The mastermind behind Hogwarts

Chapter 41 Duel Club

The day after the Quidditch match, at 8 p.m., the first Duel Club event began.

Moriarty, Lilith, Jericho and their entourage arrived at the auditorium.

The long dining table disappeared, and a gilded, spacious stage appeared along one wall, illuminated by hundreds of candles floating overhead.

The ceiling turned as black as velvet, highlighting the brilliance of the stage. Almost all the students in the school had come, crowding together, each holding their own magic wand, looking at the stage with excited expressions.

"Who wouldn't want to stand up and have a duel? If you ask me, the school should establish an award called 'King of Duels'! The winning student will get a hundred points for their college!" Jericho seemed to have recently become obsessed with showing off, and he eagerly squeezed into the crowd.

With him leading the way, Moriarty and the others successfully entered the chattering crowd.

William, Leon, and the other upperclassmen from the other colleges stood there. Seeing Moriarty arrive, William extended his hand and beckoned, "Come here! You can see better!"

Moriarty walked into the group of older students, subtly scanning them before exchanging a glance with Leon: Bill Weasley still hadn't shown up!

"Professor Flitwick is here!"

Someone shouted, and the crowd quieted down. The students turned around and made way for Professor Flitwick.

To let more students see him, Professor Flitwick floated up onto the stage: "Come around, children! In order for everyone to become proficient in using spells and gain practical experience, I have asked Professor Dumbledore to allow me to open this little dueling club."

The students applauded, saying, "Thank you, Professor!"

Professor Flitwick nodded: "Alright, before that, you need to know the culture and history of wizard duels—it is a formal contest between two or more people in wizarding culture, and only magic can be used."

Ah, I know someone's going to raise their hand and ask a question. They'll say, "Didn't Gryffindor duel Slytherin with a sword? And Merlin and King Arthur, King Arthur also had a sword."

The students nodded repeatedly, and Flitwick smiled: "Remember strength, children. Great strength will shut everyone up. Although Professor Dumbledore doesn't want me to say this, learning spells is also to make us stronger."

Seeing that the students had quieted down, Flitwick's eyes searched through the crowd: "Mr. Moriarty, please come up and give us a demonstration together."

Moriarty walked onto the stage amidst applause, standing on either side of Professor Flitwick. Professor Flitwick said, "Before the duel begins, the two wizards usually bow to each other as a sign of courtesy."

After bowing, they held their wands like arrows to their chests, and Professor Flitwick said to the students, "With this step completed, the dueling ceremony is finished. Now, let me count—one—two—three!"

Moriarty and Professor Flitwick simultaneously raised their wands over their shoulders, and Professor Flitwick softly said, "Expelliarmus!"

A dazzling red light emanated from the tip of his staff, but Moriarty remained calm: "Armor!"

An invisible shield appeared in front of Moriarty, reflecting a red light that struck the ceiling.

"Oh child, excellent Armor Charm! Ten points for Slytherin!" Professor Flitwick clapped his hands and said to the younger students, "The two spells just now: the Disarming Charm will cause the opponent to drop their weapon or any object."

"The armor Moriarty uses, the Ironclad Charm, I urge you to remember this spell, for it will save our lives in critical moments, and it can deflect most spells."

The demonstration was over, and Moriarty stepped off the stage. Professor Flitwick said, "Now you should form groups, children. Would you like to form your own groups, or would you like me to do it?"

"Of course, it's free to form groups!" the students said in unison, then chatted happily with acquaintances.

Leon shouted, "William! You know I've been wanting to fight you for a long time. Come on, let's duel! If you're still a Slytherin!"

"I thought you'd never dare to duel me in your entire life," William sneered, then jumped onto the stage.

"Hey! Percy?" Jericho waved towards the area where the lion cubs were. "How about we have a game?"

Percy pulled out his wand: "Great idea! I'll beat you, just you wait!"

As Percy walked onto the stage, the lion cubs set their sights on the snake. Oliver Wood challenged Marcus Flint, and Keith and Larpo were also challenged and eliminated.

There are already over a hundred dueling teams on the stage, but fortunately the stage is big enough to not restrict the young wizards' performance.

But most students focused their attention on William and Leon, who were among the top students.

"I'll bet a Galleon on William's continued success," Lilith whispered, standing next to Moriarty.

Moriarty shook his head and smiled: "Everyone knows you and Leon have a grudge."

Lilith gave a soft snort and looked at Moriarty with an eager expression. Just as she was about to challenge Moriarty, she suddenly heard Penelope's voice!

"Lilith Pilivik, if I challenge you, will you accept?"

Penelope stood tall and proud behind Lilith, her hands behind her back, holding her wand.

Lilith had to abandon her idea, glanced at Penelope, and then haughtily raised her head: "You know, you don't look like a good opponent! But I will fight, so you can see that clearly."

"Well then, I'll wait and see." Penelope smiled, but no one seemed to think she was happy.

The students quickly made way for them, watching as the two best witches from the first year walked firmly onto the stage.

"Such an aura at only first grade," Gemma appeared out of nowhere and walked up to Moriarty, a smug smile on her face. "What a terrifying little woman."

Moriarty ignored her and focused his attention on the duel between Lilith and Penelope, but then he heard Charlie Weasley's challenge!

"Mr. Moriarty, I am Charlie Weasley. A fourth-year student at Gryffindor, my wand is 12 inches long, made of ash wood and unicorn tail hair, and I am skilled in Transfiguration." Charlie formally introduced himself, then nodded to Moriarty: "Shall we have a duel?"

The lion cubs around Charlie burst into cheers, and the other students also became interested. Was this a sequel to the Quidditch match?

Moriarty sized up Charlie, who had the Weasley family’s signature red hair and a face covered in freckles, but which did not detract from his good looks.

Charlie's eyes were so pure, like those of a unicorn, which added to his charm. Perhaps this is why Charlie ended up working outdoors.

Moriarty stopped speculating, nodded slightly to Charlie, and was about to agree when he heard Tonks' voice again!

"Wait a minute, Moriarty, I have a few words to say to Charlie." Tonks stepped out from the badgers' ranks and said to Charlie in a boisterous manner, "Hey Charlie! Do you know what 'ladies first' means? I'm challenging Mr. Moriarty first, any objections?"

Charlie shook his head with a wry smile: "Well, if Mr. Moriarty agrees, I have no objection."

"I think this is best," Moriarty decided, "I'll duel Tonks first, and then I'll duel you, Charlie."

"Okay, no problem," Tonks replied readily.

Charlie's eyes widened. "Can your magic sustain you through two duels?"

"He's fine," Tonks replied to Charlie, eagerly pulling Moriarty forward without turning her head. "In terms of magic, he's nothing like a student, just like an adult."

Moriarty grabbed her hand: "Nymph, are you really ready? To use the Patronus Charm against my Ice Serpent and Shadow Serpent?"

(End of this chapter)