Chapter 19: Duel

Bellatrix is going to kill me, Narcissa wants to marry me, Bellatrix needs me to marry her, and the woman I have feelings for feels the same way...I must be cursed.

Lucius Malfoy came back to Malfoy Manor in a foul mood. The Dark Lord had instructed every Death Eater to hunt for Bellatrix after the corpse of Rodolphus was found. But no one knew where to find her. Lucius had went to the safehouses he knew of, no one had there had seen a trace of her. So finding a notice from Gringotts on his desk was not going to improve his mood. He quickly opened it;

Lucius Malfoy,

This is to inform you that due to complaints of neglect at your hands, the Lord of House Black has seen fit to annul your marriage to Narcissa Malfoy and bring her back into the Black family. As a result of that annulment, the following bride price has been removed from your account and placed back into the account of House Black:

10,000 Galleons

Master Griphook- Account Manager for Houses Potter and Black

Lucius cursed then crumpling the paper up and throwing it away from him. Potter...he's responsible for this. That bitch went to him with a sob story and now I've lost 10,000 galleons. I'll kill them both. Wait a moment, I know exactly what to do. Reaching for a piece of parchment Lucius began to write, an evil grin coming to his lips.

It was quiet at Grimmauld Place. Harry and Bellatrix were still in bed, upstairs. In the study, Narcissa was making a list of the things she wanted Harry to learn. He'll need to know the current heads of House that make up the leadership in the Wizengamot. I'll also have to teach him how to curry favor with those heads. She was engrossed in her work until she heard a faint pop beside her. A small black envelope appeared on the table, addressed to Harry Potter, current Lord of Houses Black and Potter.

This is a challenge to duel. I know that handwriting, that's Lucius's handwriting. He must have found out about the annulment today...

Harry and Bellatrix were just starting to awaken when there was a knock at the door. "Come in Cissy, you're the only person here." Bellatrix called out. Narcissa entered looking pale, she handed Harry the black envelope.

Confused, Harry opened it. Suddenly they heard the voice of Lucius Malfoy.

Lord Potter-Black,

You have slandered me and taken from me that which is my own. To that end I formally challenge you to a duel to the death. If you refuse, then your title, wealth, and magic are forfeit. This letter will act as a portkey to take you to the Ministry's official dueling site and will activate in two hours. Please bring your second, my son will serve as mine. Should I be incapacitated before the start of our duel, he will act in my stead.

Lucius Abraxus Malfoy

Harry looked to Narcissa, "Did you know this would happen?"

"I didn't think he would do this." Narcissa began, Bellatrix scoffed.

"Come off it Cissy, you know as well as I do. Lucius is a spoiled little boy and you were his toy. Now his toy was taken away and he's throwing a tantrum."

"A tantrum that could result in my death." Harry said morosely. "I need a second, I'd better speak with Tonks."

"Tonks? Harry I could duel circles around Malfoy."

"You could Bellatrix, but you are a wanted woman. If you could with me as my second you'd be either in Azkaban or Kissed before you could get a word out." Harry pointed out.

"What about if I came as Josephine?"

"The Ministry has wards in place that prevent Glamours. He's probably trying to lure you out as well. We both did the same thing; annulled our marriages and took back our bride price." Narcissa said, "Nymphadora will be the best choice for a second, she is a trained duelist."

Harry nodded, "Alright Narcissa, if you'll let me get dressed I'll be out shortly." She left the room leaving Harry and Bellatrix to rise and get dressed.

Bellatrix looked to Harry, "Please be careful, he's an idiot, but he's sneaky. He will try to cheat." She said softly, Harry took her hand.

"I'll be as careful as I can. But if it's a duel to the death, Lucius Malfoy won't let me take it easy."

Tonks rushed over once Harry called her on the floo.

"You want me to be your second? Why?"

"Well," He began "Narcissa can't do it, her son is the second and if something happened, I don't want his death at her hand. Josephine isn't a duelist. I need you."

"Alright then." She said softly after a moment, "How much longer?"

"The portkey will activate in five minutes." Narcissa said quietly. Harry crossed over to her and took her hands in his own, "I swear on my magic, I'll do my best to not hurt Draco."

Narcissa nodded, "May I come with you?"

"Of course." Harry said simply, then went to Bellatrix, "I'll be home soon, we can get some pizza for lunch." Bellatrix smiled sadly and drew him into an embrace, kissing him. "Please be careful..come back to me in one piece."

Harry turned to Tonks and Narcissa and took their hands. The portkey activated and then they were gone.

Arriving at the Ministry, they found Lucius and Draco standing in the center of a practice square. "This is normally where Aurors are trained in combat magic." Tonks said quietly. The Malfoys turned to face the newcomers.

"Potter. I take it, this, is your second?" Lucius spat.

"She is."

"Our judge will be here momentarily, we want to make sure things are on the level after all." There was a faint crack and a man Harry had never seen before appeared. "Ah, Pius, so good to see you." Lucius smiled, the grin not reaching his eyes.

"Alright Gentlemen. Let's begin, this is a duel to the death. Because of that, all spells are allowed, including unforgiveables. Go out to the ring, bow and then when you hear the sound, begin." The man Lucius had referred to as Pius stated. Narcissa took a spot in the center near him while Harry and Tonks stood at the eastern corner of the ring. Lucius walked out into the center and Harry did the same.

"Ready to die boy?" Lucius sneered. "I will have what is mine returned to me. Narcissa will have to play dearly for her betrayal, but I'll think of something she can do to repay me."

Harry didn't speak. Instead, he bowed stiffly, his eyes never leaving the elder Malfoys.

There was a loud CRACK from Pius Thicknesses wand and the pair began to duel.

CONFRINGO! Lucius shouted, the ground at Harry's feet exploded, luckily Harry had jumped away just as the spell landed. Harry twisted and cast his own spell.

REDUCTO! Harry cast, ducking around a bone crushing hex cast by Lucius.

PROTEGO! Lucius brought up a shield charm. Harry rushed towards him this time, casting the jelly leg hex.

It continued. Damn.. Lucius though spitting a bit of blood on the ground from where he'd been hit by the edge of a curse, The boy is better than I thought..I'll have to end this quickly.

VENENUM SANGUINE! EXPELLIARMUS! The spells hit at the same time. Lucius Malfoy was thrown back, his head striking a pillar with a sickening thump. Harry took the curse in the chest and went down in a crumpled heap. "HARRY, NO!" cried Narcissa and Tonks respectively, each racing to his side. Pius and Draco went to check on Lucius. "Lucius Malfoy is dead. Harry Potter, while greviously injured is still alive, so I declare him the winner. House Malfoys fortune and property will be transferred to House Potter-Black!" Pius declared, Draco stormed away How dare Mother side with Potter. I'll have Professor Snape take me to see the Dark Lord, he'll help me take back my familys name. At least it looks like Potter is dead...

Narcissa looked at Harry, he was pale, his veins appearing black against his skin. "I have to get him back to Grimmauld Place." "We have to take him to St. Mungos." "We can't. This isn't a common spell. Lucius used a blood poisonin hex. There's a ritual room at Grimmauld Place, I can perform the ritual to draw the curse back out of him there."

Narcissa took Harrys hand and began to apparate but was stopped by Tonks. "I'm coming with you." "I need your oath not to reveal anything you see." Narcissa hissed, "I can't wait. Do it now, or let go of us." Tonks quickly gave the oath, Narcissa took her hand and the pair apparated with Harry back to Grimmauld Place.

When they arrived Tonks saw why she had to give an oath. Bellatrix LeStrange was standing in front of her.