Throw the Dungbomb

The sensible option is to use the Dungbomb. You tap the object with your wand, silently igniting it, and roll it down the corridor. You hold your breath as the Dungbomb rolls into the group of Slytherins. For a few seconds, nothing happens. Then, you hear a muffled boom as the Dungbomb explodes, closely followed by the awful stench the bomb released.

Instantly, you stand up and run down the corridor. You take one last deep breath in and hold it. The Slytherins are milling around in confusion, some of them rubbing their watering eyes and coughing. None of them notice you as you sidle through the group.

You reach the other side without incident, but as you are about to turn the corner, the stench from the Dungbomb manages to penetrate your nose. You try desperately not to sneeze, but it's too late. You sneeze loudly and hope that the Slytherins are still too distracted by the Dungbomb.

Your luck has run out, though. You hear a loud screech of rage from behind you and hear Malfoy's voice rise in pitch in his fury.

"Potter! Catch him!"

You turn the corner and run as fast as you can. You can hear footsteps behind you, but you can't tell if you're safe yet. Quickly, you turn your head and your stomach sinks as you see Crabbe and Goyle bearing down on you, the gap closing between you despite their bulk.

This moment of distraction is your undoing. You stumble on a loose flagstone and trip, sprawling on the ground. Crabbe and Goyle both jump onto you, knocking the wind out of you and preventing you from doing anything but groan. When they see that you aren't able to fight them, they drag down the corridor and back to the waiting crowd of Slytherins.

"Well, Potter?" Malfoy sneers as you're dumped in front of him. "Why are you skulking around the dungeons? What secrets are you trying to find from us?"

You wrinkle your nose at the stench emanating from the Slytherins. You struggle to free your arms from Crabbe and Goyle's grasps so that you can block your nose, but can't manage to do so.

"What's that lovely perfume you're wearing?" you ask insolently. "It smells like something your mother gave you."

Malfoy's face becomes even paler than normal. So quickly that you can’t prepare for it, he lashes out and slaps you across the face.

"Don't try me", Malfoy hisses dangerously.

You shut up, realising that you've managed to piss off Malfoy more than usual. He looks like he's in a fragile state of mind and you don't know what he's capable of doing to you.

"What should we do with the Golden Boy?" Malfoy continues, a cruel smile appearing on his face.

“How about we fight, one on one?” you suggest. “If I win, you let me go. If I don’t…”

You trail off, letting Malfoy fill the gap himself. He stares at you, his eyes narrowing as he tries to find the trick. You smirk back at him.

“Scared you’ll lose, Malfoy?” you jeer.

There’s a quiet murmur from the other Slytherins around Malfoy. Your smile widens. If Malfoy backs down, he’ll look like a coward in front of his cronies. It looks like Malfoy has made the same calculations.

“Let’s fight”, he says. “First to give in, loses.”

Crabbe and Goyle step back, giving you room to move. Malfoy extends his hand to you in a gesture of goodwill. You now have to decide on your strategy. You can go on the offensive and try to get Malfoy to surrender before he can get at you. Or, you can act defensive until Malfoy tires out.