Chapter 113

"Can everyone see me? Can everyone hear me?"

BOOOOOOO!

Ethan doesn't know where it started, but after someone took the lead, a lot of booing erupted from the crowd.

There were many discussions about this, and some people around Ethan were openly complaining about Dumbledore.

Why did Dumbledore choose Lockhart as the professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts and even let him host the duelling club? Was it just because he was bitten by the Cornish Pixie and ended up in the school infirmary?

This situation was still closely tied to Ethan. If Lockhart had successfully escaped that time, he could have found some excuse to cover it up, but being bitten and sent to the school infirmary by a Cornish Pixie left no room for excuses.

Whenever this was brought up during confrontations, Lockhart's fans couldn't stand it and had to back down step by step, until now there was nowhere left for them to retreat.

Facing the boos from the crowd, Lockhart remained calm and continued speaking as if nothing had happened.

"That's right. Dumbledore allowed me to start this small duelling club to fully train everyone in case you ever need to defend yourselves."

"And every Saturday afternoon after Christmas will be the time for the duelling club. After discussions with Dumbledore, we've decided that the winner from each grade can add 100 points to the House Cup and have their name recorded in a special section of Hogwarts' history."

"Students who want to participate, don't hesitate—join the duelling club immediately!"

"Registration starts next Monday and lasts for a whole week."

Instantly, the entire hall erupted in cheers loud enough to shake Hogwarts. Of course, the cheers weren't for Lockhart, but for the chance to earn house points.

As long as they could ensure that their house won two or three grades, the House Cup would be theirs. Each house was full of confidence, believing theirs was the best.

At the same time, Lockhart removed the luxurious cloak from his shoulders and looked at the cheering crowd on the side.

Some young witches were really fighting for the cloak, and the one who eventually got it wore a beaming smile on her face.

Ethan didn't know if Lockhart had arranged this with his fans in advance. Otherwise, with his current dwindling number of supporters, it would have been embarrassing if he had chosen the wrong person.

"Now, let me introduce my assistant, Professor Snape!"

Upon hearing this, Snape walked onto the stage with a cold expression. If it weren't for Dumbledore, he wouldn't have bothered with this phoney.

I don't understand Dumbledore's criteria for choosing a Defence Against the Dark Arts professor. It seems anyone can get the job—except me, right?

"He told me that he knows a little about dueling, and he generously agreed to help me with a small demonstration before we start."

"Of course, after I demonstrate with him, I will return your Potions teacher to you unharmed, so don't worry!"

Lockhart spoke confidently to the young wizards below.

Snape had been handpicked by him. If Lockhart wanted to overturn his previous reputation and prove himself, the best way was to use someone as a reference.

Three of the four Heads of House had been his teachers when he was at school, and they'd been professors for so long that their power couldn't be underestimated. Snape, however, was the youngest and had never taught him, so there was no connection there.

Besides, how powerful could someone be who spent all their time brewing potions and didn't cast many spells?

In addition to reshaping his image, Lockhart had another plan.

He would use this opportunity to launch the duelling club, select a few players to manipulate the matches, and then set up a betting table to recoup the money he had lost. After that, he would leave Hogwarts and never return—this place was a curse for him.

On the other side, Snape stepped onto the stage, his upper lip curling into a sneer as he looked at Lockhart as though he were a dead man walking. Where did he get the nerve to challenge me?

"Who do you think will win?" Ethan nudged Cassandra with his elbow.

Snape had never really shown his full strength at Hogwarts, so most people didn't have a clear sense of how powerful he was.

He doesn't know what's gotten into Lockhart this time. There shouldn't be any extra points for grade competitions in the original book. Could he have caused this again?

"Of course, it'll be Professor Snape. My father says he's very strong."

Cassandra sided with her Head of House without hesitation.

In fact, her father had told her that Snape was once Voldemort's right-hand man and should never be underestimated. She just couldn't say that in front of all the young wizards around her.

After all, Snape's past wasn't a secret among the top officials at the Ministry of Magic.

"I sold a lot of alchemical tools to Lockhart, so he's not entirely without a chance."

Ethan whispered this into Cassandra's ear.

In a life-and-death duel, Snape would win 100%, no question about it.

But in this situation, Snape was too restricted. He couldn't use dark magic, couldn't go all out, and had to take care not to harm the young wizards around him.

Meanwhile, Lockhart's irrational behaviour was obvious.

He had cunningly covered his wand hand with a glove, leaving only half his fingers exposed to hold the wand, though it didn't really matter whether he could actually cast spells or not.

"If you're ready, Professor Snape, we can begin now!"

Lockhart flashed Snape what he thought was a charming smile, clearly unconcerned about Snape's withering glare.

Over the past two days, Lockhart had tested the alchemical items he'd acquired, and they were indeed powerful. That was where his confidence came from.

He had initially planned to flee Hogwarts, had Ethan knocked out and used the Obliviate spell to erase his memory and recover his hard-earned money. But after testing the alchemical tools, Lockhart had given up that plan.

If Ethan could sell these things to him, Lockhart reasoned, they were worth keeping for himself. If they didn't work, he'd have no way to escape.

After the two wizards exchanged the traditional dueling etiquette, they backed away to opposite sides of the stage, holding their wands at the ready like arrows poised to fly.

"As you can see, we hold our wands in a standard dueling posture. When I count to three, we'll release our first spells. Don't worry—neither of us will harm the other!"

"One, two, three!"

"Expelliarmus!"

As soon as the words were out, Snape flicked his wand, and a dazzling red light shot toward Lockhart, who hadn't even reacted yet.

What a waste, Snape thought, watching Lockhart's lack of response.

But Lockhart remained calm as the spell raced toward him.

The necklace around his neck activated, and the red light struck a blue barrier, rippling like water.

A Shield Charm?

Snape looked at Lockhart in disbelief. The man had cast the spell silently, and his wand movements hadn't changed.

Could someone who was nearly hospitalised by Cornish Pixies really pull this off?

There wasn't time for Snape to dwell on the question, though, because Lockhart—without even uttering an incantation or waving his wand—had fired a gray-white spell back at him.

There was no other way. Snape could only deploy the Shield Charm for defense and attempt to counterattack with the Repulsion Charm, Disarming Charm, and Imprisoning Charm.

But Lockhart was like a turtle in its shell, blocking all his spells.

Of course, Snape could have used the Killing Curse, which would bypass the defense of the Shield Charm, but unfortunately, that wasn't an option.

Lockhart was equally terrified. He had picked a tough opponent. If it weren't for the alchemy tools, he would have been beaten down in a single encounter.

But now, I'm no longer the person I used to be. Let me show you the power of money, he thought.

"Professor Snape is quite powerful, but it's clear that I am stronger!"

After resisting another of Snape's spells, Lockhart flashed his big white teeth at the young wizards around him.

The young wizards in the audience were stunned. Was this really the same Lockhart who was bitten by the Cornish Pixies and taken to the infirmary, the same Lockhart who was often humiliated for pretending to be powerful?

His strength seemed impressive now. Why hadn't he shown this earlier?

Could it be someone using Polyjuice Potion to impersonate him?

A blue flame flew from Snape's wand and exploded in front of Lockhart.

Stung by Lockhart's words, Snape had also begun using more offensive spells.

While Lockhart was distracted by the explosion, an invisible blade silently shot from Snape's wand.

Crack!

The sound of a barrier breaking echoed, and a stream of blood spurted from Lockhart's right arm. He looked at Snape in horror.

Snape actually broke his Shield Charm?

Ethan, watching from below, wasn't surprised. First, the power of the shadowless blade was indeed strong.

Second, the armor necklace Lockhart wore was just a beginner's piece—something for a first-year—and hadn't been reinforced. Its defense was mediocre at best.

But Snape using the curse Sectumsempra? Ethan hadn't expected that.

Although the young wizards couldn't see what Snape had used, they sensed it was impressive. But the impact was dangerous!

It was just Lockhart's arm this time. If Snape had aimed for his head, Lockhart didn't want to imagine what would have happened.

In his panic, dark flames ignited under Lockhart's feet. In the blink of an eye, black fire wrapped around him.

Ethan thought the stage would catch fire instantly, especially since it was made of wood and carpeted. But nothing happened. Did Dumbledore cast a protective spell on it?

Snape's expression grew serious. He recognized the spell. Could Lockhart really summon it?

What should he do now? This situation was getting out of hand.

"Ahem, the demonstration between the two professors has been very successful. Let's end it here!"

Dumbledore approached from a distance. Of course, he had been watching, but he hadn't expected Lockhart to use such a spell.

As he thought this, Dumbledore glanced deeply at Ethan. He hadn't expected Ethan to even master Protego Diabolica.

During this time, everyone suspected of being connected to the Chamber of Secrets was under surveillance.

Lockhart was one of them, and Dumbledore had received information about his private meetings with Ethan, though he hadn't known what they were doing. Now it seemed the alchemy tools were the key.

"This demonstration was quite successful and has received high praise from Professor Dumbledore."

"Next, it's your turn. Pair up, come to the stage, and practice duelling to prepare for future duels."

With Dumbledore providing a graceful exit, Lockhart retracted the flames and turned to the young wizards, flashing his signature smile.

Although the students were still somewhat sceptical, many of them had begun to applaud. Lockhart's performance had earned him some of their admiration.

Seeing this, Lockhart's smile grew even wider. His goal had been achieved. This ring, though it had cost ten thousand Galleons, had proven its worth.

"It's just that my magical power has been drained... and my arm..."

Lockhart raised his right arm, still bleeding, and looked toward Dumbledore.

There were no healing spells in the rings, and Lockhart wasn't about to risk repeating the disaster that had happened to Harry last time.

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