After Harry and Ron's duel concluded, the next to take the stage were a fifth-year Gryffindor boy named Odorp and his opponent, a fellow fifth-year Slytherin, Bilk.
The two were clearly long-time rivals, and the moment their duel began, a barrage of nasty curses filled the air. Though both had decent combat instincts and managed to dodge most of the spells, the duelling platform was only so large—and neither had mastered the Shield Charm. It didn't take long before one of them had a face covered in boils while the other was spewing slugs. If it weren't for Snape's preemptive protective enchantments, a good portion of the spectators might have gone down with them.
Watching the scene unfold, Snape made a silent decision: it was time to move up the curriculum for the Shield Charm.
At Hogwarts, students usually didn't begin learning the Shield Charm until sixth year. But truth be told, two years of study was too rushed—which was why many adult wizards at the Ministry still struggled to cast the spell properly.
Starting earlier might give students a better chance at mastering it.
Since this class was called "Defence Against the Dark Arts," the most essential thing they should learn was precisely this kind of defensive magic.
"Oh, wow! Odorp just did something completely unexpected—he gave up on spellcasting and used the opportunity while dodging a curse to rush Bilk and knock him out with an uppercut!"
"What can I say, while it may not be the most magical tactic, we are Gryffindors, after all! Remember, Godric Gryffindor himself fought with a sword in one hand and a wand in the other—that's the Gryffindor tradition, the Gryffindor spirit!"
Snape shot Lee Jordan a sharp glare.
Lee promptly toned down his enthusiasm, coughed awkwardly, and said, "Let's congratulate Odorp Jones!"
Over in the Slytherin section, Malfoy was fuming and stomping his feet. "Idiot! When that Gryffindor came charging, he could've just thrown a Tarantallegra at him!"
Goyle and Crabbe exchanged a glance, both sizing up their own bulky physiques and pondering deeply. Hmm…we could try that too! No need for uppercuts—just charge in and smash 'em with our heads. Most people wouldn't stand a chance!
Audrey, meanwhile, was silently analysing the duel in her head, pairing it with a few combat applications of the Spectator pathway abilities to craft a new style of battle.
"Alright…start with Awe and Frenzy, then follow up with…"
While she was lost in thought, her eyes drifted to the corner of the room where several Durmstrang students stood, arms crossed or leaning against the wall, all wearing expressions of faint disdain. It wasn't quite contempt—it was more like disinterest. From their perspective, this kind of duel was far too 'safe'.
At Durmstrang, aside from the Unforgivable Curses, pretty much any spell was fair game. After a fight, it wasn't unusual to see someone missing a limb or two.
"Huh?"
Audrey noticed a pale-haired Durmstrang girl scanning the crowd, clearly searching for someone. When their eyes met, the girl's gaze immediately turned provocative.
"…."
Great, Audrey thought with a grimace. All thanks to Lee Jordan's nonsense—now I'm somehow a marked target.
Then it was time for the Weasley twins.
That's right—both of them took the stage together. According to them, the Weasley twins were a package deal: if there's going to be a fight, they're in it together.
If it's one opponent, the two of them will face him.
If it's ten opponents, they're still going in together.
"Very well," Snape said coldly with a sneer, nodding in approval.
He happily obliged by choosing three third-year students from each of the remaining Houses to serve as their opponents.
9 versus 2.
It was a total one-sided beatdown.
"Oh! George went down—then someone cast the Levitation Charm to float him back up, only for him to be hit with six different spells in a row! George was sent flying off the platform…Wait—nope, they've dragged him back in!"
"Fred's on the run! Fred's still running! Fred continues to run!"
"Finally—Fred sees an opening! Fred attacks! Fred gets hit! Fred is down!"
Ron covered his eyes. "From this moment on, I disown them. I don't know them. So humiliating…"
Harry said thoughtfully, "Honestly, I thought Fred did pretty well. If he hadn't gone on the offensive, he might've kept dodging for a bit longer."
"…."
Ron stared. "Hey—was that a compliment or an insult?"
Ten minutes later, the Weasley twins were dragged off the platform by their fellow Gryffindors to a chorus of boos.
At that moment, the Durmstrang students finally made their move.
"Professor Snape," one of them asked, "may we participate in the combat class as well?"
Snape narrowed his eyes slightly, then gave a nod. "You may. Who's going up first…?"
Pausing for a second, he glanced at the Hogwarts students. "And who among you is willing to take the challenge?"
"Krum, you go!"
A few girls immediately pushed a crew-cut boy forward. "You're in fourth year, right in the middle—not too old or too young. Show the Hogwarts lot how formidable Durmstrang can be!"
The boy gave a nod and was about to step forward when the girl with nearly white platinum-blonde hair—the one who had locked eyes with Audrey earlier—spoke first.
"Let me go."
Some upper-year boys instantly widened their eyes in amazement.
"Whoa! She's stunning! I thought all Durmstrang girls were big and brutish."
"I think she's still a far cry from Audrey."
"Yeah, but Audrey already has a boyfriend. Doesn't matter how pretty she is."
"True."
"Anyone know her name?"
"Think it's…Emily Larsson."
While whispers rippled through the crowd, the girl turned to face Audrey and said seriously, "I wish to challenge Miss Audrey Hall."
Whoosh!
All eyes turned to Audrey once again.
The boys were thrilled—what could be better than a pretty girl? Two pretty girls. And what could be better than two pretty girls? Two pretty girls fighting.
Since she'd been named specifically, Audrey had no choice but to step forward.
"But I have one condition," said Emily Larsson, speaking up again. "If I win, I want you to let Edward go on a date with me!"
"???"
Everyone froze.
What the hell? Everyone had assumed this was a battle of pride between beauties—who would've thought this was infighting over a man? Seriously?
Cedric was beside himself with excitement. Oh, this is gonna be good! Who would've thought—Edward, with those thick brows and 'honest' eyes, already has such a gorgeous girlfriend in Audrey, and now he's out here flirting with a Durmstrang girl behind her back?
Snape looked livid. This is a practical Defence Against the Dark Arts class, meant to improve their combat capabilities and prepare them for future dangers.
And what are you all doing? Turning it into a soap opera?
Audrey was also dumbfounded—she hadn't expected that kind of request.
"Uh, are you joking?"
"Absolutely not!" Emily raised her chin. "I heard you're Edward's girlfriend, right?"
"..."
"So, what's wrong with beating you and then going on a date with him?"
But—wasn't this sort of thing supposed to happen between two guys fighting over a girl? Why was it happening to her?
And in front of so many witnesses, no less!
Edward, oh Edward. You're really something, aren't you?
Audrey ground her teeth slightly. "I don't think I have the authority to decide who he dates. I suggest you just go ask him directly."
"I will!"
She looked around. "But he doesn't seem to be here today?"
"Hmm, I think he is," came a sudden voice from above.
It was Lee Jordan.
Whoosh!
All heads turned again—toward the door, where Edward had just pushed his way into the classroom, completely bewildered under the 'spotlight' of everyone's attention.
"Uh…what's going on?"
Without hesitation, Lee Jordan announced, "Congratulations, Edward. Miss Emily Larsson of Durmstrang has just publicly declared that she wants to go on a date with you—and she's even challenging Audrey for the right!"
"???"
Edward turned toward the voice. The girl—Emily—gave him a cheerful little wave. She looked like the same one who'd asked a question during Transfiguration earlier that morning.
Lady, we've known each other for less than a few hours, and you're pulling this in front of everyone? Really?
Professor Snape, are you seriously allowing this nonsense in your class?
Then he saw Snape off in a corner, arms crossed, watching with ghost-like stillness and a face full of sarcastic glee—as if waiting for a good show.
Tsk. You've fallen too low, Severus…
Left with no choice, Edward gave it a moment's thought and said, "Um…thanks, but no. I already have someone I like."
Emily immediately looked toward Audrey.
But Audrey calmly replied, "Don't look at me. If you want to ask him out, go right ahead. He has plenty of time—for shopping, sightseeing, classes, whatever you want."
The Weasley twins, sitting side by side on the floor, exclaimed, "Wow! Audrey's so cool with this! Edward's living the dream!"
Hermione silently glanced at them. "Those two idiots only ever think about pranks. If Edward dares accept Emily's proposal, he'll be leaving this classroom on a stretcher."
But Emily simply shook her head earnestly. "None of that matters. What matters is—I want him to tutor me in Transfiguration. I want to be as good at it as he is."
Edward: "???"
The other Durmstrang girls: Ugh! If we'd known, we would've used that tactic too! Emily, you're so sneaky!
Everyone else: "???"
So this wasn't a date challenge—it was a tutoring request disguised as a romantic stunt?!
———
[Note]: Don't forget to VOTE. It keeps me motivated.