My partner at Hogwarts is Tom

"Merlin's beard..." Ron exclaimed, his mouth agape.

Hermione's eyes widened as she quickly scanned the protective shield.

"I know this. This is the Blessing of All, and the book says that only very powerful wizards can cast this spell!"

"That's so cool!"

Harley couldn't help but shout, her fatigue vanishing and her emerald eyes sparkling with excitement.

The young wizards around them were equally engrossed in the excitement.

When Harley and her friends arrived at the stands, the place was already packed with people.

The young wizards of Ravenclaw were having a heated debate about the various spells that were flashing across the ceiling.

The Hufflepuffs gathered together and shared the various snacks and fruits they had brought.

While most Slytherin students maintained their usual reserve, many could not hide their curiosity.

The Gryffindors were the most active, with Seamus Finnigan and Dean Thomas trying to measure the thickness of the shield with their wands, only to be sternly stopped by Percy.

Fred and George somehow got hold of a bag of magic fireworks and were discussing lighting them when the show started.

Even the professors were sitting enthusiastically in the front row of the spectator stands.

Professor Flitwick excitedly stood on tiptoe to look around, occasionally discussing with his colleagues the various interesting stories and techniques about wizard duels.

Professor Sprout, with a gentle expression, was distributing the snacks and fruit "offered" by the badger cubs to the other professors.

Professor McGonagall, with a restrained smile, casually handed a small cookie to Tom, who was dressed in a neat dueling robe beside her.

Headmaster Dumbledore sat among them, his blue eyes behind his half-moon spectacles gleaming with delight.

At this moment, he gently stroked his long beard, as if enjoying this rare and vibrant hustle and bustle.

"Do you really think he can do it?" Ron asked Harley in a low voice, his eyes never leaving the magnificent ring.

"I don't know," Harley said honestly, "but the venue alone... is impressive."

Hermione frowned. "Strange, this isn't like Professor Lockhart's usual teaching style. These magical constructs are very professional, even... too professional."

Just then, the lights in the auditorium suddenly went out.

The magical light flowing from the ceiling became even more dazzling, focusing on the center of the arena.

A spotlight-like beam of light shone down from the ceiling, illuminating the entrance on one side of the arena.

The clamor of the young wizards gradually subsided, and everyone held their breath in anticipation.

Gilderoy Lockhart made his appearance amidst almost suffocating anticipation.

He strode gracefully onto the arena, his violet robe shimmering with luxurious gold trim under the magical light.

The robe was tailored to fit him perfectly, with intricate silver patterns embroidered on the collar and cuffs that flowed like ripples with his movements.

His hair was perfectly curled, every strand just right, and his face wore that signature, toothpaste-like, radiant smile.

"Good evening, Hogwarts!" Lockhart opened his arms, his voice amplified by magic and echoing throughout the Great Hall.

"Welcome to the most exciting, professional, and indispensable dueling club ever!"

This time, faced with Lockhart's smile, the young wizards generously offered their applause.

Colin was frantically pressing the camera shutter, the flash going off frequently in the dimly lit auditorium.

On the dueling platform, Lockhart felt the enthusiastic atmosphere and applause. He gracefully twirled, causing his robes to flutter.

"I know what you're all thinking—'Professor Lockhart, your adventure stories are so exciting, your books are so bestsellers, but do you really understand the art of dueling?'"

He paused for a moment, then gave a mysterious smile: "Tonight, my dear students, you will witness the answer with your own eyes."

However, in the next ten minutes, the enthusiastic atmosphere in the auditorium began to subtly change.

Finally, after a drowsy fifteen-minute self-aggrandizement, and when even his most loyal fan, Colin Crevey, started checking how much film was left in the camera, Lockhart seemed to finally remember the real topic of the evening.

"Ah, but talking the talk is not my style!"

He clapped his hands, as if he had just thought of it.

"So, I've invited two... well, assistants, to help demonstrate how to conduct a proper duel."

His tone was casual, as if he had invited two house-elves to serve him tea and water.

"First, there is our dear Potions professor, Severus Snape."

Lockhart gestured "please" toward the side of the ring, but the gesture was clearly perfunctory.

Snape walked onto the ring as usual, his black robes billowing, his face even more somber than usual.

He didn't look at Lockhart, but instead slowly scanned the auditorium with his dark eyes, and the whispers immediately disappeared wherever he went.

He stood on the other side of the ring, like a black stone statue.

"The other one," Lockhart raised his voice slightly, as if trying to change the mood.

"It's our new professor for the Magical Creatures Protection class... um, Professor Victor."

This time his tone was more casual, and he didn't even finish saying Viktor's full name.

Victor stepped onto the ring from the other side.

In stark contrast to Lockhart's flamboyant attire, he wore a simple dark brown travel robe with several small leather pouches hanging from his belt, and he didn't even carry a wand.

He nodded to the students with a gentle smile, then quietly walked to the seat opposite Snape.

Lockhart stood between the two men and opened his arms again.

"Well then, gentlemen and students—let's begin this elegant and professional duel demonstration! Remember, the key is posture, style, and... of course, victory!"

He glanced at the two of them, his smile becoming somewhat stiff.

Snape drew his wand without expression.

Victor simply stood there quietly, his hand not even touching the wand sheath at his waist.

The auditorium fell silent as everyone waited.

Lockhart took a deep breath and raised his wand.

That mahogany, nine-inch wand with the core of Dragon Heartstrings, he always made a special note of that when he signed it.

"Then, Professor Snape, please go first. We'll start with the most basic bow and give you a small demonstration."

"But don't worry, I will eventually return your potions professor to you in perfect condition."

After saying that, he grinned and laughed, thinking he was being humorous.

Snape responded by pursing his upper lip and giving a polite smile.

Harry felt a chill run down her spine at that smile. If Snape had smiled at him like that, she would have run away long ago.

During this time, the school doctor, Mrs. Pomfrey, stood impatiently at the edge of the field, carrying a white medicine box with her.

Meanwhile, Victor had appeared beside Professor Flitwick at some point and was now smiling and talking to him.

Soon, with the end of the speech, the dueling course officially began.

It only took less than a minute.

To be precise, it was only for a fleeting moment after the bow.

Lockhart was sent flying by a disarming spell to everyone's astonishment.

He stood up awkwardly, a long tear appearing in his magnificent violet robe.

Seeing this, Viktor could only say, being bad is one thing, but being bad without even realizing it is another!

Lockhart, who had crashed into the magical barrier, scrambled to his feet and staggered back to the center of the stage.

"Okay, everyone saw that!"

His wavy hair stood up straight under the spell, looking rather comical, but what was comical was what he said next.

"This is how the disarming spell is applied. I hope my demonstration just now left a deep impression on you—"

He glanced at Snape. "But don't take offense at what I'm saying, your intentions were quite clear. If I wanted to stop you, it would be effortless..."

"But the young wizards need to broaden their horizons, so let's show them..."

Lockhart couldn't continue, because Snape was staring at him with a murderous look.

Sensing the murderous aura behind him, Lockhart cleverly changed the subject, wanting to move the lesson to the next stage so that everyone would forget his disheveled appearance.

"Demonstration time is over! Let me see what you've learned, Professor Snape, if you'd like to help me..."

"Shut up, Professor Victor, come up here and let the young wizards see what a real duel is like."

As he spoke, Snape turned his gaze to Victor, who was standing next to Flitwick.

As Snape spoke, the young wizards in the audience erupted in excitement.

The noise was deafening, and the young wizards, with their eyes full of amusement, turned to Victor.