The moment Viktor finished speaking, Professor Flitwick couldn't wait another second—he bounced forward eagerly.
His already high-pitched voice—now magically amplified—rang through the hall with uncontainable excitement.
"Marvelous! Absolutely unparalleled opening! Rules clear, purpose unmistakable!"
He waved his short arms enthusiastically, eyes twinkling like twin stars.
"Now that the theory is done—it's time for a little… oh, just a tiny bit… of practical observation!"
He turned toward the audience, scanning the crowd with the eager enthusiasm of a true mentor.
"To help everyone understand more intuitively what a safe, rule-bound basic duel looks like—I'll invite a few volunteers onto the platform. Under my personal guidance, we'll run a short, demonstrative match!"
The students immediately buzzed again—equal parts thrilled and nervous. Many instinctively hunched their shoulders, praying not to be called, while secretly hoping they would.
"First up—a classic one-on-one duel demonstration!" His small hand pointed toward the Gryffindor section.
"Miss Harley Potter!" Then swung toward Slytherin. "Mr Draco Malfoy! Both of you are Seeker material—you already have a natural edge in reflexes and spatial awareness. Please come up!"
Harley took a deep breath. Under Hermione's quiet "Good luck" and Ron's tense stare, she stood.
Malfoy rose slowly—smoothing his immaculately pressed robes, chin lifted in signature arrogance—and strolled toward the platform.
The two took positions in the centre, several paces apart. The air between them seemed to crackle with tiny static sparks.
Snape's gaze was like twin black probes. It swept over Malfoy—then locked onto Harley with piercing intensity.
"Excellent! Now let me explain the most basic rules and the most commonly used spells to you both."
Flitwick stepped between them, voice bright with excitement as he rapidly walked the two young duelists through proper etiquette.
He demonstrated the correct starting stance for a Disarming Charm—quick, clean, repeatable.
"Remember—this is a demonstration. The focus is on showing procedure, courtesy, and basic spell application. Now—duelling courtesy!"
A few moments later—once he was satisfied both had grasped the essentials—he nodded happily and motioned them to opposite ends of the platform.
They faced each other and gave stiff, formal bows.
"Wands up! On my command—we'll start with the most fundamental spell: Expelliarmus! Ready—three… two… one… Begin!"
"Expelliarmus!" Harley struck first.
A bright red bolt shot from her wand tip—straight toward Malfoy.
Malfoy slid sideways with surprising agility. The red light grazed his sleeve and flew past.
He fired back instantly: "Expelliarmus!"
But his spell was noticeably dimmer—slower. It fizzled out halfway across the platform.
"Beautiful initiation and evasion, Miss Potter!" Flitwick called encouragingly. "Mr Malfoy—don't tense up! Focus your magic!"
Malfoy's face darkened instantly—clearly humiliated by the weakness of his own spell.
He switched tactics immediately—no more reliance on Disarming.
"Rictusempra!"
A silver flash streaked toward Harley.
Caught slightly off guard, she jumped aside. The Tickling Charm hit the stone where she'd stood—sparking harmlessly.
The sudden shift and the pressure of so many eyes made her forget half of what Flitwick had just taught about footwork—her steps became hurried and uncertain.
"Oh! Variation!" Flitwick commentated brightly. "Mr Malfoy has switched to a minor jinx! Perfectly allowed within bounds—but mind your control!"
But clearly the pressure of performing in front of the entire school was starting to affect both of them.
Seeing Harley's footwork falter, Malfoy's confidence surged.
He pressed the advantage: "Tarantallegra!"
A vivid purple-red bolt shot out.
Harley—still trying to regain balance—reacted on pure instinct. She raised her wand and shouted the spell that felt most natural in the moment:
"Expelliarmus!"
This time the red light was noticeably brighter—stronger—faster.
It surged forward—intercepting Malfoy's Dancing Feet Curse—and struck his wand dead-on.
The hawthorn wand flew from his grip—spinning end over end toward the edge of the platform.
But almost simultaneously—Malfoy's Tarantallegra hit Harley square in the chest.
"Oh!" Harley yelped.
Her legs suddenly moved of their own accord—kicking and spinning wildly in the uncontrollable Tarantella dance. She lost balance instantly—stumbling toward the floor.
"Accio!" Flitwick reacted lightning-fast.
Malfoy's wand flew back into his hand.
At the same time—his other hand flicked toward Harley: "Finite Incantatem!"
Harley's legs stopped mid-twirl. She staggered, caught herself, face flaming red, breathing hard.
Malfoy caught his returning wand—pale as parchment—lips pressed into a thin line.
After a stunned heartbeat—the hall erupted into wild cheers.
The duel hadn't been as dazzling or powerful as the professors' display—but for the students, it was more than enough.
It was real. Messy. Recognisable.
Flitwick stepped between them, face still glowing with delight. He clapped his hands sharply.
"While the process was… ah… somewhat unexpected, and the rhythm a little chaotic—I must say Miss Potter and Mr Malfoy gave us a very authentic, very typical beginner-level duel!"
He turned to Harley first. "Miss Potter—under pressure and sudden disruption—you still managed to fire an instinctive, well-aimed Disarming Charm that connected perfectly. That is exceptional! Especially while under the effect of another spell!"
Then to Malfoy: "Mr Malfoy—you showed excellent adaptability. When one tactic failed, you immediately switched to another. That displays real tactical thinking! Of course—both of you still have plenty of room to improve in control and precision!"
He patted both shell-shocked children on the shoulder.
"Remember this feeling tonight. Remember how nerves affected your footing and spell control. This is why the Duelling Club exists—to experience, to make mistakes, to learn, and to grow—in a safe environment! Thank you both for your brave demonstration!"
The applause this time was warmer—less frenzied, more understanding and encouraging.
Harley and Malfoy each gave a final bow and stepped down.
Harley returned to the Gryffindor benches—Ron and Hermione immediately swarmed her.
"You knocked his wand away! That last one was brilliant!" Ron crowed—though he couldn't quite hide his grin at the memory of her frantic dancing legs.
"You looked very natural with Expelliarmus," Hermione analysed seriously. "But your footwork completely fell apart. If Malfoy's Dancing Feet had landed a fraction earlier—or if you hadn't fired back so quickly…"
Harley nodded—heart still racing—but a strange mix of embarrassment and exhilaration bubbled inside her.
It felt exactly like the first time she'd mounted a broom… or brewed her very first perfect batch of Boil-Cure Potion.
Pure, heart-pounding joy.
She looked back toward the platform—Flitwick was already calling the next volunteers.
"Next—let's see the beauty of paired teamwork! This requires communication, coordination, and tactical division of roles!"
His high voice rang with renewed energy.
"So—Weasley twins! Fred and George! And Patil sisters—Parvati and Padma! Please come up!"
The twins whooped as though they'd been waiting their whole lives for this moment.
They released two tiny celebratory fireworks—high-fived each other—and leapt onto the platform to massive laughter and cheers.
The Patil sisters walked up more sedately—hand in hand—but they exchanged a quick glance that clearly said they were ready to try.
"Remember—the key in doubles is communication and synergy! One attacks while the other covers—or both apply pressure from different angles! Now—positions! Courtesy!"
The four split into two teams and bowed to each other.
The twins' bow was exaggerated and perfectly synchronised—earning more laughter.
The Patil sisters' was graceful and identical.
"Begin!"
The twins had clearly planned ahead.
Fred charged forward the instant the word ended—wand aimed at Padma: "Expelliarmus!"
George simultaneously slid sideways—wand circling—a weak but distracting Impediment Jinx aimed at Parvati to disrupt her line of sight and casting angle.
"Oh! Classic feint and flank!" Flitwick called excitedly.
The Patil sisters were momentarily startled by the twins' aggressive opening—but they reacted quickly.
Parvati didn't waste time on George's minor jinx. She stepped forward—placing herself squarely in front of her sister—and flicked her wand.
A thick slab of stone rose instantly from the platform—blocking Fred's Disarming Charm with a dull thunk.
At the same moment—shielded by her sister—Padma calmly lined up on the moving George: "Petrificus Totalus!"
A grey-white beam shot from her wand—straight toward him.
George let out a comical yelp—diving sideways in an absurdly twisted dodge. The Full Body-Bind grazed his ear and slammed into the shield dome.
"Excellent defensive counter! The Patil sisters' timing is impeccable!" Flitwick shouted.
"The Weasley twins' tactical intent is excellent—but execution needs more precision!"
The platform instantly came alive.
The twins—relying on uncanny synchronisation and wildly creative movement—kept trying to disrupt the sisters' rhythm.
The Patils played it steady: Parvati focused purely on defence—repeatedly using Transfiguration and Impediment Jinxes to create safe casting windows for her sister.
Padma handled precise counter-attacks—Disarming and Binding Charms coming one after another—forcing the twins into constant evasion.
"Look at that!" Flitwick cried, voice almost cracking with joy. "This is what partnership means! Covering each other's weaknesses—supporting each other's strengths! Perfect balance between offence and defence!"
When Flitwick finally called time—both sides were breathing hard, flushed and grinning.
No clear winner—but the entire exchange had been full of tactical sparks and pure enjoyment.
Especially the twins' ridiculous-but-effective movements—had the audience in stitches and deeply intrigued by doubles duelling.
"Absolutely brilliant! Thank you all four for that demonstration! You showed the power of trust and teamwork—and, Mr Weasleys… some very creative locomotion!"
Flitwick laughed and waved them off.
The twins walked down arm-in-arm—already arguing which manoeuvre had been cooler.
The Patil sisters descended blushing—but eyes bright—accepting congratulations from classmates.
Flitwick turned back to the hall—cheeks still flushed with excitement.
"Individual bravery—paired synergy! And this is only the beginning! Imagine the complexity and grandeur of five-person team duels! Of course—that requires far more training and coordination. I hope tonight's little demonstrations have ignited your enthusiasm for every format of duelling!"
He glanced toward Viktor and Snape—seeking a final word.
Viktor smiled and nodded.
Snape remained a silent, brooding statue in the shadows.
"Then I declare—" Flitwick cried, voice trembling with joy,
"—tonight's opening event of the Hogwarts Duelling Club… a complete success! Once again—thank you to Professor Scamander and Professor Snape for their extraordinary demonstration—and to every student who participated! Remember the rules. Practise diligently. We'll see you on the platform!"
The applause returned—even louder, even longer—filled with boundless anticipation for everything to come.
Students began filing out—still chattering excitedly—replaying the duels, debating who had the edge, mimicking the twins' bizarre dodges, or seriously discussing who they might team up with for doubles.
Harley, Ron, and Hermione clapped until their hands ached.
Ron was already fantasising about ranking high—maybe even top eight in their year.
Hermione was mentally listing books on duelling tactics and rule strategies she needed to pull first thing tomorrow.
Harley looked up at the three professors—Viktor's calm, Flitwick's joy, Snape's brooding intensity.
For the first time—learning to fight felt real, vivid, and deeply exciting.