The Great Hall.
It was packed with people; every person at Hogwarts who could make it was there. The news that Professor Snape was going to demonstrate the art of wizarding duels with Audrey Astley had set the entire school ablaze with excitement.
With a wave of his wand, Dumbledore transfigured a long platform over a meter high in the center of the Hall. The young wizards crowded around the stage in a dense throng, while the professors sat at the staff table.
"Albus," Professor McGall said worriedly, "what are you doing? Why would you allow Miss Astley to duel Severus? What is the reason for this?"
Dumbledore waved his hand dismissively. "Minerva, there is no need to worry. This is merely a friendly spar to demonstrate a wizarding duel to the students and broaden their horizons."
Professor Flitwick, on the other hand, was incredibly excited. "We should definitely help the students reclaim the tradition of wizarding duels! More than half of the current graduates can't even cast a proper Shield Charm! It's disgraceful! I think we should take this opportunity to reopen the Dueling Club!"
Dumbledore smiled. "We can discuss that later. For now, we should focus on today's match. It is bound to be a spectacular performance!"
Down below, the students were already growing impatient, chattering away as they discussed what the coming battle would look like.
Ron said to Hermione beside him, "Snape has completely lost his mind. He's actually going to duel a girl like Audrey?"
Hermione looked concerned and shook her head. "I don't know. I imagine Professor Dumbledore has his reasons for organizing this duel." She looked around but didn't see Audrey anywhere. "I just hope she doesn't get hurt!"
George and Fred were weaving through the crowd, scouting for "business opportunities."
Fred called out, "Place your bets! Place your bets! Professor Snape at 1.1, Audrey at 3 to 1! Any takers?"
George added, "Backed by the Weasley family's hundred-million-Galleon fortune! Guaranteed payouts, honest dealings for all!"
Even though the Weasley family was wealthy now, under Molly's consistent and frugal management, the twins' pocket money hadn't increased by a single Knat! To fund their dream of a joke shop, they had to seize every possible chance to earn gold.
"Weasley, are you two stupid? Audrey has only been at school for a little over a year. How could she possibly be a match for Professor Snape?"
"Exactly! I think you're going to lose everything!"
"As much as I like Audrey, her opponent is Professor Snape!"
"Two Galleons on Professor Snape!"
"Fifty Sickles on Professor Snape!"
"Snape..."
A voice suddenly rang out, cutting through the noise. "I'll bet ten Galleons on Audrey Astley!"
The students turned to look. The one betting on Audrey to win was Draco Malfoy. The boy held his head high with an arrogant air, though his high-profile posture couldn't mask the pain of potentially losing his money. He wore a smile, but the slight twitch at the corner of his mouth betrayed his true feelings.
Betting on Audrey was purely to avoid being settled with by his cousin later on. In his heart, he clearly favored Professor Snape!
Ron pursed his lips. He wanted to bet on Audrey too, but he was unfortunately short on funds. "Damn Malfoy, always showing off! Think you're so great just because you're rich!"
As he thought about it, Ron began to complain about his mother. The family was clearly rich now, so why hadn't his quality of life improved at all? He wanted to experience the feeling of spending money wildly too!
...
The giant bat entered through the doors of the Great Hall. He had changed his clothes; no longer wearing his usual billowing black robes, he had chosen a more fitted set of wizard's robes that allowed for ease of movement.
With a light leap, he jumped onto the platform and surveyed the room. His presence was incredibly imposing, and the young wizards fell silent instantly. That gaze of his reminded the students of the terror of being under the Potions Master's thumb.
"Where is Astley?" Snape asked coldly.
"I'm here!"
A girl's melodic voice echoed from above. Audrey was gripping one of Fawkes's legs as she slowly descended from the air.
The students gasped in wonder, while only Dumbledore clutched his chest with one hand, his face as dark as still water. That is my phoenix!
Audrey landed on the platform, standing at the opposite end from Snape. Fawkes let out a cry and vanished into a burst of flame.
"Astley, such a flamboyant entrance won't help you. It only exposes your lack of confidence!"
Audrey smiled. "Professor Snape, whether I'm confident or not, let's see what we're made of once we start."
"Hmph!"
Seeing that everyone had arrived, Dumbledore announced loudly, "The duel between Professor Snape and Miss Astley is merely a spar intended to showcase the elegance of wizarding duels. If everyone is interested, we may consider reopening the Dueling Club in the future!"
In the eighties, Dumbledore and Professor Flitwick had founded a Dueling Club to prevent students from dueling in uncontrolled environments and causing accidents. However, after Fudge took office, he and the Board of Governors had abolished it, arguing that promoting combat in school was detrimental to the healthy growth of young wizards.
Now that Fudge was dead, there seemed to be no more obstacles to reopening the club.
...
The young wizards watched the platform with rapt attention. Most of them almost forgot to breathe, especially the students who had placed bets. Snape and Audrey bowed to each other, signaling that the duel had begun.
"I am a professor, so I will allow you the first move."
Snape considered himself a man of propriety. Since he was already "bullying the young" by competing against her, he felt it would be unseemly to strike first—even if his actions weren't always the most proper, such as forcibly feeding people Veritaserum.
Audrey smiled slightly and flicked her wand. A beam of magic flew out, striking the wall and blasting a large crater into it, sending stone fragments flying. Amidst the gasps of the students, the damaged wall instantly restored itself to its original state.
"There, I've taken the first move," Audrey said, holding her wand level in front of her chest. "Professor Snape, you may attack as you please."
It wasn't that Audrey was intentionally trying to show off; if she truly took the initiative, the scene would turn ugly very quickly, and Snape would lose a great deal of face.
"Arrogance!"
Snape brandished his wand angrily. Bursts of orange-gold magical light erupted like crossbow bolts or whips, full of momentum and terrifying force. The attacks flying through the air created loud whistling sounds, while those skimming the floor carved intersecting furrows into the ground. Amidst this grand offensive, Snape occasionally threw in Disarming Charms, Stunning Spells, and Freezing Charms, making for a dizzying display.
The students were stunned. Was their Potions Master really this powerful?
Draco had a mournful expression. Although his pocket money was indeed plentiful, ten Galleons was not a small sum to him. Judging by Snape's momentum, his cousin might actually lose.
"Audrey, watch out!" Hermione couldn't help but shout. Her cry made the young wizards realize they were actually allowed to breathe! Suddenly, the sound of heavy breathing filled the room.
Looking at Audrey again, she remained unruffled and composed. With just light flicks of her wand, she intercepted all of Snape's attacks. She didn't miss a single one, and she didn't even bother to cast a Shield Charm on herself.
It was a joke—she was a woman who could fight Grindelwald for an entire day!
Snape's face paled as he increased the frequency of his attacks. This insolent Astley! Who did she think she was? Audrey's nonchalant attitude completely infuriated Snape; in his eyes, it was a direct provocation.
Since Dumbledore was present, nothing catastrophic would happen, and he felt there was no need to hold back anymore. Snape decided to teach Audrey a lesson.
"Sectumsempra!"
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