"You're not serious, are you?"
At dinner, Harry told Ron what had happened after he and Loren were taken away by Professor McGonagall. Ron had been gnawing on a big piece of braised rib, but it slipped from his hands onto the table halfway through.
"Full team members, the both of you? But you're only first-years—nobody ever—Harry, you must be the youngest player in years!"
Ron forgot all about picking up the rib. He stared at them, stunned.
"Not certain yet. Loren's a few days younger than me. I'm already a Chaser, but Loren has to take a test to see if he qualifies as a Beater."
Harry spoke between large bites of food. After the day's string of shocks, he was starving.
Ron just sat there, dumbstruck, looking from Harry to Loren.
"I should start training next week. Loren's test is tomorrow afternoon. Don't tell anyone—Wood wants it kept secret."
Harry warned Ron.
Just then, Fred and George strolled into the hall. They spotted Harry and Loren instantly and hurried over.
"Well done. Wood told us. We're the team's Beaters too."
George threw an arm around Harry, whispering.
"Oh, my lord! Trying to steal your loyal servant's job? Heartbreaking."
Fred leaned dramatically against Loren, mock-crying. Loren impatiently lifted him with one hand and tossed him aside.
"Mark my words, we'll win the Quidditch Cup this year. Haven't won since Charlie left, but this season—brilliant. You'll be great, Harry. Wood was babbling like mad when he told us. And you, Loren—you're too strong not to be a Beater. George and I will have to argue who ends up the reserve."
Fred muttered as he picked himself up.
"You, obviously. Anyway, we're off. Lee Jordan thinks he's found another secret passageway…"
The twins left, talking about hidden tunnels.
No sooner had they gone than Draco appeared with Crabbe and Goyle, stopping at the Gryffindor table.
"Enjoying your last supper, are you? When's the train back to the Muggles?"
Draco fired straight at Harry and Loren.
"Now that you're back on the ground, and with your little friends around, you've got more courage."
Loren ignored him, continuing to eat. Harry shot back at once.
"I'll take you on anytime. Tonight, if you've got the guts. Wizard's duel—just wands, no touching. What's wrong? Don't tell me you've never heard of one?"
Draco sneered. Clearly Loren's strength made him wary; a duel with wands only would even the odds.
"No problem. Harry will be my second. Who's yours?"
Loren finally spoke, tossing the question back.
Draco looked between Crabbe and Goyle, weighing them, then made his choice.
"Crabbe. Midnight, then. Trophy room. Never locked."
When Draco left, Harry looked at Loren in confusion.
Loren had finished eating. Wiping his mouth, he explained, "Read about it in a book. Wizard duels settle grudges. You're my second—if I'm done, you step in."
Seeing Harry's worry, he added, "Malfoy knows too little magic. He can barely throw sparks. I'll beat him easily."
"Exactly! Malfoy's no match. With his pathetic spells, he can't touch Loren."
Ron said through a mouthful of ribs. Loren's ability to cast without incantations made him seem untouchable.
"Relax, Harry. We'll talk it over in the dorm later."
Loren cut him off, signaling to eat first.
…
After dinner, Loren quietly told Hermione about the duel, reminding her to wear her gear. They agreed to meet at the common room at eleven-thirty. Then Loren went ahead to prepare.
In the dorm, Harry, Loren, Ron, and Neville sat in the center.
Neville had only been frightened. After a calming potion and a checkup from the nurse, he'd been cleared and sent back. Seamus was still in the common room copying homework.
Ron filled Neville in on what was happening. Once Neville understood, Loren clapped his hands, drawing everyone's attention.
He pulled a trunk from under his bed and then began laying out gear—far more than the trunk could possibly hold. Several smaller boxes came out too.
"This is body armor. Based on Muggle design, enchanted with Protego. Stops armor-piercing rounds dead-on."
He held it up, then moved on. Shoes that silenced footsteps and increased speed. A cloak that bent light to hide the wearer. Finally, he lifted a revolver.
"My custom wand. Took inspiration from Muggle firearms. Casts spells, or you pull the trigger. Bullets are enchanted—dispel, piercing, tracking, silent, explosive. Fires at triple the speed of sound. Range: a kilometer. Tonight, Harry and I each carry one. Plus the rest of the gear, just in case."
The three of them were stunned. Ron blurted, "Loren, you don't need all that against Malfoy."
"Malfoy's from an old pure-blood family. He may know spells I haven't even traced, like that one I used on the train. Duels are wand-only. I'll be fine, but I don't want Harry hurt."
Loren shoved gear into Harry's hands.
Ron turned red—Loren was teasing him. He had no comeback.
"That spell on the train was just nonsense words. Didn't do a thing. You won't need any of this—unless you're planning murder."
Neville spoke up nervously, glancing at the gun.
Ron ducked his head lower, ashamed.
"Where did you get all this?"
Harry inspected the revolver eagerly, then reluctantly returned it.
"Made it myself. Bought alchemy books in Diagon Alley. Looked simple enough. I copied the ideas."
It wasn't the truth. Most of it were old experiments, the revolver built later by mixing what he knew with wizarding craft. He knew well the weight of technology—he had worse things tucked away, but not fit for children's duels.
After long arguing, the three convinced Loren to keep the gun in his robe, only to use if necessary. The rest—defensive and support items—each took a set.
"These will keep us safe. Especially the cloak and shoes. Without them, you'd get caught by Filch and cost Gryffindor points."
His reasoning was solid. They accepted.
Really, it was Loren giving them insurance. He knew his presence warped events. With Harry and Ron's reckless nature, they needed protection.
Ron then solemnly "taught" Harry the basics of wizard dueling. Harry listened half-distracted. Loren and Neville already lay back, waiting.
Seamus came in. Only then did Ron stop his lesson and lie down with Harry.
At eleven-thirty, Loren rose first. He cast a sleeping charm on Seamus, then roused the others.
Harry and Ron, still awake with excitement, got up at once. Neville, however, was out cold on Loren's enchanted pillow.
"Too deep asleep. We can't wake him."
Loren told them. They tried anyway, but couldn't stir him. Finally they gave up, checked their gear, and left without him.
They crept down the spiral stairs into the dark common room. The fire had burned low, furniture black shapes in the shadows.
Hermione was already waiting, fully equipped. She looked anxiously at them.
"Only three of you? Where's Neville? Is he alright?"
Loren explained. She nodded, saying nothing more.
The four of them gathered, checked their gear one last time, then pushed open the portrait hole and slipped out.
Loren's first night-time adventure was about to begin.
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