FATW Chapter 33

Chapter Thirty Three: The Challenge:

The next morning saw the Wizarding world cleaning up from the battle the night before. Though Voldemort had lost nearly all his army there had been massive casualties on the side of good. Remus was in the hospital wing in a coma after being horribly mauled, beaten and crushed. His body would let him wake once it healed, and it was good he was a werewolf, his healing factor was the only thing that had saved his life. A thousand dwarves, house elves witches and wizards had died, a fraction of the number that had died on Voldemort's side. There were student deaths too, Pansy Parkinson, Blaise Zabini from Slytherin, Terry Boot, Marietta Edgecombe Ravenclaw, Rose Zeller Hufflepuff. The most were in Gryffindor house, Lavender Brown, Cormac McLaggen, Jason Swann and Jack Sloper.

Severus walked into the hospital wing to find the wounded here, most were healed up and ready to leave but there were a few would be here for a while longer. Collin Creevy was the worst hurt of the students, he had lost an eye but it seemed Luna Lovegood did not care as she was seated by him. The fact these two were dating was charming, Harry and Ginny were expected to date and everyone had expected that for so long they were not really any news at all. However Luna and Collin had become Hogwarts sweetheart couple, the pureblood princess and quite literally the poor working class muggleborn. A true fairy tale if there ever was one.

"Hello professor." Luna said looking up at Severus, "how are you sir?"

"Fine, how is Mr. Creevy?"

"Not in any pain sir." Collin said, "but I am ugly now."

"No you have a beautiful soul, you could never be ugly to me." Luna said kissing him gently on the cheek.

Severus walked into the staff area of the hospital wing and saw Remus laying still in bed looking better than he had when he was brought in last night. Dora sat by him reading aloud to him, he might not be able to respond but there was a chance he could hear her. Severus saw Percy feeding potions directly into the IV into the werewolf while Poppy was making sure Flitwick stayed put. He was not happy to have to stay in bed, after all it was just a broken leg he argued with Poppy. Severus winced as Poppy stared to go off on Flitwick and he cast a charm to deaden her sharp words turning to look at Remus.

"So how is he?" Severus asked.

"Asleep, he should wake in a few hours." Dora said, "he is very lucky to be alive."

"Well yes, he was stepped on by a giant and then before he passed out managed to kill it." Severus said, "I am impressed, regular doctor Jekyll and Mr. Hyde."

"Well if that is the case he is my Jekyll and Hyde and I will help him keep Hyde at bay." Tonks said then she grinned at Severus, "I seem to go for the sexy dangerous ones don't I?"

"Well that kiss a few years back was nice." Severus said, "too bad you had to wait until you were out of Hogwarts, I could have docked Hufflepuff a hundred points!"

"You are horrible, though you are a good kisser," Tonks said, "though it was well kind of like…"

"Kiss a sibling, yes after I got over the shock I realized that." Severus replied.

"You kissed Dora?" Came a weak reply from the bed.

"Remus Merlin you are awake!" Dora said.

Severus looked down at Remus refusing to show his shock and instead he folded his arms and glared at the werewolf. Remus of course even in his sleepy state knew there was nothing between Dora or Severus but Merlin it was fun to wake up right then! He realized that he had an IV in his arm and was naked under all the warm bedclothes that and he did have bandages on his worst injuries. He did not feel like moving and just lay there looking up at Severus and beautiful talented Dora.

"How are you feeling?" Severus asked.

"Now I know why Wolverine has such a bad attitude, all that healing factor no pain blockers." Remus said, "you did not answer my question Severus."

"He did not kiss me, I kissed him, you know the sexiest wizards in this castle are in this room right now?" Dora said.

"Really who Remus and Flitwick?" Severus said.

"Well Remus, you and then Flitwick." Dora said and at the glare from Severus, "Severus you are good looking, us girls don't see you as ugly."

"No we don't." Poppy said bustling over to check on Remus, "you need to go back to sleep, you should not even be awake."

Remus wanted to argue but he was too tired to do so, he felt like road kill, still he wanted to stay awake and find out what happened after he had passed out. He was unable to and he fell back asleep but not before he felt Dora kiss him gently on the cheek. He would be out for another two days while his body fully healed. Severus headed out of the hospital wing only to run into Harry with Dudley coming to see those still in the hospital wing.

"Hello professor Snape, you alright sir?" Harry asked him.

"Yes, where is your dogfather?"

"Asleep, I think Rita slipped him a sleeping drought, I just gave Dudley the tour."

"This is amazing, I love your school Harry." Dudley said.

"Indeed, what would your mother say to your being here?" Severus asked.

"I don't know and don't care." Dudley said, "aunt Marge has been more a mother to me than my mum ever was. You know when you blew her up she already knew about magic?"

"She did?" Harry asked looking stunned.

"Oh yes, she just got married to a colonel Filibuster, she feels horrible how she treated you and wishes she could make amends." Dudley said, "I only found this out when she found out about my training, when I was home last summer. I am disowned and mum and dad want nothing to do with me."

"I am sorry." Harry said meaning it, "you have me, I will not turn you away."

"You are too nice to me Harry, after all I did to you?"

"He is good like that, he has the gift for forgiving." Severus said then looking beyond the boys he spotted Moody, "I just wish perverted old men would just leave me alone!"

Dudley turned and saw Moody and at least this time he did not jump. Then again Moody was quite scary looking with his horribly scarred face, vivid blue wildly rotating magical eye, Auror gear and a long carved wooden staff. He walked up to Severus who just glared at him and Dudley thought Severus was so very brave to stand up to such an old warrior like this. Harry just sighed and went to get Poppy as he was sure Severus would need him.

"Boy ye want me t' beat ye?" Moody said getting into Severus's face.

"Better than you looking at me with that perverted eye." Severus snapped.

"Right boy, I am going t' see the Creevy lad, then I will beat some manners into you." Moody snapped pushing past Severus, he saw Dudley and smiled, "ah Dudley Dursley, you did a fine job in the battle, glad t' have ye on our side!"

"Thank you sir!" Dudley said beaming.

He followed Harry into the hospital wing loving every bit of Hogwarts. He loved seeing pictures that could move and talk, to see suits of arm that wheezed in what he was sure was laughter and he even did not mind the ghosts either. He knew he would never be able to do magic like Harry but he was fine with that, he could still be part of this world as he was a champion warrior and had been discovered as such by an old ancient witch by the name of Marchbanks or some such name as that. What was more was how cool Harry was, he was far nicer and kinder than he should have been to him. Dudley knew he had been an ass and he would do all he could to show Harry he deserved his forgiveness.

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Justin walked through Hogwarts amazed at how large this ancient castle was. It was in fact the largest castle in the world, it would have towered over the landscape if it was not set against such lovely craggy mountains and long narrow lake. It was seven levels high, with three sublevels or dungeons, true it was built up instead of out so that the footprint of the building did not take so much land but it was still massive. The walls were as thick as a giant's arm and what was surprising is the foundations of the school, the lower levels were dressed with stone but were made with Roman concrete. In fact most of the castle was built around the Roman arch which meant that this well cared for building could last at least another thousand years.

Justin was here to keep careful watch over his charges or rather charge as Roberts wounds had been tended and he was back at Smeltings. Dursley was still here with his cousin and Justin was glad he had stuck it out in training the boy, he had been so stubborn at first but then something had clicked his third year at Smeltings and he had turned into the champion he was destined for. He found the boys in the library with the aged headmaster, all four heads of houses and Dursley watching as Harry was writing a very solemn letter. Harry finished with his signature and with a wave of his wand dried the ink and passed the letter to the others here and they all signed as witnesses.

"Let me guess a challenge to that slimy coward that calls himself a lord?" Wilkes asked.

"Yea, he is a traitor too, her majesty never did make him a lord and he just took that to himself." Dudley said, "he should be hung and left to rot."

"Well he wants to fight me, I will allow it." Harry said, "I am going to kill him, I have to. Not like I have not killed already."

"I wish you did not have to." Dumbledore said looking sad.

"Well it is war headmaster." Severus said, "in war one does have to kill, and I know Harry does not enjoy it."

"No I do not, did you know the girls are scary?" Harry said, "you should have seen Ginny, no-one can stand against her when she has arrow to bow."

"You better be careful with her." Wilkes said, "she has Prewett blood in her and the Prewetts are well known for their tempers and fighting skills."

"Yes they are, you should have seen Fred and George in battle!" Harry said, "Poor George lost an ear, now I need to get this to Tommy boy but don't want my owl harmed."

"I will go." Moody said grabbing the letter, "don't worry I got a portkey to bring me back, got to keep Snape in line after all."

He walked out before anyone could stop him and all anyone could do was wait. There was a good idea where Voldemort was hiding out, Slaughter cave in the center of England. For ages it was used for human sacrifice first by dark Druids then by dark witches and wizards. It had been shut up and forgotten for a long time but it would be a perfect place for Voldemort to hide. The massive fortifications once keyed to a new master would be nearly impossible to break through but Moody was the messenger and would deliver the letter to Voldemort. Now all that Harry had to do was wait to see if, no wait until he got a response from Voldemort. Moody came back stating that the letter had got to Voldemort and he would send a reply shortly.

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Two days later a lone figure could be seen walking up the path to the school. Dumbledore was worried that this might be a trap but Harry seemed more optimistic that it was not. The figure was clad in robes of black trimmed in gold his face hidden by his the hood of his fine black cloak. He entered the school and walked into the great hall and looked around in surprise. The school tables were gone and Dumbledore along with the heads of houses were all seated on the dais at the front of the hall. Solders and students stood watching as the figure walked in and removed his hood to reveal the noble face and long silver blond hair of Lucius Malfoy.

"I come with a letter from lord Voldemort to one lord Harry Potter." Lucius said, "may I speak to lord Potter?"

"You may." Harry said walking up clad in his robes and armor, "has Tom Riddle accepted the offer to a fair duel?"

"He has, he finds the terms to be satisfactory, he will come on the appointed date of April 20th of this year." Lucius said walking forward and bowing, "here is the letter of his acceptance."

"Good thank you, you may go." Harry said.

Lucius walked from the hall and expected to be arrested and was shocked when he was not. Then again the ancient laws had to be followed, he was a messenger and one did not kill the messenger in this civilized society. He walked from the school and headed back to the gates and once there Apparated back to Voldemort. He had all his hopes on Harry now and he prayed the young man was strong enough to kill Voldemort this time or they were all doomed.

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So there it is, Harry has to issue his challenge before Voldemort could and in doing so he hopes to stave of fighting until the duel. Lucius was allowed to leave as Voldemort did the first smart thing here and did not kill the messenger and let him return. So Harry returned the favor though I really don't think Lucius wanted to go back really.

So anyway do let me know what you think and review!