Professor McGonagall and Snape had never come forward to clear the Bludger jinx, and Harry suspected that they had connected it to the attack. Because of that incident, the friendship between Gryffindor and Slytherin had fallen to an all-time low. He had always thought that the relationship between the two Houses could not be worse, but in the next few days, he realized that there was no worst, only worse. With the unlimited supply of Weasley's prank products, the Slytherin table was filled with people who transformed into animals, sneezed non-stop, and had their tongues stretched to their chests. Gryffindor students, on the other hand, were often cursed on the way, and there were often people who returned to the common room tapping, laughing uncontrollably, or with their front teeth growing out of control. Harry had borrowed and returned his copy of Trickster's Snacks, and now he didn't even know who had it. Under the strong request of the D.A. members, he had to organize two temporary activities to learn these pranks. Just as Gryffindor was rubbing their fists, the professors finally stepped forward to stop them. After a few fierce deductions, both sides reluctantly gave up.
It was December, and Harry was the only one who had signed his name on the list. He said to Neville and the others who wanted to stay with him," Christmas is a time to reunite with your family. You should go back…I can stay in the library and read books. You know, it's very troublesome to prepare for D.A. lessons. I need more information to refer to…Alright, alright, I'm not a child. I don't need anyone to accompany me…" It was not easy to persuade them to go back for the holidays.
One Sunday, the D.A. members returned to the common room after the event and found a group of people huddled in front of the bulletin board reading the notice that had just been posted.
George beckoned them over, his face full of excitement.
"The school is going to start a duel club!”said George happily." First meeting tonight.”
said Fred,"I wouldn't mind taking some dueling lessons, it might come in handy someday-"
"With Slytherin?" Seamus moved closer to the notice.
" What a great opportunity." Fred waved his fist." I've been wanting to teach them a lesson for a long time.”
said Hermione, interested."I wonder who the coach is. Someone told me Professor Flitwick was a dueling champion when he was young.”
Harry curled his lip and said nothing.
At eight o'clock in the evening, they rushed to the restaurant. The long dining table was gone, replaced by a glittering ring lit with many candles.
The students held their wands and excitedly waited for their coach to appear.
Lockhart, dressed in his finest violet robes, stepped into the ring with Snape, who was always black-robed.
Gryffindor groaned in disappointment. At least Slytherin was glad to see his dean.
Ron muttered."This is a nightmare..."
Lockhart waved for silence, then shouted,"Gather around, gather around! Can everyone see me? Can everyone hear me? That's great!"
Dean sighed." Fortunately, it's not an event that we have to attend. Do you think it's too obvious for us to slip away now?"”
"Well, let's see what he can teach...."
"Well, Professor Dumbledore has allowed me to start this little Dueling Club, to train you all well, in case you ever need to defend yourself in the way I've done so many times-" Lockhart said loudly, his head held high.”
Harry wanted to throw a big sign at him.”
"I'd like to introduce my assistant, Professor Snape," Lockhart said, his mouth widening."He told me he knows a thing or two about dueling himself, and he's generously agreed to assist me with a little demonstration before class. I say, I don't want you little fellows to worry-when I'm done with him, I'll return your Potions Professor to you in one piece, don't be afraid!”
Harry almost laughed, seeing the faint murderous chill in Snape's eyes and admiring Lockhart's courage.
A few words suddenly rang in his ears.
[d.a Members, do you think Lockhart's going to die here today?]
[d.a A member, hard to say. Judging by Snape's face, he would at least give him a good beating.]
…Tsk tsk, he really dares to say that. If it were me, I would have fled long ago.]
[…Let's fight, let's fight. Why are you talking so much nonsense? If you want to fight, let's fight…]
This group of people was so excited. Harry shook his head and watched them draw their wands and bow to each other.
[…Is he dead?]
[…No, I got up again…]
[... Snape used Expelliarmus? It's so powerful that I can only numb others 'hands for a moment.]
…Yes, yes, this spell is very difficult to master, and our magic power level is not high enough.]
[... Harry had used the same spell on the Quidditch pitch the last time, and Pucey had flown off like that.]
There was a great deal of glittering eyes on Harry, who pursed his lips and glared at Ron.
…Practice more, everyone. It's useless to look at me.]
Lockhart waddled back into the ring. This was the Disarming Charm. Yes, Professor Snape, it was a good trick you showed them. However, don't mind me saying this. If I wanted to stop you, I wouldn't have to do it effortlessly. I think we might as well let them see it in order to increase their knowledge.”
[... Oh-so it's just for us to take a look...]
To be honest, it's worth it to be this thick-skinned.]
…Why are you practicing so soon? They didn't teach me anything…]
…Forget it. I didn't expect to learn anything from them.]
…I can test the effects of our D.A. training…
…Hehe, I think so too.]
Harry rolled his eyes."... isn't it too early to be proud after only a few spells?]
[…Aiya, isn't this pride? You can only improve with actual combat experience…]
Even if we lose, we'll be able to find out what we've done wrong.]
[…Be careful if you're in the same group as Slytherin.]
Harry and Neville were practicing Expelliarmus together, correcting his mistakes very seriously. Around them, Gryffindor and Slytherin were already facing each other. The members of the D.A. were calm, their incantations fast and accurate, and Harry was pleased to see their opponents scrambling.
Lockhart came briskly up to him, patted him on the back, and said, beaming,"Harry, why don't you go up there and show us? I hear from the other professors that you're doing the best in second year, so-"He looked around and pointed at a Slytherin boy." Malfoy, come here-"
Harry toyed with his wand as he stood high up in the ring. Malfoy stood opposite him, his eyes flickering uneasily.
Speaking of which, Malfoy really hadn't offended him much. He had always been looking for trouble with Ron and the others. Perhaps Malfoy and Weasley's birth characters really didn't match? Thinking of the fiery meeting between their fathers, Harry thought it was civilized to just argue. Snape was supposed to have suggested a duel, but the Potions professor had ignored him for a long time, and Lockhart was a busybody. What kind of monkey did he think he was fighting from so high up? Harry glanced at Lockhart and made a mental note of him.
"Get your wands ready," Lockhart shouted."When I count to three, start Disarming the target. Three-two-one!”
"Expelliarmus!"
Harry dodged sharply, his wand steadily aimed at Malfoy.
"Expelliarmus!"
Malfoy's wand flew far away, and he gave a great shudder, staring at his empty right hand.
"Excellent, Harry!" Lockhart clapped his hands.”
"Malfoy's wand!"
Ignoring the thick-skinned fellow, Harry caught the flying wand with his left hand, tossed it back to its owner, and turned to leave the stage.
"Harry, watch out-"
"Black Dragon Comes Out of the Cave!"
Subconsciously casting the " Armor Protection " on himself, Harry turned around and saw a long black snake emerge from Malfoy's wand and land on the floor. Harry narrowed his eyes and looked coldly at Malfoy, who had a stubborn and vicious expression on his face.
"Don't move, let me do it!" shouted Lockhart, raising his wand and waving it threateningly at the snake. The black snake shot more than ten feet into the air and landed heavily on the floor, sending Lockhart staggering backward. It hissed and hissed as it swam toward Harry, its head held high and fangs bared, ready to attack.
Snape gave Malfoy an angry look and walked toward him, wand in hand. Harry smiled inwardly and began to wave his right hand.
"There are many obstacles!"
The snake's slithering had stopped; it was trying desperately to get close to Harry, but it was blocked as if by an invisible wall.
"Chirp, chirp, shrink!"
The black snake suddenly shrank rapidly, turning into a normal-sized snake that wriggled on the ground.
"Split into pieces!"
The black snake exploded and quickly turned into a cloud of black smoke before disappearing.
The Gryffindors were clapping wildly, and George and Fred were jeering, shouting,"Harry, cool!"
Snape slowly loosened his unconsciously clenched hand and looked at him in surprise. Harry looked back innocently." Professor, Malfoy attacked me with Dark Magic.”His words were filled with grievance, but the questioning intent was obvious.
The dining room gradually quieted down. Snape pursed his lips and stared at him coldly for a moment. Finally, under the watchful eyes of many, he announced in a low voice,
"Draco? Malfoy, attacking a fellow student with Dark Magic. Twenty points from Slytherin.”He turned around to look at the deathly pale Malfoy."Come to my office at once, your five-night detention begins today.”
The audience gasped and watched in disbelief as Snape left with Malfoy in his arms.
Merlin, Snape actually deducted points from his own academy?! Put his favorite student in detention?!
It was one of the most terrifying events in Hogwarts history.
——
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