Lockhart then removed his cape with gusto, tossing it into the crowd, and pointed at Snape on the other end of the stage. "Allow me to introduce my assistant, Professor Snape!" Snape rolled his eyes before calmly walking onto his side of the stage, mirroring Lockhart as the latter continued his speech.
Both Snape and Lockhart raised their wands in front of their faces, gave a slight bow to greet their opponent, then whipped their wands to their sides before taking distinct steps back. They made sure to stop at the gibbous moon image on the platform before turning to face each other again.
"One... Two... Three—" Lockhart counted down, but before he could cast his spell, Snape was faster. "Expelliarmus!"
With a quick flash of light, Lockhart was sent flying backward, nearly off the stage. The air was knocked from his lungs as he landed on his back.
"That's Slytherin," Draco announced, nudging my shoulder in excitement while Pansy nodded in approval.
Lockhart coughed a bit, then sprang back up with a forced laugh. "An excellent idea to show them that, Professor Snape!" he announced, while relieved sighs rippled through the audience.
I stopped paying attention at that point. Two weeks of classes had made it obvious: the only thing I'd learned from Professor Lockhart was how little I'd learned. Voldemort's lessons had been more informative, and it was far simpler to self-study during class with Pansy or, in this case, focus solely on Snape's input.
"Weasley's wand creates devastation with even the simplest of spells… We'll be sending Potter to the hospital wing in a matchbox," Draco said, snickering. I couldn't help but chuckle too—it was an accurate diagnosis—but my amusement vanished with Snape's next words.
"Might I perhaps choose someone from my own House? Peterson, perhaps?"
My stomach dropped. Snape turned around and pointed at me, using his thumb to motion me up onto the stage.
"Lucky you! Make sure to hit him even if he's down!" Draco whispered with a grin as I walked past the students making way for me.
A few Slytherins offered quiet whispers of good luck as I approached the center of the stage. Potter was already there, staring at me seriously.
"Your eyes are green—are you using Vitamix?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.
I smirked, unable to hold back my tongue. "No, I wouldn't need help for a duel this simple."
We moved apart before turning to face each other. I raised my wand, the wood's swirling colors glowing faintly as I pointed it at Potter.
"Now remember—cast charms to disarm your opponent, but only to disarm!" Lockhart reminded us. We both nodded silently, waiting for the countdown.
"One... two... thr—"
Just as Lockhart uttered half of the third number, I cast the same spell Snape had used earlier.
"Expelliarmus!"
Potter's wand flew from his hand and smacked into his face and chest. He managed to juggle it awkwardly before getting a hold of it and firing back.
"Rictusempra!"
A white flash of light darted toward me. Quirrell's teachings echoed in my mind:
"With this charm, one cannot keep it in effect for long... it becomes weak. It takes too much energy, and your opponent can easily wait you out. It must be like fencing."
"Fencing?"
"Indeed. A quick flick—you parry the incoming spell and riposte with your own. Parry and riposte is the most basic and essential part of dueling."
With a flick of my wrist, I formed a small half-bubble of energy, deflecting the spell Potter had sent at me. In the same motion, I thrust my wand forward with my own spell.
"Flipendo!"
What I'd forgotten—due to my magical overcharge that day—was to hold back. Potter, shocked by the spell barreling toward him, ducked at the last second. It missed him—but struck Lockhart instead.
He was launched backward, slammed into the stone wall behind him, and then dropped unceremoniously to the ground.
Everyone groaned in shared pain just from watching the impact. Everyone except the Slytherins, who gave me silent nods and waves of approval—and Ron Weasley, for some strange reason, who was chuckling at the sight of Lockhart crumpled on the floor.
"All right! All right! Step back!" Snape shouted, rushing over and shooing away the girls who'd rushed to help.
I bit my finger in anxiety, unsure how much trouble I might be in depending on Lockhart's injuries.
Snape sighed after his examination. "A few broken ribs, but nothing too serious, from what I can tell..."
I let out a deep sigh of relief.
Snape ordered Potter and Ron to escort Lockhart to the hospital wing with the help of a stretcher we kept nearby. "Well… since Professor Lockhart has been involved in a rather unfortunate accident, we shall continue on without him," he said with the faintest trace of amusement.
The club carried on for quite some time. Nearly every Slytherin second and first year asked me to help them with dueling—especially the protection charm I'd used earlier. Even third and fourth years listened in, as did a few curious students from other Houses. I didn't care to limit my teachings to purebloods. I simply spoke loudly while Snape sat silently in the corner, preferring observation over instruction.
Once everything wrapped up and the last duel finished, I finally returned to my room. I still had to go to my special room later that night, but with a bit of time to spare, I worked on my Potions homework.
I brewed a Shrinking Solution successfully.
"With this, I should be able to let Gaynor come and go more easily," I muttered, collecting several vials of the potion—enough to last a long time.
I started working on another potion but soon realized it was dinnertime. I stored the ingredients Nalby had delivered—thanks to the Galleons I'd given him. Turns out, it didn't cost much since Nalby can just use magic to appear where the ingredients are, I thought, shaking a small vial of Lethe River water in my hand.
Leaving my room with a few extra large vials, I was prepared to gather more ingredients myself tonight. I'd left Val in his tank after feeding him—there was no need to bring him to the special room again. Last time had been an emergency.
"There's the one who beat the famous Lockhart in a single blow!" Draco yelled with a wide grin. Pansy smirked, chuckling beside him. They knew it had been an accident, but they liked playing it up to boost Slytherin's reputation.
I rolled my eyes. "Christmas holiday is right around the corner. Either of you have plans?" I asked, hoping to change the topic.
Pansy scoffed at my obvious attempt but answered anyway. "Same as last year. I'm heading home."
Draco shook his head. "Not for me. Father is still busy this year."
I nodded. "I also have to stay here. My father's busy too, and being alone at home with my mother would drive me mad."
We shared a laugh and finished our dinner. I left early as usual and headed into the crevice beneath the Willow Tree.
Inside the hallway, I knocked on Gaynor's door.
"Gaynor, can I ask you a favor?"
I heard skittering from inside. It stopped near the door. The handle turned—snapped back—then tried again. On her third attempt, she managed to twist it fully and push the door open.
I saw the room inside, covered in endless white silk draped over every surface. Gaynor peeked her head out from the side of the door—a courtesy gesture she'd learned.
"Favor...?"
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