Midnight Duel

With that, Allen's daily routine became extremely regular. Outside of class, if you wanted to find him, he was either in the dining hall or the library. Until this day...

"Allen, I knew you'd be here." Flag, Ron, and Harry arrived at the library together and found Allen.

"Hmm, you haven't come looking for me in ages." Allen smiled.

"We normally can't attend classes together. Aside from our first Transfiguration class, we haven't managed to get together again. And you, the library has practically become your base. Everyone knows Ravenclaw's Score Controller is a bookworm, so don't forget about us." Flag complained pitifully.

"How could I? I often hear about your exploits. For instance, Harry did a good deed today—he helped Neville get the Remembrall back from Malfoy." Allen reassured them with a smile.

"Yeah, you have no idea how amazing Harry was today... He dived down from more than fifty feet in the air and caught the Remembrall." Flag spoke animatedly, as if he had been the one to catch it.

"Hey, keep it down. This is a library." Madam Pince waved her feather duster and warned Flag.

"But Malfoy challenged us to a wizard duel. Allen, you know me—I just don't know enough magic." Harry looked troubled. He could always let down his guard around Allen, because he felt Allen could solve any difficulty.

"Malfoy's seconds are Goyle and Crabbe. I was going to have Flag and me be Harry's seconds, but the two of them both thought we'd have a better chance if you were his second." Ron added from the side.

Allen really wanted to tell them that Malfoy would not show up for this ridiculous duel. So he did. "Have you considered that Malfoy might not show up?"

"No matter what, a wizard can't run away from a duel he's already issued. That would be so embarrassing!" Ron said indifferently. He didn't think that was a problem; what mattered was how to beat Malfoy soundly.

Allen had to admit that Ron made an excellent point. Under normal circumstances, a wizard would not avoid a duel. Although Malfoy had successfully tricked Harry and the others, even people in his own House would probably look down on him for it, rich Malfoy or not.

"Allen, be my second." Harry looked at him expectantly.

"All right, as you wish, my friend." Allen felt it would be hard to refuse again. Besides, he could take the opportunity to see that legendary Three-headed Dog that loved listening to music.

"Great!" Flag and Harry jumped up excitedly.

"Out! All of you, get out! You're too noisy!" Madam Pince furiously waved her feather duster.

"Then, Allen, we'll meet in the Trophy Room at eleven thirty tonight." Harry, Ron, and Ginny quickly ran out of the library.

"Are you going to duel Malfoy and the others? You'll be breaking school rules if you do." Anna stepped out from the shadows between the bookshelves and asked worriedly.

"Don't worry. There won't be any problems." Allen was certain he would not get caught.

"That is true. At our age, what kind of duel could young wizards possibly have? Shooting sparks at each other?" As if she had figured something out, Anna laughed. "And even if you get caught, the worst they can do is deduct your score. You can earn it back in a day."

Aside from that little incident, Allen's day had been perfect. He had successfully finished reading One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi, and felt as satisfied as if he had eaten his fill.

At eleven thirty that night, Allen quietly climbed out of bed. Edward was already fast asleep. After activating the invisibility function of the Miaomiao Wizard Robe, Allen swiftly reached the Trophy Room. He hid behind a huge display case. After waiting for a while, he finally saw Harry and the others.

"Why are you so late?" Allen asked. "Weren't you looking forward to tonight's duel? Hmm, there's one more person."

"Uh, Allen, she's Hermione. She insisted on coming, and there was nothing we could do." Ron complained to Allen angrily.

"What you're doing is against school rules. I..." Hermione was angry too.

"Calm down, Hermione. You're breaking school rules too now." Allen calmly pointed out the fact.

"Oh, Allen, I've heard of you. Nearly every professor has praised you, except Professor Snape. You don't think this ridiculous duel is right either, do you?" Hermione tried her best to win Allen's agreement.

"That's right, it is a ridiculous duel. But since you've agreed to duel, you should keep your promise. It's a matter of honor. All right, Harry, are you meeting here for the duel?"

"Yes, it's almost midnight. Malfoy and the others should be here soon." Harry looked at the luminous watch Allen had once given him.

Under the moonlight, the crystal glass cases displaying the prizes gleamed brilliantly. In the darkness, Trophies, shields, Medals, and statues shone with silver and gold light. The five of them moved along the wall, their eyes fixed on the doors at either end of the room. Harry took out his wand in case Malfoy suddenly burst in and dueled him. Time passed second by second.

"He's late. Maybe he's too scared to come." Ron whispered. Just then, a voice came from the room next door, making them jump. Harry had just raised his wand when he heard someone speaking—not Malfoy. "Have a good sniff around, my dear. They might be hiding in some corner."

Filch was speaking to Mrs. Norris. Harry was terrified. He frantically waved his wand at the other four, urging them to follow him quickly. They silently headed for the door farthest from Filch's voice. Soon, they heard Filch enter the Trophy Room.

"They're somewhere in here," they heard him mutter. "Probably hiding."

"This way!" Harry mouthed to everyone. Aside from Allen, they were nearly scared out of their wits. They quietly made their way down a corridor lined with suits of armor, and could hear Filch getting closer and closer.

Clang, clang... Flag accidentally bumped into a suit of armor. The sound of the armor crashing to the floor was especially piercing in the silent night.

"Run!" Allen took the lead and sprinted off. The five of them immediately raced down the corridor at full speed, not daring to look back to see whether Filch was following them. They ran around pillars and through corridor after corridor. At last, they emerged near the Charms Class classroom. Allen knew clearly that the forbidden area with the Three-headed Dog was on this floor.