Chapter Ten-Thrashing a ferret

Magnus felt as if his lungs were on fire, his legs felt like lead weights and every muscle in his body felt like it pulling itself apart…. but he felt so great as he rounded the last corner of the black lake at a dead sprint.

The evening before last had been a real eye-opener for him when he had duelled against Andromeda. Well, it wasn't exactly a duel, more like a cat playing with a mouse it found amusing.

Magnus had never thought he was really that good but when he got a look at what Andromeda was capable of he realised just how lacking he really was. It was both jaw-dropping and humbling at the same time.

She had moved so elegantly yet precisely, with barely any wasted movements, to avoid what few spells he was able to cast before she returned fire even faster. She had put him on his arse two dozen times in the first half an hour of their two-hour training session that night and he hadn't even landed a hit. And she had done the same exact same in the two other training sessions they had the day after. Before she began to instruct him properly on how a Black is meant to duel.

Showing him how to hold himself and his wand for the best casting, informing him on just how different the styles were for male and female Blacks.

How female Blacks moved with grace and were always fluid and moving, and how males were the opposite, solid and strong never retreating only advancing letting their magic protect them.

It was a formidable style of duelling that Andromeda had demonstrated for him with aid of one of his training dummies as an opponent and he could see how such a style was both effective and very intimidating. He had been eager to learn.

Flashback

"Protego" Magnus chanted as he raised his wand up once again to block a spell from one of the training dummies as he advanced before another spell came flying and he moved his wrist to intercept the spell as it came at him before flicking it aside and moving his wand forward as he called out "Expelliarmus" as his wand tip flowed and the wand of the training dummy fell clattering to the floor.

The sound of clapping filled the air as Andromeda applauded, "very good, much better" she commented as she walked over to pick up the wand as Magnus took a few deep breaths to recover in this his tenth time repeating the set.

"You can take a break now if you want," Andromeda said as she put the wand back into the dummies hand, "I'm impressed you've lasted so long, your stamina is very impressive for someone your age and experience"

"Thanks," Magnus said as he walked over to the side of the duelling ring and picked up his bottle of water to get a drink.

Andromeda watched him for a moment before speaking again, "you're coming along quite well, you're both quick with your casting and with your wand and from what I've seen of your spell repertoire you're far more advanced than I had originally thought you were"

Magnus smirked as he put his water bottle down, "thanks, I'm sure both will be a surprise for Draco when we duel tomorrow"

Andromeda gave a sly smile back, "indeed, I don't think that he'll be the only one surprised with just what you can do" she said before a thought crossed her mind, "though do try to restrict yourself some, some of those spells you used beforehand won't exactly be viewed in the best light"

Magnus frowned slightly knowing what she meant, he had demonstrated all of the spells he knew or had read about before on her request, he hadn't exactly held back and she had been rather shocked at just what spells he knew.

"Yeah," he said as he put his wand back into his holster, "I'll stick with the more light ones I think,"

Andromeda nodded, "that would be best, while dark spells are allowed in honour duels it wouldn't exactly put you in the best light if you started hurling the likes of bone breakers and blood-freezing curses over a matter so slight as this," she said before shaking her head with amusement, "I still can't believe you know them, your only first year"

Magnus shrugged, "what can I say," he said with a smirk, "I like reading, must be the Ravenclaw in me," he said with a grin.

Flash back end

As Magnus slowed himself as he came to the end of his lap he couldn't keep the grin off his face as he breathed quickly and deeply. He was rather looking forward to putting Malfoy in his place later that day. True he may have been slightly worried at first but now he was more than confident that he'd be more than a match for the blond ferret.

He was just beginning to get his breath back when he reached the steps up into the school before he paused and looked up to the doors to see Andromeda and Professor Flitwick standing there waiting for him.

Magnus sighed softly, "good morning Aunt Andy, Professor Flitwick," he said greeting them as he climbed the steps.

"Good morning Mr Black," Professor Flitwick said rather happily seeing him, "enjoy your morning run did you," he said rather pleased.

Magnus smirked, "yes Professor, I find a good run in the morning it great for waking up the body, and the fresh air does wonders for waking up the mind"

The Professor chuckled, "indeed, ten points to Ravenclaw for taking such initiative on your own, and another five for such a display of creative thinking, Mr Black"

Magnus smiled, "thank you, professor," he said rather pleased with himself.

Andromeda chose that time to clear her throat to get his attention, "the headmaster has requested your presence in his office" she stated with a frown, clearly, she had an idea what it was about, and was less than pleased.

Magnus sighed, knowing as well, "I see, right then," he said before smiling again, "I'll see you both there then, I need to go and shower. I'd hardly think the headmaster would appreciate me turning up like this to his office" he said gesturing to himself in his exercise clothing that was rather sweaty after his run.

"Certainly not" Andromeda smirked, "take your time getting ready, it wouldn't do for you to turn up Looking any less than your best. You are the Heir Black after all" she said with a glint of approval in her eye.

"Yes Auntie, I will be sure to take my time~" Magnus smirked giving her a wink.

Andromeda chuckled as she turned and started to walk back into the castle with Flitwick giving a small chuckle himself as he turned to follow her.

Magnus smirked himself and shook his head following them after a moment or so.

Time skip

It was nearly an hour later that Magnus approached the guardian statue that was the entrance to the headmaster's office with a smirk on his face.

He had done exactly as he said, taken his time, taking a nice long shower before taking his time getting dressed and then took some more time enjoying a filling breakfast inside his trunk, after all, it wouldn't do to skip out on the most important meal of the day.

As he reached the statue he came to a halt and just stood there not speaking with his arms behind his back waiting patiently with an amused glint in his eye. He never exactly saw a good reason why Dumbledore had a password for his office. After all, students should be able to come to the staff with problems they have, the headmaster most of all. A password prevented students from approaching him or even coming to him in an emergency. It was rather foolish in his opinion.

It was only after another five minutes that the guardian moved and the stairs began to rise on their own, that Magnus smirked at, and proved to him that Dumbledore definitely had some kind of detection spells in place around the entrance of his office to watch those approaching, or perhaps the paintings just told him.

As the stairs stopped moving Magnus began to scale them and entered the headmasters office with a smile seeing both Andromeda and Professor Flitwick standing with amused looks on their faces seeing him arrive at last, while Dumbledore sat behind his desk with a rather disappointed look on his face, and on the opposite side of the desk from Andromeda stood Snape who was sneering at Magnus as he came in

"Aunt Andy, Professors, Headmaster" Magnus greeted them as he walked in, "sorry I took so long, I got caught up enjoying my shower" he mused idly.

Andromeda smirked as her eyes glinted with amusement while Professor Flitwick gave a small chuckle, while Snape's sneer only darkened.

Dumbledore for his part gave a disappointed sigh, "not at all my boy, but you're here now, that's what matters" he said gesturing to the chair on the opposite side of his desk, "take a seat we have some rather important matters that I need to discuss with you"

Magnus nodded and sat down as offered leaning back and getting comfortable before looking to Dumbledore once more, keeping his eyes fixed lower down his face as usual.

"What is this about Headmaster?" Magnus asked politely doing his best to keep any sarcasm from his tone, knowing full well what it was likely about.

Dumbledore attempted to give Magnus his best-disappointed look but to little effect, "it is a grave matter my boy, word has only just reached me now how you have apparently challenged young Draco to an honour duel of all things" he said with a shake of his head, "this is a serious matter my boy but there is still time to stop this before it goes too far and we can put this whole matter behind us"

Magnus frowned, "I understand just how serious this is, headmaster. I can assure you that I did not make this challenge lightly, and that intent to see this matter through" he stated plainly.

"Now come my boy, I understand that you feel you've been slighted, but surely this can be resolved peacefully without such need for violence" Dumbledore explained, his tone still dripping with disappointment.

"Headmaster," Andromeda spoke up as she glared at the old wizard, "you overreach yourself, these matters involve the Houses of Black and Malfoy, they have nothing to do with the elder House of Dumbledore, nor any of the positions you hold"

"I understand my dear," Dumbledore said raising his hands slightly to placate the angry Black witch, "it was just my hope that we could avoid violence in the school and such serious situations I…"

"That does not matter Headmaster" Andromeda cut him off, "your hopes do not change the fact that the issue is between the House of Black and Malfoy and have nothing to do with you, as such you have absolutely no say in the matter."

"I am Headmaster if this school," Dumbledore spoke a bit more forceful irritated at being cut off and talked over, "as such the actions of my student are my concern especially when they seek to do battle on Hogwarts grounds, which I will not allow"

"You have no power to disallow it," Magnus spoke up after a moment of being silent to listen, "this is a matter between two magical Houses, an honour duel has been called for and agreed upon by both parties. Magic has accepted our agreement, you have no standing to interfere with matters that do not concern you...headmaster"

The twinkling in Dumbledore's eyes had gone out as his anger boiled inside him at being denied and he was about to reprimand Magnus when Flitwick spoke up.

"He is right Albus, the forces of magic have accepted the terms of the duel as well as the location agreed upon" Flitwick stated, "you have no power to try to deny them the chance to defend their Houses honour. The only way this duel can be stopped now would be for one of the two parties to forfeit and concede the matter to the other"

"Then that is what must happen," Albus said with an air of finality to his voice, "this duel will not happen, so young Magnus will just have to withdraw as he was the one to start all of this"

"I will not," Magnus states firmly before Andromeda spoke in outrage.

"How dare you," Andromeda snapped in anger her eyes blazing in furry, "first you speak of matters that are no concern of yours, then you make demands of the Heir of a Most Ancient and Most Noble House and you even insinuate that these events were caused by my nephew" she scowled her anger growing, "if anyone started these events in motion it was Lucius Malfoy when he slandered the rightful Heir to the House of Black, my nephew was well within his rights to claim satisfaction for House Malfoy's insult as you know full right and well. If you truly do not wish for this duel to take place then I suggest you approach Draco and have him withdraw as it is House Malfoy in the wrong"

"Be that as it may" Albus replied, his tone tight with annoyance, "Magnus was the one to escalate matters when there was no need, and so must face the consequences of his actions"

"Enough!" Andromeda growled, "we are not going to stand here and listen to this tripe a moment longer, you have no power on this matter, headmaster, and this entire meeting was a complete waste of time, come along Magnus, we're leaving," she said with a gesture to Magnus.

Magnus got up with a nod and made to leave with andromeda scowling himself as he did so, only to pause at the door when Andromeda put her hand on his shoulder to halt him.

"And another thing Headmaster, should I hear of my nephew being punished for this with detentions or point losses I will immediately be contacting the board of governors, on which House Black still has a seat if I remember correctly, and there will be consequences," Andromeda said firmly not turning to face the office before guiding Magnus out of the office.

Once those two had left the office Flitwick shook his head where he stood, "I don't know what you hoped to gain by this meeting Ablus, but clearly you didn't think it through," he said as he moved to the front of the desk, "Andromeda is fiercely protective of Magnus it would seem, and they were both well within their rights to refuse you as they did, I would suggest you drop this matter, it's not a fight you can win" he said before turning to the door before pausing as another thought crossed his mind, "and I agree with Andromeda's last statement wholeheartedly, if I hear the same the board will also be getting a letter from myself on this meeting, good day gentlemen" he said before continuing onward and out of the office.

Albus sat in his chair seething with anger at how he had been spoken to, how dare they deny him, him Albus Dumbledore, he was the headmaster of this school and he decided what happened within its grounds.

Snape chose that moment to speak after remaining silent for the meeting, "that went as well as I expected" he said with a tight frown as he moved to the front of the desk, "the Blacks were always a stubborn bunch is memory serves."

"Yes it would seem so," Albus stated as he got his anger under control, "it would seem also if we wish to stop this from happening Draco will have to be the one to withdraw."

Snape shook his head, "that will not be possible Headmaster, Lucius was quite incensed with the challenge and Draco's acceptance of it without talking with him first, and given the stakes he has expressly forbid Draco from withdrawing, I believe he intends to come to the castle to witness the duel himself"

Albus clenched his wrinkled fists as he heard that, foiled yet again, he truly was left with no other options but to let the duel play out. "Very well Severus you may go," he said in a tight tone as he turned in his chair to face away from the Potions professor.

Snape gave a tight bow before turning on his heels and gliding from the office not saying a word, he hadn't exactly expected much of this meeting, not after how Black had so efficiently cut him off in the great hall when he was making the challenge. There was something different about that boy that Snape just found to be too out of the ordinary, he didn't know what it was, or what the boy was hiding, but he would find out.

Now alone in his office, Albus seethed to himself as he scowled at the wall. This duel was a disaster, he didn't want these kinds of things happening inside his castle at all. It had been well over twenty years since the last honour duel had been fought on Hogwarts grounds, just as he had wanted.

Everything had been going exactly to plan, but now this duel was changing everything. He had heard the reports from the ghosts, portraits and elves that he had monitoring the students. The castle was abuzz with the news of the challenge, and muggle-born students young and old were asking questions about what an honour duel was and what was worse the purebloods and half-bloods were telling them. He had even had reports of questions about the Olde ways and traditions being heard, students searching the library for books on the subjects, not that they would find them, he had them removed long ago.

But all the same, this was not going to plan at all. He had been spending his years at Hogwarts trying to change things for the betterment of the magical world. Erasing all talk and teachings of the olde ways and traditions in an attempt to better merge the muggle world and the wizarding world, and to help the muggle-borns assimilate better with magical society. It was why he had pushed in the wizengamot to have the old traditional ritual outlawed and restricted so badly, and why he had abolished the celebration of the solstices at Hogwarts in favour of their muggle counterparts.

He scowled even deeper, he was stuck now. He could do nothing to stop the duel, nor the questions going through the student's minds as he had been hoping to do so. And now he couldn't risk trying to penalise Magnus for starting this whole mess, damn that woman, how dare she threaten him.

He had all but forgotten the Black's seat at the board's table, it hadn't been filled in so long he didn't think it would be remembered, but obviously, Andromeda did remember, she was going to be an even bigger pain in his side than he thought. He would need to start to make plans to deal with her somehow and get her out of his way.

As Albus sat brooding and screaming at his desk, had he only taken a moment to look up, he would have seen the angry glare of Phineas Black looking down on him as he did so.

No, the former Headmaster Black was not one bit pleased with Albus after what he had just witnessed. He may have been the headmaster of Hogwarts at one time, but his loyalties were always with his House and his family, blood came first, and it was clear to him that Albus did not have good intentions towards his former House. Something would definitely have to be done, one way or another, he would stand with his family.

Scene break

The entire way to the Great Hall Andromeda and Magnus walked in silence, both of them were quite livid at what Albus had just tried to force Magnus to do. Magnus knew enough from his reading that Dumbledore's attempt to intervene in the affairs of the Houses was a huge breach in decorum, such matters were never to be breached by outside parties unless the matter was brought up by one of the two sides first it was highly inappropriate for Dumbledore to try and interfere, but apparently, that had never crossed the headmaster's attention, or it did and the man just thought himself the exception.

Once they reached the Great Hall, Andromeda left him to go to the Ravenclaw table on his own while she headed up to the head table, it was clear to all that they were annoyed, had Magnus noticed he would have seen his hair had changed to a blazing red in his anger on the walk from Dumbledore's office to the hall, but he was too caught up to pay attention to such things.

As soon as he sat down some of his other year mates scooted away from him but Daphne and Tracey moved closer to him curious.

"Magnus, what's going on?" Tracey asked carefully. Daphne for her part remained silent, happy to let Tracey broach the subject as she listened.

Magnus scowled, "old men who don't know when to keep their crooked noses out of matters that do not concern them" he stated with a growl.

"Um, what?" Tracey asked confused as Daphne arched one delicate eyebrow at the statement.

"Twisted old Goat fuckers who don't know to keep their mouths shut," Magnus said again his teeth grinding as he did so, ignoring the half a dozen spit takes from those who had heard what he said.

"...." Tracey was just speechless as she looked at him not sure how to respond.

"Language Black," Daphne corrected him, "and can you please explain it a little clearer and with less vulgarity," she said with a sniff of disdain for his vulgar language, as was appropriate for her status.

Magnus frowned at the reprimand but took a breath as his scowl lessened before he spoke again, "Dumbledore called me up to his office just a few minutes before I came to breakfast, and he tried to get me to call off the honour duel I challenged Draco to"

""What!!"" Both Tracey and Daphne said in unison their eyes wide at the implication of the headmasters' actions.

Almost instantly the Ravenclaw table was abuzz as the news of what Magnus had just revealed travelled down it, and many of those who knew what it meant were scowling.

"How dare he," Tracey said with a scowl now on her face matching Magnus'.

"That was highly inappropriate of him to do, I trust you didn't listen to him," Daphne spoke with a frown her irritation showing.

"Of course I didn't," Magnus replied, "Aunt Andy had me out of his office within a minute of him making the demand, but still the fact that he even made it had both me and Aunt Andy fuming"

"Well, at least that explains why your sporting your hair like that," Tracey commented with a slight smirk.

"What?" Magnus said before he reached to his head and pulled some of his hair into his view and blinked, "oh," he said with a sigh, "well at least it's not Weasley colour" he said before running his hands through his hair as it changed back to black casually, "I hadn't even noticed"

Daphne gave a small smirk, "better, now how are you feeling about later, do you think you're ready?" she asked being as inconspicuous of the subject as she could without directly relating to it.

"Yep," Magnus said with a smirk, "Aunt Andy has been putting me through my paces to sharpen me up, I'm more than ready to trounce the ponce when things start."

"Good," Daphne said approvingly, "it would hardly reflect well on you if you lost, seeing as how you were the one to issue the challenge in the first place, regardless of my advice to wait" she stated primly.

Magnus rolled his eyes, "yes, I know, but don't worry your pretty little head, I'll be sure to put my best foot forward as I dance around the little prick" he smirked as Daphne blustered at his words, Tracey chuckling at her friend's expense.

After a moment to compose herself, Daphne sniffed primly, "yes I'm sure you will, but there are other things that have come up now because of your challenge. If you've taken the time to notice them."

Magnus frowned, "what do you mean?" he asked not sure what she was getting at, wondering what side effects his challenging Draco had done, besides messed with the timeline.

"Honestly Black, do you pay any attention at all," Daphne smirked but not in an amused sort of way.

Tracey giggled, "well you can't exactly blame him, Daphne. He hasn't come out of his dorm room much at all since the challenge, he wouldn't know"

Magnus sighed, "yeah I've been kind of preoccupied with getting ready, so can one of the two of you please fill me in," he said ruefully, "I am but a humble man seeking the aid of two lovely ladies to aid this pathetic fools attempts to know all," he said with a mocking bow of his head.

Tracey giggled at the joke and Daphne smirked tilting her chin a little higher, "And to right, you should" she smugly agreed.

When Tracey's giggles finally passed she shook her head, "it was your challenging Draco, it really stirred things up in the castle, nearly everyone was talking about it by the next morning at breakfast," she explained, "every muggle-born was asking questions about it and trying to find out what was going on and what it all meant"

"Granger was relentless after you left, she kept bombarding me with questions with the more answers I gave, it was endless," Daphne said with a sigh, "after fifteen minutes of answering her questions I finally got fed up and told her to just go look up the books on the matter in the library"

"And come the next morning she wasn't the only one doing so," Tracey smirked amusingly, remembering how annoyed her best friend got at the relentless questioning, "I heard Madam Prince had a run on the library when she opened the next morning, she actually had to put a ward on the doors to limit how many students could enter at one time, there was apparently a line all the way to the grand staircase of students waiting to get in to look up the books on traditions"

"I heard that most of them couldn't find anything about them and had to resort to asking purebloods and half-bloods about them, most just told them names of books and gave them owl order forms to get them from Diagon alley," Daphne said with a sniff, "not surprising given that the library would possibly only have so many copies and the demand was so high"

"Yeah, I heard the owlery was emptied yesterday by lunchtime because of all the students without owls needed to use them to order in the books they were told about" Tracey informed them.

Magnus blinked at that and frowned. Did his challenge really have such wide-spreading effects before the duel had even taken place? It made sense, he hadn't been very private about his challenge and as a result, the whole school knew about it.

But something didn't sit right with him, mainly Dumbledore's intervention. Why did the old man want the duel called off? Was it to try and get the interest in it to die off? But what would that do, other than disgrace him and House Black for making the challenge and then backing out of it hours before the duel was meant to happen.

No, it didn't add up, Dumbledore wouldn't gain anything, that he could see, by disgracing House Black. But what else was there…. The books…. Magnus wanted to slap himself when the thought crossed his mind. 'Of course, it's the books in the library. I bet no-one was actually able to find any books on the matter and people just assumed that others got them out before them. When actually they were never there in the first place because Dumbledore removed them for some reason, that's what's going on. The old fuck doesn't want any attention brought on wizarding traditions and things linked to them.'

It made some sense, after all, Dumbledore was clearly pro-muggle-born in all his actions at Hogwarts. Hell, the school openly celebrated nearly all the muggle holidays. A fact that never really had made much sense to him given the fact they were witches and wizards and most of those celebrations were started by the Christian faith, and given it was the Christian church and the ruling king at the time that was responsible for all the witch burnings in the fourteen to fifteen hundreds. Magnus could see how any purebloods would be annoyed with that.

It just made more sense to him that witches and wizards would celebrate the pagan holidays and the solstices rather than their muggle-Christian counterparts. But why would Dumbledore not want that information shared at Hogwarts? It would seem that he needed to do some more looking into the matter to find his answers. But nothing said that Magnus couldn't use what he knew now to cause even more trouble for the old fuck…. 'game on old man'

"That's not really that shocking," Magnus said casually, "in fact I'd be surprised if they found anything on the matter at all, given the state of the Hogwarts library," he said making sure he was loud enough to be heard by others close by.

"What do you mean?" Daphne asked both curious and wondering why he was speaking differently, her eyes narrowing slightly in suspicion.

"What I've seen the library here and in comparison to what I saw here and the Library in my family manor, the Hogwarts library is severely lacking," Magnus replied plainly, "the Black library is easily three times the size of the library here. So clearly there must be a lot of books that the Hogwarts library doesn't have and seeing as there aren't any classes on wizarding traditions and the like. I don't see any reason why the library would even keep such books when there is little chance that students will ever look them out. I'd be surprised if the library has even been updated in years, as the classes have likely remained the same as well."

That got a lot of attention from the others at the Ravenclaw table and the volume level rose by at least a few notches as what Magnus had just said sent ripples down the table and the shock and realisation of the truth began to sink in for the House of the wise and witty. Magnus could even hear the odd statement of agreement with his suspicions, many seeing the logic behind his words and some were even voicing the irritation that the place they were meant to look to for answers didn't have them. Magnus had to suppress his satisfied smirk as his statement had the desired effect. But he didn't notice the suspicious look that Daphne was giving him.

The increase in activity at the Ravenclaw table didn't go unnoticed by the rest of the hall, as slowly word of Magnus' suspicions had started to spread to the other tables, and many of the other students became appalled with what they were hearing, and many were agreeing with what was suspected. It didn't take long before the head table caught wind of the topic that was making its rounds.

Professor Flitwick was the first to inquire on the matter to Madam Prince, "is what they are saying true Irma?" he asked tentatively, knowing how protective the witch was over her library and how seriously she took her role as the castle's librarian.

"I'm afraid it is Filius," Madam Prince said back with a tight look on her face, "I don't even think one student was able to find a single book yesterday that was able to give them the answers they were looking for. And it has been a sight I have grown used to seeing over the years"

"Then why hasn't anything been done about it," Flitwick said shocked, his eyes wide at the admittance that not only was the fact true but that it was a common occurrence, why hadn't he noticed it before now.

"Don't you think I've tried," Madam prince said back irritation in her tone before she took a breath and gave Flitwick an apologetic look, "every year since I've started as the castle's librarian I've been submitting a list of books to the headmaster requesting funds to purchase copies for the library, and every year my requests are denied and every year my list grows longer and longer still. It's gotten so bad that I frequently keep a rolodex with the various books the library does not have with a list of the subject matters discussed in them. So that when a student comes to me after not finding what they are looking for I can give them the book details so that they can order the books in for themselves so that their education doesn't suffer." she explained, "it's infuriating, but what else can I do, other than seek to maintain what books the library has. It's why I'm so hard on students who return books late or damaged, other students will need them and I likely will be unable to get the funds to replace them."

Flitwick frowned hearing that and nodded in understanding, he didn't doubt the honesty in her words and her clear frustration with her situation. She had been one of his ravens after all, and one of his most studious, he could tell that this was something that had been frustrating her greatly and for good reason. She no doubt felt like she was failing the students by being unable to provide them with what they needed when they needed it and had tried to correct things as best she could with what she was able to do, and it annoyed him to see one of his past ravens in such a spot, he would have to see what he could do to help.

He wasn't the only one. Andromeda had overheard the conversation as she ate her breakfast, her appetite slipping away with every word as her stomach tightened in her anger at the situation. Clearly, something was wrong in the castle and she felt concerned about how this was affecting the students' education. If they were unable to get the correct and updated information when they needed it.

She could hear the shock at the head table as the other professors showed various signs of outrage and anger over the fact as many began to put everything together with their past experiences with students assignments not having what they expected. It was clear to her that this was already having an effect on the student's education, and that something needed to be done

Setting down her spoon Andromeda rose from the table and made for the staff exit, it would appear that she needed to take up her Houses seat on the board of governors sooner than she had expected to.

Time skip

It was four hours after breakfast that Magnus once again found himself in the confines of his trunk, standing in front of his office in front of a full-length body mirror as he looked himself over in his newest attire.

A complete set of duelling robes made out of dragonhide and acromantula silk, in black, the best that money could buy. They were something that his grandfather had insisted that he purchase during one of their lessons when he mentioned that he was practising more combat orientated spells. Something that he found himself more than grateful for since their purchase on more than one occasion.

The dragonhide was extremely spell-resistant and provided great padding to blunt any heavy impacts, something that he had learned very well when he had first tried to cast the bombarda spell in his practices, from memory, and had ended up sending himself back ten feet and put him flat on his back. He had no doubt he would have left himself with more than just a few bruises if he hadn't been wearing his duelling robes at the time.

As he stood there looking at himself he brought his hand up and brushed his fingers over the Black family crest that was embossed on the front of his robes over his heart. Although he had worn the robes before it felt... surreal almost, to be wearing them now when he was going to be going down to duel in defence of his and his Houses honour.

He smirked to himself, it felt right that he was doing this, even though he wasn't originally from this world, born into it, at this very moment that didn't matter at all to him. What mattered to him now was that he was a Black and that his House had been insulted and that could not go unanswered.

"Very nice," the sound of Andromeda brought him out of his thoughts as she spoke from the doorway of his office, "you look like a proper Black in those robes and one that means business"

Magnus smiled as he lowered his hand, "Yeah, dear cousin Draco won't know what hit him" he mused as he gave himself one last glance over and taking a breath to steady his nerves.

Watching him closely Andromeda shook her head, "it's alright to be nervous you know, it's only natural for your first duel, in fact, I'd be worried if you weren't"

Magnus chuckled, he couldn't deny that he was nervous, but more than that he was excited, he could feel his blood pumping faster and faster still as the time grew nearer, this was every Potterheads dream, to actually be able to duel, well his at any rate. He didn't know if that should worry him or not.

"I'll be fine," Magnus said as he turned with a smirk in place, "sure I have nothing to be nervous about, not after the number of times you've knocked me on my backside." he joked.

Andromeda smiled and shook her head, "just remember your lessons and you'll do fine" she mused before chuckling, "sometimes I forget, with how serious you can act at times you, that you're still only just a kid"

Magnus smirked and nodded his head, 'that's because inside I'm actually much older than I look' he thought to himself before walking over to Erebusses perch and stroking his familiar who was currently in his owl form, "well I guess it's time we should be heading down, wish me luck buddy" he smirked.

Erebus gave an encouraging shriek, and Magnus had to use all his will power to not burst out laughing when he heard the voice of his familiar in his head replying, 'go and bounce that ferret off the ceiling of the great hall and see how far you can kick him when he comes down'

'Will do' Magnus replied backbiting the inside of his lip to keep from laughing as he turned and left the trunk with Andromeda, as the mental picture of a screaming ferret Malfoy being punt kicked through the stained glass window of the great hall and out into the Black lake played over and over in his mind.

Scene break

Magnus and Andromeda soon arrived in the great hall soon after leaving the Ravenclaw tower, and Magnus was rather shocked at the transformation of the great hall, he honestly didn't know what to expect but this was certainly something else.

All of the four House tables had been moved and stacked on top of each other with the benches at either side of the hall where a what Magnus guessed the entire school had lined up to witness his and Draco's duel.

But what caught Magnus' eyes were the four stone pillars that now stood in the points of a large square around the hall just a few meters away from where the students had all gathered to watch, each etched with various runes from what Magnus could make out and the air around them seemed to hum and shimmer with power, he didn't know what to make of them.

Seeing his attention on the pillars Andromeda put her hand on his shoulder, "It's okay, they are part of the duel" she told him softly, "they are enchanted to bring up protective wards in a barrier between each of them to keep any stay spells, or anything else, from hitting those watching" she explained.

Magnus nodded, that made sense, it wouldn't really be a good thing if someone watching got hit by a deflected or missed spell, and some spells could be quite destructive, he'd just never really seen the likes of them before. But then again he was in uncharted territory here so there were bound to be a few curve balls thrown his way.

Drawing his attention away from the pillars he looked over to see the staff gathered at the other side of the hall watching on neutrally. Professor Flitwick upon spotting him began to make his way down the hall floor quickly with someone beside him. Magnus instantly recognised the man and had to swallow at the rather gruesome sight of Mad eye Moody coming towards him, his magical eye swerving around its enclosure before settling firmly on him.

"Ah Mr Black, good you're here, we're almost ready to begin," Professor Flitwick said as they came up to the pair.

"Professor Flitwick, Senior Auror Moody" Magnus greeted them respectfully.

Moody's gaze settled on him firmly, "you know me lad?" he asked looking at Magnus with a penetrating gaze.

"Only by reputation sir, your appearance doesn't really leave much room for speculation" Magnus replied smoothly facing the old Aurors' gaze unflinchingly, "My cousin Nymphadora speaks highly of you," he said before giving a small smirk, "she also says your hard as they come and ten times as times as dangerous as a Cerberus who's lost his favourite chew toy," he said with his hair flashing through three different colours and back to black, remembering the time during the summer he and Tonks had discussed the old Auror who was her instructor.

Moody gave a harsh bark of a laugh and a rather hard grin when he heard that, "Tonk's said that did she, well I'll have to be sure to thank her for the compliment the next time I see her" he said with a look in his eye that said the thanks would be anything but pleasant before he held his hand out to Magnus who took it with a grin of his own.

"Do us a favour and trounce that little Malfoy shit. If he's anything like his father, he likely deserves it" Moody said with a grin.

"Count on it," Magnus replied and got a sharp nod from Moody in return before he and Flitwick turned and started back up the hall.

"I'm curious," Andromeda said when the two were out of earshot, "what did Nymphadora do that was so bad you had to set Moody on her, she's family after all"

Magnus smirked, "why Aunt Andy," he said putting his hand on his chest, "you wound me, it's because she is family that I did it, if cousin Nymphadora can survive a vindictive Moody then she can survive anything, it will do her some good to be challenged so early in her training to be an Auror," he said with a smirk.

Andromeda scoffed amused at his tone, "somehow I don't think she will thank you, and may magic help you if she finds out"

It was then that the door to the professor's exit opened and Professor Snape came into the hall, followed by Draco and Lucius Malfoy who was just as pompous looking as Magnus had suspected.

Severus went to join the other professors after a parting word to the Malfoy pair as they continued on down the hall. Andromeda and Magnus started forward and met them in the middle of the hall and in the centre of where the four pillars had been set up in a square.

The entire hall went silent as the four-faced each other, the tension was felt by all as Lucius was the first one to speak.

"Andromeda, what a surprise to see you here. I had hoped that the rumours of your reinstatement into the House of Black were just that, but it appears my hopes are for not. Your sister will be disappointed in this latest travesty to have befallen her ancestral House" Lucius sneered at her

"Somehow I would think she would be used to disappointment, given all she's had to suffer through the years. What with marrying you and having such a pathetic excuse for a son," Magnus spoke up in defence of his aunt, his scowl matching Lucius' sneer that turned on him at his insults.

"Mind your tongue boy," Lucius hissed as he gripped the head of his cane hard restraining himself from drawing his wand and cursing Magnus for the insults, "you have already insulted my House with this travesty of a duel"

"If anyone is to be blamed for this duel it is you, Lord Malfoy," Magnus shot back, "or did you really think that I and House Black were just going to sit idly by as a lesser House dared to slander it and it's Heir so publicly, such as you did."

"Those are some bold words especially from someone as your former status, you're barely recognised as a pureblood, hardly fitting to be an Heir of such a prestigious House," Lucius sneered, "that position rightfully belongs to my son. Until you stole it from him."

"Watch how you speak Lucius," Andromeda growled as she spoke, "calling the rightful Heir of House Black a thief is even lower than the insults you have already passed."

Lucius scoffed, "I was only stating the truth, he is not worthy of the position, you are proof enough of that," he said with a cold tone, "he was barely Heir for what, a week before he began bringing back blood-traitors like you into the House of Black, undoing the decrees of past lords on a whim, something no proper Heir would ever do."

Magnus's fists clenched so tightly his knuckles turned white as his eyes turned red as his anger grew with every word Lucius spoke. How dare he speak like that about Andromeda and Nymphadora like that, they were his family, his blood. Who did he think he was questioning what he did concerning his family and House, it was his choice, his decision, and he had decided that the past lords were wrong to cast them out. Every word out of Lucius' mouth made him want to slug that smug grin off his face.

"You have no right," Andromeda snapped, "to criticize the decisions made by an heir, when he has been accepted by the previous lord of his House, the decisions are his to make."

"The boy is ignorant of the ways and traditions, clearly if he thinks bringing blood traitors like you back into the House of Black is the right thing to do," Lucius said primly and cooly.

Professor Flitwick and Moody began to make their way over to the group seeing as the talks were going nowhere, but Lucius last words had proved too much for Magnus' control and he snapped.

"It's a hell of a lot better than anything you or your idiot son could accomplish, and unlike you, I would never let another dictate to me on how to run my house, let alone bow to another who is unworthy to even lick the dirt off my boots, like you did with the Dark Bastard you served" Magnus spoke loudly and with anger and venom dripping from every word as his voice boomed in the great hall as all went silent.

Both Flitwick and Moody froze in their steps as the hall went silent. Flitwick looked shocked and Moody stood stock still his gaze fixed on Magnus, along with everyone else in the hall. All of the professors were so shocked not even one of them thought to reprimand Magnus for his foul language.

Andromeda's head snapped to Magnus when he spoke with such anger and she froze as he spoke, too stunned to even speak as Magnus finished.

Draco was the same as the rest of the students in the hall, his mouth openly agape, all his composure forgotten as he stated at Magnus with utter lack of comprehension as he openly insulted the Dark lord, no one did that.

Lucius looked as if he had just swallowed something extremely foul as Magnus finished speaking, both insulting him, his son and his lord in one fail swoop. His eyes hardened as he glared at him. "Watch your tongue boy, you do not know of what you speak," he said with a snarl, "it is for reasons just as this why my son would be a far better Heir to the House of Black than you, he at least knows to respect his elders."

"Respect," Magnus spat, "is something that is earned on an individual basis, and I will never have any respect for the likes of you and your filth."

Lucius' face tightened with anger at that remark as he straightened his back to look down on Magnus even more than he had been, "you will learn the error of your ways soon enough when my son beats you and proves to all that he should be the rightful Heir to House Black, once and for all."

Magnus felt his anger spike as once again Lucius challenged his position and he had passed well past all point of rationality as he spoke with pure anger in his words once again, "then why not make a bet of it then" he said as the entire hall held a collective breath, "if Draco beats me in this duel, then I will willingly step down from my position as Heir Black and turn it over to Draco" he said as all colour drained from Andromeda's face as she registered his words, "but when I win, you will not only have to give a public apology to your affronts towards myself and House Black upon the finishing of the duel, and a public apology in tomorrow's edition of the daily prophet, but you must also publicly denounce Draco as Heir to House Malfoy."

And with that all colour drained from both Malfoy's faces at just what that would mean for House Malfoy, it's future would no longer be secure.

Lucius was just about to deny the challenge and champion himself for Draco, he had been planning to all along so that he could teach him a lesson for his words. No doubt his Aunt would champion him if he did so, but it would be just as sweet, if not sweeter to watch him break down in tears as he reduced Andromeda to a mangled heap. But just before he could speak, Magnus spoke again.

"After all," Magnus sneered, "if he's proven to be less than someone of my "former status" when I am the same age as he is, he would hardly be suited to hold the position in either Houses, is that not the case."

The hall was deathly silent in wake of Magnus' statement and offered wager, everyone waited on Lucius' reply on whether or not he would accept after such a final statement.

Draco was as white as a ghost when he heard Magnus' challenge, he hadn't signed up for this, it had completely shaken him, surely his father would never accept the wager, he couldn't he was his son, his heir.

Lucius looked utterly furious, but he didn't know who to be more furious with, the boy for the wager or himself for walking himself right into this. Say what you want about Lucius Malfoy but the man was in Slytherin for a reason, and he could spot exactly what had happened here and how Magnus, knowingly or unknowingly had used his own words against him and put him in a position where he couldn't do anything other than accept because to do otherwise would mean that he would be admitting that his whole basis for slandering him as House Black's Heir was completely invalid. It was a very Slytherin move, and no doubt any true Slytherin in the room would recognise just what the boy had done.

With a half snarl Lucius drew his wand from his cane, and almost instantly in reply both Magnus and Andromeda had their own wands in their hands ready to attack or defend themselves, but the attack never came.

Lucius only glared at Magnus as he snarled, "you will regret this boy," he said before he raised his wand into the air, and Draco's eyes went wide in shock as his father spoke.

"I Lucius Abraxas Malfoy, Lord of the Magical House of Malfoy, do hereby swear that on the completion of this duel, should my son Daconis Lucius Malfoy lose that I will disown him as my Heir and meet all other requirements to make amends to any insult that I have levied against House Black and it's heir, so I say, so mote it be." Lucius intoned as he glowed brightly for a second showing that his oath had been accepted.

Magnus didn't wait for even a heartbeat once Lucius' oath was done before he raised his own wand as Lucius had and began to recite his own oath.

"I Magnus Roark Black, Heir of the Most Ancient and Most Noble House of Black, do hereby swear that on completion of this duel, should I lose to one Draconis Lucius Malfoy that I will forfeit my title as Heir Black to him and never again seek to reclaim it, so I say, so mote it be," Magnus spoke, and as he glowed with the acceptance of his oath Lucius had to restrain himself from instantly cursing the boy.

He had been played once again, Lucius wanted to scream, not only once but twice. With that wording of his oath the boy had made it null and void should he attempt to champion for his son in his stead, Lucius had worded his oath with enough leeway so that it would still take effect should he beat the boy or his champion in the duel with that exact purpose in mind, having expected the boy to copy his oath, that was why he spoke it first, but with the different wording he had been entirely blocked from interfering at all, there was nothing he could do and he knew it and he knew that this was no mistake on Magnus' part, it was all planned.

As soon as Magnus finished his oath Lucius turned and began walking back to the other side of the hall, Draco stood shocked for a two count longer before he quickly followed his father, clearly very shaken by what had just happened as the noise around the hall began to grow as people began to talk about what had just happened.

Andromeda let out a deep sigh before looking at Magnus who's gaze was still on both Malfoys as they were met by Snape as they crossed the boundary of where the shields would be raised.

"That," Andromeda said in a low hiss, "was extremely foolish, and reckless," she said her tone showing her disapproval about what had just happened, "you didn't need to do any of that, it was unnecessary and completely uncalled for."

Magnus nodded his head, "I know," he said taking a deep breath, "but what's done is done," he said as he marshalled his thoughts and feelings. He didn't know what had happened or why he had gotten so angry, no he knew why. Lucius words had gotten to him, but they had affected him much more severely than they should have, but he had no clue as to why his mental barriers hadn't helped at all and his anger had overwhelmed him. He was just grateful that he had been able to gain back some rationality and salvage the situation towards the end and turn things to his advantage.

"I couldn't just let him get away with insulting you and Dora like that," Magnus spoke softly, "your blood, your family, I had to do something"

Andromeda sighed softly and nodded, "Nym and I can look after ourselves, Magnus, you don't have to defend us, especially from filth like him," she said before shaking her head, "all I can say is that you better win now, there's a lot more riding on this now than just the Houses Honour and fortune."

Magnus nodded, oh he knew that all too well. It was why he wanted to kick himself the second he had offered up the Black heirship. If Draco became Heir Black, then Lucius as his father would be able to add the votes that House Black held in the Wizengamot to his own poultry number. It would be a huge boon to House Malfoy along with half the Black fortune to raise House Malfoy's status to further increase Lucius' power and influence, it was a huge and foolish gamble on his part, but now all he could do was win this duel as he had planned on doing and keep his mistake from completely screwing him over.

"I know, but I just wanted to shut him up and stop him talking," Magnus said his fists clenched at his sides, "and I figured the best way to do that was to shove his own words right back in his face and make him choke on them"

Andromeda gave a hard single scoff, "Well I'd say you certainly accomplished that, but now the stakes are raised because of it" she said as she looked at the Malfoys with narrowed eyes, "you had better win"

"Don't worry, I don't plan on doing anything but that," Magnus said as he put his wand back into its holster.

Andromeda nodded before she turned and began walking back out to stand outside the boundary of the shields at the opposite end of the hall as the Malfoys.

Seeing this both Professor Flitwick and Mad eye made their way over to Magnus as Flitwick raised his voice to speak over the talking students.

"It is time for the duel to begin, Mr Malfoy, please join us in the centre of the hall" Flitwick announced.

Draco seemed to stiffen where he stood before swallowing and turning towards them and walking forward as confidently as he could, but Magnus could see he was still shaken by what had happened. Clearly, Draco hadn't expected to be fighting to keep his heirship today, then again neither had Magnus, but clearly, they were made of different stuff.

Draco was dressed in duelling robes similar to Magnus' own, only instead of all black they were a lighter grey, with the Malfoy crest over his heart embossed with gold leaf to make it stand out more.

The two boys looked ready for war as they faced off in the centre of the hall as the voices around the hall quietened down as Moody spoke next.

"Alright then, this duel will be witnessed by all those currently present and will follow the regulations as decreed for Honour duels.

All magics, bar the unforgivable curses are permitted. Curses, hexes, charms, transfiguration, conjuration, the lot are all permitted.

The duel will be over only when one side has surrendered to the other or is unable to continue due to either being unconscious or dead.

If at any time either of you breaks the unforgivable rule the duel will be over, and I will have the personal pleasure of snapping your wand and carting you off directly to Azkaban myself, understood"

Magnus nodded in response at the same time as Draco did, while Moody looked them both over seriously for a few moments longer before nodding himself, "Good, now you will both about-face and pace ten paces when myself and the Professor here are outside of the pillars, only then will you draw your wands and take your stance. Once the shields are in place you may begin, either of you casts before then and you automatically forfeit the duel"

Both Magnus and Draco nodded again before they both turned on their heels and counted ten paces before turning to face one another both still well within the boundary the pillars marked out.

Looking at them both one last time both Professor Flitwick and Moody quickly began to make their way out of the boundary before moody drew his wand with a call of "Wands at the ready!" at the same time as both Magnus and Draco drew their own and moved into their stances.

Draco took the same stance that Magnus recognised from the second book when he had duelled Harry, with his body turned to his left, his left arm outstretched and fingers pointed out, his right arm up above his head with his wand held firmly in his hand.

Magnus shifted to his right, holding his wand in his right hand, with his left arm behind his straight back, his right foot forward as he stood as tall as he could while providing as little target space as possible, a stance that Andromeda had taught him in their lessons.

There was a three-count before Moody moved again as he flicked his wand towards the four pillars and the air between them rippled and shimmered for only a second before the shields were in place. The second they were Draco made his move fast, clearly desperate to win quickly.

"Expelliarmus!" He called as he moved to bring his wand around to launch his spell at Magnus who was more than ready for it.

Magnus moved to the left raising his wand hand to avoid the spell as it shot wide and hit the shield behind Magnus, but he paid no attention to it as he used the movement to his advantage and brought his wand arm down again as he hissed out, "Bombarda" as he aimed his spell low.

The result was exactly as Magnus had wanted, the ground a few feet in front of Draco exploded and the force knocked the blond off his feet and back as the resulting debris from the shattered stone exploded and shot everywhere. The shields lit up as the small stones were prevented from passing outside their boundaries as many outside let out gasps of shock from the clearly advanced spell work from Magnus.

Over with the students Harry and Ron were watching in a group of Gryffindor first years, Harry was wide-eyed seeing Magnus make the ground in front of Malfoy explode like that feeling a little queasy as he thought about what that spell could have done had it hit Malfoy and not the ground.

"What kind of spell was that?" Harry asked in shock.

Ron snorted from beside him, "probably something dark" he said sneering at both Malfoy and Magnus.

"Hardly," Hermione said from a bit over from them, "it looked like what I read a low powered Bombarda spell would look like, it's mostly used for demolition, but it's not supposed to be taught until our fourth year"

"Then how do you know about it then?" Ron said glaring at her.

Hermione huffed, "because unlike some people I read ahead to prepare for my classes," she said not really seeing a problem with reading so far ahead in her classwork.

Ron turned red at that and was about to snap back when there was more commotion inside the pillars.

Magnus strode forward toward Malfoy closing the distance between them just as Malfoy managed to get up and thrust his wand forward.

"Stupify" Malfoy called as he fired his stunner with a panicked voice.

Magnus stopped in his tracks as he brought his wand up and the tip glowed, "Protego" and the red spell splashed harmlessly against the invisible shield that Magnus creates before he twisted his wand and flicked it toward Malfoy again with a chant of "Depulso"

But Magnus hadn't been aiming at Draco, he had been targeting one of the pieces of stone his blasting spell had broken from the floor.

The small piece of rock shot at Draco just skimming by his face clipping him as it passed.

Draco gave a yelp as he stepped back, his hand going up to his cheek as he did so only to his in pain, and to his shock when he took his hand away from his face it was wet with blood. The stone had cut his cheek just an inch or so below his right eye and he stared at it in horror.

Magnus gave Draco a hard look, "what's wrong Draco, you seemed so confident when you were standing next to daddy not a short while ago, what's wrong is the little dragon all talk and no bite? Depulso" he said as he flicked his wand again vanishing another piece of rubble at Draco which the Blond only just managed to dodge.

Malfoy panicked, his eyes wide he couldn't lose, if he did he would lose everything, he was not going to let Black take what was his from him.

"Afflicto" Draco snapped using the first spell that came to mind.

Magnus stepped to the side as what he recognised as the bone-breaking curse shot by him and he scowled, "Perforo" he snapped back.

Magnus spell shot from his own wand with speed and Malfoy only just managed to raise his shield in time to deflect it, the spell bounced and cut a straight thin furrow in the stone floor.

"Eviscero, Depletura" Malfoy cast the second his shield was down after seeing the damaged Magnus' own spell had done he was getting desperate to end this as he started casting the darkest spells he knew one after the other.

Magnus sidestepped again as the sickly yellow of the entrail expelling hex shot by him and he banished another piece of rubble into the path of the next one that he recognised as the bloodletting curse which would have had him bleeding out from every oraphis he had, not pleasant. Before he had to move again to dodge another spell and raise his wand to catch the fourth and deflect it before the next came seconds after.

The staff that had gathered to watch the duel were watching on wide-eyed as they saw the Malfoy heirs spells getting darker and darker as the duel progressed. Needless to say, none of them was one bit impressed by what they were witnessing, they had all witnessed what those spells could do to one inflicted by them.

Snape was grinding his teeth as he watched the duel grow longer, he wanted to smack some sense into his godson, what was he thinking using such clearly dark spells. Sure they were technically permitted in this duel but he didn't have to use them so openly. He had recognised the effects of Blacks last spell, the piercing hex, not exactly dark but not light either, he at least had the sense to keep his voice low when casting questionable spells so as not to attract attention, a lesson he would be sure to drill into his godsons head after this whole mess was over.

Lucius gripped his cane tightly as the duel continued, he as well was displeased with his sons open use of such dark spells, not for the reasons others would have thought, it was because with every dark spell he used he could see Moody glaring at him harder from where he stood while his magical eye watched the match. No doubt the mad old man knew just where Draco had learned his dark arsenal from, though he would never admit such in public, or ever.

Both Daphne and Tracey stood with the rest of Ravenclaw House as they watched the duel, in the opening shots of it they had all been impressed with Magnus' advanced spell work and his creative use of a normally destructive spell and were even more impressed with how he was using the rubble as weapons. But now every one of them was openly glaring at Malfoy for his use of what were clearly dark spells against one of their own, there was no tact in his spell work he was just throwing magic blindly.

Andromeda was watching on as well feeling utterly helpless to help Magnus as the duel went on. When it had first started she had felt pride seeing him start off so strong and hold himself so well, he trusty was a Black with how he took control of the duel at the start and set the pace. But she had clearly underestimated the level of dark arts that Lucius had taught his son as he flung spell after spell at Magnus, she was just glad she had taught him what she could in what time she had as he held his ground against the assault that Draco was throwing at him.

Magnus was getting annoyed as he deflected the twelfth spell that Draco threw at him, a whipping spell if he wasn't mistaken, before tossing it aside and into the boundary shields above the heads of the watchers.

He could see Draco was tiring but so was he, it took a great deal of concentration and focus to be able to deflect spells with the tip of his wand like he was doing and he was reaching his limit after doing so with the past three spells in a row. He needed to end this now before one of Draco's spells actually connected, but he needed a distraction to do so.

Draco paused to get his breath back after another spell and that was when Magnus struck.

"Lumos Maxima!" Magnus shouted the second after he took a risk and closed his eyes, and the next second the tip of his wand burst into light and Malfoy gave a cry as his vision was momentarily taken from him in the burst of light.

"Nox," Magnus said cancelling the spell before he flicked his wand at a piece of rubble and hissed "sicas argenteas" before he had to spin to his left to dodge a blindly fired bludgeoning curse that Draco threw in his direction.

"Depulso" Magnus cried as he came to a stop with another flick of his wand just as Malfoy blinked the spots out of his eyes.

Only the second Draco got his vision back it was taken from him again by a blinding white pain in his upper right thigh. The pain was so bad that he collapsed to the ground, he looked down to see the source of the pain and gaped to see a solid silver dagger sticking out of his thigh buried a good three inches into his muscle, the next second his brain caught up to him and he realised his situation as he looked back up to Magnus as he pointed his wand at him, he didn't have time to act.

"Stupify!" Magnus said with force as he overpowered the stunner and it flew from his wand faster than Draco's had and hit the blond hard knocking him back and sending him sprawling unconscious as his wand clattered from his hand.

Almost instantly the hall filled with applause from the students seconds before Moody brought down the shields and Magnus slumped exhausted only to be surrounded by his housemates congratulating him on his victory and his excellent strategizing, needless to say, they were impressed.

Magnus himself couldn't help the small smile that he gave in response, it had been a lot closer than he had wanted it to be, and he was grateful that he had taken to studying plenty in the black library before first coming to Hogwarts. The silver dagger had been the result of a transfigurations spell he had read about in one of the many books the library had, originally made to create weapons to fend off werewolves Magnus had thought it would have been a handy spell to know in case he ever happened across Greyback later in life, little did he expect he would be using it much sooner than expected.

As he was heaped with praise from three of the four Houses, obviously he wasn't going to get praise from Slytherin for beating and disgracing one of their own, Madam Pomfrey and Snape were seeing to Draco with Lucius watching over them with cold eyes as Draco was healed. This had not gone as he had expected, not at all.

Draco came too with a start once Madam Pomfrey had healed his leg and cast a powerful Rennervate on him to overcome the powerful stunner Magnus had used. His head whipped around before his eyes settled on his father's cold gaze as he realised what had happened.

Professor Flitwick chose that moment to shoot blue sparks up into the air from his wand to get everyone's attention and quiet the hall, "as chosen moderator for this duel, I hear by declare this duel over and the victory goes to House Black and it's Heir Magnus Rorack Black of House Black," he announced proudly with a nod to Magnus in recognition of his victory.

Magnus nodded back to the small professor before every eye in the hall shifted to Lucius Malfoy as he drew his wand from his cane once more. Draco, still on the ground, was white as a ghost as he looked up at his father knowing what was coming.

With a hard look in his eye, Lucius raised his wand into the air, "I Lucius Abraxus Malfoy, Lord of the Magical House of Malfoy, do hereby call on the family magics of House Malfoy to disavow my son, Draconis Lucius Malfoy of his Heirship to the Magical House of Malfoy, so I say, so mote it be" he spoke with a cold and brisk tone, knowing he had no choice now but to do so, and feeling utter hatred for Magnus as the rest of the wording of his oath made him realise, only now, that he would be unable to reinstate Draco as his Heir himself, because of the last line of his oath. If he wanted to make Draco his Heir again it would have to be by another's hand and not his own.

With the oath spoken both Draco and Lucius glowed as the magic took hold. Draco instantly looked to his hand as the Heir ring to the Malfoy family appeared on his hand, revealed from its disillusionment, a silver band with the Malfoy crest and three diamonds on either side of it, before it vanished completely.

Draco gave a small pained cry as he felt the weight of the ring vanish from his hand before he once again passed out from shock.

"House Malfoy openly apologizes to House Black and it's Heir for any statement we have made that have been proven to be untrue about its current Heir not being the rightful owner of the position" Lucius stated briskly and loudly for all to hear before he turned on his heels and strode out of the hall not looking back as he left his son, no longer heir, in the hands of his godfather. No longer wishing to stay in the castle for a moment longer in the disgrace that had befallen his house.

Things went rather quickly after that. Draco had been levitated from the great hall to the hospital wing to be left to rest after Madam Pomfrey had diagnosed him as magically exhausted from using so many spells.

The stern old Matron had tried to cart Magnus off to rest as well, but Andromeda had stepped in and said that she would handle her nephew and asked him to be left in her care. Pomfrey knowing Andromeda was a skilled healer herself relented and allowed it before leaving to handle Draco, Snape following close behind.

Magnus had spent the next half an hour in the hall receiving congratulations from the other students many saying how impressed they were at what they had seen, and he had even received many points from the Professors for the demonstration of his skill,

Twenty from Flitwick, ten for his duelling prowess and ten for his creativity

A further ten from McGonagall for the use of an advanced transfiguration spell

And surprisingly a stuttering ten from professor Quirrell for his defensive skills.

And as soon as the points had been given Hermione had started into Magnus asking about some of the spells that had been used in the duel, she seemed to fire out question after question. Magnus felt like he was about to drop at that point.

Andromeda, bless her heart, noticing Magnus's slumping form stepped in and brought an end to all of the talks and quickly saw Magnus out of the hall and back to the Ravenclaw dorms and to his bed where he was asleep as soon as he hit the pillow.

Time skip

It was the next morning when next anyone saw Magnus when he came down for breakfast, and he was ravenous having slept through two meals because of his exhaustion after the duel.

The second he sat down at the Ravenclaw table he began to pile his plate high with everything he could reach and began to eat like a starved man.

Daphne looked at him with a rather disgusted look as he ate. "Are you trying to make the rest of us lose our appetite?" she asked with a wince as he shoved food into his mouth.

"Hungry," was Magnus' only response before he stuffed another two strips of bacon into his mouth and began to make himself a bacon butty with extra red sauce.

"Yes we can see that," Daphne sniffed, "but that doesn't mean you have to eat like a farm animal"

Tracey smirked, "better be careful or else someone might mistake you for Weasley" she teased.

At that comment, Magnus paused as he raised his butty to his face but only for a second before taking a bite and then reluctantly putting it down onto his plate, "low blow" he commented shooting Tracey a scathing look to which she only smiled at.

"So how are you feeling after yesterday," Daphne asked after taking a drink, "you looked exhausted when your Aunt took you from the hall."

"I was. Aunt Andy said I was bordering on magical exhaustion when she helped me to bed after, and she caught me before I came down here," Magnus explained, "she's told me not to use my magic for the rest of the day at least, and let the other professors know to excuse me from any practical work for the next two days as a precaution"

"Not surprising," Daphne said with a rather thoughtful look on her face, "given the advanced magic you used in the duel, I was surprised you were down today at all. There is a reason that they don't teach such advanced spells to first years you know, aside from the obvious difficulty, we'd be drained in an hour of practising them at our age."

"Its why everyone was so impressed with you being able to pull off fourth-year magic at your age, you must have some magical reserves to have been able to cast as many spells as you did, I don't think I could have pulled it off," Tracey admitted.

Magnus thought on that, he hadn't really thought about it like that before, but it made sense, it was rather incredible now that it was explained to him. He just hadn't thought about it before. 'Eh just another thing to research in the future,' he thought to himself before taking another bite of his bacon butty.

That was when the hoots and squawks of owls filled the hall as the morning mail arrived as the owls swooped in from above with letters and packages all in claw for delivery.

'Incoming,' Magnus heard Erebus' voice in his head before looking up as his familiar in owl form swooped down with letters in his talons and a copy of the daily prophet as well.

Magnus arched an eye as he took them from him, 'Who are these from?' he mentally asked looking at the letters

'Read them and find out' was the reply he got in return before Erebus pinched a strip of his bacon and took to the air again.

Magnus rolled his eyes before he put the letters down to look at in a moment before he checked the front page of the daily prophet and smirked at the headlines he saw.

"House Black's Honour Defended, public apology from House Malfoy"

"Honour duel bet results in House Malfoy losing its only Heir"

What followed below both was a recount of the events that had happened the day before in the duel and how it had all gone down. Moody had apparently been more than happy to give a detailed account of what he had witnessed as the designated Auror chosen for the task, and made it clear of his dislike of Draco's use of dark magic and voiced his suspicions of just where he had learned them.

Below that, Magnus noticed the brief paragraph that was dedicated to Lucius' publicly announced apology that was worded exactly as he had spoken it in the great hall before the next paragraph went over the events that had led to it all started.

Magnus shook his head, it might have not been the great grand apology that he had been looking for but it didn't matter, he would take what he could get from Lucius, and now everyone would know that House Black and most importantly himself, would be taking no insults laying down.

"Well that was a rather poor apology," Daphne said as she read her own copy of the prophet, "but I suppose an apology is an apology, at least the matter is settled now."

"Yeah," Magnus said as he put his paper to the side and took up the letters again. There were three in total. And the wax seal on the first he instantly recognised to be from Gringotts.

Cracking the seal he opened it and smirked at the content.

"Heir Black,

I am writing to inform you that the fifty thousand galleons compensation from House Malfoy has been claimed and deposited into the Black family vaults, upon word of your victory over the former Heir Malfoy.

And I would like to personally thank you for the privilege of doing so, their account manager is disliked by a great many here because of House Malfoys dealings, watching such a large sum from the Malfoy's vaults was a great shame to him and a very pleasing sight to me.

I hope you will have further dealings with the Malfoys that will allow me such enjoyment again.

May gold overflow your vaults and your enemies fall by your blade.

Ironclaw

Account manager for the Most Ancient and Most Noble House of Black"

'Well that is one very happy goblin' Magnus thought as he folded the letter and put it away into his robes before he opened the other two and blinked at what he saw.

Both basically were the same thing, an invitation to learn from the writers in dueling techniques, as both had been suitably impressed by his display during his duel with Draco. One was from his head of House, Professor Flitwick, a former three-time dueling circuit champion, and the other... was from Alastor "Mad-Eye" Moody himself.

Only one thought crossed Magnus' mind as he looked at both the letters, 'well this could prove interesting'