Harry wove through the crowd drawn by Professor Lockhart's spectacle, walking alongside Zabini, who smirked with surprising approval. "Lockhart's livening things up," Zabini said. "That guy's more useful than I thought."
"Hard to believe the Duelling Club was a ghost town days ago," Harry replied.
McGillis Karo's pureblood outburst had driven away sensible students, but Lockhart's fame was pulling in new faces. "How many stick around depends on us," Harry said.
"Gotta play nice for Banarge-senpai," Zabini said. "Miss the first shot, take a hit to lose gracefully—that's how you hook newbies. Flatter them, get them hooked. Unless they're ugly—then I don't hold back."
Though new to the Duelling Club, Harry's group—seven strong, including Luna—had mastered first- and second-year spells like Expelliarmus through the Magical Inquiry Club. They could outmatch peers with precision. "You're ruthless, Zabini," Harry said. "I'll take it easy today. A lively club will make Banarge and McGillis happy."
But starting with Expelliarmus was like firing a gun point-blank—effective but dull for beginners. Last year, Harry mixed Incendio, Bombarda, and Wingardium Leviosa for flair, aligning with the club's purpose: practicing diverse spells, not just combat. Scanning the room, Harry spotted Ron and Hermione with Neville Longbottom's round face. Lockhart's charm drew Neville, Hufflepuff's Ernie and friends, Ravenclaw underclassmen, and even Slytherin's Eli Brown. "We might snag a ton of new members today," Harry said.
He noticed Draco with Crabbe and Goyle. "McGillis warned Draco to keep his beliefs quiet here," Harry told Zabini, smirking.
"Bet he learned his lesson," Zabini said. "I'd be shocked if that wasn't deliberate."
Harry dueled Justin, a nervous Hufflepuff who fumbled basic spells. Harry disarmed him with Expelliarmus, ending the lackluster match. "Here, Justin," Harry said, returning his wand. "Point it at your opponent next time." Hesitating, he added, "If you're gonna throw a duel, plan it better. I'd fake a loss more convincingly."
Leaving Justin, Harry sought Zabini, who was busy with Tracey and Daphne. Harry faced Eli Brown, who was near tears without a partner. Harry let Eli land a Wingardium Leviosa before moving on. Slytherins mostly dueled each other or Gryffindors, but Harry's group mixed with Hufflepuff's yellow robes and Ravenclaw's blue. Azrael and Farkas did the same—until Harry saw them floored by Luna. She wanted to test a spell her dad taught her, flipping Farkas with ease. Despite Farkas's precise wandwork and quick start, Luna's calm skill shone.
The club, led by Banarge and McGillis, hustled to recruit newcomers, but the mood soured late. Harry was enjoying a duel with Millicent Bulstrode, a sturdy, precise Slytherin with potential, when Gilderoy Lockhart interrupted. "Enough!" he boomed. "I've seen your duels—you don't know the basics! Time for me to show you how it's done!"
Recklessly, Lockhart named Professor Snape as his assistant for a demonstration. Slytherins cheered for their head of house, hoping for Snape's victory, while Hufflepuffs, Gryffindors, and girls rooted for Lockhart, eager for the biased Potions professor's defeat. It felt like a proxy war—wizarding conservatism versus Muggle-friendly liberalism.
Harry secretly hoped Lockhart, who preached Muggle-wizard harmony, would lose. Seeing Hermione worry for Lockhart's safety, Harry felt ugly for it. End this quick.
The duel was swift. Snape disarmed Lockhart instantly, blasting him back. Banarge helped Lockhart up, who seemed uninjured. Harry watched, uneasy, as Hufflepuffs and Gryffindors looked anxious.
Hope nothing goes wrong.
His fears weren't baseless. Lockhart paired students for duels, but Snape intervened, pitting Harry against Draco. Harry had planned to face Zabini, but now he faced an unwanted rival.
The day before Lockhart's takeover, Severus Snape visited Professor Filius Flitwick's office to break the news. Flitwick, Charms professor since Snape's student days, was a towering figure—both in magic and intellect. Snape respected him not for seniority but for his unmatched skill. Last term, Flitwick crafted counter-curses for Quirrell's original spells and trained staff to handle them if they resurfaced.
"With regret," Snape said, bitterness rising, "I've been roped into assisting Gilderoy Lockhart with the Duelling Club."
Flitwick's wrinkled face betrayed his own frustration—Lockhart's doing, no doubt. "I heard," Flitwick said. "I tried refusing him, but he wouldn't listen."
Snape confirmed, "I have a request, Filius. Allow me to crush Lockhart thoroughly."
Flitwick's words stunned Snape. "You're fine with that? I intended to, but…"
"Lockhart's teaching is notorious," Flitwick said. "He tries, but he burdens students. We can't let that continue. Teach him a lesson."
Ever kind, Snape thought, doubting Lockhart would learn. "I'll obliterate him my way. Agreed?"
"Do it, Severus," Flitwick said. "A loss might make him reflect."
Lockhart, helped up after Snape's thrashing, flashed his dazzling smile at worried students. Hermione and the girls sighed in relief. He's something else, Harry thought.
The duel was a pure test of speed and precision—wand movement, spell activation, and magical control. No tricks worked. Lockhart's grin couldn't hide that most students now saw Snape as the superior wizard.
As McGillis and Draco celebrated Snape's win, Harry noticed anxious glances from Hufflepuffs and Gryffindors. His unease grew when Snape paired him with Draco. Draco, pale and tense, listened to Snape's advice to use Serpensortia—a conjured snake—to rattle Harry.
"Leave it to me," Draco said. "Potter can't handle snakes."
"Exactly," Snape said. "Teach that attention-seeking upstart a lesson."
As if he knows my feelings, Draco thought, masking his frustration with Occlumency. Sic a snake on Potter, and he'll hate me. Every Slytherin knows he loves snakes. Snape, a friend of Draco's father, Lucius, corresponded with him. If Draco defied Snape, Lucius might reprimand him—a terrifying prospect. Draco forced a smile.
Pansy cheered, gripping Draco's hand. McGillis added, "Perfect chance, Draco. The Seeker tryouts left a bad taste, right?"
Don't act like you know! Draco fumed. The tryouts were a lingering wound.
"Potter doesn't follow dueling etiquette," McGillis said. "He'll use odd tactics. Keep moving, stay calm."
"I'll do my best," Draco replied curtly, checking his wand with Goyle. Glancing at Harry, he saw Zabini as his second, with Azrael and Farkas advising. That was fine. But Draco bristled at Harry's non-Slytherin allies: Banarge, a Hufflepuff prefect; Ron Weasley, a blood-traitor recruiting more; Hermione Granger, a Muggle-born outshining Draco; and a Ravenclaw girl in a bizarre snake hat.
Who's that freak near Potter? Draco, unnerved, spoke up. "Made new friends, Potter?"
"Yeah, Draco," Harry said. "This is Luna Lovegood, a Ravenclaw first-year."
"Luna Lovegood, that's me!" Luna said, unfazed by Draco's pureblood lineage.
"I won't bother remembering," Draco sneered. "Potter, I told you to choose better friends. Is your brain stuffed with Forgetfulness Charms?"
Draco meant it for Harry's sake, but his friends glared murderously. Luna remained calm. Trouble, Harry thought.
"What's with them? Why's a real duel brewing here?" Ron muttered.
Harry snapped, "Think what you want, Draco, but don't insult my friends in front of me. It's distasteful."
Turning to prepare, Harry ignored Draco's next words. "We're at an impasse," Draco said. "How about a bet? If I win, you ditch Weasley and that hat girl."
"Get lost!" Ron roared, restrained by Hermione and Farkas.
"No chance, but fine," Harry said. "If you win, we'll rematch for the Seeker spot."
Take the bait, Potter! For Draco, the bet was risk-free. The Seeker position and Quidditch victory hadn't filled the void in his heart. Winning meant gaining everything.
Harry, coldly furious, turned to Banarge. "Bets are banned here, right?"
"Yeah," Banarge said. "If Malfoy's dueling for a wager, he's out."
Draco froze. "Even if bets were allowed, I wouldn't take it," Harry said. "Friends aren't bargaining chips."
Draco, unable to wager, faced Harry under Snape's orders. Half-desperate, he cast before the signal.
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