The Dueling Club (Page 66)

~~~(POV: Alexander Aevum)~~~

~~~(Location: Duel Room, Scotland, Hogwarts)~~~

~~~(Date, Time, Year: December 17th, 1:25 PM, 1992)~~~

~~~(Age: 13 Years)~~~

It's been more than a month since Colin Creevey was petrified. Since then, not much has happened in terms of problems around the school. Harry, Ron, and Hermione are currently working on a Polyjuice potion.

They're convinced that Malfoy and his lackeys are behind what's going on. I'm not against the idea that Malfoy is the one doing this. Only the fact I'm talking about a different Malfoy.

My own efforts to find out what's going on and who's behind this have spun around and kicked me in the nuts. I feel like I'm going in circles. The truth of the matter is I can't find the answers I'm looking for without more information.

And I'm not finding anything in the library. So, I just have to wait for more around the school to happen.

"Hey, Alex! It's been almost a week since we last spoke to each other. Are you excited about the first meeting of the Dueling Club?"

My thoughts are interrupted by Daphne as she walks up next to me as we're behind the very large crowd forming around the dueling platform. I'm not much for the front row, and I'd rather not listen to Lockhart's constant ego-basking.

"Not particularly. I wouldn't have come under normal circumstances, but I've got nothing else on my plate."

In the end, it's a good way to burn time away—waiting for something else to happen—and get more information that way. She moves a step closer and stands shoulder-to-shoulder with me. It's awkward, given the ample space around us since we're not in the crowd.

My eyes roll just a little bit, but it's not obvious enough for her to notice. Her attention is on Lockhart's current show.

"Do you plan to duel anyone..."

The whispery edge to my words, as I lean over just a little, causes her to turn her head rapidly and stare at me. Her cheeks are a slightly darker tint from it.

After taking a second to register my question, her eyes pull away from me, and she has a small smile on her lips. I don't know why. I'm not really in the mood to probe her mind with simple questions like this.

"No, I was only going to watch. Why? Do you think I'd want to duel someone?"

The answer I get is what I expected, but the question is out of left field. She's probably referring to Hermione. Well, not probably. The two really don't like each other. While they've never had an altercation or argument that'd make you think they hate each other.

Cold shoulders and stares can say a lot more than obvious and overt actions. I wouldn't go so far as to say they hate each other, but they have animosity.

The only common denominator is me.

"If you're thinking what I suspect, then never mind. I don't get why you two have so many problems with one another."

A slight frown appears on her lips, and she folds her arms as she takes a step away. Looking back at the platform. A few minutes pass by, and a scene I'd only describe as fateful storytelling starts to play out.

Draco and Harry begin their duel. Sending one another flying with spells and attacks. Trying to show each other they're the better wizard.

"Who do you think will win..."

The soft question doesn't take long to leave Daphne's lips. While we're friends, she is a part of Slytherin. Draco should be the one she's rooting for.

While I want to say Harry will win, the two of them look pretty evenly matched to me. This is saying something about either Draco's lack of talent or Harry's excess of it. Just from watching the two, I can see where I rank amongst my years.

My training with Albus in the Room of Requirement is infrequent and rare, but I've learned a great deal from the Headmaster.

"I don't know."

Before Daphne can ask another question, Draco sends out a snake using Serpensortia. I'm a bit surprised that he knows the spell, let alone puts it into practice. The cobra stands up and spreads its head apart.

The relaxed and calm posture I had a moment ago disappears as I watch Harry speak to the snake.

He's a Parseltongue.

A rare and sparse gift throughout the wizarding world. I don't know if there are any live users today. He controls the snake; I don't know what he's saying to it, though.

Snape has other plans, though. Much to Justin's, the student who Harry seemingly sicked the snake on, delight.

Many questions run through my head. Going back to Salazar Slytherin. He was a Parseltongue. He was the creator of the Chamber of Secrets. It was his prophecy the heir of house Slytherin would return.

Who knows if Harry is a descendant of him or not, but I do know that Harry isn't the heir everyone is searching for.

"Alex... Is Harry the..."

Daphne almost says something, but I abruptly leave her side and make my way out of the room. Not wanting to stick around for the ensuing chaos and questions. I'm sure Harry will have a hard time back in the common room, but that's his trial.

Not mine.

Ron and Hermione's support is more than enough for him to be fine. There is nothing that I should be able to do.

"Hey! Wait up! Who do you think you are!? Just walking away from me like that?!"

I'm suddenly stopped, and albeit a little shocked, by the voice of the girl I just left back in the Dueling Club. I turn and look over my shoulder. Seeing Daphne racing down the hall to me. I wait with my arms folded, and she reaches me after a few seconds.

I cock my eyebrow at her at the way she caught my attention. I don't know where she learned that or got the idea from, but I can only speculate it from being around pure blood all her life.

"Where'd you come up with that one?"

As she reaches me, I ask her where she got that rather rude way of getting someone's attention. She runs a hand through her hair and looks away as she straightens up.

"Sorry... Sometimes my inner Adorabella comes out... I picked up many things from Mom... Including her temper from time to time. I hope I didn't offend you. I usually have it under good control like she does, but there are certain times it slips out..."

Ahh, like mother, like daughter. Now that I think about it more, it wasn't anger or frustration—more surprise and incredulity. 

I'd call it cute if I didn't know Daphne.

"It's okay, but what is it that you chased me out here for? I'm sure there are more duels to watch."

There isn't a reason to follow me if she were there to watch the duels. It was a way for more to burn time until I got the idea of looking into Salazar Slytherin's descendants. Whoever they are, if any of them are at Hogwarts. They'll be the ones behind all this.

She takes a moment to gather her thoughts for an answer, and after a second she looks away from me again. This time her cheeks are flushed red, and an embarrassed smile appears on her lips.

"I've never done this before, so give me some slack..."

Now I'm curious.

"Would you like to spend some time with me next weekend... Just the two of us..."

This sounds an awful lot like a date...

"Are you asking me out?"

It's really coming out of nowhere, and I'm very unprepared. I knew that Daphne and I get along and she might think of me more than a regular friend. But I didn't think anything about dating, affection, or anything like that.

I highly doubt love is involved. She might just be trying to see if something is there. Daphne is like me when it comes to certain things. Love being one of them.

It takes time and friendship to develop into love. Not something that happens in a short window.

Sure, we've been friends for a little over a year, but it's been nothing more than that.

"I guess? I mean, we get along, and I enjoy spending time with you. Thought it might be fun for the two of us to do something."

See, she doesn't even know.

I scratch the back of my head and really think about this...

Given everything that's happening right now, I don't know if this is a good time to be going on... Dates. Maybe there is a different term for what we're doing. Spending time together?

But I've come to an answer.

"Maybe if you didn't ask me out of the blue like this, I would. But I'm very busy outside of classes and on the weekends. It might sound like an excuse to you, but I don't think it's a good idea."

A very sad and disappointed look appears on her face. I'm not completely without heart or mind when it comes to the opposite gender. She should really let me finish before letting her emotions show.

"But, if you don't mind being in the library or searching through texts to find answers to questions I'm looking for. Maybe we can do something next weekend. Cause that's what I'm doing."

An instant 180-degree shift in her mood the moment I salvage the offer.