The excitement of the Hogwarts students was palpable as they crowded into the Great Hall, now transformed into a makeshift dueling arena. Rows of tables had been cleared out of the way to make space for a large, elevated platform in the center. Lockhart had summoned this very assembly in a desperate effort to salvage his popularity—an effort to outshine a certain Boy Who Lived, who seemed to be effortlessly casting a long, commanding shadow over the entire student body.
The students were restless, whispering to each other and throwing curious glances at the empty platform. For a few long moments, it seemed as though Lockhart might not show up at all. The air was thick with anticipation, and the tension had nearly reached its breaking point—some students were even beginning to get up to leave—when the doors to the Great Hall suddenly swung open, and in strutted the man of the hour.
Gilderoy Lockhart, his robes immaculately tailored, his hair as golden as ever, beamed at the crowd. He held his wand aloft and flashed them all his trademark dazzling smile. Beside him was Professor Snape, his face twisted into an expression of unmitigated disdain. It was clear he loathed the very idea of this club, yet he seemed to revel in the idea of putting Lockhart in his place.
Lockhart bounded up onto the platform, motioning for Snape to join him. "Gather round, everyone!" he called, his voice carrying easily over the low murmurs of the crowd. "Welcome to the Hogwarts Duelling Club! I, Gilderoy Lockhart, will be your host, and—oh, of course, Professor Snape will be assisting me today!"
Snape's lip curled, but he said nothing, simply following Lockhart onto the elevated stage. The students gathered around, some curious, others clearly skeptical. Toji, in the midst of the crowd, stood with a relaxed confidence, his eyes half-lidded as if he was simply humoring the situation. The trio of Daphne, Hermione, and Tracey stood not far from him, exchanging amused glances. It seemed like everyone knew what kind of show they were in for.
Lockhart waved his hand in a sweeping motion toward Snape. "Now, let me give you all a quick explanation of the rules of duelling! It's quite simple—two wizards face each other, wands at the ready, and they bow before casting their spells! One-on-one, and no contact allowed, of course!" He smiled, clearly expecting applause, but the crowd simply stared. A few coughs echoed around the hall, but otherwise, it was silent.
Snape, barely hiding his annoyance, stepped forward. "Allow me to demonstrate." He gestured towards Lockhart, his eyes glittering with a sharp, almost malicious intent. "We shall begin with a basic duel."
Lockhart hesitated for a split second, but then he composed himself and plastered a bright smile on his face. "Yes, indeed! Let us show the students how it's done, shall we?"
The two professors took their positions at opposite ends of the platform, facing each other. They bowed, though Snape's was more of a contemptuous nod. Lockhart, on the other hand, exaggerated his movement, clearly playing for the crowd.
"Three... two... one!" Lockhart called, and before he could finish the word, Snape moved.
With a flick of his wand, a burst of light shot towards Lockhart, sending him flying backward across the platform. He landed with a loud thud, his wand spinning out of his hand and clattering across the floor. The hall erupted in laughter, students unable to contain themselves at the sight of the flamboyant professor lying flat on his back.
Lockhart scrambled to his feet, brushing off his robes as he attempted to regain some semblance of dignity. He forced a smile, though his face had gone a bit red. "Ah, well! A perfect example of what not to do! Haha, yes..." He trailed off, but Snape was already done with him.
Turning to the crowd, Snape's eyes locked on Toji. His expression was unreadable, but there was something challenging in his gaze. "Potter," he drawled, his voice carrying over the laughter. "Step up here. Let's see if you can handle a proper challenge." He gestured towards the seventh-year Slytherin standing off to the side. "You. Up here, as well."
Toji's lips curled into a smirk. He had been waiting for something like this. Slowly, he stepped forward, making his way up to the platform. The seventh-year, a tall, broad-shouldered boy named Evan Rosier, followed, looking a bit unsure. The crowd fell silent, the air buzzing with anticipation.
The two duelists took their positions, standing back to back. Lockhart, still visibly shaken from his own duel, attempted to regain control. "Now, gentlemen, remember—bow first, and then ten steps!"
Toji turned, giving Evan a brief bow, though his eyes never left his opponent. Evan bowed as well, and then they began the ten steps, moving away from each other.
"Three... two... one!" Lockhart called out again, his voice cracking slightly.
Toji moved instantly, and the difference between him and Lockhart couldn't have been more apparent. In a blur of speed, he pivoted on his heel, his wand already raised. Before Evan even had a chance to turn, Toji was upon him.
''Avada Kedavra'' Toji whispered, but instead of the deadly green light, Evan was hit by a swift combination of spells. First, his wand flew from his hand as Toji cast Expelliarmus. In the same breath, Toji's wand flicked again, and Levicorpus sent Evan into the air, his feet kicking helplessly above the ground. The hall gasped collectively, the seventh-year's body suspended in midair, utterly powerless. Toji held him there for a moment, letting the tension build, before lowering him slowly to the ground, unharmed.
As Evan's feet touched the floor, Toji stepped forward, placing his foot firmly on Evan's stomach. He looked down at him, his expression calm, a faint, almost bored smile on his lips.
"I win," Toji said, his voice low, but it carried easily across the silent hall.
The crowd erupted, a mix of gasps, cheers, and stunned silence echoing through the Great Hall. Even the teachers seemed taken aback, Lockhart standing with his mouth hanging open, Snape watching with an inscrutable expression—though there was a glimmer of something like respect in his eyes.
Toji stepped back, letting Evan scramble to his feet, his face flushed with embarrassment. He made his way back into the crowd, barely sparing a glance at Lockhart, who was still struggling to process what had just happened.
Snape turned to Lockhart, his lips curling into a thin smile. "It seems Potter is more than ready for proper dueling. Perhaps we should leave the rest of the instruction to him."
Lockhart opened and closed his mouth, clearly unsure how to respond, but the students weren't listening to him anymore. They were watching Toji—Harry Potter, The Boy Who Lived—who had just taken down a seventh-year like it was nothing.
Toji returned to his spot beside Daphne, Hermione, and Tracey. The girls looked at him, their eyes wide, a mix of admiration and amusement in their expressions.
"That was... something," Daphne said, her voice filled with awe.
Hermione nodded, though she looked slightly disapproving. "Did you have to make it look so easy?"
Toji shrugged, a small smirk playing at his lips. "I just wanted to make sure everyone knew where they stand."
Tracey laughed, shaking her head. "Well, you certainly did that."
The dueling club, it seemed, had only one star—and it wasn't Gilderoy Lockhart.