The Apprentice Piece
by Jardyn39
Part One of "The Apprentice Piece"
Chapter 9: The Terms of Engagement
"I have been asked to advise you that Sir Nicholas has agreed terms of engagement with the Regiment," announced Professor McGonagall at the end of their first Transfiguration class. Harry didn't think she approved of the challenge at all.
"The Regiment is a mobile military organisation. Every few years or so it makes camp in the Hogwarts grounds to carry out training exercises. They are here earlier, though, to set up the refugee camp and provide additional defence.
"The challenge used to consist of things like flying, shooting and the like and only the best senior students would compete. Professor Dumbledore widened the challenge many years ago so that all students who wish to may join in."
Sir Nicholas came through the wall at that moment. "Yes, indeed. He was a Second Year student at the time. He felt it unfair that the younger students should be left out and issued his own challenge. It was truly anarchic. It took weeks to clear up the mess. Hogwarts won, of course."
"Sir Nicholas, would you like to announce the terms of engagement?"
"Delighted. The challenge will take place from six o'clock in the evening of 31 October and will cease at midnight. The winner's prize will be to set off a display of fireworks commissioned from Fred and George Weasley. The engagement will be strictly limited to a marked out area within the grounds. Projectiles will be prevented from leaving the area. Any student may participate in the challenge provided they receive the appropriate training from Peeves and agree to clean up the mess the next day. The house elves will be forbidden to help. Participation is entirely voluntary but only participants will be exempted lessons and homework for training and the clear up. Everyone, though, is invited to the midnight feast after hostilities have ended."
"Are there usually many injuries?"
"No, Miss Granger. They won't be fighting. It's a food fight."
"Well, I should go. If you wish to volunteer please sign up in the main entrance lobby, although you may not have time to participate properly," said the ghost as he drifted out of room.
"Well, students Fifth year and over will not be exempted lessons nor homework in most subjects. In addition you may prefer to attend the Halloween ball instead," announced the Professor.
"Why are we having a ball?" asked Lavender Brown before Parvati elbowed her. Harry was surprised she asked.
"Defiance," replied McGonagall darkly. Harry would have asked what she meant but she was looking very serious and no-one else appeared to want to know.
*
To Harry's delight, for the remainder of that day students would go up to Malfoy and tell him "Remember, that way is up and that way is down!"
Harry had tried to tell them that Malfoy would only retaliate with detentions, point fines or worse but it became clear that nothing would deter the Rebels from taunting Malfoy. The detentions and point deductions were like a badge of honour. Harry even found out some younger Slytherins were joining in.
Unfortunately for Malfoy, Professor McGonagall caught him attempting to hand out a record number of detentions to a group of Third years. They appealed to her on the grounds that they were only trying to educate Malfoy.
Harry almost cried laughing when Professor McGonagall announced at dinner that the points Malfoy had deducted would be reinstated and the detentions cancelled.
When he composed himself, Harry asked Hermione, "Where is Ron? I haven't seen him for ages."
Hermione looked up from her dinner with a concerned expression. "He found out you had been made Captain. Congratulations, by the way. He, well, I think he was a bit upset."
Harry nodded and caught Ginny's eye.
"He'll come round, Harry, don't worry," she said.