𝑨𝒎𝒖𝒍𝒆𝒕 - ʜᴊᴘ x ᴏᴄ [𝐌𝐀𝐉𝐎𝐑 𝐄𝐃𝐈𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆&𝐑𝐄𝐖𝐑𝐈𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆]

𝟒𝟎

   ─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

ᴘᴏᴛᴛᴇʀ ᴠꜱ ʙʟᴀᴄᴋ

   ─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

The Great Hall buzzed with excitement as students eagerly gathered for the duelling demonstration. Cassie couldn't help but roll her eyes as Lockhart stepped up, acting like a fool with his usual overconfidence.

"Let me introduce my assistant, Professor Snape," Lockhart announced with a grand flourish. "He's graciously agreed to help me with a short demonstration. Now, don't worry, youngsters, you'll still have your Potions master when I'm done with him. Never fear."

Snape entered, his expression as unreadable as ever. Cassie smirked—Snape was one of the few who truly understood the art of intimidation. The way he moved, like a shadow in a room full of light, was enough to send a chill through anyone who wasn't used to his presence.

Lockhart stepped forward and bowed, trying to look dignified, but Snape's response was a simple, sharp bow of the head. They moved into position, and Lockhart began the countdown.

"One, two, three."

"Expelliarmus!" Snape intoned coolly.

Lockhart was sent flying, crashing to the ground with an undignified thud, and the hall erupted into laughter. Some were concerned, but the Slytherins—Cassie included—were all grinning, proud of their professor's effortless dominance.

Lockhart groaned as he picked himself up. "An excellent idea to show them that, Professor Snape. If I had wanted to stop you, it would only have been too easy," he said with a grin that didn't quite reach his eyes.

"Perhaps," Snape said, smirking, "it would be prudent to block unfriendly spells."

"An excellent suggestion, Professor Snape. Let's have a volunteer pair—Potter and Weasley."

Cassie suppressed a scoff as Lockhart spoke. Harry Potter. The famous "Boy Who Lived." And now, apparently, the famous "Boy Who Believed the Rumors." The audacity of it. Even Harry, with all his courage, was starting to buy into the lies.

"And Weasley's wand causes devastation with the simplest spells. We'll be sending Potter to the hospital wing in a matchbox," Lockhart continued. "Might I suggest someone from my own house? Black, perhaps?"

Cassie stepped forward, her expression as icy as the air around her. She was well-known for her duelling prowess, especially after all the lessons her grandfather had drilled into her. No one was more prepared for a duel than she was.

Harry glared at her, and she smirked. Let him think what he wanted. She was about to show him who the real boss was.

"Let's get this over with," Cassie muttered as she walked onto the platform.

"On the count of three, cast your charms to disarm your opponent. Only to disarm. We don't want any accidents here. One, two—"

"Everte Sratum!"

Cassie didn't wait for Lockhart's instructions. The spell hit Harry before he had a chance to react. He flew backward, crashing to the ground with a thud. The Slytherins howled with laughter, but Harry's face twisted with frustration and embarrassment.

"Rictumsempra!" Harry retaliated, but she was already anticipating it.

"Protego!"

The spell bounced off her shield, and Harry was thrown back again. The crowd gasped, but the Slytherins were practically cheering her on now.

"Having fun, eh, Potter?" Cassie taunted, her grin widening.

"Shut up, Black," he snapped, trying to pick himself up from the floor.

"Challenge accepted," he muttered, his eyes now full of determination.

Cassie was about to deliver another blow when Harry suddenly cast the Serpensortia spell. The snake slithered out of his wand, hissing and winding around the floor.

"Don't move, Potter. I'll get rid of it for you," Snape said, stepping forward, but Lockhart—who had no idea how to handle a real crisis—jumped in instead.

"Alarte Ascendare!" Lockhart bellowed, sending the snake high into the air. It came crashing back down, and Harry seemed to lose control.

The next thing anyone knew, Harry was speaking in Parseltongue.

"Move away," he said, but the snake didn't listen. It slithered toward a Hufflepuff student, its eyes gleaming dangerously.

Cassie saw the panic on Harry's face and felt a flicker of something unfamiliar—sympathy, maybe? She didn't know, but she wasn't going to let the snake hurt anyone.

"I, Heir of Salazar Slytherin—Ruler of Snakes—order you to step away from the boy."

The snake turned and slithered toward her, much to everyone's relief. Cassie took it in her hands, her eyes flashing with cold confidence as she placed it in front of Snape.

"Vipera Evanesca!"

The snake vanished into thin air. The hall was silent for a moment, everyone staring at her, unsure of what to make of it all. She glanced at Harry, her mind racing. How had he spoken Parseltongue? He wasn't a Gaunt. She shot him a glare, feeling the tension thick in the air before turning and walking off the platform.