Even years after it all stopped, thanks to Padfoot, Harry hated nothing more than bullies and knew he should thank Dudley for that. Maybe he would have turned into someone he would hate if it were not for that valuable lesson. And above all, the herd mentality and entitlement of said bullies infuriated him the most.

So after the flying lesson incident, Harry had gone extremely wary of Draco Malefoy. Unlike Dudley, Malfoy was trying to be cunning. The blond always picked easy targets under the guise of making jokes or rectifying some injustice. And when things did not work out, he tried to shift the blame to the victims.

For Ron, it was calling the redhead riffraff, questioning the family finances and implying something shady was going on around the Weasleys.

For Neville, it was mocking the boy as a cruel joke. But unlike Harry's first assumption that his real aim was Neville's remembrall, Harry discovered at his own expense that Draco Malfoy's real goal was to cause trouble to get back to him.

It was no secret that Harry was trying to include Neville every chance he got. So the Remembrall and Neville might have been nothing but baits and taunts in a vain attempt to get him punished.

After all, Draco had no way of knowing that Madam Hooch was not serious about getting anyone expelled. Or that his Head of House would be more interested in recruiting him than anything else.

Honestly, Harry did not know how he felt about being appointed Gryffindor's Seeker. He had been too afraid of whatever punishment he would get if he said no to say a word. Minerva McGonagall even said straight to his face that she would reconsider his sentence if he were not training hard enough. Then it was too late, and he got no way out of it.

So, Harry had been watching over his shoulder all day long for Malfoy's next move. It was dinner time. And Harry had just finished retelling Dean, Neville and Seamus about what happened when he left the grounds with the Deputy Headmistress. As always, Ron was tagging along. And he forgot about the piece of steak-and-kidney pie in his mouth, half-chocking as he reacted to the news:

"Seeker?" The redhead said before a bout of coughing got the best of him. "But first-years never... you must be the youngest house player in about..."

Harry did not fail to notice the jealousy in Ron's choking stupor as his tone got slightly elevated, reddening in the face and ears and his hands forming a fist. The very picture of someone about to throw a tantrum.

"... a century," Harry said, all idea of food forgotten at the redhead display. "Wood told me."

Ron was so amazed, so impressed, that he just sat and gaped at Harry. So Harry got back to his friends, whispering:

"I start training next week. And professor McGonagall told me she would reconsider my punishment if I underperformed. I guess that's how close to favouritism our Head of House would ever get."

"I wish she was a bit more like Snape in that department." Dean immediately approved. And Neville shook his head and hushed.

"Do you want Professor McGonagall and Snape to start comparing notes on their teaching?" Neville whispered back. "He is already frightening enough as he is."

"Just say it:" Seamus taunted playfully. "You are afraid the man picks up as an animagus and starts ambushing us in the corridor... in bat form."

"Shhh... the oversized bat might hear you!" Mean retorted, shaking with laughter.

"Well done," said George in a low voice as they made it to Gryffindor's table. "Wood told us. We're on the team too – Beaters."

"I tell you, we're going to win that Quidditch Cup for sure this year," said Fred. "We haven't won since Charlie left, but this year's team will be brilliant. You must be good, Harry. Wood was almost skipping when he told us."

"Anyway, we've got to go. Lee Jordan reckons he's found a new secret passageway out of the school."

"Bet it's that one behind the statue of Gregory the Smarmy that we found in our first week. See you."

Fred and George had hardly disappeared when someone far less welcomes turned up: Malfoy, flanked by Crabbe and Goyle.

"Having a last meal, Potter? When are you getting the train back to the Muggles?"

So Malfoy admitted straight to his face that it had been his goal. But Harry did his best to keep his cool. Another thing Padfoot taught him was to stand proud in front of bullies and never give them an edge they could exploit.

"You are late. I already lost my appetite thanks to Ron's table manners." Harry retorted. "As for getting me expelled, I guess you will have to try harder. Thanks to you, I got off the hook and became the youngest seeker of the century."

Draco Malfoy was left speechless, so Harry decided to help him a bit:

"If the Petty King of Slytherin wants to save face in front of his goons, I would say that's his cue to show sportsmanship and say: You're welcome."

Trembling with rage, Malfoy was whitening as fast as Weasley had been reddening.

"You want sportsmanship?" He finally retorted. "Wizard duel. Tonight."

It was Harry's turn to be left speechless.

"Never heard of a wizard's duel before, I suppose? It's wand only. No muggle's fighting allowed. So, what it's gonna be? Are you in? Or are you going to weasel out?" Draco said while looking straight at Ron Weasley while saying the last part.

"Of course, he will," said Ron, dancing right to Malfoy's tune. "I'm his second. Who's yours?'

Malfoy looked at Crabbe and Goyle, sizing them up. But before the blond git could say anything, Harry hastily contradicted Ron's out-of-turn speech.

"Nope. Ron won't be my second." Harry retorted. "Cause it's not going to happen. And I do not need for a spokesperson, thank you."

There was no snowball chance in hell he would give the blond git and the redhead something they both wanted.

"So you are all talk, no action kind of guy? Disappointing." Malfoy desperately tried to taunt him once again.

"Oh! But I will show you plenty of actions... on the quidditch pitch." Harry retorted again. "You can always come and watch me. Or try out for the Slytherin team so you finally might get that duel you want so much."

"I will." Draco Malfoy promised before storming out with Crabbe and Goyle in tow.

Harry was so proud of how the confrontation turned out this time that he did not notice two Gryffindors looking at him in utter disbelief.