Chapter Seven

Dueling Club

"Didn't you hear? Colin was petrified last night!" A frantic seventh year announces. "We're all doomed!"

"Calm down, Martin, there's no need to panic." Percy tries to silence the boy.

"Maybe for you! You're a pureblood! What about the rest of us muggle-borns? Are we next?"

"Everyone, just calm down. The teachers have figured something out. We're all going to learn how to duel and defend ourselves. Everyone, follow me to the Great Hall." Everyone is the house follows Percy down the stairs. We all crowd around the giant platform in the middle of the room. A few minutes later, Lockhart stands up and walks up and down the platform like a runway.

"Gather around, children, gather round! Can you all see me? Can you all hear me?" Lockhart asks. "Excellent. Now in light of recent events, Dumbledore has asked me to start this little club to teach you how to defend yourselves. If my assistant, Professor Snape, could kindly join me on stage please?" Professor Snape steps up and he and Lockhart start the duel.

"On three. One, two, three." Lockhart counts.

"Expelliarmus!" Snape knocks Lockhart back. He begin to laugh, slightly. Lockhart stands up and thanks Snape for introducing that spell, obviously trying to cover up his embarrassment. After a few more demonstrations, Lockhart calls up Harry and Snape brings up Draco. Wow. They really like to pin these kids against each other, don't they?

The dueling match with Draco and Harry starts off alright, but then it starts to get a little out of hand.

"Remember, you're only trying to disarm your opponent." Lockhart reminds them.

Draco conjures up a snake and it slithers toward Harry.

"I'll get if for you, Potter." Snape begins to walk towards Harry.

"No, no, Professor Snape, I'll tend to it." Lockhart walks forward and casts a spell on the snake. It rises up and collapses. All of a sudden, a loud hissing sound fills up the Great Hall. I look and see Harry, speaking Parseltongue. Hagrid mentioned it once or twice in magical creatures lessons. Snape disintegrates the snake and the club is dismissed.

"Oh my god," someone whispers, "he's a parselmouth. What if he is the heir of Slytherin?" Fred and George start laughing at this, casing people to look at them in confusion.

"Come on, guys, Harry Potter? The heir of Slytherin? You guys are rich!" George cackles. The four of us walk away, making our way back to the common room.