16 Dueling Club

The news that Colin Creevey had been attacked and lay dead in the hospital wing spread throughout the school on Monday morning.

The atmosphere was filled with rumors and suspicions. Due to this, the students moved around the castle in very compact groups, as if they were afraid that they would be attacked if they went alone.

The Gryffindor first-years were distraught for fear of being the next victims as their classmate Creevey had been.

On the other hand, a first year student walked alone without any fear, that was Sasuke Uchiha.

Luna sometimes looked for him but couldn't find him in the castle, also the prefect on behalf of Professor Snape who asked her to take care of him couldn't find him either but was informed by the first-year students that he always arrived on time for classes, in addition to that he always returned to the common room before curfew.

Sasuke in his free time was in the forbidden forest training his taijutsu hitting a log that he planted by cutting down a tree.

He also trained his chakra control by climbing trees, but carrying rocks while doing so.

Other days he just sat meditating while his mind tried to gauge his body's chakra levels as his magic level, and compared them to the 4 strongest Hogwarts professors who are Dumbledore, Snape, Mcgonagall and Flitwick.

Seeing the difference with his knowledge he could train his chakra and strengthen it but with the help of the library he tried to find ways to increase his magic level.

Sasuke in his mind said to himself, there is still a long way to go to even match those 4, with the last 2 I would have a chance if I use my chakra and magic, and attack with everything from the beginning, but with the last two I don't think so.

Time passed and the second week of December arrived, Professor Mcgonagall approached the Slytherin table.

Minerva Mcgonagall: Well, those who have decided to stay for Christmas, sign this form, you can give them to Ms. Farley.

Gemma Farley: yes teacher.

The prefect handed them a parchment, where those who stayed should write their full name and the grade they were in.

Only few students stayed, only Sasuke was the only first year left from Slytherin.

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At the Gryffindor table.

Harry, Ron, and Hermione signed off on the list; they had heard that Malfoy was staying, which they found very suspicious.

The holidays would be a perfect time to use Polyjuice Potion and try to coax a confession out of him, unfortunately the potion was only half finished.

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A week later, Sasuke was walking down the hall when he saw a group of people gathered around the bulletin board to read a scroll that had just been posted.

Sasuke already had to go closer to read the scroll since everyone was talking loudly.

Astoria Greengrass: "they are going to open a dueling club"

Sean Avery: "The first session will be tonight"

Sasuke continued on his way because he already heard what he needed to know.

On the other hand, those who stayed continued talking about it.

Tiffany Selwin: we have to attend, yes or yes.

Madeleine Yaxley: and that because

Tiffany Selwin: Sasuke will surely participate.

Madeleine Yaxley: It's true, Sasuke will crush the Gryffindors.

Tiffany Selwin: if they get a chance

Sean Avery: Because of what happened in the Quidditch match, they themselves will offer to fight him.

They just smiled imagining it.

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Night came, and today would be the first mourning session, which would take place in the great dining room.

Sasuke entered the large dining room, but just as he entered, Luna motioned for him to come closer.

Sasuke sighs and decides to approach Luna.

They both step back so they can talk quietly.

Sasuke: from your attitude it seems that you are not interested in Lockhart like the others.

Luna: he is a fake, my father said that his stories have no credibility, and that the descriptions of his great feats are described as if he were a spectator, not the protagonist, my father published his revelations in the Quibbler but nobody pays attention.

Gilderoy Lockhart made his way to the dais, resplendent in his dark plum robes, and was accompanied by none other than Snape, in his usual black robes.

Lockhart waved his arm for silence.

Gilderoy Lockhart: Come here, come closer! Does everyone see me? Do you all hear me?

Gilderoy Lockhart: Great! Professor Dumbledore has granted me permission to open this modest dueling club, with the intention of preparing all of you should you ever need to defend yourselves as I have countless times (for more details, see my works).

Gilderoy Lockhart: Let me introduce my assistant, Professor Snape, he says he knows a little about the art of fighting, and has selflessly agreed to help me with a little demonstration before we start, but I don't want you youngsters to worry. You won't be without a Potions Master after this demo, fear not!

There was a sort of sneer on Snape's upper lip.

Lockhart and Snape faced each other and bowed, then raised their wands in front of them, like swords.

Gilderoy Lockhart: As you can see, we hold our wands in the conventional fighting position, when I count three, we'll do our first hex. But it is clear that neither of them intends to kill.

Gilderoy Lockhart: One... two... and three.

Snape and Lockhart raised their wands and leveled them at their opponent's shoulders.

Snape: Expelliarmus!

There was a flash of red light, and Lockhart took off into the air, flew backward, off the dais, hit the wall, and went sliding down it to the ground.

Malfoy and a few other Slytherins cheered. Hermione stood on her toes.

Sasuke: how pathetic

Luna, on the other hand, said nothing.

Lockhart struggled to his feet. Her hat had fallen off and his wavy hair had stood up.

Gilderoy Lockhart: Well, you've seen him, staggering back to the dais.

Gilderoy Lockhart: That was a disarming charm; As you can see, I have lost my wand... Ah, thank you, Miss Brown! Yes, Professor Snape, it was an excellent idea to teach the students, but if you don't mind my telling you, it was quite obvious that he was going to attack like that. If I had wanted to stop him, it would have been very easy for me. But I thought it would be instructive to let them see.

Snape seemed ready to kill him, and perhaps Lockhart noticed, because he said:

Gilderoy Lockhart: Enough demonstration! We are going to place you in pairs. Teacher

Gilderoy Lockhart: Professor Snape, if you'd be so kind as to help me...

They went into the crowd to form pairs. Lockhart put Neville with Justin Finch-Fletchley, but Snape got to Ron and Harry first.

Snape: It's time to separate this dream team, I think Weasley, you can pair up with the Uchiha, and Potter...

Harry automatically walked over to Hermione.

Snape: I guess not, Mr. Malfoy, here. Let's see what you can do with the famous Potter, and Miss Granger have Miss Bulstrode.

Malfoy strutted over, smiling. Behind him was a girl from

Slytherin that reminded Harry of a picture he had seen in Witches' Holiday. She was tall and stocky, and her powerful jaw jutted out aggressively.

Hermione greeted her with a weak smile that the other didn't return.

Sasuke went up to the stage ready to fight, Ron was serious in his mind it was said that he would make the Uchiha pay for the defeat of Gryffindor in Quidditch.

Gilderoy Lockhart: Face your opponents and bow!

Sasuke and Ron faced each other and bowed, then raised their wands in front of them, like they were swords.

Fred: Come on Ron, show him your great magical skills.

George: yes, not yet demonstrated.

Luna: come on Sasuke, you can win.

Everyone in Gryffindor was looking at Luna like crazy for supporting a Slytherin.

Gilderoy Lockhart: Wands ready! When I count to three, cast your spells to disarm your opponent. Just to take it apart; we don't want there to be any accidents. One, two and... three.

Sasuke: "Expelliaurmus"

Ron didn't have time to even cast a spell and ends up falling backwards losing his wand.

Several of the Slytherins began to laugh.

Ron angrily gets up and tries to grab his wand, but Sasuke without even moving casts his second spell.

Sasuke: "impediment"

Ron freezes, his hand reaching for his wand but unable to move.

Sasuke: "Incarcerous"

Thick ropes appear around Ron, wrapping his entire body, now he is on the ground tied up without the possibility of moving.

Sasuke just sighed in boredom, while the other students made fun of Ron, who was futilely squirming in an attempt to free himself.

A mist of greenish smoke hung over the room. Both Neville and Justin were sprawled on the ground, panting.

Sasuke: Someone replace Weasley, it's not even good for warming up.

The Gryffindors were furious upon hearing those words.

Snape undoes the spells on Ron and frees him.

Fred takes the stand, while Ron steps down, red-faced with embarrassment at having lost.

Fred: I hope you're ready because I won't hold back.

On the other hand, Hermione had stopped because Millicent had grabbed her by the neck and made her moan in pain. The wands of the two were on the ground. Harry jumped over and pushed Millicent away. It was difficult, because she was much more robust than he.

Gilderoy Lockhart: Boys, boys.

Lockhart was going through the students, examining the consequences of the duels.

Gilderoy Lockhart: Get up Mr. Longbottom... gently Miss Bulstrode... pinch him hard Mr. Finch-Fletchley, and he'll stop bleeding in no time...

Gilderoy Lockhart: I think I'd better teach you how to intercept unwanted spells.

Gilderoy Lockhart: I need a couple of volunteers...

Snape: How about Malfoy and Potter?

Gilderoy Lockhart: Excellent idea!

Gilderoy Lockhart: Let's see, Harry, when Draco points his wand at you, you have to do this.

Lockhart raised his wand, attempted a complicated movement, and dropped it to the ground.

Snape smiled and Lockhart hurried to pick it up, saying:

Gilderoy Lockhart: Wow, my wand's a little twitchy!

Snape walked over to Malfoy, leaned in and whispered into his ear. Malfoy smiled too. Harry gave Lockhart a startled look and said:

Harry: Professor, could you explain to me again how you do that intercept?

Draco: Scared?

Harry: That's what you want.

Lockhart and Snape went to give instructions to Fred and Sasuke as well, but they both pretended to listen, Fred because he wanted to take revenge for Ron and for what happened in Quidditch, Sasuke because the wizards' way of dueling was useless, in a battle they couldn't. There are these formalities, ninjas rely on surprise attacks to more effectively kill their enemies.

Gilderoy Lockhart: Three, two, one, go!

Fred: "Baldhead"

Sasuke: "I protect"

Fred's spell was blocked, easily.

Sasuke: that's all

Fred: "Cistis Evacuatio"

Sasuke: "I protect"

Sasuke gives a bored look, and decides to get this over with because Weasley isn't showing anymore.

Sasuke: "Depulse"

Fred: don't think you're the only one who knows how to protect yourself, "Protego"

Fred's shield takes the spell, but barely manages to withstand it.

Sasuke without wasting time continues to cast more spells.

Fred instead, seeing that he had nowhere to escape, decides to keep the spell, but in the third spell he breaks his shield, it falls backwards due to the impact of the spell.

Fred gets up quickly and points his wand at Sasuke.

Fred: "Densaugeo"

Sasuke: "Break it off"

The two spells are intercepted, but a few seconds later, in front of everyone, Fred's spell receded, no one understood it, they were both supposed to use the same spell.

The older Ravenclaw students and all of Slytherin caught on quickly, Sasuke was on another level.

Both spells hit Fred causing his teeth to grow grotesquely.

Several students were making fun of Fred Weasley, the Gryffindors could only clench their fists in humiliation.

George, fed up with his brother being made fun of, goes up on stage and casts his spell.

George: "Anteoculatia"

Sasuke: "I protect"

This time the spell rebounds and goes back to George, this causes horns to grow on his head.

The laughter increased again.

George waves his wand and prepares to cast a spell.

Sasuke: "Incarcerous"

Before George finished casting his spell, some ropes tied him and his brother, both ending up on the floor.

Luna was the first to applaud for Sasuke's victory, followed by applause from all of Slytherin.

----------

On the other side of the large dining room, was Draco and Harry dueling.

Draco: Serpentine!

There was a pop at the end of his wand. Harry watched, terrified, as a long black snake crawled out of it, fell to the ground between them, and reared up, ready to attack. They all fell back yelling and cleared the place in a second.

Snape: Don't move, Potter, I'll take care of her...

Gilderoy Lockhart: Allow me!

Lockhart brandished his wand at the snake and a shot rang out: the snake, instead of vanishing, rose ten feet into the air, then fell back to the ground with a snap. She furious, hissing in annoyance, she slithered right at Finch-Fletchley and reared up again, baring her venomous fangs.

Harry didn't know why he did it, wasn't even aware of it. He only perceived that his legs were propelling him forward as if he were on wheels and that he was crying absurdly to the snake: "Leave him!" And miraculously and inexplicably, the snake dropped to the ground, as harmless as a thick black garden hose, and turned its eyes on Harry. This one lost his fear.

He knew that the snake would no longer attack anyone, although he could not have explained why he knew.

Smiling, he looked at Justin, expecting to see him relieved, or confused, or grateful, but certainly not angry and scared.

Justin: What do you think we're playing?

And before Harry could reply, he had turned and was leaving the room.

Snape stepped closer, brandished his wand, and the snake disappeared in a small puff of black smoke. Snape was also looking at Harry in a strange way; it was a sly, calculating look that Harry didn't like. He was vaguely aware of disturbing murmurs around him.

Next, he felt someone tug at his robe from behind.

Ron: Come on, come on...

Ron led him out of the room, and Hermione went with them. Going through the doors, the students started talking about Potter.

"Speak Parseltongue"

You can talk to snakes!

Then everyone thought that Harry Potter is the heir to Slytherin, the rumor spread throughout the school.

-----------

After what happened in the dueling classes, a week had passed and all the students said that Harry Potter is the heir to Slytherin.

Some students ran just to see him, others whispered behind his back every time he walked through the halls.

And then the third attack happened, the victims were Justin Finch-Fletchley and nearly decapitated Nick, both had identical horror faces, everything indicating that even the ghosts were in danger because of the heir.

Harry Potter was once again found at the scene, thus causing more people to be convinced that he is the heir to Slytherin.

Sasuke, who was always alone, saved in classes he shared with Luna, decided that it was time to investigate this, because if the heir targeted him, he needed information against what or who he was up against.

In his room he decided to make a list of all the things that had happened before and after the attacks to try to find a clue or relationship.

1º the first victim was Mrs. Norris the cat of Filch.

2nd the second victim was Colin Creevey from Gryffindor

3rd The third victims were Justin Finch-Fletchley of Hufflepuff and Nick almost decapitated the Gryffindor ghost.

4th Potter always appeared at the scene.

5º the victims should be muggle-born but because a ghost and a cat.

Sasuke was pondering whether or not to write this down, Hagrid was walking around the castle with a dead rooster in his hand instead of leaving it in his hut or leaving it in the kitchens, but I've never seen him bring food to the kitchens before.

Sasuke in his mind for now will search the library for spells that could cause petrification.

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Weeks later the term finally ended, and a silence fell over the school as vast as the snow in the fields. More than gloomy, Sasuke found it reassuring, since there would be no girls following him, and gossiping.

The Great Hall glittered everywhere. Not only were there a dozen frosted Christmas trees, and thick streamers of holly and mistletoe crisscrossing the ceiling, but magic snow was falling from overhead, warm and dry.

The students sang Christmas carols, and Dumbledore led them in some of his favorites.

Hagrid yelled louder with each cup of punch he drank.

Sasuke had with him a book about spells but he only found two possible spells that were similar but were reversible and didn't last long those were: "Petrificus totalus", "Imobilus".

Sasuke in his mind might find information in the forbidden section.

-----------

At the Gryffindor table.

Harry didn't even care about the snide comments that Draco Malfoy was making loudly from the Slytherin table about his new jumper. With any luck, Malfoy would get his comeuppance from him a few hours later.

Harry and Ron had barely finished their third piece of Christmas cake when Hermione ushered them out of the room with her to finalize plans for the evening.

Hermione: We still need to get something out of the people you're about to become. And of course it would be best if you could get something from Crabbe and Goyle; since they are Malfoy's best friends, he would tell them anything. And we also have to make sure that the real Crabbe and Goyle don't show up while we're questioning him.

Harry and Ron just listened to her with no idea what to do.

Hermione: I've got it all figured out.

Hermione showed them two round chocolate cakes.

Hermione: I've refilled them with a simple sleeping potion. All you have to do is make sure Crabbe and Goyle find them. You know how gluttonous they are; I'm sure they swallow them. When they're asleep, we'll hide them in one of the cleaning closets and pluck some hair out of them.

Harry and Ron looked at each other in disbelief.

Harry: Hermione, I don't think...

Ron: It could go very wrong...

Hermione: The potion won't do us any good if we don't have a few hairs from Crabbe and Goyle. You want to question Malfoy, don't you?

Harry: Okay, okay. But and you? Who are you going to tear it off?

Hermione: I already have mine!

Hermione cheerfully took a tiny bottle out of her pocket and showed them a single hair that was inside it.

Hermione: Do you remember how I fought Millicent Bulstrode at the dueling club? When he strangled me, he left this on my robe! And she has gone to her house to spend Christmas. So all I have to tell the Slytherins is that I've decided to come back.

As Hermione ran off to check on the Polyjuice Potion, Ron turned to Harry with a doomed expression.

Ron: Have you ever heard of a plan where so many things could go wrong?

But to Harry's and Ron's surprise, the first phase of the operation turned out as easy as Hermione had supposed.

They hid in the empty hall after Christmas tea, waiting for Crabbe and Goyle, who had been left alone at the Slytherin table, tackling four slices of cake. Harry had left the chocolate cakes at the end of the banisters. Seeing Crabbe and Goyle exit the Great Hall,

Harry and Ron quickly hid behind armor by the front door.

They both smiled as Crabbe gleefully pointed out the cakes to Goyle and took them.

Grinning stupidly, they stuffed the whole cakes into their mouths. They munched them greedily for a moment, looking triumphant.

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In the library:

Madam Pince was talking with Sasuke.

Sasuke: what are the requirements to enter the forbidden section.

Madam Pince: You have to have a signature from the teacher or the head of your house.

Sasuke: I see, in that case I'm going to return these spell books.

In Madam Pince's mind, these Slytherins always wanting to learn about dark magic.

As Sasuke handed over the books, he was planning to put her into a genjutsu, but seventh years students entered the library causing Madam Pince to look away.

Sasuke curses in his mind, so he decides to leave, as he walked back to his common room he was wondering if the answer was in the forbidden section then because the teachers or the principal didn't solve the issue of the heir. So it's not a spell.

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Three Slytherin students came out of Crying Myrtle's bathroom, they headed to the Slytherin common room.

When they reached the entrance they stopped.

Goyle (Ron): Hermione, let's say the password.

Bulstrode (Hermione): I don't know.

Crabe (Harry): you don't know

Bulstrode (Hermione): We just have to wait for a Slytherin student to come and we'll go in with him.

Crabe (Harry): but what will happen if no one arrives in an hour.

Bulstrode (Hermione): curfew is near, I'm sure someone will come.

30 minutes later.

Sasuke arrives at his common room, but he finds it suspicious seeing Bulstrode because no Slytherin girl was supposed to stay at Hogwarts for Christmas.

Sasuke decides to set her up, but it's better to get rid of those fools that accompany her.

Sasuke: what are you doing here?

Bulstrode (Hermione): I decided to return early.

Sasuke: in that case follow me, we have to notify Professor Snape of your return.

Hermione, Ron and Harry thought what to say to mislead the Uchiha, because if they confronted him here they would make a scandal that would draw the attention of either the teachers, Filch or those inside the common room.

Sasuke: they have forgotten the password right.

Sasuke was addressing Crabe (Harry) and Goyle (Ron)

They just nodded.

Sasuke: "Ashwinder"

Sasuke: Bulstrode let's go.

Bulstrode (Hermione) whispered to them "go, you need to get the information out of Malfoy"

Crabe (Harry) and Goyle (Ron) just nodded.

Sasuke was leading Bulstrode (Hermione), who was following him from behind.

They walked for about 10 minutes in silence.

Sasuke stopped, this is the door to Professor Snape's office passing by.

Bulstrode (Hermione) opens the door and enters the office.

Sasuke pointed his wand at Bulstrode's back.

Sasuke: "incarcerous"

Bulstrode (Hermione) falls to the floor tied by a rope, when he sees the interior of the room he realizes that it was a warehouse, and Sasuke had set a trap for him.

Sasuke: who are you?

Bulstrode (Hermione): what do you say I'm Millicent

Sasuke: you're not, she left the castle for Christmas vacation.

Sasuke: So who are you?

Bulstrode (Hermione) just kept quiet while her mind thought about what to say to her.

Sasuke: you have transformed into her, right, there are two ways to achieve it, a complicated transformation spell or a potion, but if you used a spell you must be very talented, but if you were, there would be no point in transforming into a student, the most logical thing would be to transform In a professor to have authority over the students and to be able to move freely, so we only have the polyjuice potion right.

Bulstrode (Hermione) was nervous about being found out.

Sasuke: I just have to wait to find out who you are.

Sasuke sits down and waits for the effects of the polyjuice potion to wear off.

Time passed and Hermione returned to normal.

Sasuke: so it was you Hermione Granger.

Sasuke: Why did you want to enter the Slytherin common room?

Hermione chose to remain silent.

Sasuke understood that she was the one who stole the ingredients from Professor Snape's cupboard.

Sasuke pointed his wand at Hermione, she closed her eyes.

Sasuke: "Diffindo"

The ropes that held Hermione down were cut.

Hermione: why are you freeing me?

Sasuke: There's no point in keeping you here, I already figured out because you were trying to infiltrate the Slytherin common room.

Sasuke left the warehouse leaving a stunned Hermione to see how she was discovered