A Little Help from a Snake // Tomarry

11: Lockhart is Still Alive

Just so you know, you can absolutely give me title ideas even if there is already one in place. Cause some (like this one) feel like they could use some work.

Reposted: July 9, 2021

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Last edited: June 11, 2021 (barely)

On Thursday, as Harry was working on the Swelling Solution, there was an explosion from Goyle's potion. Harry yanked the students nearest him— Blaise and Draco— back before they could get hit, but Goyle's hands had grown to the size of dinner plates and some of the potion hit Daphne and Tracey.

"Silence! SILENCE!" Snape roared amidst the turmoil. "Anyone who has been splashed, come here for a Deflating Draught — when I find out who did this —"

He scooped out the black remains of what looked like firework. "If I ever find out who threw this," Snape whispered, "I shall make sure that person is expelled." He was looking at Ron when he said this, and although there was no way to prove it, Harry had a feeling that Snape wasn't wrong in his suspicion.

When Snape turned away, Harry caught an almost smug look on Ron's face out of the corner of his eye.

"Gather round, gather round! Can everyone see me? Can you all hear me? Excellent!" Lockhart beamed at the students all around.

"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 published works.

"Let me introduce my assistant, Professor Snape. 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. 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 and Snape turned to face each other and bowed; at least, Lockhart did, with much twirling of his hands, whereas Snape jerked his head irritably. Then they raised their wands like swords in front of them.

"As you see, we are holding our wands in the accepted combative position," Lockhart told the silent crowd. "On the count of three, we will cast our first spells. Neither of us will be aiming to kill, of course."

"Shame," Tracey muttered from beside Harry.

"One— two— three—"

"Expelliarmus!" Snape shouted, sending a jet of scarlet light at Lockhart, who was thrown back off the stage.

Lockhart stood up unsteadily. "Well, there you have it!" he said, tottering back onto the platform. "That was a Disarming Charm— as you see, I've lost my wand— ah, thank you, Miss Brown— yes, an excellent idea to show them that, Professor Snape, but if you don't mind my saying so, it was very obvious what you were about to do. If I had wanted to stop you it would have been only too easy— however, I felt it would be instructive to let them see..."

At Snape's murderous look, Lockhart said quickly, "Enough demonstrating! I'm going to come amongst you now and put you all into pairs. Professor Snape, if you'd like to help me—"

Professor Snape walked over to Ron and Hermione. "Time to split up the dream team, I think," he sneered. "Weasley, you can partner Malfoy. Miss Granger— you can partner Miss Bulstrode."

Hermione gave Millicent a weak smile, but the heavier girl did not return it.

"Face your partners!" called Lockhart. "And bow!"