"Professor Snape has mentioned that he knows a thing or two about dueling," Lockhart announced grandly. "And he has generously agreed to assist me by giving you all a small demonstration before we begin."
He flashed his signature smile to the crowd below the dueling platform—two perfect rows of gleaming white teeth—and added with a theatrical wink, "Now, some of you might be worried I'll end up hurting your Potions Master. But fear not! I assure you, I'll be quite gentle. I wouldn't dream of harming dear Professor Snape."
In the crowd, Sean raised an eyebrow. He doesn't even know how to handle himself, let alone Snape, he thought dryly. Still, as much as he was looking forward to watching Lockhart get thoroughly embarrassed, an idea sparked in his mind. This could be an even better opportunity—for him.
Without wasting a second, Sean stepped quickly to Snape's side. The Potions Master stood as unreadable as ever, though Sean noticed a certain cold sharpness in his eyes—a clear sign that Snape was not in the mood for Lockhart's dramatics.
Snape was just about to ascend the platform when Sean reached out and gently grabbed his sleeve.
Snape turned to him, eyes narrowing slightly.
Sean leaned in and whispered, "Professor, wouldn't it be better if I defeated Professor Lockhart instead?"
Snape stared at him for a long moment, his face devoid of emotion. Then, after a beat, he gave the faintest of nods—and stepped back.
Sean smiled in silent thanks, then climbed the stage in two strides. Lockhart's smile faltered the instant he saw him.
"Professor Lockhart," Sean said pleasantly, "I've had some experience in dueling. I believe it should be perfectly acceptable for me to step in for Professor Snape and assist you with the demonstration… right?"
Everyone still remembered what had happened to Sean in the Defense Against the Dark Arts class.
So when he stepped onto the dueling platform in place of Snape, a ripple of excitement swept through the crowd. The younger students, especially those led by Blaise, erupted into chatter, their voices rising in a chorus of noise. Even upper-years, who didn't know the full story, caught the energy and joined in.
Seeing the growing commotion, Lockhart's face tightened. The situation was quickly slipping out of his control.
Left with no graceful way out, Lockhart forced an uneasy smile and said, "Of course, Sean—your ability is unquestionable. But you know how powerful I am. I'd hate to accidentally hurt you, so perhaps we should keep things light, hmm? No need to go all-out."
Sean returned his smile with calm confidence. "Don't worry about me, Professor Lockhart. I'll be fine. Please—give it your best."
Lockhart's smile froze mid-stretch.
But it was too late to back out. With the eyes of dozens of students upon him, he had no choice but to go through with it. He turned stiffly to face Sean, offered a hasty bow, and took his position on the far side of the stage.
"Sean," he said, his voice louder than necessary, "today we'll be learning the Disarming Charm. I'll demonstrate first, shall I?"
Sean raised an eyebrow. He's learned something, at least. But whether he can cast it properly...
Though he doubted Lockhart's ability to produce a clean Expelliarmus, Sean wasn't taking chances. After all, this was the man who had once turned a bone-healing charm into something more like a bone-removal hex. Anything could happen.
He silently readied his Shield Charm, just in case.
"Everyone, eyes on me!" Lockhart announced theatrically, holding his wand aloft. "This is the Disarming Spell I'll be teaching you today!"
He brought his wand over his shoulder and flicked it forward with a dramatic flourish.
"Expelliarmus!"
A red light sputtered from the tip of his wand—then fizzled out pathetically, vanishing like air escaping a balloon.
The room fell silent.
Sean took a single step forward.
"Expelliarmus!"
A sharp red beam shot from his wand, striking Lockhart square in the chest. The impact blasted the man off his feet—his wand flew from his hand, and his body twisted in the air before landing flat on the dueling platform with a resounding thud.
The silence shattered as laughter and applause erupted across the room.
"Ah—yes, that's right! Everyone saw that clearly, didn't you?" Lockhart scrambled to his feet, brushing himself off and forcing a grin. He bent down to retrieve his wand, still wobbling slightly as he stood. "That, my dear students, was the effect of the Disarming Spell! Now, when your opponent fumbles or their spell fails, you must take the initiative immediately. That's the key lesson here!"
His voice cracked only slightly as he tried to reclaim some dignity.
"We've just demonstrated disarming in a reactive scenario," he continued. "Now, we should—"
"Professor Lockhart," Sean interrupted, stepping forward, wand in hand. "That was a defensive counterattack. Let's now demonstrate how to handle a direct attack. I'll go first."
Lockhart's eyes widened. "Wait, Sean, I—"
"Here I come, Professor!"
"No, Sean, wait, I really don't think—"
"Expelliarmus!"
The red spell shot across the platform before Lockhart could finish raising his wand. It hit him squarely in the chest again, sending him flying backward for the second time in as many minutes. He landed with a loud thud, arms splayed and robes crumpled.
This time, he stayed down.
Unfazed, Sean glanced at him briefly before opening his system panel. What he saw nearly made him groan aloud.
Two writing skills? Again?
He stared at the screen in disbelief.
Was Lockhart's Obliviate impossible to get?
Did this guy even know Obliviate?
Still mildly fuming, Sean looked up, determined to give Lockhart one more solid magical lesson—but to his surprise, the man was no longer on the stage. Somehow, in the time it had taken Sean to check the panel, Lockhart had pulled Harry up from the audience and thrust him onto the dueling platform in his place.
With that trademark gleam in his eye and a suspiciously enthusiastic smile, Lockhart declared, "Wonderful! I've just shown you the basics of the Disarming Spell, so now let Sean and Harry give you a proper demonstration! Let's see how much you've all learned!"
Sean turned toward Harry, eyebrows slightly raised, then started to step down from the platform. He had no interest in playing along with Lockhart's mess any longer.
But just as he turned, a familiar, cool voice cut through the noise.
"Sean," said Snape sharply. "Professor Lockhart is right. You and Potter will demonstrate it again—for the class."
Sean stopped mid-step and turned his head.
Snape's expression remained unreadable, but the faint gleam in his eyes suggested he was more than a little entertained.
Sean sighed. Of course he is.
He sighed quietly, resigned to playing along.
But before he could say anything else, Harry stepped forward, his expression earnest. "Sean, give it your best shot. I want to see how far behind I really am."
Sean blinked in surprise, then smiled faintly. Brave as always, Potter.
"Well then," he replied, "let's do this."
The two stepped apart and bowed politely before returning to their positions at either end of the dueling platform.
"Begin!" Lockhart shouted, a little too enthusiastically, his voice echoing across the hall.
"Expelliarmus!"
"Expelliarmus!"
Twin jets of red light burst from their wands, meeting in midair with a loud crack. Sparks flew where the spells collided, scattering in a shower of magical fireworks.
Harry didn't hesitate—he raised his wand for a second spell.
But Sean was already ahead.
With the combined boost of Agility and Swiftness, Sean moved faster than most eyes could track. His second Disarming Spell was already flying before Harry's wrist even flicked.
"Expelliarmus!"
The spell struck Harry's chest cleanly. He staggered back a step, caught off guard, and his wand flew from his hand, spinning in the air—before landing neatly in Sean's outstretched palm.
A hush fell over the crowd.
Sean didn't move. He stood still, holding Harry's wand in one hand and his own in the other, calm and composed.
Ping.
A soft chime sounded in his mind as the system panel appeared in front of him.
[Duel Victory Achieved][Randomly selecting one ability from opponent…][Selection complete. Acquired: Parseltongue LV3]
Sean's expression didn't change outwardly—but inside, he was stunned.
Parseltongue? The ability to speak with snakes—just like Harry?