Auror's Son | Book 2 Harry Potter x OC

Chapter 10: Dueling and Rumors

Raven POV

My soreness was gone by the next two days I had it. I'd never spun or flipped that much in such little time before. Not even when training with Mum or in practice with my team. I guess I was pretty desperate to win I didn't care about the consequences.

A week later, we four were walking across the entrance hall when we saw a small knot of people gathered around the notice board, reading a piece of parchment that had just been pinned up. Seamus Finnigan and Dean Thomas beckoned us over, looking excited. "They're starting a Dueling Club!" Seamus said. "First meeting's tonight. I wouldn't mind dueling lessons, they might come in handy one of these days."

"What, you reckon Slytherin's monster can duel?" Ron said. I snorted a bit. "Could be useful though." We all agreed. I knew how to duel a bit, and I could finally put my mum's teachings to use.

At eight o'clock that evening we hurried back to the Great Hall. The long dining tables had vanished and a golden stage had appeared along one wall, lit by thousands of candles floating overhead. The ceiling was velvety black once more and most of the school seemed to be packed beneath it, all carrying their wands and looking excited. "I wonder who'll be teaching us?" Hermione questioned.

"Probably Flitwick." I said. "He told me he was a dueling champion when he was young, so he'll likely be it."

"As long as it's not-" Harry began, but ended in a groan and I looked and saw why. Gilderoy Lockhart was walking onto the stage.

"You gotta be kidding me." I mumbled angrily. "We're not going to learn a damn thing." Hermione was spatting nonsense about him again but I just ignored her. "Maybe I'll get a chance to put him in his place." I mumbled, causing Harry and Ron to smile.

Lockhart waved an arm for silence. "Gather round gather round." He started. "Can everyone see me? Can you all hear me?"

"Unfortunately!" I called out with my arms crossed causing some laughs and glares.

"Now, Professor Dumbledore has granted me permission to start this little dueling club, to train you all in case you ever need to defend yourselves as I myself have done on countless occasions-for full details, see my publish works." Lockhart said with a smile.

"Ugh, get on with it before I send you flying off the stage." I mumbled.

"Let me introduce my assistant, Professor Snape." Lockhart said as Snape got on stage. "He tells me he knows a tiny little bit about dueling himself and has sportingly agreed to help me with a short demonstration before we begin." Lockhart said.

"More like he knows you're going to embarrass yourself." I mumbled. Ron and Harry laughed a little.

"Now, I don't want any of you youngsters to worry-you'll still have your Potions master when I'm through with him, never fear!" Lockhart said.

"Let's hope we don't have you afterwards!" I shouted causing more laughs and glares.

"Yes, yes, a jest you are, Mordecur." Lockhart said. I wasn't jesting, I was serious. Lockhart and Snape turned to face each other and bowed, then raised their wands like swords in front of them. "As you see, we are holding our wands in the accepted combat position." Lockhart told us. "On the count of three, we will cast our first spell. Neither of us will be aiming to kill of course." 

I at least hope you end up in the hospital. I thought. 

"One-two-three-"

Both of them had their wands above their heads and pointed them at their opponent. "Expelliarmus!" Snape cast. There was a dazzling flash of scarlet light and Lockhart was blasted off his feet. He flew backward off the stage, smashed into the wall and slid down it to sprawl on the floor. There were a lot of laughs and cheers, me among them.