Ben didn't know exactly what Aldous was getting at with the phrase certain issues, but he had a general idea. He thought Roman (or Aldous) could run necessary interference just as well from outside of the duel. It was arguably probably better if neither of them were involved, if it came down to it — then they could pretend it was another bit of Ben's folly instead of a plot they'd all conspired on.

That, and —

"I'd rather have Art," he admitted, almost sheepishly. He knew Aldous had never been particularly fond of him, but Art was his best friend. They'd been through just about everything together, and Ben knew he could be a good second. It would hardly be the first questionable venture the two had embarked on together.

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   Arthur Pettigrew

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Pettigrew couldn't negotiate anything, Aldous nearly protested—but the words died on his tongue, his mouth closing as he thought better of it. He did not want this slight negotiated away, he wanted Macmillan dead in some godforsaken field, and if Pettigrew was more likely to get them there then, he would embrace the fool with open arms.

"—Very well," he said instead, punctuating his agreement with a small nod. "What is the weapon to be?"

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   Arthur Pettigrew, Reuben Crouch

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— Aldous walks with a cane and pronounced limp as the result of a splinching accident. —

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That was less resistance than he'd expected. Even when they were on the same page, Ben could rarely communicate a step of a plan or a consideration without having to contend with Aldous' opinions on the matter. Was this... what it felt like to have his brother trust him on something?

Wow. Weird.

"We haven't gotten that far yet," he pointed out; he'd already told Aldous the challenge hadn't been accepted yet. "But wands. I'm not doing anything but wands."

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   Fitzroy Prewett

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"Wands are a showpiece," Aldous protested, "not a tool for lasting damage."

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   Melody Crouch

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— Aldous walks with a cane and pronounced limp as the result of a splinching accident. —

— graphics by lady ❤ —

"If you think that, you haven't been using the right spells," Ben shot back, with a dangerous look to his eye that was — a little put on, honestly. He hadn't ever done any lasting damage to anyone with a wand (or with any other weapon), but at the moment he was quite confident in his ability to do so. When the person on the other end of the spell was Macmillan, anyway.

"He's not going to say another word about her when I'm finished with him," Ben promised solemnly.

  

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For all Reuben's insistence, Aldous was unconvinced. It would, however, be less than ideal for Ben to go off at dawn with a pistol or sword he had no clue how to use, however satisfying such muggle means could be.

A quiet word to Malfoy could sort out Macmillan if Reuben's spells proved unequal to the task.

Again, he nodded, before moving to refill his glass.

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   Reuben Crouch

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— Aldous walks with a cane and pronounced limp as the result of a splinching accident. —

— graphics by lady ❤ —

Ben had expected a verbal response, but the nod served just as well. He supposed their conversation was at an end, then. The only thing to do now was actually issue the challenge (he would not let Aldous know that he hadn't done so yet, not after how well he'd taken the news — not after he had seemed to be almost in agreement with Ben's plans, which was a rarity) and follow through on it.

"I'll write you when it's over," he said, moving to take the floo powder for his departure. "I won't let you down."

  

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"I know."

The words came more easily than Aldous might have expected, but on this, the Brothers Crouch were unified. Macmillan would pay.

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   Reuben Crouch

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— Aldous walks with a cane and pronounced limp as the result of a splinching accident. —

— graphics by lady ❤ —