The deaths of four senior Slytherin students should have been a significant event at Hogwarts, but for most of the student body, it quickly became little more than morbid gossip.
The students of Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, and Ravenclaw found it difficult to muster any real sympathy for the deceased, especially given their well-known admiration for Voldemort's extreme pure-blood ideology. Within Slytherin itself, pragmatism reigned. While there was a flicker of sympathy for their fallen housemates, it was faint. Voldemort's radical views had never been particularly popular, even in his own house.
And so, as time passed, the incident faded from conversation. Its only lasting impact was on the Slytherin Brotherhood's reserve organization, which had to elect a new fifth-year prefect to replace the deceased Dicky. Otherwise, life at Hogwarts returned to its usual academic rhythm.
The peace, however, didn't last long. A new notice, appearing simultaneously in the common rooms of all four houses, captured the students' attention once more.
"Dueling Club?" Sean stared at the notice, a strange expression on his face.
He certainly remembered the Dueling Club, but he hadn't expected it to appear so soon. Its early arrival was likely a direct consequence of the recent "dark wizard" attack. Of course, it was also probably related to Gilderoy Lockhart's desperate need for the spotlight.
Thanks to Sean's interference, Lockhart's fraudulence had been exposed faster than in the original timeline. This Dueling Club was likely his last-ditch effort to salvage his reputation, one more grand performance to convince everyone he possessed real ability.
Dumbledore, however, must have seen right through him. His solution was brilliant in its malicious subtlety: he'd assigned Professor Severus Snape—an expert in deflating egos and exposing frauds—to be Lockhart's "assistant." It was the perfect way to sabotage Lockhart's showboating while also ensuring the students might actually learn something useful.
It was clear that while Dumbledore might not want to publicly expose Lockhart, he held no love for the man behind the scenes. Otherwise, Snape, even if his brain had been kissed by a troll, would never have willingly associated himself with a charlatan like Lockhart to run a Dueling Club.
"Lockhart…" Blaise said, a note of disgust in his voice. "Sean, are we really signing up for this?"
"Of course," Sean replied with a smirk. "Who cares about Lockhart? Our Head of House will be there."
"Alright then. If you're signing up, so am I."
And so, they both added their names to the list.
Sean had his own reasons for joining. Hogwarts rules strictly forbade private dueling. Even the pure-blood duels within Slytherin were an unofficial, hidden tradition. If he could find a way to make the Dueling Club a permanent fixture, it would provide a steady, officially sanctioned source of duels—and a stable source of skill points to level up his abilities.
There was also the matter of Lockhart's nearly maxed-out Obliviate. Sean felt this club might be his best chance to duel the man and acquire the skill. As long as he could avoid extreme measures, he preferred not to cause too much overt trouble at Hogwarts.
As much as possible, he amended silently.
The Dueling Club was scheduled for Friday afternoon, a time with few classes. The attendees were mostly from the first to fourth years, with very few older students present. By fifth year, students were focused on their O.W.L.s and their futures; they had little time for Lockhart's nonsense. In truth, if Sean hadn't been coveting Lockhart's memory charm and plotting to institutionalize the club, he wouldn't have bothered showing up either.
When Sean and Blaise arrived, the small hall near the Great Hall was already buzzing with students. The four houses had naturally formed their own groups. When the Slytherins saw Sean and Blaise arrive, they proactively parted, clearing a path for them to the front. Sean's position in the Slytherin Brotherhood was no longer a secret, and his own formidable strength had earned him a great deal of respect.
Of course, students like Malfoy and Marcellus Bulstrode showed no such deference, but they were already at the front, so it didn't matter. When they saw Sean, Malfoy let out a cold snort, his eyes filled with jealousy. Marcellus, however, simply lowered his head, a sneer of pure disdain on his face.
Sean noted their reactions but paid them little mind. He made a mental note to keep an eye on Marcellus. The boy now possessed Riddle's diary. Some time had passed since the last attack, and knowing the diary's nature, another one was likely imminent. As for the target, Sean suspected he himself was in danger. If Marcellus could influence the Horcrux even slightly, the odds of him being the next victim were high.
"Gather 'round, gather 'round! Can everyone see me? Can you hear me? You can? Wonderful! Absolutely wonderful!"
Like a stage actor playing to a packed house, Lockhart pranced around the dueling platform, turning and posing. As he spun, he briefly faced Sean, his theatrical smile stiffening for a fraction of a second before he smoothly turned away, his performance never faltering.
"Hogwarts has not been very peaceful lately," he boomed. "We all know of the sad events that have transpired. A great pity I wasn't there; otherwise, none of those dark wizards would have escaped! They wouldn't have harmed a single hair on a student's head!"
He sighed dramatically. "But I have been so busy, truly, terribly busy. I cannot protect everyone all the time. So, I have received Professor Dumbledore's permission to start this little Dueling Club, to teach you all how to defend yourselves!"
"Of course," he added with a wink, "you can also read my books. They contain even more detailed information. Now then, allow me to introduce my assistant, Professor Snape!"
[Chapter Complete]
***
Want more? Check out my Patreon for:
✓ Advanced chapters of all my stories
✓ Exclusive novels & fanfics
✓ Early access content [email protected]/meowthtl
💪 Community Goal: 500 Power Stones unlocks a bonus chapter!
Thanks for reading and supporting the story!
Want more? Check out my other stories!