Destined| The Chamber of Secrets : Book 2

Dueling Club

Kiana

   After what happened to Colin, I've been really protective of Hermione and Jace. It's already December.. Ginny is really upset about what happened to Colin but every time I try to talk to her about it she says that I don't really care and that I'm fake. Good news is the Polyjuice Potion will be ready in a week.

"Kay," Harry said.

   I turned around and saw my four best friends running towards me.

"What's up," I asked as they approached me.

"They're starting a dueling club, it starts in five minutes. Come on." Harry said.

   He wrapped his hand around mine and pulled me along. We were now in the Great Hall which looked different.

"I wonder who'll be teaching us?" Hermione asked as Cedric wrapped an arm around her shoulder.

"Someone told me Flitwick was a dueling champion when he was young — maybe it'll be him." Cedric said.

"As long as it's not —" Harry and I began.

   We groaned as Gilderoy Lockhart walked onto the stage, wearing robes of deep plum and accompanied by Snape who wore his usual black. Lockhart waved his arm for silence and called,"Gather round, gather round! Can everyone see me? Can you all hear me? Excellent!"

"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." Gilderoy said.

"More like rubbish work," I whispered.

   Harry chuckled.

"Let me introduce my assistant, Professor Snape," Lockhart said. "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!"

"We'll be lucky enough to get our Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher alive," I snickered.

   Snape locked eyes with me and I saw a faint smile.

"Wouldn't it be good if they finished each other off?" Ron whispered into Harry's ear.

    Lockhart and Snape turned to face each other and bowed; well, 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, on the count of three, we will cast our first spells. Neither of us will be aiming to kill, of course." Lockhart said.

"I wouldn't bet on that," Harry whispered in my ear.

   I giggled.

"One — two — three—" Lockhart counted.

   Both of them swung their arms around their heads and pointed them at their opponent.

"Expelliarmus," Snape cried.

   Lockhart was blasted off his feet and I tried to hide my joy. The Slytherins and I cheered for Snape.

"Do you think he's all right?" Cedric and Hermione asked.

"Who cares?" Harry, Ron, Jake and I said.

   Lockhart unsteadily got to his feet.

"Well, there you have it!" He said. "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..."