"I think it would be best if I taught you how to block unfriendly magic," Lockhart hurried back to the center once the chaos subsided. "Perhaps a volunteer pair—Longbottom and Finch-Fletchley—"
He didn't get to finish.
Snape cut him off coldly.
"I think the students should see a real duel. Though I suppose Professor Lockhart would rather not participate?"
The threat in his eyes was unmistakable.
Lockhart immediately folded.
"Ah—yes, my wand is… a bit overexcited today."
"Then our assistant will step in," Snape said smoothly. "Mr. Green, if you don't mind."
So this was the real plan.
"Lewis, don't go! He's targeting you!" Cho Chang grabbed his sleeve.
"He's just jealous Ravenclaw keeps beating Slytherin in the House Cup," Steve added.
The Ravenclaw students glared at Snape.
Snape's attitude toward Lewis had always been conflicted.
On one hand, he admired Lewis's brilliance in Potions.
On the other—
He distrusted his talent.
Deeply.
Lewis didn't care.
At his current level—Wizard Lv11, Psion Lv6, Druid Lv7—
His combat strength was roughly equivalent to Lv16–19.
Still not legendary.
But enough to challenge Snape.
So why not try?
"Don't worry. Professor Snape will go easy on me," Lewis said lightly.
(Cho: He absolutely will not!!)
He stepped forward.
"You agree, Professor?"
Their eyes met.
Snape instantly understood—
That was a challenge.
His anger flared.
"Let this be your lesson."
They bowed.
"Should we clear the area?" Lewis asked meaningfully.
"No need," Snape sneered. "I won't use anything serious on a student."
Lewis smiled faintly.
Your words.
Your responsibility.
They raised their wands.
"Three—"
"Expelliarmus!"
Snape struck first.
Fast as ever.
Lewis moved—
A slight flick of his wand.
The spell was deflected—
Straight into Crabbe.
The unfortunate boy was blasted into the wall.
Snape's eyes widened.
Too late.
His second spell had already been cast—
Deflected again.
This time, Goyle flew like a bowling ball into the Slytherin crowd.
In an instant—
Malfoy's two bodyguards were gone.
Malfoy trembled.
He knew—
That was intentional.
And he broke.
"I—I'm sorry! I won't insult Muggle-borns again! Please—let me go!"
The crowd shifted their gaze between Lewis, Malfoy, and Hermione.
Hermione smiled brightly.
Snape, however—
Saw something else.
A memory.
Of himself.
Of Lily.
Of regret.
And then—
He glared at Harry.
Hard.
Harry, completely confused, just stood there wondering what he did this time.
"Everyone, step back ten paces!" Snape snapped.
Now—
The real duel began.
Spells flew rapidly.
Silent casting.
No pauses.
Precision.
Speed.
Control.
Lewis moved like a swordsman—
Deflecting every spell with perfect timing.
Ever since learning Longsword Mastery from Ciri—
His wand had become a blade.
Each Shield Charm was a perfect parry.
The students were stunned.
They had never seen anything like this.
This wasn't flashy magic.
This was fundamentals—
Pushed to the extreme.
Snape pressed harder.
Faster.
More aggressive.
But Lewis—
Did not falter.
And that was what unsettled Snape most.
He hadn't fought like this since Voldemort's era.
Back then—
Only elite duelists could keep up.
And this boy—
Was only in his second year.
How?
Snape tried to overwhelm him.
But Lewis was already preparing his counterattack.
After deflecting another spell—
He struck.
"Counterspell!"
Snape's magic collapsed mid-cast.
His spell vanished.
For the first time—
He hesitated.
That was all Lewis needed.
"Lightning Bolt!"
A surge of electricity slammed into Snape's chest.
His body convulsed violently.
He nearly dropped his wand.
Gritting his teeth, he rolled aside—
"Finite Incantatem!"
The lightning dissipated.
But Lewis didn't stop.
He raised his wand—
Above Snape, clouds formed.
Then—
Ice spears rained down.
Ice Storm.
Sharp. Deadly.
Snape reacted instantly.
Black flames erupted from his wand—
Melting everything.
Even the surrounding ice evaporated into steam.
The storm dissipated.
To the students—
It looked like Lewis had lost that exchange.
Snape turned to retaliate—
But Lewis smiled.
And then—
Snape froze.
Vines burst from the ground—
From the melted ice water.
Wrapping his legs.
Climbing his body.
"…Those ice shards…"
Snape realized.
It had been a setup.
Seeds hidden within the spell.
This was no ordinary magic.
He summoned flames again—
Trying to burn them away.
But then—
A flash of silver mist.
Misty Step.
Snape stopped.
Because something pressed against his back.
Cold.
Solid.
A wand.
Lewis stood behind him—
Calm.
Silent.
Pointing at his waist.
The duel—
Was over.
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