Chapter 13 ~ The Warning.

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''Maxie! Max have you seen this?'' Stefan called down the corridor, gesturing to the school notice board with excitement. Maxine grinned and ran past a scowling Ava to inspect the new advertisement pinned upon it.

FIFTH-YEAR DUELLING CLUB

A club exclusive to O.W.L. students of all houses, sessions for the Duelling Club will be held every Friday night in the great hall. The hour in which the duels will take place are to be overseen by Professor. Silvers, defence against the dark arts Professor, to ensure no serious pain or effects are induced in duels. Please regard the dueller's code with care and respect your opponents.

This privilege is only available to fifth-year students. No students from other houses may take part, although audience is allowed.

Maxine turned to Stefan, eyes also filled with pleasure at the thought of attending this new activity. ''How brilliant is that?!'' She grinned to herself. ''I can't wait to send a hex towards my dear little James'' She turned to her friend, who was still eying the notice board. ''Who have you got in mind as an opponent?''

Stefan stayed took his eyes off the board hurriedly. ''I dunno.'' He shrugged. Maxine felt a little disappointed at this answer but went on;

''Come on, you must have someone you want to get back at! You haven't got anyone to fear anyway, you're magic is way behind anyone else in our year.''

Stefan smiled faintly, a little glee coming into his eyes. ''The only person I can think of is my cousin.'' Maxine raised her eyebrows and he laughed at her reaction. ''I know, it sounds wrong.'' 

''No, no, I'm just curious to know why-'' She lifted her head in realisation. '' Ah...It's that cousin.''

Stefan nodded. ''Yup, the one you met briefly on the way to Potions and the one who's been attacking me relentlessly since I started here.''

''You forgot the bit about introducing you as Hitler's reincarnation.'' She corrected him, the long, passionate speech on the boy that Stefan had performed after the encounter was coming back to her. Seriously, he had ranted on all through the lesson, putting Maxine off her cure for sore joints more than a little.

Maxine turned her head to look down the corridor and nudged Stefan. ''Looks like your opportunity may come early.'' She murmured, causing Stefan to turn his head in a flash and receive the unpleasant sight of five fifth-year Slytherins heading their way; Brandon Kaine, Stefan's sneering cousin, leading his friends with an arrogant expression on his face.

''You thinking what I'm thinking, little cousin?'' Brandon's voice rang down the corridor, loud and cocky. ''I'm looking forward to this duelling thing, aren't you?''

Stefan glared at his cousin. ''Go away Brandon. I don't need you here to gloat about how you'll win every duel you enter.''

 His cousin laughed with an even greater volume. ''Do you expect me to be scared?'' He smiled at Stefan deliberately. ''You know you can't beat me. No one can be beaten by a madman, especially not Brandon Kaine.'' 

Stefan had gone pale now, face dawning with realisation. With satisfaction, Brandon went on;

''I may be a Slytherin but I'm not stupid. I know what tricks you're going to play. And that's why I'm here. To warn you. Don't try any funny stuff, or you'll regret it, Mini-Hitler.''

Maxine watched this little play-by-play hopelessly, the scene had escalated so fast. One minute her friend was tall and rebellious then the next he was white in fear - a reaction that completely baffled her. She couldn't bear bullies, especially the swaggering, cocky ones like Brandon. Seeing as her friend wasn't doing anything, Maxine kept her disgusted look on her face and added a patronising tone to her voice.

''Oh piss off Brandon, you're idiocy isn't needed here.'' She addressed the boy with equal volume.

Brandon looked at her with an expression of infuriating amusement and lent back, laughing to himself. Maxine stood up straighter, but Stefan answered first.

''Brandon, you've made your point. I won't do anything, you have my word. I mustn't make you look stupid.''

Brandon's face dawned with fury as he caught the last words of Stefan's reply.

''What did you say to me?''

''Look, Brandon I -'' Stefan began in a weary apology.

''No! No. You listen here, little cousin.'' Brandon stepped forward menacingly, almost nose-to-nose with Stefan. ''I can bring up that little rumour and make it as real as it is. So you can't touch me.''

Stefan nodded, obviously trying to contain rage. Maxine was still bewildered and infuriated by it all, but knowing that it wouldn't do her friend any good if she started attacking Brandon with a torrent of hexes. Instead, she quietly pictured it in her mind, though the satisfaction level didn't quite match up.

''Remember Stefan, I have one on you.'' Brandon turned with a triumphant smile. ''You can never beat me.''

And leaving Stefan red with badly concealed anger, Maxine feeling similar but also puzzled, the sneering boy walked past down the corridor, laughing with his friends as he went.