Chapter 41: A Fight Brewing?

To Unlock Bonus Chapters:

Reach 50/100/200/400 Power Stones! 3 Extra Chapters!

Reach 800 Power Stones to activate NP!

Resets Weekly! [Monday]

—————————————————————————————————————————

Feeling the pull on his arm, Draco turned back in annoyance - it was Neville. He wasn't surprised, but said coldly, "Neville, didn't you see him try to attack me? Let go, I need to teach him a lesson."

How could I let go? He'll be finished if I do! Though Neville was now friends with both of them, he still felt more loyalty toward his roommate Ron.

If possible, he wished they could put aside their prejudices and get along.

Couldn't they just be friends?

This was troublesome!

Seeing Draco's increasingly impatient and dangerous look, Neville instinctively averted his eyes, almost backing down. But he steeled himself and met Draco's gaze again, saying firmly, "Then fight me instead."

Hearing this, Ron quickly protested from the ground, "No, Neville, don't! This is between me and him. Step aside."

He didn't want Neville getting hurt or mistreated by Malfoy on his account, knowing how Malfoy had often bullied Neville before.

Clearly, Ron didn't know that was already in the past.

Neville wouldn't stand by and watch. He spread his arms, his small frame still protecting Ron.

Ron: He really... I'm crying.

Hearing Neville's words, Draco felt uncertain. Though his learning aptitude was better than Neville's and he picked things up faster, Neville's perseverance and tolerance for hardship far exceeded his own.

Draco knew well that even if his fighting technique was better than Neville's, with Neville's build and that fierce determination hidden inside him, the outcome of a real fight would be unpredictable.

But having been stopped and "challenged" by Neville in public like this, Draco felt he would lose all face if he backed down now.

No matter what, I'm a Malfoy! The honor of House Malfoy cannot be violated!

"Heh, fine then, let's do this." He sneered, beckoning with his finger after shaking off Neville's hand. Though trying to appear calm, his voice trembled slightly, but fortunately no one noticed.

Well, someone did notice.

Hermione, who had been watching the situation, secretly smiled. She saw through Draco's predicament. She had been present during their combat training with Glenn, and having learned fighting techniques from Glenn for so many years herself, she could tell who had the advantage between Draco and Neville.

They had sparred during training before, and Draco usually lost more than he won. Neville could often turn the tables with his tenacious character.

What? Sparring matches? Does that mean Hermione also fought one-on-one with them?

No, no, no - that would never happen. Though Hermione might have been willing, Glenn wouldn't allow it. He would never let Hermione fight with them. Her training was specially arranged by Glenn, and if she needed to spar, it would be with him alone.

Draco had once complained bitterly about Glenn's favoritism, glaring at him resentfully. However, when Glenn sensed this and turned to fix him with a calm stare, he quickly looked away.

"Since you're so eager to spar with me, we'll add that to your training schedule from now on."

Glenn's words came out ice-cold despite his normal temperature. Little Dragon's face immediately fell as he whined.

Neville looked at Draco sympathetically, mourning for him. Why would you be foolish enough to want to spar with Glenn? You're not Hermione, what were you thinking?

Unexpectedly, Glenn turned to him, "You too, Neville. I can't show favoritism."

Fists clenched, Neville's sympathetic look instantly turned dangerous as he glared at Draco. Nice going, dragging me down with you!

After that, Neville's moves became much more aggressive when sparring with Draco.

"Draco must be saving face. I bet he really doesn't want to fight Neville," Hermione giggled, poking Glenn's waist.

Glenn didn't understand what had led to the two wanting to fight, but if they wanted to spar now, he'd let them. More practical combat would help integrate what they'd learned.

As for them depleting their energy now... they'd learn the consequences tonight, but that wasn't Glenn's concern. He was only responsible for setting training goals and healing them when they were near death. He wouldn't interfere otherwise - he wasn't their nanny, just their instructor.

He turned to head back to Hogwarts castle with Hermione, but she held him back.

"It could be interesting watching them fight here. Why don't you referee?" Hermione poked his waist again.

Glenn: ...Fine.

Glenn led Hermione down from the higher seats to where the three were.

"Go ahead and fight. I'll referee," he said, sitting down.

Seeing Glenn's attention on them, Neville and Draco suddenly lost their nerve.

"Ah... that's not necessary, right Glenn?" Draco laughed awkwardly, scratching his head and nudging Neville, who quickly nodded.

No joke - with Glenn here, things would be different. They knew that in combat training, the loser would be assigned many extra training tasks!

Meanwhile, at the professors' stand, the teachers had noticed the small commotion.

Who would want to stay in the cold stands after the match? That small group stood out, especially with the noise Ron made hitting the back of his chair.

Seeing Draco there, Professor McGonagall immediately assumed the Slytherin was causing trouble for her lions. She angrily prepared to go down and take sides, but Dumbledore stopped her with a smile. "Calm down, Minerva. Let the children play - besides, Glenn is watching them. Nothing will go wrong. Shall we go observe?"

As a meddlesome old bee who knew what Glenn had taught Neville and Draco, he was quite interested and invited the professors to watch.

Besides himself and the two Heads of House, only Professor Flitwick showed interest. The other professors declined and left, lacking enthusiasm.

Harry had just finished the match and returned, only learning through inquiries that Ron was held up by Draco in the stands. He arrived at the scene ready to confront Draco, but then Dumbledore and the others appeared.

"Professor." Everyone stood to greet the professors, who waved them down, saying with a smile, "Don't mind us, carry on."

Don't mind them? Yeah right, damn it!

Neville and Draco really didn't want to fight anymore, especially Draco, who wanted to slap himself - if only he'd ignored Weasley.

He glared angrily at Ron. This is all your fault!

Ron: ?

Dumbledore simply used Transfiguration to create a padded platform for the two, then turned to Glenn: "Will this fighting platform do?"

Glenn was speechless - when exactly had Dumbledore been spying on their training?

He nodded and shooed Draco and Neville onto the platform.

You created this situation, you deal with it.

The two were nearly in tears. How did things end up like this, damn it!

With the arrow nocked, there was no turning back. They both saw their Heads of House's encouraging and uncompromising looks demanding victory. Steeling themselves, they prepared for battle.

Harry was dumbfounded. What was going on? Wasn't Ron supposed to be fighting Malfoy? How did it become Neville versus Malfoy? And what was with Glenn and Hermione being so casual, leaning together and whispering? And why were Professors Dumbledore, McGonagall, Flitwick and Snape all here?

Snape: So I'm not a professor?

Just you wait, Potter.

Harry turned into a walking question mark, asking the equally confused Ron.

Harry: What's happening?

Ron: What do you mean what's happening?

Harry: ?

Harry: Weren't you fighting with Malfoy?

Ron: When? No?

Harry: ...

Damn, there's a mole! Abort mission!

Who gave him that false information? He'd been so worried!

But he was also worried about Neville fighting Malfoy!

So why had it turned into a one-on-one match under the professors' noses?!

Harry was going crazy - there were too many questionable points to address.

Was this really something that should happen at a wizarding school?

Snape obviously knew what Draco and the others had learned from Glenn, and said directly: "Draco, win this match."

Though Professor McGonagall didn't know what they were doing, since it was a contest between a Gryffindor and a Slytherin student, she couldn't let her side lose. She immediately encouraged Neville: "Don't lose, Neville!"

The two on the platform felt immense pressure, their legs involuntarily shaking. What was going on?! How had a personal grudge turned into an inter-house competition?!

"Clear your minds, take this seriously," Glenn's calm, emotionless voice came from below, forcefully settling the chaotic thoughts in the two fighters' minds.

No choice now but to fight.

Taking positions on opposite sides, Neville drew a deep breath while Draco stretched his muscles. A tense atmosphere filled the air.

The few spectators seemed infected by the heavy atmosphere, all falling silent. Even Harry, who had been pestering Ron about what happened, closed his mouth, curious about what would unfold on the platform.

This was new - he'd never seen anything like it. It was actually a bit exciting.

Neville: ? So love does disappear?

No more hesitation. Neville and Draco exchanged a look, then charged at each other.