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The Dueling Club
Harry is startled and alarmed to hear about Cho Chang being attacked and severely injured during a Quidditch practice, which he knows didn't happen in the original timeline. The backlash falls primarily on the Hufflepuffs, since they were to play against Ravenclaw next (until Cho's injury forced a reshuffle), although Harry publicly expresses support for them and disbelief that they were responsible.
Near Christmas, Lockhart arranges a dueling club, as per canon, and once again Harry duels Draco. With his much greater proficiency, Harry has no difficulty dealing with Draco's conjured snake without exposing himself as a Parselmouth; however, Draco escalates the duel with an assortment of deadly spells, and Harry's proficiency in shielding himself draws attention. He explains it away as the result of their group practices. When Dumbledore tries to press for more information, Harry insists on more openness from him, and is able to persuade him to reveal the full contents of the prophecy to Harry and his friends (meaning that Harry will no longer need to hide his knowledge of it).
In the aftermath, Harry approaches Professor McGonagall about establishing a more permanent dueling club, to compensate for the deficiencies of Professor Lockhart's classes. She isn't pleased with his dismissal of a professor, but doesn't disagree.
The Gryffindor Six are paired off on the train ride home, huddling together for warmth, including Luna sitting on Neville's lap, and they all fall asleep that way. When they wake, they notice that their compartment is unlocked, despite Ron having latched it earlier.
- Cut His Heart Out with a Spoon: If Professor Sprout finds out who attacked Cho Chang, she intends to do something unspecified with a trowel that has Neville spooked.
- For Want Of A Nail: Harry has no idea why Cho Chang was attacked, he only knows it must have been caused by something that he changed, because it didn't happen originally.
- Sleep Cute: All six friends fall asleep on the train together, leaning against each other in pairs. Harry wakes up to find Ginny burrowed into his side with her arm around him.
