Inside the auditorium, the usual long tables had been replaced by a gilded stage, transforming the space into a grand arena. Above, the ceiling turned a velvety black, mirroring the night sky, while hundreds of candles illuminated the stage with a warm glow. The occasion? The Dueling Club—a novel concept at Hogwarts that had attracted almost the entire student body. Despite the lingering fear from the Chamber of Secrets incident, the students were eager to witness another display of heroism from John, reminiscent of his previous appearance on the dueling stage.
As they entered, their eyes were immediately drawn to the flamboyantly dressed Professor Lockhart. His attire, though extravagant, was a testament to the meticulous lesson plan John had crafted for him, preventing Lockhart from suffering a complete debacle. To the public, Lockhart presented himself as a wizard who favored theory over practical exercises, yet his autobiographical knowledge seemed credible enough to maintain his reputation. However, Harry, who had firsthand experience with Lockhart's incompetence—especially after the incident involving his bones—remained skeptical.
Lockhart, donning his sorcerer's robe, which was rather plain for his standards, called for silence. His smile, which had won the Witch Weekly's Award for Most Charming Smile five times, beamed at the audience. "Professor Dumbledore has graciously permitted me to establish this Dueling Club," he announced, "to equip you with the necessary skills to defend yourselves. I've employed these techniques countless times for my own protection. John Wick, in particular, can attest to the effectiveness of my teachings..."
Lockhart's speech, though lengthy, was mercifully cut short as he introduced his assistant. The sight of Professor Snape stepping onto the stage caused Harry and Ron to exchange worried glances, questioning Lockhart's sanity. "Fear not, I shall return your Potions teacher to you unharmed," Lockhart quipped, seemingly oblivious to the ominous aura emanating from Snape.
Snape, with his characteristic cold demeanor, addressed the students. "It has come to my attention that some of you have taken to keeping roosters in your dormitories," he said, his voice cutting through the murmurs of the crowd. "Let this dueling practice remind you of your identity as wizards." The mention of roosters alluded to the recent trend among students to raise them as a countermeasure against the basilisk rumored to reside in the Chamber of Secrets. The crowing of roosters, now a common morning disturbance, was a testament to the students' ingenuity and fear.
After Snape's brief admonition, the duel commenced. Lockhart and Snape assumed the standard dueling stance, wands raised in front of them. At the count of three, Snape launched the first spell, "Expelliarmus!" Contrary to Harry's expectations, Lockhart did not get thrown off the stage. Instead, an armor-like curse shielded him from the attack, leaving him momentarily stunned but unharmed. Snape's surprise was evident, but Lockhart quickly regained his composure, countering with a spell of his own.
The duel evolved into an impressive exchange of spells, with Lockhart managing to defend against Snape's attacks. The students watched in awe, their cheers and gasps filling the auditorium. Lockhart, in particular, seemed to have won the admiration of many, especially among the female students, as he skillfully parried Snape's spells.
The Dueling Club session, initially met with skepticism, turned into a spectacle of magical prowess, leaving the students both entertained and enlightened. Amidst the excitement, Harry couldn't help but feel a mix of admiration and concern, wondering what other secrets and challenges lay hidden within the walls of Hogwarts. After a series of exchanges, Professor Snape's demeanor shifted towards seriousness. "Fuchsia (Levicorpus)," he intoned, casting a spell that was promptly blocked by the Iron Armor Charm. Lockhart, overly confident and not realizing his protective amulets were depleted, attempted to counter with a petrification spell. Snape, seizing the moment, launched a disarming spell that sent Lockhart flying, his wand slipping from his grasp. Lockhart, upon realizing his oversight, quickly interjected before Snape could advance further. He stood, laughing off the mishap, "You see, that was the Disarming Curse. I've lost my wand, but I thought it would be instructive to demonstrate."
His words seemed to lack sincerity, a fact not lost on Harry and Ron who exchanged skeptical looks. Lockhart continued, "Of course, I could have easily stopped it if I wanted to, just a little something to broaden your knowledge..." He trailed off, noticing Snape's unamused expression, and quickly wrapped up, "That concludes our demonstration. Now, let's have you split into pairs for a duel."
The students, already entertained by the spectacle, were eager to begin. Snape, however, had other plans for Harry, pairing him with Malfoy instead of Ron. John, on the other hand, found himself without an opponent as the students remembered his previous display of skill and chose to steer clear.
That was until Cedric Diggory, a fourth-year from Hufflepuff, approached him. "Can I join you?" he asked, undeterred by John's reputation. "My name is Cedric Diggory."
"Of course, Cedric," John replied, impressed by the boy's courage and demeanor. They exchanged polite greetings before commencing their duel. Cedric proved to be a formidable opponent, casting a skillful disarming spell that John narrowly countered. The duel was intense, with John ultimately gaining the upper hand through a combination of spells that left Cedric temporarily incapacitated.
After lifting the spell, Cedric, still on the ground but now able to speak, expressed his admiration. "Too strong, John. You hardly seem like a student." His curiosity piqued, he asked if John aspired to be an Auror, to which John nonchalantly replied, "Maybe, but Aurors are not for me."
Their duel stood out as a rare moment of seriousness in an otherwise chaotic session. Elsewhere, Hermione was seen abandoning her wand, engaging in a non-magical tussle with a Slytherin student, a clear sign that control had been lost.
Lockhart attempted to regain order, but it was Snape who effectively managed the situation. He chose Harry and Malfoy for a demonstration, both eager to settle their scores. As they faced off, the tension was palpable, with Malfoy particularly keen on revenge for a previous humiliation. Harry immediately cast one of his most powerful curses. "Oolong out of the hole!" he shouted. The tip of his wand erupted, and from the billowing smoke, a long black snake emerged, landing with a thud on the floor between them. The sudden appearance of the snake caused the crowd to scream in alarm. Snape, having had enough of the spectacle, spoke up lazily, "Stay still, Potter. I'll take care of it." However, Lockhart, ever eager to demonstrate his supposed prowess, rushed forward and waved his wand. The black snake was propelled into the air, only to fall back down, now visibly more agitated.
Justin Finch-Fletchley, who was standing close to the stage, froze as the black snake turned its attention towards him. Harry, intent on stopping the snake, opened his mouth to speak. "Let him go," he said, but the words that came out were in a chilling tone. Unbeknownst to Harry, he had spoken in Parseltongue. To the onlookers, it appeared as though Harry was commanding the snake to attack Justin.
Just then, another voice cut through the tension. "Stop." The black snake, about to launch itself, suddenly felt an overwhelming pressure and went limp. The crowd's eyes followed the source of the command, and upon seeing the figure, Justin immediately felt a wave of relief wash over him. He turned to Harry, anger flashing in his eyes. "What do you think you're doing? We've got John Wick here!"
Harry, confused and unaware of his unintentional use of Parseltongue, didn't understand the reaction. John Wick, with a gaze as deep and unfathomable as the ocean, pulled out his wand and with a swift motion, turned the snake into black smoke. He then looked up at Harry, his intense gaze sending a shiver down Harry's spine. "Today's Dueling Club meeting is over. Everyone, disperse," John announced, his voice leaving no room for argument.
He shot Lockhart a meaningful glance, and Lockhart, catching the hint, quickly announced the end of the session. However, the events of the day hinted at the brewing of a storm that was yet to come.
_________
If you are tired of reading I also have this converted to an audio novel on my youtube
https://www.youtube.com/@NovelAudioForge/featured
Direct Link to playlist
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_Hg-qsW4rM&list=PLKskshYG-OcPTR4-Nw7IWFEBZm07D8pBV&ab_channel=NovelAudioForge