to be called Harry, since it is his name. Right mate?” Ron says.

  After a second Gsses says, “Actually I don't mind. Anything other than Boy is fine with me.”

  “Don't see why anyone would call you that, but, noted,” Ana says while thinking, *Well another hint at whatever happened in his past.*

  “Back on topic, did you have any advice for the duel?” Ana continues.

  “Um… not much. We only had the one duel and any other time we've cast spells at each other he'd had his goons there too. He seems partial to the knockback jinx. That's what he used to try and end our duel st year quickly,” Gsses says.

  “That's good to know actually. That might actually end the duel if he can cast a powerful enough version. I'll watch out for that,” Ana says.

  The group goes back to their lunches. The twins leaving after a few more jokes. Conversation moves on until it's nearly time for lunch to be over.

  “Would you like to come to the library Ana? I want to get a head start on my studies,” Hermione says.

  “Sure, I need to waste a bit of time before the duel anyway. Do you two want to join us?” Ana says, turning to the two boys.

  “The Library? Euck, not in my life. I'm gonna head back to the common room and try to get someone to py a game of chess,” Ron says.

  “I think I'll join the girls. I should probably try to learn what I can about potions with how unhelpful Snape always is. You have fun Ron,” Gsses says.

  “Suit yourself. I hope you three have fun reading your books. See you at the duel,” Ron says before heading off.

  SchrodingersGamer