On the stage, Professor Lockhart spread his arms.
His magenta robes shimmered under the lights.
"Students!"
His voice echoed through the Great Hall.
"Welcome to the Duelling Club!"
The students quieted down.
All eyes were on the stage.
"I know you're all worried about the recent events at school."
He paused.
"But fear not, I am here."
"Headmaster Dumbledore has authorized me to start this club to impart my exquisite duelling skills to you."
"So you can protect yourselves."
Sparse applause broke out below the stage.
Most students' expressions were strained.
After more than a month of classes, except for a few fanatics, almost all the teachers and students in the school knew that Professor Lockhart was a fraud.
But Professor Lockhart seemed not to notice.
He continued speaking.
"Of course, I can't teach everyone by myself."
"So, at Professor Snape's strong request, I agreed to let him be my assistant."
He turned around and waved towards the side of the stage.
"Let's welcome Professor Snape!"
Professor Snape emerged from the shadows.
He wore black robes, and his face was terrifyingly grim.
Charlie believed that if they weren't at school, Professor Snape would absolutely chop Professor Lockhart into mincemeat.
Professor Lockhart smiled brightly.
"Don't worry, I'll return Professor Snape to you in one piece."
Professor Snape's mouth twitched.
His eyes were filled with murderous intent.
Professor Lockhart was completely oblivious.
He walked to the center of the stage.
"Now, let's demonstrate the process of a duel."
The two stood facing each other.
Professor Lockhart raised his wand.
"First, you must bow to your opponent."
He bent at the waist and bowed.
His movements were as exaggerated as if he were acting.
Professor Snape reluctantly nodded.
His whole being exuded impatience.
Professor Lockhart straightened up.
"Then, raise your wand."
"On the count of three, we will cast spells simultaneously."
"One."
"Two."
"Three..."
Almost as soon as the first letter of 'three' left his mouth, Professor Snape's wand flashed red.
"Expelliarmus!"
Before Professor Lockhart could even utter a spell, his wand flew from his hand.
He was struck and sent flying, landing heavily off the stage.
The Slytherin students erupted in cheers.
Professor Lockhart struggled to get up.
His hair was dishevelled, and his robes were dusty.
But he still forced a smile.
"See?"
He patted his robes.
"That's the Expelliarmus."
"Professor Snape used it very beautifully."
"Of course, it would have been easy for me to stop it."
"I just deliberately let myself be hit so you could see the effect of the spell."
Professor Snape's face grew darker.
His fingers gripped his wand tightly.
Harry whispered to Ron beside him, "I'll never say anything bad about Professor Lockhart again."
"He's practically a warrior."
Professor Lockhart clapped his hands.
"Alright, now it's your turn."
"Pair up and practice the Expelliarmus."
"Remember, duels must be elegant."
"Always respect your opponent and bow first."
Charlie raised his hand.
"I don't think that's right."
Professor Lockhart's smile instantly froze.
"Mr. White, do you have an opinion?"
"A Basilisk won't bow to us."
"This duelling philosophy is completely wrong."
"It's just grandstanding."
The Great Hall fell silent instantly.
All the students' eyes focused on Charlie.
Professor Lockhart's smile began to falter.
"It seems Mr. White has some new perspectives."
His voice was a little strained.
"But you are still a student, and there's much you don't understand."
Professor Lockhart was actually terribly flustered.
He knew Charlie's strength; in class before, he had never seen such a 'flower scattering' Stupefy.
He simply couldn't control Charlie.
So he turned his head and looked at Professor Snape.
His eyes were filled with a plea for help.
Professor Snape should help him, right?
After all, Professor Snape always hated it when students talked back to a Professor.
Professor Snape stared at Charlie.
"It seems Mr. White believes himself to be more capable than a Professor."
Professor Lockhart breathed a sigh of relief.
Sure enough.
Professor Snape would never let a student talk back to a Professor.
But the next sentence completely stunned him.
"Since you are so arrogant, then let Professor Lockhart teach you a good lesson about respecting a Professor."
He turned his head and stared at Professor Lockhart.
Professor Lockhart's smile completely broke.
"No, no, no."
He quickly waved his hands.
"I think it would be too harsh for me to go against Charlie."
"You should do it."
Professor Snape was expressionless.
"I am an assistant."
"An assistant is clearly not enough to give Mr. White a profound lesson."
He stared at Professor Lockhart.
His eyes were full of mockery.
"Professor Lockhart, please proceed."
Professor Lockhart's mouth twitched.
He looked at Professor Snape, then at Charlie.
The expression on his face was incredibly rich.
Losing to Professor Snape wasn't shameful; after all, Professor Snape was a famous Potions Master, but losing to a student? He couldn't even justify that himself!
The students below had already erupted.
"Charlie is going to duel a Professor?"
"This is going to be good."
Harry and Ron exchanged glances.
Ron whispered, "I bet Charlie wins."
Hermione rolled her eyes.
"Is that even a bet?"
Charlie walked onto the stage.
He pulled out his wand.
"Come on, Professor."
Professor Lockhart stood rooted to the spot.
Cold sweat broke out on his forehead.
His mind raced.
What to do.
Think, you idiot, think!
The students below had already started to jeer.
"Go on, Professor!"
"Let us see your power!"
Professor Lockhart gritted his teeth.
He looked up at the sea of students below the stage.
Their eyes were filled with anticipation.
He had no choice but to go.
He cheered himself on internally.
Charlie was just a student.
He could surely exchange a few blows with him.
Then he would just say he didn't want to damage Charlie's confidence and end the duel voluntarily.
Perfect.
Professor Lockhart walked towards Charlie, forcing a smile.
"Mr. White, actually, I think..."
"Expelliarmus!"
Red light exploded.
As the red light flew before his eyes, Professor Lockhart had only one thought: 'Young man, no sportsmanship!'
Professor Lockhart didn't finish his sentence; he was sent flying into the air and once again off the stage.
His wand flew from his hand, arcing through the air, and landed at Professor Snape's feet.
The Great Hall erupted.
"Merlin's beard!"
"He actually dared to do it!"
"The Professor was knocked flying!"
The students' cheers almost tore off the roof.
A Professor being hit by a student—this was not a common sight.
The Slytherin side laughed the loudest.
Draco clapped his hands, his schadenfreude undisguised.
On the stage, Charlie put away his wand.
"The first move in a duel."
He turned around, his gaze sweeping over the audience below.
"Surprise."
"A duel isn't a dance, and a Basilisk isn't a gentleman."
"No one will stand still and wait for you to bow."
"We have only one goal in a duel."
"And that is victory!"
Charlie paused.
"Next, I will show you what a real duel is!"
-------------------------------
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