Summary: Dumbledore asks Snape to help Lockhart with the duelling club. Snape express his …distaste.

Disclaimer: All characters etc. belong to JK Rowling. I make no money doing this. I am just having fun!

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Set during Chamber Of Secrets

The Duelling Club

"He wants to start a duelling club?" Severus Snape repeated Dumbledore's words, incredulity dripping from every syllable.

"Severus," Dumbledore started, the slight warning tone in his voice unmistakeable "I know your doubts on Professor Lockhart's abilities…" the look on Snape's face clearly said that they weren't doubts but downright certainties as far as he was concerned. "…but he is the Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher."

"Concerning that Headmaster.." Snape started Dumbledore sighed. Yes it was unfair to deny the post to Severus, especially when he was easily more talented than Lockhart. Snape had hated all the previous DADA professors but Lockhart was effectively an insult. But he couldn't tell him that the post was cursed, not yet.

"I have already explained my reasons." Dumbledore said "I will not discuss it further. I want you to offer your assistance to Professor Lockhart for this duelling club."

"He is a complete incompetent!" Snape said viciously.

"Which is why I would like you involved Severus. I trust your abilities far more then Lockhart's." Severus had always been susceptible to flattery, of course there was one other argument he could use that would appeal to him.

Snape knew there was no further point in arguing with Dumbledore, he would end up helping that idiot with the duelling club. He rose and started to head towards the door just as Dumbledore had pulled out Transfiguration today and started to read it.

"You surprise me Severus." Dumbledore said, apparently casually. Snape paused by the door looking back. Dumbledore continued without lowering the magazine.

"I thought you would have relished proving you superior abilities in front of Lockhart."

"He is hardly worth the bother." Snape replied, though as thought settled in his brain the corner's of his mouth curled into a slight sadistic smile. As he left the office, Dumbledore lowered the magazine revealing the smile on his face. He wondered, only briefly, whether he ought to have emphasised that he wanted Lockhart back in one piece.