30 Hogwarts again
Gilderoy Lockhart has become the advertisement model of the Lightning beverage.
His picture has been put on the Daily Prophet in the advertisement section, posters on every restaurant in Magical Britain, Belgium, France, and Japan that serves the Lightning Beverage.
Due to Lockhart has made a magical vow, he would restudy every Defence against dark arts book available. After all, he is a Hogwarts Graduate and a Ravenclaw on top of it. He didn't need much effort in remembering the various spells and methods to identify and defend from Dark Magic.
Anthony has lent Lockhart some of Salazar Slytherin's books except the Secret of the Dark Arts. When Lockhart read the ancient curses and spells, his experience in stealing other wizard's achievements has helped him to understand the various situations of what the real great wizards have been.
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On the 3rd of January, 1992
Hogwarts' class has started again. At the great hall on the Slytherin Table, Anthony, Harry, and Daphne were sitting and chatting regarding their holidays.
"I never imagined that holidays can be this amazing! Being with Lupin is amazing except sometimes he would go overseas, and Anthony thank you for the gift" said Harry Potter with a smile on his face.
"I also received a box of chocolate frogs from Hermione Granger and an invisibility cloak from an anonymous person. Do you think we were caught during our trip to the Library?" said Harry Potter.
"An Invisibility cloak? Are you sure Harry? It said that those are very expensive! Even my father would think twice before buying invisibility cloak" said Daphne Greengrass.
"I think it is not the case, during our trip to the Library, we didn't make any noise. And Argus Filch only heard Daphne's voice. So it's impossible to deduce that it was you." said Anthony.
Soon Draco Malfoy came alone without Crabbe and Goyle.
"Anthony, Harry, Daphne did you guys have a nice holiday?" said Draco with an embarrassed voice. Perhaps something has happened and he is coming here.
"Hello Draco, what's the matter?" replied Anthony with a curious tone. Whatever happens, Draco Malfoy would avoid the trio and he doesn't do any trouble.
"It happens that my father wanted to buy me a Firebolt Pro from your company. But your shop says that the Firebolt Pro is only available to National Quidditch Team players. Is that true?" said Draco with expecting eyes.
Since Draco has come home to his manor, all of his friends including Theodore Nott, Grabbe, Goyle, and other children from Sacred Twenty Eight was talking about the new broom Firebolt 2 and Firebolt Pro. But unfortunately due to strict regulation of the Firebolt Company Firebolt Pro is only sold to National Quidditch team players. Draco Malfoy after visiting Diagon Alley during his holiday begged his father to buy him Firebolt Pro, but to no avail, even Lucius Malfoy insisted that he is a Wizengamot member and has superior rights. But Firebolt Company's director Randolph didn't approve.
The National Quidditch team has purchased 7 Firebolt Pro brooms, Lucius Malfoy asked the team coach to sell one of them to him and he would replace it with Firebolt 2, but the Quidditch fanatic coach became enraged and sent Lucius away.
Draco Malfoy, after coming to Hogwarts became a bit gloomy not being able to have his favorite broom during Holiday, but when he was sitting in the Slytherin common room, he overheard Marcus Flint's conversation with Terrence Higgs that Harry Potter got the Firebolt Pro from Anthony.
"It depends because your father is not a National Quidditch team player he will not be able to buy a Firebolt Pro, but I am one of the owners of the company, the rule doesn't apply to me," said Anthony.
"Anthony, state the price, if it is under Ten thousand galleons, I will buy the Firebolt Pro" said Draco Malfoy in a confident manner.
Harry Potter and Daphne Greengrass were watching the conversation between Anthony and Draco with delight.
"I have over hundreds of thousands of Galleons, why would I need ten more?" said Anthony with a mocking smile.
When Draco heard this, he couldn't find an argument and stammered "B-, But.." When Draco lost his hope to have a Firebolt Pro, Anthony thought inwardly 'I have not many uses of Draco Malfoy except the diary. But Lucius Malfoy has many associates, giving him a favor can bring me some Political advantage"
"Draco, since you are my fellow Slytherin student, and asked me politely naturally I can bend some rules. No need for ten thousand galleons, just ask your father to pay the original price. I will notify Randolph that I have given you permission." said Anthony.
When Draco Malfoy heard that he can have a Firebolt Pro, he finally understood that Anthony is not a simple character. Better to be friends with Anthony than being an enemy.
"Thank you, Anthony! I really appreciate that" said Draco Malfoy. After being with two dumb meatheads, Draco Malfoy had a pleasant conversation with Anthony, Harry, and Daphne.
During the classes, Anthony would always get 5-10 academic points. The teachers have evaluated him as a genius in every aspect. It is his secret that he can wandlessly cast the majority of the spells up to third grade.
Only the Professor of Defence against dark arts Quirrel has an attitude like Anthony is just an ordinary student, avoiding him as much as possible.
At the night, Anthony would go to the Room of Requirements practicing his wandless magic, parselmagic, and occlumency.
sss"Expelliarmus!"sss said Anthony with Parseltongue and the wand of a wooden dummy has fallen.
'I need some real battle experience. Even though I have learned many spells, using them in real action is different. I am only practicing with wooden dummies.' thought Anthony.
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4th of January, 1992
During the Charms class, Professor Flitwick taught the students the Severing Charm "Diffindo!"
After the class, when every students went out from the classroom, Anthony came to Professor Flitwick
"Yes, Mr.Dumbledore, do you have any question?" said the short Professor.
"Professor Flitwick, from what I heard, you were a Duelling National Champion. Perhaps can you teach me how to duel?" said Anthony.
"A dueling champion? Oh yes ofcourse. I was young and dedicated. I may be a little bit rusty now. So you want to learn dueling from me, Mr.Dumbledore" said Professor Flitwick with a surprised but gentle tone.
"Yes professor, I do some practice on dueling spells, but I believe to become a duelist, I need to have real battle spells," said Anthony.
"Then why not? I will teach you dueling. On every Sunday, at 4 PM you will come to my room then" Professor Flitwick agreed to Anthony's proposal.
---
On Sunday evening, Anthony went into Professor Flitwick's room.
"Oh, Mr.Dumbledore, I was waiting for you! Please have a comfortable position" said Professor Flitwick.
Soon Professor Flitwick taught the Dueling etiquette to Anthony. What is the difference between an official duel and an unofficial duel.
To put it simply, the main difference is that official duels have rules, but on an unofficial duel who survives is the winner.
Professor Flitwick will teach Anthony how to do official dueling but it will help Anthony to be prepared for an unofficial duel.
"Raise your wand. On my mark, three, two, one. Go!"
"Expelliarmus!" said Anthony pointing his wand to the short Professor.
"Protego! (Shield Charm), Locomotor Mortis (Leg Locking Curse), Tarrantallegra (Dancing Spell), Stupefy (Paralysis Spell)" cast the professor in a single breath.
When the Shield Charm protected the Professor from the unarming spell, three consecutive jinxes came to Anthony. He dodged the first two spells and when he was about to cast Protego, he was hit by Stupefy and was knocked back feeling all of his muscles becoming numb.
"Great dodging reflexes, but you need to have more improvement Anthony. In dueling, if you cast only one spell at a time, you will provide the opponent to cast different types of spells. Consecutive spells are a great way to guide your opponent on your tempo!" said Professor Flitwick. But when he saw Anthony's wand he becomes curious.
"Mr.Dumbledore, your wand seems to be slower than other wands, did you buy your wand from the Ollivanders?" asked the Flitwick.
"Yes, professor, what is the matter?" asked Anthony becoming curious.
"Then a Serpent core wand is it? Serpent core wands are slower than other wands with cores such as Dragon Heartstring, Unicorn hair, and Pheonix feathers," said Flitwick.
"My spellcasting is slow?" Anthony becomes surprised. It was his first time hearing that his spellcasting is slow.
"Oh, it is natural Mr.Dumbledore. When you are in first grade, you don't know whether your casting is fast or not. but when you duel more often, you will understand that every millisecond becomes crucial that it decides the course of the battle. Also, wands with Serpent cores have a strong effect but slow casting speed. Therefore you need to develop your unique way of dueling." Professor Flitwick said to Anthony.
