Chapter 82: The Dueling Master

A good professor needs to know what their students are thinking and how to keep them engaged. Professor McGonagall was particularly skilled at this; just a mention of the final exam, and the students instantly forgot their holiday mindset, snapping back to focus on their studies.

As her colleague, Professor Flitwick was equally perceptive. "Today, we will learn the Softening Charm," he announced from atop a stack of books, his voice high and cheerful. "As the name suggests, this charm can instantly soften hard objects. It's very practical and widely used by adult wizards. For example, in Quidditch—which I know many of you love—the Softening Charm often cushions players who fall off their broomsticks."

The students perked up at the mention of Quidditch.

"You can also use it in duels," Professor Flitwick continued. "Softening the ground can throw your opponent off balance, giving you an opening to strike." With a twinkle in his eye, he added, "Back when I competed in dueling tournaments, I used this very charm to make my opponent surrender. And that year, I won the championship."

The room buzzed with excitement; Quidditch and daring duels had captivated the students.

"Professor, you won the Dueling Competition?" asked Katie Bell from Gryffindor, raising her hand. She looked doubtful—after all, Professor Flitwick was barely as tall as she was.

"Oh, that was long ago," Professor Flitwick chuckled, "but yes, I won, and not just once. Anyone interested can read more in Dueling Champions of the Twentieth Century. It's in our library."

"Wow…" murmured the students. They had never imagined that their gentle, unassuming Charms professor was such a powerful duelist.

"Professor, please teach us!" one Gryffindor exclaimed eagerly.

"Don't worry, I will," Professor Flitwick replied with a grin. "This is a practical charm, and it's often on the final exam, so pay close attention."

"Yes, Professor Flitwick!" came the enthusiastic reply.

For the rest of the class, the students practiced with unprecedented focus, eager to master the Softening Charm under Professor Flitwick's watchful guidance. Each one seemed to envision themselves as the next dueling champion, squaring off against the stone in front of them as if it were a real opponent. By the end of the lesson, they reluctantly set down their stones and filed out of the classroom, still talking animatedly.

Kyle, who hadn't rushed out like the others, lingered to ask Professor Flitwick some questions about a library book he'd been reading.

"I read this book years ago, and it taught me a great deal," Professor Flitwick said, his fingers brushing the cover with a nostalgic smile. Then he carefully answered each of Kyle's questions.

When Kyle finished, he closed the book and said, "Thank you, Professor Flitwick. That's all for now—I haven't gotten through the rest of it yet."

"No rush," Professor Flitwick said warmly. "A good book is best enjoyed slowly. And if you have more questions, you're always welcome to visit me in my office on the eighth floor."

"Oh, and thank you for the Christmas gift. I haven't received a Rowan amulet with a dueling badge engraved on it in thirty years…it brought back many fond memories."

"I'm glad you liked it."

With a final farewell, Kyle left the Charms classroom. Little did he know, his two roommates were lurking around the corner, watching and waiting.

"Mikel, are you sure Kyle's coming this way?" Ryan whispered, peeking out cautiously. "It's been ages—maybe he's already left?"

"He'll come," Mikel insisted. "Our next class is Defense Against the Dark Arts, and this is the only way to the second floor. Trust me, he'll be here."

"But…" Ryan started, only for Mikel to cut him off.

"Stop worrying. Just be patient if you want his help with homework."

Ryan glanced nervously down the hall. "Professor Flitwick just left—and he locked the door!"

In sudden panic, Mikel bolted to the Charms classroom, pulling the door open to find it completely empty.

Mikel's eyes widened. "What on earth…?" He scratched his head. "This corridor is the only way to the second floor. How did Kyle leave without us seeing him?"

He glanced at the wall opposite and muttered, "Ryan, do you think Kyle can walk through walls?"

...

The final class of the day was Defense Against the Dark Arts, and it didn't disappoint. Professor Oren, though still new to teaching, had quickly become one of the most popular instructors. On the first day back, he had brought a cage full of Cornish Pixies to the classroom and encouraged the students to use any Charm they'd learned to handle the mischievous creatures.

With no restrictions on spells, the young Hufflepuffs couldn't contain their excitement. It felt like a friendly duel, and they eagerly took turns practicing their spells, relishing the chance to feel like "Master Duelists." Although most of their spells went wide, under Professor Oren's watchful eye, the Pixies couldn't cause any harm, even as they screeched and flailed in mid-air, furious at being contained. The Pixies' helpless outrage only added to the laughter filling the room.

To the students' delight, Professor Oren hadn't even checked their homework, making him a hero in their eyes. By the time the class ended, Hufflepuff students were practically singing his praises. After all, with more than half of them yet to complete their assignments, they'd just avoided losing valuable house points. On the contrary, Hufflepuff managed to earn at least 30 points simply from enthusiastic participation, leaving the students in high spirits.

For Kyle, however, the points situation had lost some of its thrill. Despite the minor boost from Defense Against the Dark Arts, Hufflepuff still remained in an awkward position in the house rankings: they were solidly in third, trailing Ravenclaw by nearly 100 points and holding a comfortable 100-point lead over Gryffindor in last place. Moving up seemed unlikely, and dropping down didn't seem probable either.