Archaeologists at Hogwarts

Chapter 172 Duel Club

The news about the Duel Club quickly spread in the school, and the students were very excited about it. This was at least good news, and it might come in handy one day.

Ginny had been subconsciously avoiding such crowded occasions, and she secretly decided not to participate.

But the three Harrys on the other side set off.

"Who could it be?" Ron said with interest on the way: "I heard that Professor Flitwick was once a dueling champion, but it's a pity that Heimer taught him. Well, it would definitely be more lively if he was still in school.

Some, you should know what I mean."

Of course Harry and Hermione understood that this was a serious duel, and maybe Professor Hemmer would fight Snape again.

They arrived at the auditorium and found that the long dining table had disappeared, and a gilded stage appeared along one wall, illuminated by hundreds of candles floating in the sky. The ceiling once again became as dark as velvet, and almost all the students in the school were

Here we are, everyone is holding their own wands and their faces are full of excitement.

The three of them squeezed sideways into the chattering crowd, looking expectantly at the stage - a purple-red robe appeared in their sights, shining brilliantly - it was Lockhart.

Next to him stood Snape, still wearing his usual black clothes.

Ron accidentally revealed his thoughts: "Oh, crap."

He doesn't like either of these two people and even wants to quit now.

But it was already a little late at this time. Lockhart waved his hand to everyone to be quiet, and then shouted: "Come around, come around! Can everyone see me? Can everyone hear me? Great!"

"That's right, even though I didn't contact Principal Dumbledore, Dean McGonagall still allowed me to open this small dueling club to fully train everyone in case you need to defend yourself one day. Take the methods I have used countless times.

Ways to protect yourself - for details on this please see my published work."

Harry and Ron exchanged silent glances, and they finally understood why Professor McGonagall seemed so angry in class - it was all thanks to Lockhart. If it weren't for the absence of Principal Dumbledore, Lockhart would also

I won't bother Professor McGonagall.

"Let me introduce my assistant, Professor Snape," Lockhart said, grinning broadly. "He told me that he himself knew a thing or two about dueling, and he generously

Promise to help me with a small demonstration before class. I said, I don't want you little guys to worry - after I finish the demonstration with him, I will return your potions teacher to you intact.

,do not be afraid!"

Snape's upper lip curled up. Harry didn't understand why Lockhart was still smiling; if Snape had looked at him like that, he would have spread his legs and ran in the opposite direction.

Lockhart and Snape turned to face each other and bowed. At least Lockhart bowed, doing many tricks with his hands, while Snape just shook his head impatiently. Then, they

Their respective wands were raised like arrows to their chests.

"As you can see, we hold our wands in the normal dueling posture," Lockhart told the hushed crowd. "On the count of three, we cast the first spell. Of course, none of us can do it.

The other person’s life.”

"one two three--"

The two men raised their wands over their shoulders at the same time. Snape shouted: "Expelliarmus!" Suddenly a dazzling red light flashed, and Lockhart was knocked unsteady. He flew backwards and flew off the stage.

, hit the wall, then slid down and curled up on the floor.

Malfoy and several other Slytherin students clapped and cheered. Hermione jumped up and down on tiptoes. "Do you think he is okay?" she asked, covering her mouth with her fingers, screaming.

Ron stared at Hermione with a strange look, as if asking her why she still worried about Lockhart, thinking that he was really talented.

Lockhart staggered to his feet, his hat falling off and his wavy hair standing on end.

"Well, you see!" he said, stumbling back onto the stage, "it's a disarming spell - as you can see, I lost my wand - ah, thank you, Brown

Miss. Yes, Professor Snape, it's a great idea to show them this move. However, don't mind what I say. Your intention to do this was too obvious just now. If I want to stop you

, it’s a no-brainer. I think that in order to increase their knowledge, we might as well let them take a look.”

Snape looked murderous. Lockhart probably noticed it, so he said: "This is the end of the demonstration! Now I will come among you and divide you into groups of two. Professor Snape, if you are willing to help me

.”

They moved through the crowd, matching people up. Lockhart paired Neville with Justin Finch-Fletchley, but Snape got to Harry and Ron first.

"I think the dream team should be broken up," he said with a smile, "Weasley, you can form a pair with Finnigan. Potter-"

Harry subconsciously moved closer to Hermione.

"I don't think so." Snape said, with a cold smile on his face, "Malfoy, come up here. Let us see what kind of person you can make the famous Potter. As for you,

Miss Granger - you can be paired with Miss Burst."

Malfoy walked over arrogantly, with a proud smile on his face. Behind him was a Slytherin girl. Her appearance reminded Harry of a painting he had seen in "Holiday with a Dominatrix". She had a long

He was tall, strong, and stocky, and his thick chin stretched forward menacingly. Hermione smiled reluctantly at her, but she ignored him.

"Face your partner!" Lockhart returned to the stage and shouted, "Take a bow!"

Harry and Malfoy barely nodded, staring at each other intently.

"It's not too late to beg for mercy now," Malfoy said sarcastically.

Harry immediately retorted: "Oh? Are you referring to what happened last semester? Hope I can spare your life again?"

Harry knew that this matter had always been on Malfoy's mind, and he saw the angry expression on Malfoy's face as he wished.

But what should we do now?

Harry thought silently, and he couldn't help but think about the characteristics of Slytherin House - shrewdness.

Harry didn't think Malfoy was smart, he just thought he was a despicable person.

"Raise your wand and get ready!" Lockhart shouted. "When I count to three, I will cast a spell to disarm the opponent - just disarm - we don't want anything to happen. One - two -

three--"

Subconsciously, Harry did this when Lockhart counted "one". He did not cast any spells, and avoided the wasted time of raising the wand, but rushed towards Malfoy at once - he

He was very glad that he made such a decision, because not only did he see the panic on Malfoy's face, but he also found that Malfoy was obviously planning to take action in advance and had no intention of abiding by the rules.

The distance between the two was very close, and Malfoy's mind went blank - this was not the Harry he knew.

By the time he came to his senses, he had been hit hard on the cheek by a fist, followed by a left hook, which completely stunned Malfoy and he even forgot to fight back.

Harry vented all his resentment towards Snape on Malfoy - if Snape wanted to target him, then he should teach his favorite student a lesson - just like Professor Hemmer did.

"I said, just disarm!" Lockhart shouted in horror at the heads of the fighting crowd. No one could hear what he was saying. The auditorium became noisy and everyone started fighting.

, the duel completely turned into a messy fight.

When Harry got into a fight with Malfoy, who had come to his senses, it was logically unethical to take action in advance. However, after learning to be shrewd, Harry felt in his heart that Malfoy would make the same decision, so it would be better to take action earlier.

.

Malfoy could only barely resist Harry who didn't give him any chance to resist. He staggered back and his cheeks were swollen.

Snape took over the power: "The curse will stop!"

A green smoke filled the air over the entire venue. Neville and Justin were both lying on the floor, panting; Millicent clamped Hermione's head, and Hermione screamed softly in pain. The two of them

The wands were forgotten on the floor.

After noticing something strange around him, Harry suddenly stopped his hand. He pretended to be nonchalant and took a few steps back, gently rubbing the back of his hands.

Malfoy covered his cheek and stared at him in disbelief.

"My God, my God," said Lockhart, jumping up and down in the crowd, watching the aftermath of the duel, "you stand up, Macmillan watch, and Miss Fawcett pinches hard, and the bleeding will stop immediately.

, Butt.”

Harry was still breathing calmly, and he lowered his head silently, not wanting to give Snape any chance to blame him.

But Harry's wishful thinking was wrong.

It was obvious that Snape had been staring at him for a long time and was walking in the direction of the two of them. After carefully checking the injuries on Malfoy's face, he turned his head and stared at Harry with cold eyes.

"It seems that you need to learn what a duel is." Snape said coldly: "I think you don't mind showing what you just did in front of more people, so that they can see the famous Harry Potter.

.What a shameful person.”

Harry had already raised his head, and he met Snape's eyes angrily, as if asking him how he had the nerve to describe himself like this?

Snape didn't give him a chance to refuse, and said directly: "Make the space available, you need a qualified demonstration."

He deliberately emphasized the pronunciation of the word "qualified" and then whispered something to Malfoy.

Lockhart also came over.

"Demonstration? That's a good idea, Harry. Just do it when Draco points his wand at you."

He raised his wand and waved it left and right, trying to conjure complicated patterns, but accidentally dropped it on the ground. Snape sneered at the side, and Lockhart quickly picked up the wand and said: "Ouch

-My wand is a little too excited."

Harry's heart cooled down little by little, and he knew that he would never be able to use the previous method again in full view of the public.

"Professor, can you show me the method of stopping the spell again?" he could only ask Lockhart.

"Afraid?" Malfoy said in a low voice, with a malicious gleam in his eyes that Lockhart didn't hear.

"Dream." These words came out of Harry's mouth.

Lockhart slapped Harry on the shoulder cheerfully: "Just do what I just did, Harry!"

"What, dropped the wand?"

But Lockhart wasn't even listening to him.

"Three-two-one-go!" he shouted.

Malfoy quickly raised his wand and shouted: "Oolong!"

The head of his wand exploded. Harry watched in horror as a long black snake suddenly jumped out of it, landed heavily on the floor between the two of them, then raised its head, ready to attack. The crowd tipped

Yelling, he quickly stepped back to make way for the open space.

It's a snake.

Harry suddenly became frightened. He saw Ron and Hermione staring at him with wide eyes, and saw what they wanted to express in their eyes - must not expose Parseltongue at this time.

.

"Don't move, Potter." Snape said lazily. Apparently, he felt very pleased when he saw Harry standing there motionless, staring at the angry snake. "I'll take him."

Get it away."

"Let me do it!" Lockhart shouted. He raised his wand and waved it threateningly at the snake. Suddenly, there was a loud bang, and a red spell hit the black snake, causing Lockhart to be hit earlier.

The flying scene reappeared - the black snake flew backwards, turned into black mist again, and just dissipated.

Ron was stunned, and Hermione jumped for joy: "Look, I knew Professor Lockhart was capable."

Harry turned around blankly and looked over. Lockhart was doing complicated tricks to wave to the students, enjoying their cheers. Then he turned back and smiled at Harry, his teeth shining brightly: "That's it.

Do it, Harry."

Snape was extremely dissatisfied with this.

"The duel is not over yet." He deliberately reminded Malfoy, determined to make Harry suffer more.

Malfoy finally woke up from his daze, and Harry also acted instinctively on guard, but at this moment Lockhart spoke again: "Well, that's it for this group. Professor Snape, it's time to change to the next group."

student."

"No." Snape retorted in a cold tone: "It's not yet time."

"Oh, no, no, no. If you ask me, that's enough. It's time to change to the next group of students."

The auditorium fell silent almost instantly, and an inexplicable atmosphere gathered above the heads of the students. The students looked nervously at the two professors standing in the center. Lockhart was showing what he thought was a charming smile, and Sneezy

Pu narrowed his eyes and stared at him coldly.

Harry also looked in disbelief - was Lockhart speaking for him?

Why did he do this?

Just when the explosive barrel was about to explode, there was a commotion among the people standing behind, and they all made way for a path, and a figure wearing a white lady's witch robe walked out - it was Professor Angela, she was the only one in the school.

This is how people dress.

"Hey, Professor Angela!"

Lockhart suddenly broke the silence and said cheerfully: "Are you also here to join the dueling club?"

"No."

It's a familiar beginning again.

Angela's expression was even colder than Snape's. She had been in this state recently, and the students all knew that this was related to Professor Hemmer being attacked.

"I have come to see a student, Cedric Diggory, come out."

Cedric walked out of the crowd with a confused look on his face, his hair was messy, and he obviously made a lot of mistakes during the duel.

Angela looked him up and down for a while, feeling that Cedric felt a little guilty inexplicably - he was not afraid of Professor Heimer, but respected him. But it was different when facing this substitute professor, and he also felt a little guilty towards An.

Kira doesn't understand.

"Are you Cedric Diggory?"

"I am. Professor."

"Follow me to the Ancient Magic Office. I have a question to ask you."

After they left, the students discussed the reasons in low voices. Cedric didn't seem like a student who would make mistakes.

Lockhart took the opportunity to quiet the students and replaced Harry and Malfoy. This time Snape did not continue to object, but stared silently in the direction of the door, his eyes a little deep.

After returning to the Ancient Magic Office, Cedric sat down with Professor Angela uneasily. He asked nervously: "Excuse me, what is going on, Professor?"

Angela stared at him with a look that seemed to be able to see through people's hearts.

"I remember you were Al's assistant?"

"Before? Uh, I don't seem to have been expelled now, right?"

"I want to know if you have ever secretly come to this office."

"No, absolutely not, Professor."

"Then do you remember who has been a visitor to this office?"

"There are many, Professor, including many students who have been in solitary confinement before. I heard that Quidditch players from Gryffindor and Slytherin have come here."

"anything else?"

"Lovegood, by the way, there is also Luna Lovegood. She interviewed me here before, for the report in the college magazine."

"Okay, you can leave."

Cedric stood up in confusion. In the end, he couldn't help but ask the question he had been worried about: "Excuse me, Professor, will Professor Heimer - no, I mean, when will he come back?"

Woolen cloth?"

Angela did not look at him, but walked to an empty place in the office.

The wizard's potted plants were originally placed here, but they disappeared.

"As he sees fit."

Angela said meaningfully.

Cedric took this as an answer that Professor Hemmer was still alive. He had also heard many rumors in the school and had been worried about this for a long time.

At the same time, in the darkness, a Thestral carriage slowly landed outside the gate of Hogwarts Castle.

Toby jumped out of the carriage, and Al was still standing in his old position, on his shoulders.

He looked at the tall castle, the lights twinkling like stars in the night sky.

"It seems that the principal hasn't come back yet, otherwise he should come to greet me."

Then he opened the door and told the armor who had changed his position and sat in front of the carriage: "Remember to return the carriage secretly, as well as the Thestral. Then you first hide in the Forbidden Forest, take the coffin with you, and try not to let other people go."

People discovered it.”

Armor nodded silently, and he drove the carriage along the edge of the wall, being careful not to be discovered by anyone.

Al looked at Toby and asked him what his next plan was.

"It's hard to say yet, Al." Tony murmured: "Maybe I should overturn my previous plan. After all, the opportunity is rare."

"The headmaster is not at Hogwarts."