Harry let out a deep sigh inwardly. 'Maybe we just changed his life' he thought hopefully.
(BREAK)
The group spent the majority of the weekend in the room where Harry began to train them in offensive magic, beginning with simple things like Bludgeoners and Bone Breakers. When they weren't training they tested the room to see what the true capabilities of it were and found it had very few limits.
Harry had been right when he had pointed out that it could not produce food or precious materials such as gold and jewels but beyond this, there was very little that the room could not give them.
Monday morning arrived and with that, the busiest day of the week where Harry had three lessons to attend. The five boys had just settled down to eat their breakfast when the morning post began flooding in as usual but among the owls was a bird that was very rarely seen and never delivering mail in Hogwarts.
Immediately the students began chattering nervously amongst themselves, waiting to see where the large black raven would land. Harry immediately knew it was for him so simply waited for the creature to bring him its note.
The bird screeched and landed in front of him, eliciting a series of gasps to sound throughout the room from the pureblood students who began explaining it's meaning to the rest of the assembled pupils who did not understand the significance of it.
Harry removed the note and gave the raven some bacon, the bird taking it's leave after it's job had been done.
"When?" James asked gravely.
Harry read the note and smirked darkly, his magic instinctively flowing through him with the anticipation of battle. "Tomorrow" he answered casually.
He stood and approached the table where the staff were all staring at him with very serious expressions etched on their faces.
"Professor Dumbledore" Harry greeted the headmaster formally. "I must ask your permission to miss my classes tomorrow as I have some family business to attend to" he requested.
Dumbledore swallowed deeply and nodded, knowing there was nothing he could do to prevent what was happening.
"May I ask who you are dueling" he inquired quietly.
Harry handed him the note and the man paled considerably and choked.
"What is it Albus?" McGonagall asked urgently. Dumbledore was clearly lost for words so at Harry's nod of approval handed the note to the stern woman.
"Dolohov" she whispered worriedly.
"Antonin Dolohov?" Flitwick questioned. Dumbledore nodded.
"Are you sure about this Harry?" he asked worriedly.
"I have no choice" Harry responded flatly. "But I will be fine" he assured the man.
"Mr. Potter, I'd like you to come and see me this afternoon if you wouldn't mind" Flitwick interjected.
Harry nodded his agreement.
"Take today off Mr. Potter, I daresay you will need it" McGonagall suggested.
"Thank you Professor, and I will see you later Professor" he added to Flitwick. He took the note back from Professor McGonagall and began heading for the door of the Great Hall, eager to begin his preparation.
"I want all staff in my office after you have met with Mr. Potter Filius" Dumbledore commanded.
(BREAK)
Lily looked on in complete confusion as the raven entered the room and the students began to whisper frantically.
"Oh shit" Marlene muttered.
"What is it?" Lily questioned.
"Notification of an already agreed upon duel" Marlene explained.
"Oh, is that it" Lily shrugged.
"Lils, the raven means it is a duel to the death, someone is going to fight with no rules" Marlene explained further. "Surely not a student though" Lily stated disbelievingly.
"Anyone from the age of fourteen can do it" Marlene sighed.
"That's just barbaric" Lily huffed, clearly disgusted by it.
"Oh shit" Marlene muttered again as she watched the raven land in front of Harry.
"Oh my god" Lily whispered worriedly. "Why would he do that?" she asked pleadingly.
"I don't know" Marlene answered simply. The pair watched as Harry stood and made his way to the front of the room. Lily stood immediately and made her way to his friends, all of them looking very worried indeed. "What the hell Potter?" She questioned furiously.
James just shook his head. "Not today Evans, just don't" he warned. "Why is your brother fighting someone to the death?" the redhead hissed angrily.
"He has his reasons" James responded cryptically. "Don't look at me like that I didn't sign him up for it".
Lily shook her head.
"Aren't any of you going to explain?" she addressed the group.
"It's not our place to, you'll have to take it up with him" James returned seriously.
"So you won't tell me anything?" Lily questioned further.
"Evans, the only thing I care about right now is Harry so just leave it please" James pleaded. "He's my friend" Lily retorted heatedly.
"And he's my fucking brother so just leave it" James responded, banging his fist on the table. He shook his head.
"I'm sorry Lily, it's just a bit too much for me to handle, I didn't mean to take it out on you, but it's family stuff" he finished sincerely.
Lily swallowed and nodded, even she knew that in the wizarding world family took precedence over everything.
"I'm just scared for him" she whispered as she began to tremble uncontrollably.
"All of us are but you don't know him like we do, he will be fine" James replied, attempting to calm and reassure the girl.
"But he's going to die or be killed" Lily choked, her eyes filling with tears.
"Trust me we know that and Harry knows that, he really does know what he's doing" James sighed. Lily nodded once more and watched as Harry reached the door to the Great Hall and followed him out, needing to speak with the boy.
(BREAK)
Harry exited the hall and instantly felt himself forcefully turned around and faced by a confused looking Bellatrix Black.
"I just want to know why" She stated. "I've tried to figure it out but nothing I can come up with explains why you would do what you are for us".
Harry sighed and dragged his hand through his hair.
He could hardly explain exactly why he was doing it, he would sound completely insane but he decided that he wouldn't completely lie to the girl.
"What do you think your life would be like with Rudolphus as a husband?" he asked. Bellatrix frowned distastefully and shook her head.
"Not good" She admitted.
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