Stonewall

'Soccer?? But you're too young Harry!' Justin exclaimed upon hearing the news. 'Gall is happy to bend the rules apparently.' Harry snorted, unworried. Justin, however, still looked concerned. Harry had ran into Iris in the hallways, and trusted her to catch up her roommate, however it was once again fallen onto Harry's shoulders to explain. 'Mate, they're all older than you, you could get hurt.' Harry shrugged, not concerned in the slightest. He was avidly studying a book. He had no interest, but easily sucking up to the teachers, made him popular. He made it very subtle so he was not the clear favourite, but when teachers considered who the best student was, their minds went to Harry instantly. He had gotten 100% on every bit of work handed in, and finished it all early, however, not a single person thought him a nerd.

The boys were in the library, sacrificing lunch food for homework. Justin had managed to let his pile up again, and was struggling to understand the simplest of concepts. Harry, however was not keen to help, there was no benefit for him apart from his friend's constant complaining to stop. Suddenly, the door opened, and in came the three people Harry would least expect to see in a library.

"Finishing your last homework Potter? When are you getting shipped off back home, for your stunt on the track?" Tom sneered. "You're a lot braver now that you're back in the building and you've got your little friends with you," said Harry coolly. There was of course nothing at all little about the other Toms, but as the librarian was having a conference with ten other teachers, neither of them could do more than crack their knuckles and scowl. "I'd take you on anytime on my own," said Tom. "Tonight, if you want. Dead race. Shorts and singlet, braced straight to the elements. What's the matter? Never heard of a dead race before, I suppose?" "Of course he has," said Justin, wheeling around, nobly covering for his friend as usual. "I'm his second, who's yours?" Tom looked at his two mates, sizing them up. "him," he said, gesturing to the bulkiest Tom, standing on the left. "Midnight all right? We'll meet you down the track; that's always unlocked."

When the Toms had gone, Harry and Justin looked at each other. "What is a dead race?" said Harry. "And what do you mean, you're my second?""Well, a second's there to take over if you collapse or pass out," said Justin casually, getting started at last on the history essay. Catching the look on Harry's face, he added quickly, "But people only do serious damage in proper races. You wear shorts and a singlet, nothing else. Being against the cold, you run for as long as you can, if both of you pass out, or you know, die, the other team wins. One of you will give up before anything bad happens. I bet he expected you to refuse, anyway."

At that point Harry heard scoffing behind him. 'I trust you are smart enough not to accept this Harry. Tom is an experienced runner, you don't wont to go.' Harry shrugs, disliking the fact that his running ability was being ignored so easily by Amy. Both Harry and Justin returned to their conversation, ignoring her. Harry blocked his ears hurriedly as Amy opened her mouth. 'You do not want too go to the race.' She said in the same low, discerning voice she had used previously, to get out of P.E. Harry could just hear her through his blocked ears and shook his head rapidly to clear it. 'I do want to go to the race.' He thought firmly.

Amy had walked off, leaving both Harry and Justin alone. 'Mate, you don't want to go to the race.' Justin told him. 'It is gonna be dark and if you get caught, you'll be in trouble.' Harry stared at him and nodded. Encouraged, Justin continued. 'You know we are both here on a scholarship, I can't lose my boarding rights, I'd have to return home and...' Justin flushed and looked away. 'I see what you're saying Justin. You're meaning is perfectly clear.' Harry addressed his friend. With a look of relief, Justin sighed. 'I knew you would get it Harry, It's just too dangerou-'

'You want to get out of the race. You are scared, cowardly. You are disloyal to your friends. You believe that you can sweet talk me into backing down. Being a coward like you. I never knew you were disloyal, Justin. And weak. Not up for a challenge.' Justin paused, opened his mouth looking confused. 'Bu-u-t, I'm not those things. Or I wasn't.... I want you to go to the race. Look, Harry, I'm sorry, I don't know what came over me. Something Amy said really got to me...'

Harry smiled slyly. 'See ya at midnight then.' He said and stalked off. 'Midnight?' Justin said questioningly. 'But I'll see you after dinner. I know you are in a meeting of some kind during dinner, and we don't have any classes together for the rest of the day, but I'll see you in the dorm right? ..... Right?' Harry merely smirked and left a confused Justin standing alone, with piles of paper and homework surrounding him. He had no intention of returning to the dorm after dinner.

Harry Potter knew Tom's plot. The idea to snitch to a teacher and not show up, it was basic. But Harry also knew that two could play at that game. Tom would want to be there in person, maybe to film and take pictures of Harry getting caught. Otherwise, simply to laugh with his cronies, mocking him as he walked off in disgrace in the hands of Mr. Bosh, the formidable, detention- happy, caretaker. So, he Harry would do the same. He had a plan, and a plan B.
He would win at all costs. Sacrifices would be made. New things shall be discovered. Friendships may be broken.

Justin's POV:
It was nearly midnight. Justin paced around the track, hoping his friend would arrive before his enemies. He hoped Harry could outrun Tom. Justin was fit, but not a runner at heart. Run until you collapse didn't sound fun, but if Tom went down in the first 20 minutes, the secondary Tom would take over. Then Harry would be in trouble. His friend. Harry Potter. How he hoped that they, together, as a team could beat these bullies, especially after what they did to Colin. His nostrils flared at the thought of such a small child being so badly mistreated. He couldn't let that happen to Harry, or Iris or Amy.

He pondered longer about Amy. She was so convincing. How, had she managed to turn him against himself, strip him of any powers he had left, all of his loyalty and daring. Perhaps she had a secret like his, one she didn't fully understand or know how to control. Or maybe she had a lot more control over it then he realised. This is why Justin volunteered to be Harry's second. He knew if it came down to it, he would have the strength left to win. He always had. Always would. Justin checked his watch; two minutes. Two minutes and then it would begin.