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The door on the other side of the Great Hall was pushed open.
Lockhart walked in wearing that flashy set of magenta robes, dressed like a peacock showing off its feathers.
Behind him followed two figures, one tall and one short.
Professor Snape, dressed in his usual black robes, and Professor Flitwick.
"Gather round, gather round! Can everyone see me? Can everyone hear me? Excellent!"
Lockhart shouted at the top of his voice, even though as a wizard he could have used the amplifying spell Sonorus.
"I believe everyone ought to learn how to duel, in case one day you need to defend yourselves. Of course, I myself have protected myself countless times in different ways. You can study these carefully... If you wish to know the details clearly, please consult my published works."
What followed was a long speech introducing his books.
Perhaps because Dragonlance Chronicles had suppressed him too harshly, Lockhart now seized every opportunity to promote his own novels with all his might.
It had to be said that this move was somewhat useful.
The quality of the book itself was one matter.
Promotion and recommendation were also important.
Only when Professor Snape had already grown somewhat impatient did Lockhart continue speaking.
"Then today's first lesson will be taught by me. I will instruct you all in how to duel."
Ron looked painfully constipated.
He had guessed correctly.
'Look at this mouth of mine. What the hell can we learn by following this thing?'
"Ahem. First, allow me to introduce my assistants, Professor Snape and Professor Flitwick."
As Lockhart spoke, he split his mouth into a broad smile and once again revealed his sparkling teeth.
"Professor Snape told me that he himself knows a little about dueling. He also generously agreed to help me with a small demonstration before class begins. I told him that I was not willing to let you little ones worry. After I finish demonstrating with him, I will return your Potions professor to you perfectly intact. No need to be afraid!"
"Of course, we also have Professor Flitwick. He will be responsible for giving guidance while we duel and explaining the points that need attention. In fact, I could do it myself, but I believe you need a commentator to ensure that you do not miss a single detail. Hey, my friends, do not be fooled by his small stature. Within that tiny body lies enormous energy. In his youth, he was a dueling champion. Although compared to me, he is still just a little bit lacking. If you want to know how powerful I am, then please read my works carefully..."
After this speech, which praised and trampled at the same time while also promoting his books, the faces of both professors were as dark as the bottom of a cauldron.
Dudley clearly saw Snape raise his wand slightly several times, then forcefully lower it again.
The way he looked at Lockhart was openly hostile.
Even Professor Flitwick, who had such a good temper and honest disposition, tightened his grip on his wand.
Yet this peacock seemed not to see any of it.
Offending two highly capable wizards in one breath.
Dudley truly did not know whether Lockhart was doing it accidentally, deliberately, or deliberately by accident.
Lockhart and Snape stepped onto the gilded stage.
The two turned to face each other and bowed.
This was the basic etiquette before a wizard duel began.
Professor Flitwick also briefly explained the points to note regarding basic dueling etiquette.
However, Lockhart was not someone who could behave himself.
His two hands fluttered through many flourishes, attracting the attention of several students.
Combined with his appearance, those movements did look rather handsome.
Dudley could even hear several young witches whispering like infatuated fans, saying things like "so handsome" and "charming."
Was he really handsome?
Dudley looked Lockhart up and down.
With that build, which probably did not have even a few ounces of muscle from head to toe, Dudley truly did not understand what was supposed to be handsome about him.
At most, that face could barely be connected to the word handsome.
And that was only because these girls lacked experience and had not seen many handsome men.
To be fair, if Snape dressed himself properly, especially if he washed his hair and styled it a little, then paired with his own aura, he would definitely be more handsome than this peacock.
Unfortunately...
They raised their wands before their chests like arrows.
Just as Professor Flitwick was about to continue explaining, Lockhart's voice interrupted him.
"As you can see, this is the general posture for holding a wand in a duel."
As Lockhart spoke, he continued making several movements on his own.
"In fact, there is also this one, this one, and this one. These are all postures one can adopt in a duel. I learned them during my travels around the world. Oh, perhaps one day I will write a book called Me and My Dueling History. You are all welcome to purchase and study it when the time comes."
Clearly, he had put some effort into this Dueling Club.
Or perhaps he had put effort into promoting a new book.
"When I count to three, Professor Snape and I will cast the first spell. Of course, neither of us will take the other's life."
"I believe counting to three is something I should do, Professor Lockhart," Professor Flitwick interrupted stiffly.
If Lockhart could do it all himself, then why had he called Flitwick over?
"Oh, look at my memory."
Lockhart made an apologetic gesture.
"One."
"Two."
"Three."
When Professor Flitwick called "three," both men suddenly raised their wands over their shoulders.
"Expelliarmus!"
Snape's cold voice echoed through the Great Hall.
A dazzling red light flashed.
The wand in Lockhart's hand flew free in an instant.
Then his entire body flew off the stage, slammed heavily into the wall, slid slowly down, and curled up on the floor with his body bent like a cooked shrimp.
A plot without the slightest surprise.
A battle without the slightest suspense.
No one, however, had expected it to be so fast.
He had not even lasted one spell.
The students widened their eyes.
Especially those who still supported Lockhart.
They revealed expressions of disbelief.
Although Professor Snape was indeed powerful, this was still too fast, wasn't it?
"He's a professor, at least. His standard is way too low," Ron said, not even knowing how to mock him.
At least exchange one or two moves.
If he was instantly defeated, what were they supposed to learn?
How to be instantly defeated?
Or which position was most comfortable when lying on the floor?
"How pitiful. Professor Snape does not hold back when he strikes," Neville said, rarely taking the initiative to speak. "That must hurt."
Of course it hurt.
Lockhart felt as though his whole body was about to fall apart.
And that was only because Snape had used Expelliarmus instead of Diffindo.
Otherwise...
Lockhart supported himself against the wall and staggered to his feet.
He was covered in dust, and his wavy curls stood upright one by one.
"Everyone saw that, yes?"
Lockhart reacted very quickly.
He immediately thought of how to explain it.
Forcing down the pain in his body, he pretended to be relaxed and said, "That is the power of the Disarming Charm. I was 'defeated' by Professor Snape."
"Professor Snape's intention just now was obvious. If I had wanted to stop him, there were at least a hundred methods, all requiring no effort at all."
He entirely put on the appearance of someone who had deliberately allowed himself to be hit.
In a certain sense, having skin this thick was indeed a kind of ability.
With an explanation this strained, anyone who still believed Lockhart was probably hopelessly infatuated.
Seeing that Snape's face showed clear signs of darkening, Lockhart hurriedly said, "The demonstration between professors ends here! Let us continue from another angle."
"Then..."
Lockhart desperately searched his mind for a name.
His gaze first landed on Dudley, then immediately moved away.
'A student with some fame, but not that strong. Preferably someone borrowing fame from others.'
Thinking this way, Lockhart's gaze landed on a student.
"Mr. Longbottom, please come up and demonstrate with me."
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