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Ethan was well aware of the Dueling Club, and his curiosity piqued. How did Lockhart muster the courage to challenge Snape? Perhaps, Ethan speculated, Lockhart believed Snape's expertise in potions meant he lacked physical prowess.
While Ethan had no intention of partaking in Lockhart's absurd spectacle, after concluding the daily study of signs, the two young witches, Hermione and Penelope, stared at Ethan with excitement. Hermione eagerly declared,
"Come on, Professor Ethan, we Gryffindor students have your back"
Penelope, a Ravenclaw prefect, and Signs assistant, shyly expressed her support, torn between her loyalty to their dean and the urge to assist her boss.
Baffled by the unexpected support, Ethan discovered he was involuntarily signed up for the wizard duel. When he refused any desire to join the Dueling Club, the two witches were astonished. To his surprise, Ethan learned from Penelope that Flitwick had agreed to participate in the duel.
Driven by circumstance, Ethan reluctantly agreed to partake in the dueling club. The two witches cheered, and Ethan felt duped.
At eight in the evening, the young wizards assembled in the Great Hall to find the dining table replaced by a gilded stage illuminated by floating candles. The ceiling, once again dark as velvet, heightened the anticipation of the students, each clutching their wands in excitement.
Ron, craning his neck, expressed curiosity about the instructors. "I don't know who will teach us, Professor Flitwick and Professor Ethan are both fine, as long as it's not-" Ron's words were drowned out by his sigh of annoyance as Gilderoy Lockhart, radiant in his robe, stepped onto the stage.
Beside Lockhart stood Professor Snape, still in his customary black robe and wearing a cold expression. Harry, disheartened, realized the two professors he despised the most would be teaching the dueling lessons. Dissatisfied murmurs echoed through the auditorium.
Despite the uproar, Lockhart attempted to restore order. Waving for silence, he shouted, "Come around, come around! Can everyone see me? Can everyone hear me? Great! Well, Professor Dumbledore has allowed me to start this little dueling club, to train everyone well in case you need to defend yourself one day, using the methods I've employed countless times—see my published work for more details."
Lockhart's words fell flat, only a few first-year students hushed, while others grew angrier, forming makeshift trumpets with their hands, shouting and jeering.
Snape's expression darkened. Realizing his association with Lockhart tarnished his reputation, Snape distanced himself from Lockhart voluntarily.
Seemingly impervious to the auditorium's hostility, Lockhart stood proudly, unaffected by Snape's cold gaze.
Ignoring Snape's hostility, Lockhart forced him closer, introducing him with a wide grin. "Let me introduce my assistant, Professor Snape. He knows something about dueling and graciously agreed to assist me with a demonstration. I don't want you to worry—after our demonstration, I'll return your potions professor intact, no need to be afraid"
Snape's eyes bore into Lockhart like chainsaws, his lip curled. Harry couldn't fathom why Lockhart continued to smile. If Snape glared at him like that, Harry would have fled in the opposite direction.
Ron, however, relished the situation, hoping for a duel resulting in both Lockhart and Snape losing.
Suddenly, a massive cheer erupted at the hall entrance. Ethan and Professor Flitwick entered side by side. Students made their way, applauding spontaneously. Many attended to witness the long-anticipated wizard duel between Professor Ethan and Professor Flitwick.
Lockhart's eyes betrayed a hint of gloom as he observed this development. Ethan and Flitwick didn't intend to steal Lockhart's spotlight; they simply walked to the edge of the auditorium, offering the stage to Lockhart.
Quickly regaining composure, Lockhart signaled eagerly for the duel to commence.
Lockhart and Snape faced each other, bowing—well, at least Lockhart did, performing exaggerated hand movements, while Snape merely shook his head impatiently. They then held their wands to their chests like arrows.
"As you can see, we're holding our wands in the typical dueling stance," Lockhart addressed the silent crowd. "On the count of three, we'll cast the first spell. Of course, we won't be taking each other's lives."
Snape remained silent, his gaze fixed on Lockhart with an unsettling intensity.
"One, two, three."
Swiftly, Snape raised his wand, "Expelliarmus "
A brilliant red light, thick as an arm, shot from Snape's wand, viciously striking Lockhart. Lockhart was instantly sent airborne, spiraling off the stage and landing heavily on the ground.
The auditorium erupted in cheers as the young wizards applauded the spectacle, visibly improving Snape's complexion.
Lockhart, disheveled and missing his hat, struggled to his feet. After a moment, he spoke, "Alright, everyone saw it. That's how the disarming spell is executed. Professor Snape demonstrates this technique. It's a fantastic idea, but, if I may say, your intentions were quite clear just now. If I wanted to thwart you, I wouldn't have to do a thing. To enhance your understanding, let them witness…"
Snape's expression turned murderous again, and Lockhart, seemingly aware, hastily added, "That concludes the demonstration. Now, I'll mingle with you and divide you into two groups. Professor Snape, if you'd like to assist me..."