Capítulo 57: Duelling Club
The reason for the approval for the duelling club was the second attack that had happened by the heir.
This time it was the first-year who was always roaming around with a camera and clicking pictures, Colin Creevey.
The news that Colin Creevey had been attacked and was now lying as though dead in the hospital wing had spread through the entire school by morning. The air was suddenly thick with rumours and suspicion. The first years were now moving around the castle in tight-knit groups, as though scared they would be attacked if they ventured forth alone.
Meanwhile, hidden from the teachers, a roaring trade in talismans, amulets, and other protective devices was sweeping the school. Neville bought a large, evil-smelling green onion, a pointed purple crystal, and a rotting newt tail before the other Gryffindor boys pointed out that he was in no danger; he was a pureblood, and therefore unlikely to be attacked.
While I sat with Neville in the classes I tried to assure him that he has nothing to worry about and that he should not take the words of everyone so seriously and just continue as usual, but it seemed like it was not enough for calming him down.
"They went for Filch first," Neville said, his round face fearful. "And everyone knows I'm almost a Squib."
I tried to reason with him, but it was of no use and therefore I decided to leave the topic since I was assured of his safety.
It was soon time for the Christmas holidays and Professor McGonagall came around as usual, collecting names of those who would be staying at school for Christmas.
The club was starting after a long time and thus it was only right that they do a few practices with fewer students before making it a regular club. The Christmas break presented the perfect opportunity.
With more than half the school gone for the holidays they could conduct small classes and test the possibility of continuation.
The next day after everyone left for the Christmas break, there was a notice placed outside the great hall telling us about the time and place for the first club meet.
As everyone gathered in the hall and waited in anticipation about who it will be that will be teaching us to duel there were some obvious discussions.
"I wonder who'll be teaching us?" said someone among the Slytherins "Someone told me Flitwick was a duelling champion when he was young – maybe it'll be him."
The discussions soon quite down as we witnessed the professors who entered.
Gilderoy Lockhart was walking onto the stage, resplendent in robes of deep plum and accompanied by none other than Professor Snape, wearing his usual black.
Lockhart waved an arm for silence and called, "Gather round, gather round! can everyone see me? Can you all here me? Excellent!
"Now, Professor Dumbledore has granted me permission to start this little duelling 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 duelling 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 you Potion's master when I'm through with him, never fear!"
Professor Snape's upper lip was curling. I wondered why Lockhart was still smiling; if Professor Snape had been looking at me like that I would have been running as fast as I could in the opposite direction.
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."
"I wouldn't bet on that," I murmured, watching Snape barring his teeth.
"One – two – three –"
Both of them swung their wands above their heads and pointed them at their opponent; Snape cried: "Expelliarmus!" 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.
Malfoy and some of the other Slytherins cheered. The girls however had concern on their faces for their beloved professor who was flung like a rag doll.
Lockhart was getting unsteadily to his feet. His hat had fallen off and his wavy hair was standing on end.
"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…"
Professor Snape was looking murderous. Possibly Lockhart had noticed, because he said, "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 –"
They moved through the crowd, matching up partners. Lockhart teamed Ron with Justin Finch-Fletchley, but Snape reached Harry and Neville first.
Harry moved automatically toward Hermione and Neville.
"I don't think so," said Snape, smiling coldly. "Mr. Malfoy, come over here. Let's see what you make of the famous Potter. Longbottom, you can partner Finnigan. Miss Winters, you can partner Miss Parkinson. And you, Miss Granger – you can partner with Miss Bulstrode."
I had hoped that this time around it will be by fate that I still get partnered with Malfoy, since I had not gone out of my way to make an enemy out of professor Snape but I guess some things never change. The only difference this time around was that instead of Ron being targeted along with me, it was Neville's turn.
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