Draco gazed at Wentworth with admiration, exclaiming,
"Wentworth, I've never heard of this spell before!"
Wentworth, unfazed, replied casually,
"Next, we're going to learn this spell! While a duel is usually won by disarming your opponent, this method is actually quite controversial. After all, many wizards are proficient in wandless magic, so losing their wand doesn't necessarily mean defeat."
"But if someone is hit by this spell, they'll be left hanging upside down in midair with no way out—except to surrender!"
Draco's eyes sparkled with excitement as he eagerly declared,
"I want to learn it! Teach me!"
Seeing Draco's enthusiasm, the corners of Wentworth's lips curled into a slight smirk as he thought to himself,
Professor Snape, I didn't take your notes for nothing. Consider this my way of paying you back for what Harry's father did to you back in the day.
Harry, you can't blame me for this! A father's debt should be repaid by his son—that's only fair, isn't it?
As the lights illuminated the halls of Hogwarts, Professor Snape finally stood from his chair and asked,
"Alright, it's getting late. When exactly is this duel supposed to take place?"
Without thinking, Harry instinctively replied,
"Professor Snape, we were planning for tonight—"
Before he could finish, Hermione quickly cut him off, blurting out,
"Of course, tonight is just for practice! It could be tomorrow, or maybe the day after. We haven't settled on a date yet, Professor Snape!"
Although Hermione had managed to interrupt Harry in time, Snape still narrowed his eyes, staring at Harry intently as he spoke in a low, deliberate tone,
"I hope, Mr. Potter, that you are not about to tell me that this duel is set for tonight. And I sincerely hope the three of you haven't forgotten about Hogwarts' curfew."
Harry, Ron, and Hermione nodded quickly.
Snape, wasting no more time, swept out of Professor Quirrell's office in long strides. The moment he disappeared, Harry, Ron, Hermione, and even Quirrell all exhaled deeply in relief.
Afterward, the trio hastily thanked Quirrell and left at once.
Meanwhile, Quirrell watched them go with a polite smile, waving as they departed. However, as soon as they were gone, his smile gradually faded.
Standing alone in his office, he muttered to himself,
"Master, why not inform Snape that you have already returned? If he were to assist us, I believe we could—"
"Yes, Master, I understand, Master. You needn't worry!"
Then, silence filled the room.
On the other side of the castle, Draco and Wentworth emerged from the Room of Requirement. Draco, brimming with confidence, laughed,
"I can't wait to see the look on Harry's face tonight when he's dangling from the ceiling, screaming in terror! Ha!"
Wentworth smacked Draco on the head and chided,
"I'm warning you—don't take things too far! If you attract the professors' attention, don't even think about blaming me for teaching you this! Understood?"
Rubbing his head, Draco pouted,
"Alright, alright! Harry and I are friends! I'm not doing this to get back at him—I'm doing it for his own good, to show him what kind of friends he should be making!"
As they walked, both Draco and Wentworth suddenly halted.
Because right ahead of them, striding toward them with purpose, was Professor Snape.
"You two," Snape said, frowning, "what are you doing here?"
"I... we…"
Under Snape's intense gaze, Draco immediately tensed up. But before he could stammer out an excuse, Wentworth calmly answered,
"It's like this, Professor Snape—Draco just arrived at Hogwarts, and there are still many places he hasn't explored. He was worried about getting lost, so I was showing him around the castle."
Draco nodded rapidly, adding,
"That's right, Professor!"
Snape waved a hand dismissively.
"Get going. I trust you won't be foolish enough to miss dinner."
Draco and Wentworth both let out quiet sighs of relief.
But just as they brushed past Snape, his voice rang out again,
"Wait."
Draco stiffened and turned back cautiously with Wentworth. Snape studied them both with a critical eye before asking slowly,
"Wentworth, are you teaching Draco spells? Draco is the one preparing to duel Potter, isn't he?"
It was only as they passed him that Snape suddenly pieced everything together—Hermione had mentioned that someone was training for the duel, and now here were Draco and Wentworth together. The conclusion was obvious.
Draco felt his entire body freeze up.
But Wentworth stepped forward smoothly and replied,
"Why would I do that, Professor Snape? Draco and Harry are good friends! Before term started, Draco even stayed at my house, and we celebrated Harry's birthday together. If you don't believe me, you can ask Hagrid!"
Draco nodded furiously in agreement.
Snape, of course, was not so easily fooled. He rolled his eyes—an incredibly rare expression from him—before turning sharply on his heel and sweeping away without another word.
The moment Snape left, Draco felt as if all the strength had drained from his body. If not for Wentworth grabbing him in time, he might have collapsed onto the floor.
"Pathetic," Wentworth scoffed.
Draco swallowed nervously before asking,
"Wentworth, how do you think Snape figured it out?"
Wentworth shrugged.
"If it wasn't you who let something slip, then obviously it was Harry. Did you see where Snape was headed? That direction leads to only one place—the Headmaster's office. You two are in trouble. Better start packing—looks like you're going home!"
Draco turned pale and felt like he might faint again—until Wentworth added,
"Just kidding! When was the last time you heard of a student actually getting expelled from Hogwarts? Besides, isn't your father a school governor? What are you worried about?"
Draco blinked before realization dawned on him.
"That's right! My father is a governor! What am I even afraid of? It's all your fault, Wentworth! If this were before, I'd never have forgotten that my father is on the Board of Governors! But you keep going on about how skill is more important than blood status, and I—"
Draco suddenly clamped his mouth shut.
Because in front of him, Wentworth had slowly drawn his wand.
"Draco," Wentworth said smoothly, "I think you're finally starting to understand."
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