A proper duel naturally required a host who could command the pace and keep things running smoothly. Lee Jordan, the familiar voice behind every Quidditch match commentary, was chosen to host this one.... "Welcome, everyone! First, let me introduce today's referees."
That familiar voice made the crowd feel as if they were once again on the Quidditch field, and for a moment, they could almost see that pale golden figure streaking across the pitch.
Unfortunately, the star of today's event wasn't Draco, but another equally famous figure—the Savior himself, Harry Potter...
"Let's welcome today's referees! First, our newly appointed Defense Against the Dark Arts professor—Professor Lupin!!"
Lee's spirited announcement was met with loud cheers and applause. Over time, Lupin's classes had won over many students and fellow wizards alike.
When the noise finally died down, Lee continued—but this time his enthusiasm had noticeably faded, and his voice grew quieter...
"...and Professor Snape."
The difference was obvious. His words were shorter, and the scattered clapping that followed made it clear Snape wasn't exactly beloved by the students. He was even less popular than Lupin, who had only joined Hogwarts that year.
Despite the lukewarm reception, Snape's unbothered smirk showed he couldn't care less. In truth, he didn't take it to heart at all. His cold gaze instead turned toward Lupin, brimming with disdain.
Lupin met his eyes with an apologetic look, but the hint of guilt behind it only seemed to enrage Snape further.
"Don't look at me with that revolting expression. It makes me want to pour every potion I've brewed straight down your sharp-toothed mouth."
"Severus, I think we could—"
"No. I'm here for one reason only: to make sure a certain someone doesn't lose control... and to keep an eye on a certain self-important Savior. That's all. I don't care about the rest."
"But Severus, you must understand—time has only just passed... and Harry is important, isn't he?"
"Hah. Who can say? After all... Dumbledore's getting old."
Stuck awkwardly between the two, Lee Jordan wiped the sweat from his forehead. He'd prepared himself for tension, but this was far beyond what the rumors had suggested.
Everyone knew Snape couldn't stand Lupin. Most believed it was because Lupin had taken the Defense Against the Dark Arts post Snape had coveted for years.
Silently stepping aside to give the professors space, Lee thought that if he hadn't known they were both Hogwarts staff, he would've assumed they were mortal enemies—and the ones about to duel instead.
What puzzled him most, though, was that both professors seemed to have their attention fixed squarely on Harry Potter....
…
Once both sides' duelists had gathered, Diggory gave Lee Jordan a quick look, pulling him out of the thick tension between Snape and Lupin.
Eager to move on, Lee jumped to his feet and strode to the center of the platform. With a light tap of his wand against his throat, he spoke, his voice echoing clearly through the hall.
"First up, from Slytherin House—Gregory Goyle and his partner, Vincent Crabbe!"
Compared to Snape's earlier introduction, the applause and cheers that followed were pitifully weak, even mixed with boos from three of the houses.
Slytherins, after all, weren't the loud, cheering sort. Even during Quidditch matches, it was rare to see them shouting like the students from other houses. Perhaps that was the pride of pure-blood nobles.
Because of that, Slytherin's side was almost silent, completely overshadowed by Gryffindor's roaring enthusiasm....
Still, the jeers only seemed to excite Goyle and Crabbe further. Their eyes locked on Harry Potter, gleaming with malice and mockery, as if they were already scheming how to humiliate him once the duel began.
In a way, their mental toughness was quite impressive.
"What's wrong?" Pansy, noticing that Draco's gaze wasn't on Goyle and Crabbe, tugged lightly at his sleeve.
"Nothing."
Draco turned away without elaborating, though the look on his face said otherwise. Pansy and Astoria exchanged puzzled glances, then gave small huffs and looked elsewhere.
At that moment, Lee Jordan's booming voice pulled everyone's attention back to the platform.
"Next, representing Gryffindor House—the one who defeated that man—Harry Potter!!!!!"
"Harry!!"
"That's Harry Potter, my roommate!"
"Go, Harry! Crush Slytherin!"
The volume was staggering—hard to believe it was all for a third-year student. But then again, this was the boy who had defeated the Dark Lord, and with Slytherin being as unpopular as they were lately, such a reaction wasn't surprising at all.
After all, aside from Slytherin, every other house was firmly on Harry Potter's side...
Yet somehow, everyone seemed to forget someone else entirely—and that Harry Potter was only the second-in-command in this duel.
Hearing his name, Harry drew in a deep breath.
"Come on, it's our turn, Ron."
"Yeah."
Harry's voice trembled slightly, though he didn't notice how unnervingly calm his friend seemed.
Not that he could have. It had been so long since he'd stood in the spotlight like this that his face was flushed with excitement, his stiff movements betraying just how nervous he really was.
When he caught Pansy's glance from the stands, his attempt to appear calm faltered completely, making the watching students laugh softly. The awkward mix of pride and panic made him look almost endearingly foolish.
But while every eye was fixed on Harry Potter, no one seemed to notice Ron—or wonder whether he was nervous at all. It was as if he'd been completely forgotten.
All except Draco, watching quietly from the sidelines....