human again / hp.

Chapter 31

The Great Hall hummed with anticipation as students poured in, their voices blending into an excited cacophony. Whispers rippled through the crowd like a low current, everyone craning to get a better view of the elevated stage at the room's center. At its heart stood Professor Lockhart, as ostentatious as ever. His golden robes shimmered under the enchanted ceiling's dim light, and his perfect smile radiated confidence—or vanity, depending on who you asked. I couldn't help but smirk as I settled into a seat near the front beside Daphne Greengrass, who already looked unimpressed.

"Gather round! Gather round!" Lockhart called, his arms thrown wide in a gesture so theatrical it was almost comical. The students shuffled closer, eager but wary, their conversations dying to murmurs. "In light of the recent—shall we say—disturbances, Professor Dumbledore has allowed me the honor of starting a little Dueling Club. This, my dear students, will prepare you to defend yourselves against the dark forces that—well, as we all know—loom closer every day." He struck a dramatic pose, his voice lilting with an air of self-importance. "For full details, you may consult my published works."

With a flourish, Lockhart swept off his velvet cape and tossed it into the crowd, where a gaggle of admirers erupted into squeals, fighting over the shimmering fabric. Daphne let out an audible sigh, crossing her arms.

"Did he really just use a defense class to advertise his books?" she muttered under her breath.

I chuckled. "Of course he did. It's practically his trademark."

The murmurs in the hall stilled as Lockhart raised a hand for silence, flashing his trademark dazzling smile. "Now, I won't be doing this alone," he continued, gesturing grandly toward the wings of the stage. "Let me introduce my assistant—Professor Snape!"

A collective shiver seemed to run through the room as Snape glided onto the stage, his black robes billowing ominously. His expression was cold and sharp, like the edge of a dagger, and his disdain for this entire spectacle was clear. Still, his presence commanded attention, and I leaned forward slightly, curious to see how this would play out.

"This," Daphne whispered, leaning toward me, "is going to be hilarious."

I nodded, stifling a grin. "Snape's going to make this a disaster for Lockhart."

The tension in the room rose as the two professors squared off. Snape's dark gaze bore into Lockhart, whose jovial demeanor didn't falter—at least not outwardly. "Wands at the ready!" Lockhart called, flourishing his wand like he was performing for an audience. "When I count to three, we'll demonstrate the proper way to duel. One, two—"

Before Lockhart could finish, Snape struck. With a swift flick of his wand and a muttered Expelliarmus!, a jet of light shot across the stage. Lockhart was blasted backward, landing in a heap as his wand soared into the air. The hall erupted into laughter, and even I couldn't suppress a grin.

"Think he's all right?" Hermione's worried voice floated up from a nearby Gryffindor table.

Ron, still laughing, replied, "Who cares?"

Lockhart scrambled to his feet, brushing imaginary dust from his robes as he attempted to regain some semblance of dignity. "A perfect example of a disarming charm!" he declared, though the tremor in his voice betrayed his embarrassment. "Yes, well done, Professor Snape."

Snape's lips curled into the faintest smirk as he surveyed the students. "Perhaps we should move on to student demonstrations?" he suggested smoothly, his tone dripping with menace.

Lockhart, clearly eager to shift the focus, nodded quickly. "An excellent idea! Let's have a pair of volunteers."

Snape didn't wait for Lockhart's indecision. "Draco Malfoy," he drawled, his dark eyes scanning the crowd. "Come forward."

Draco strutted onto the stage with the confidence of someone who thought they'd already won. His blond hair glinted under the enchanted light as he gave the crowd a self-satisfied smirk. I rolled my eyes, feeling both annoyance and mild amusement. Typical.

"Now, who to pair with Mr. Malfoy..." Lockhart mused, scanning the crowd.

Snape interjected, his voice sharp. "Potter."

The room buzzed with excitement as Harry reluctantly stepped forward, climbing onto the stage to face Draco. Daphne leaned closer to me, her tone laced with amusement. "Think your brother will win?"

I smirked. "He'd better. If he doesn't, we'll hear about it for weeks."

"Scared, Potter?" my brother said with a lot of confidence.But Harry just retorted "You wish."

Lockhart prattled on about the importance of disarming only, but the moment the duel began, that advice was promptly ignored. Draco moved first, shouting Everte Statum! and sending Harry flying backward. The Gryffindors groaned, but Harry was quick to recover, retaliating with Rictusempra! The spell sent Draco sprawling at Snape's feet, much to the delight of the crowd.

Draco, clearly irritated now, scrambled to his feet and raised his wand again. "Serpensortia!" he shouted, and a jet of light shot from his wand, forming into a large, hissing cobra. The crowd gasped as the snake slithered across the stage, its hood flaring threateningly.

"Don't move, Potter," Snape said, stepping forward with calm precision. "I'll take care of it."

But Lockhart, ever the showman, intervened. "No need! I've got this!" He aimed his wand, muttering an incantation. The snake soared into the air but landed again, more agitated than before. It turned toward Justin Finch-Fletchley, who stood frozen in terror.

Then Harry spoke.

A low, hissing sound filled the hall, and the snake stopped. It swayed, almost mesmerized, as if it understood him. A chill ran down my spine as realization dawned.

Daphne turned to me, her wide-eyed expression mirroring the unease that now filled the room. "Did Potter just talk to that snake?" she whispered.

"Yes," I replied, my voice low. "That was Parseltongue."

The murmurs in the hall swelled to a roar as Snape raised his wand and incinerated the snake with Vipera Evanesca! Justin's face paled, and he quickly backed away from Harry, whose confused expression only added to the tension.

Later that night, just as I wanted to enter the Gryffindor Tower, raised voices caught my attention. Pausing near the portrait entrance, I overheard Harry, Ron, and Hermione in heated conversation.

"You're a Parselmouth!" Ron exclaimed. "Why didn't you tell us?"

"I'm a what?" Harry sounded genuinely baffled.

"You can talk to snakes!" Hermione added, her tone urgent.

Harry's voice faltered. "I know. I accidentally set a python on my cousin Dudley once. But so what? Isn't that normal?"

"No, it's not!" Hermione shot back. "It's a very rare gift. And it's bad, Harry."

"Why?" Harry asked, clearly frustrated. "If I hadn't stopped that snake—"

"That's not the point!" Ron interjected. "People are going to think you're connected to Salazar Slytherin!"

I stepped back, my mind spinning. Harry Potter—a Parselmouth? It was unsettling, even for someone like me who prided herself on being open-minded. One thing was certain: the whispers about him were only going to grow louder.