The Light of the Dark: Harry Potter x OC

Chapter Twenty One - Year Two

"Dueling club?" I asked.

"Yeah. Something about learning to protect yourself. I would assume it has something to do with the attack on Colin." Hermione told us. She then led the way back to the Great Hall where a giant stage was set up. Harry, Hermione, Ron, and I all found a place near the front.

"Gather 'round!" Yelled a familiar voice. I rolled my eyes and groaned when I saw Lockhart walking up onto the stage. "Gather 'round. Can everybody see me? Can you all hear me?"

"Unfortunately." I whispered. Harry and Ron had been close enough to hear me and they started laughing.

"In light of the dark events of recent weeks, Professor Dumbledore has granted me permission to start this little Dueling Club to train you all up in case you ever need to defend yourselves as I myself have done on countless occasions." Lockhart told us, walking up and down the stage.

"Yeah, countless because there's not one to count." I mumbled. Once again, the two boys heard me and laughed. Hermione gave me a disapproving look.

"For full details, see my published works." Lockhart advertised. He then took off the cloak that was on his shoulder and threw it into the crowd. A bunch of girls were making a fuss over it and were attempting to get it for themselves. "Let me introduce my assistant Professor Snape." We all looked down towards the other end of the stage and watched as Snape walked up the steps. He very clearly would have rather been anywhere else. "He has sportingly agreed to help me with a short demonstration. 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." The two Professors then walked until they were only a few feet from one another. They put their wands in front of their faces before putting them down at their sides again. They then bowed to each other and turned around, putting a few feet between them.

"Never thought I'd see the day that I would be rooting for Snape." I whispered. Ron shook his head and Harry turned to look at me.

"You know, me either." He told me. The two Professors then turned back around.

"One...two...three." Lockhart counted.

"Expelliarmus!" Snape said before Lockhart could. The spell hit Lockhart square in the chest and caused him to go soaring backwards. He hit the ground with a large thump and I burst out laughing. He slowly sat up and looked over at Professor Snape.

"Do you think he's all right?" Hermione asked, concerned.

"Who cares?" Ron questioned, amused.

"An excellent idea to show them that, Professor Snape, but if you don't mind me saying, it was pretty obvious what you were about to do. And, if I had wanted to stop you, it would have been only too easy." Lockhart said, trying to make himself look better. I just rolled my eyes.

"Perhaps it would be prudent to first teach the students to block unfriendly spells, Professor." Snape sneered. I had never liked Snape as much as I did right now. Lockhart smiled at Snape and Snape gave a mocking one back.

"An excellent suggestion, Professor Snape. Uh...let's have a volunteer pair. Potter, Weasley, how about you?" He asked, turning around and spotting the two. Harry began walking towards the stairs to get onto the stage when Snape spoke.

"Weasley's wand causes devastation with the simplest spells. We'll be sending Potter to the Hospital Wing in a matchbox." Ron looked slightly embarrassed. "Might I suggest someone from my own house? Malfoy, perhaps?" Snape turned around, pointed to Draco, and gestured for him to get up on the stage.

"Hello, Emily." I heard someone say. I looked next to me to see that Justin Finch-Fletchley had made his way over.

"Oh, hello, Justin." I greeted. I then watched as Snape walked to stand at the edge of the stage as Draco walked towards the middle. Lockhart was walking to the other end while Harry began walking towards the middle.