"Well, I see why you don't believe me, now."
                              
"I don't und...."
                              
"In our third year, I was Marcus Flint's sex slave," Blaise said, in a flat voice.
                              
Harry jolted at that announcement and loosened his grip on his wand. He wasn't expecting that. 
                              
"Surprised?"
                              
"I... umm... well...."
                              
Blaise smirked. "It doesn't get lower than that Potter. He beat me, humiliated me and fucked me in the most undignified ways you can imagine. He made me call him master, made other people fuck me and sent me to the hospital every week. And Draco had to pull me away from him. Draco beat up Flint in front of our whole house and Theo backed him up. They watched me, made sure I didn't go back. They even had shifts overnight, to make sure I was never unguarded and to hold me when I cried. I was beyond fucked up. And my fourth and fifth was more of the same, just with anyone I could find. The slag of Slytherin... surely you heard the rumors?"
                              
"N-Not r-really," Harry said. He did hear things, but he didn't really believe in them. People said crazy shit about him, too.
                              
"Yeah... well they've seen me in many compromising positions... and outfits. Quite a few emotional breakdowns. Draco finally smacked some sense into me and I slowly got it together. Not saying I don't have problems. I've cried plenty of times this year, too. Being confined to the fucking hospitable bed, almost losing Neville, when my mum came, when Draco almost... and a bunch of times with Neville. So, don't think that this is a détente between us. I'm not judging you and I don't want you to be embarrassed. I'm not trying show you up. I'm not exactly the model of a well-balanced person."
                              
Harry sighed and nodded. "I'm sorry. I just... it just feels like there's a competition between you and me."
                              
"There's not. Besides, I'm more of a badass than you, anyway," he said, with a laugh.
                              
Harry laughed. "Yeah... Professor."
                              
Blaise stepped forward and held out his hand, which Harry took and gripped it. "But there's nothing you're hiding that would make me think less of you, Potter. You saved Draco. Fuck everyone else. You saved him. I owe you everything. You can play that card anytime you want to bring me in line."
                              
Harry stared back into the Slytherin's dark brown eyes and nodded. "Thanks."
                              
"That being said... when we duel... I'm going to mop the floor with ya!" Blaise said, loudly.
                              
"Yeah, right, we'll see Zabini!"
                              
"Well, I mean if Theo can get the drop on you...."
                              
"We were practicing Shield Charms, Blaise!" Harry growled, annoyed. 
                              
During their Monday defense practice, Theo sent a hex through his Shield Charm and he was blasted to the ground, breaking his arm in the process. Blaise laughed the whole time. Draco helped him up and they went to the infirmary, not willing to let any of them try healing it. They were to learn that next semester. Blaise graciously said that they could have another week before their match. Honestly, they were both a little rusty on dueling one-on-one.
                              
"Sure, sure," Blaise said, with a smirk.
                              
Harry knew that Blaise gave Theo that spell, which made him a little nervous about their upcoming duel. Blaise no doubt told Theo to use it, just to mess with him. Having your mind in the game was important. Theo and Daphne finally emerged from the bathroom and Blaise gave him a wink and took his turn.
                              
Draco came over. "Hey, you still want to go?"
                              
"Yeah. Let's go," Harry said, quite aware of the risks associated with going off with just the two of them.