Rictusempra

A group of students were gathered in the Entrance Hall; Daphne rose on her toes to glance over Draco's shoulder and waved them over. Blaise took a moment before leading Jason and Harry over to see what the excitement was about. Daphne batted her eyes and cooed at Blaise, "There is a Dueling Club starting. I bet you'd be brilliant, Zabini."

Jason smirked while keeping quiet, Harry pushed his glasses up on his nose and Blaise snorted. "I'm sure there are many in this school who would love a chance to face a Slytherin."

Draco, Vincent, Gregory and Pansy were standing off to the side of the notice board along with Daphne. Draco smirked and folded his arms watching as others read the announcement excitedly. "They won't stand a chance against us."

Harry stuffed his hands in his pockets, Jason stopped himself from commenting and Blaise peered at Daphne as she slipped closer to him. Two more Slytherin girls, Tracey Davis and Scarlett Lympsham, came from the direction of the dungeons. Tracey dragged Scarlett over to Pansy and Daphne where the four started giggling, catching the attention of some of the nearby boys, while the Slytherins ignored their antics to discuss the merits of joining such a club.

Alia bounced up to them, followed closely by Ginevra as usual. Alia wrapped one arm through Jason's and the other through Harry's. "What's going on?"

"A Dueling Club." Jason peered at Alia and put a stop to any interest she might have had in the new activity as quick as he could. "You're too young."

Ginevra read the parchment posted on the notice board and smirked, "We are not."

"Let her join, Vaisey. She's a Slytherin. She could beat any of those plebeian Gryffindors blindfolded." Draco sneered at Ron and Seamus as they walked up.

Ron glared at Draco as Seamus read the announcement and Alia beamed at Draco before turning back to Jason. "See? Malfoy has faith in me. You should, too."

Jason's face was unreadable as he stared at his little sister. Ginevra gently tugged at Jason's other arm, trying to defuse the situation, "The professors won't allow first years to duel anyone too much higher than us. You know she'll be safe."

"Wait, you're thinking about joining the dueling club, Ginny?" Ron blinked in surprise at his sister.

"Afraid you'll be beaten by your baby sister, Weasley?" Jason raised an eyebrow suddenly rather amused.

"What? No!" Ron responded quickly, scoffing at the idea.

Ginevra giggled at Ron and stood closer to Jason. "He's afraid of what the twins will say when he loses to me."

Draco moved towards the Great Hall pausing beside Ginevra and glancing at Ron, noting how red his ears were. "Joining this infantile dueling club might be worth it just to see you hex your brother, Weasley."

Vincent and Gregory laughed as they passed Ron. Pansy, Tracey and Scarlett dragged Daphne away from Blaise in order to follow Draco. Blaise resisted being pulled along with those girls, sighing in relief as soon as Daphne entered the Great Hall.

Jason rounded on his sister, "Okay Al, I know you'll join the club if Weaselette does. Just don't get hurt or we're both in trouble with Mum."

Alia bounced on her toes grinning, "Thanks, Jay!"

"You're really going to join then?" Ron murmured at Ginevra.

"Yes and we're going to be brilliant." Alia beamed at Ron, grabbing hold of Ginevra and dragging her off to the Great Hall.

Blaise, Jason, Harry, Seamus and Ron followed while Seamus and Ron discussed the new club. "Could be useful," Ron shrugged at Seamus who grinned and nodded enthusiastically. The boys parted ways at the door to the Great Hall as they went in for dinner.

As Blaise, Jason and Harry sat at the Slytherin table Harry finally broached the subject that was on his mind, "Would we have time with all the quidditch practice?"

Jason pondered, "It wouldn't hurt to give it a go. First meeting is tonight at eight and we don't have practice."

With the serving spoon paused mid-scoop, half in-half out of the grilled vegetables, Blaise looked at his friends, "So you're giving this serious thought?"

"Fighting a stinky troll was easy compared to what this could be. Trolls don't cast back." Harry grinned and tucked into his favorite meal, shepherd's pie.

"Like I said, it wouldn't hurt to give it a try." Jason poured his milk into his glass and set the jug down before continuing. "It isn't as if we don't have some experience with stressful situations. We can keep our cool when others panic. We are Slytherin after all."

Blaise set the serving spoon down when he was finished with it and pushed the vegetable dish towards Jason. "Fine, we'll go and see if it's worth our time."

By the time the three boys entered the Great Hall that evening, the whole room had been changed. Gone were the usual House tables, replaced by a long stage with a draping padded cover, lit with spotlights and centered in the room. The Great Hall was filled with students, more entering behind the three Slytherins. Harry hung back, watching between Jason and Blaise's shoulders.

"Harry!" Hermione beamed at the three, "Hi Jason. Hi Blaise."

"Hey, Granger." Harry glanced around at the gathered crowd, Jason grinned and Blaise nodded his greeting.

"Isn't this exciting?" Hermione bit her lip in wide eyed wonder. "I wonder who will be teaching us. I heard Professor Flitwick was a dueling champion in his younger days!"

"I suppose it could be anyone, really." Blaise's eyes narrowed, "just as long as it isn't-"

Cheers erupted throughout the room, along with groans from many Slytherins, as Lockhart sauntered into the spotlight in center stage, cloak hanging strategically from one shoulder in a brilliant teal. He waved a gloved hand as he smiled at everyone, "Welcome! Come, gather around. Ah, can you all hear me?" Lockhart turned in a full circle, beaming his blinding smile as he did. "Excellent!"

"This just became a colossal waste of time." Blaise snorted when Hermione pouted at him and his hasty assessment.

"The Headmaster was kind enough to allow me to start this dueling club, seeing how overly qualified I am, as seen in my works, Magical Me." Lockhart smiled and looked around at all the swooning females. "I will demonstrate how a proper duel is conducted with the aid of Professor Snape." All of the students perked at that announcement. The Slytherins stood taller, filled with pride, while the other students mumbled about Snape's possible dismemberment during the duel. "Now, do not fear for him, you will still have your prestigious potions master when I'm through."

Hermione nudged Blaise, "Let me guess, it just got interesting?"

Blaise smirked but conceded, "Yes. You could say that."

Snape moved slowly and deliberately onto the platform stage, his lip curled with distaste for his opponent and the anticipation in the room thickened. "Lockhart is going down." Harry's eyes danced with excitement.

"That's Professor Lockhart." Hermione hissed at Harry.

"Symenatics, Granger. Down is down. The poser is finished." Harry stuffed his hands in his pockets to keep from fidgeting in excitement.

With an air of superiority Lockhart whipped off his cloak, allowing it to fall in a pool of material off to his left. Sauntering into position the blonde professor grinned and bowed with lavish, overly dramatic movements to which Snape quirked an eyebrow and briefly nodded acknowledgement. Wands out, the two men faced each other and Lockhart explained what was about to transpire, "As you see, we are holding our wands in the accepted combative positions. On the count of three, we will cast our first spells. Neither of us will be aiming to kill, of course."

Snickers and snorts of disbelief could be heard scattered among the students to which Snape smirked briefly and Lockhart ignored altogether. He then began the countdown, "One. Two. Three."

Both professors immediately casted, yet it was Snape's cry of "Expelliarmus!" that rang out with a flash of red, blasting Lockhart back, off the stage and against the wall with such force it left him dazedly sprawled on the floor.

Students scattered around the room applaud enthusiastically and if truth be told, not all of the cheering was by Slytherins. Hermione gasped nervously and stood on her tiptoes, "Do you think he's all right?"

"Can't say I care, Granger." Blaise shrugged off Hermione's attempt to smack his arm with indignation at his disinterest.

Snape stood patiently as Lockhart stumbled to his feet. Leaning against the wall to gain his bearings, Lockhart ran his fingers absently through his hair and straightened his clothes before he attempted to ascend the stage once again. "Yes, well done. That there was a prime example of a disarming charm."

Lockhart paused as soon as he was on the stage still a bit shaken, "As you can see. I have erm, lost my wand." He glanced down and grinned, "Ah, yes, thank you Miss Brown." Facing the students with his usual smile in place he continued, "It was clever of Professor Snape to demonstrate that spell, but I must say that it was rather obvious which spell he was going to cast and if I had the mind to do so, I could have blocked..."

Snape's look hardened and the words his competitor was spouting faded quickly and adjusted to safer ground, "So perhaps pairing up now would be an excellent idea." Lockhart quickly motioned to the students, "Yes, pick a partner!"

The four friends glance at each other, only before they could pick, Snape split them up. Hermione was partnered with Millicent; Jason found himself paired with Theodore; Blaise was faced with Anthony Goldstein from Ravenclaw; Harry was surprised by Draco. Draco smirked at Harry who simply returned the expression.

"Face your partner and bow." Lockhart was back on stage directing the students from where he presumed was a safe place. Harry and Draco simply nodded much in the fashion as Snape had done moments earlier. "Wands at the ready!"

Lockhart strode back and forth along the stage spouting directions, "When I count to three, cast your charms to disarm your opponent. We don't want any accidents, be sure to disarm only!"

The mischievous grin on Draco had Harry's stomach in knots, they both had their wands at the ready, but Harry wished he was facing that stinky troll instead. "One. Two. Three!"

Harry wasn't sure what Draco cast, he started when Lockhart said 'two' and all Harry could think to do was block. The spell somehow bounced off Harry's shield and hit Millicent. Draco and Harry watched her fly backwards and did their best to stifle their laughter. Draco smirked and glanced at other pairs before quirking an eyebrow at Harry. Harry's eyes widened as he realized what Draco silently proposed and shook his head slowly.

Sighing softly in displeasure, Draco looked pointedly at someone over Harry's shoulder. Full of suspicion, Harry glanced in that direction as Draco called out, "Tarantallegra!" Ernie Macmillan of Hufflepuff started waving his arms out to his side as his legs began jerking around out of control in some form of awkward dance steps.

Harry looked wide eyed at Draco and quickly looked for another victim, "Rictusempra!" Draco watched as a silver streak of light zipped past him at Vincent. Draco raised an eyebrow and Harry shrugged unabashed, "He took my spot as beater."

Draco chuckled and they watched Vincent double over in uncontrollable laughter. "Nice one."

Lockhart was frantically trying to gain control of the class. "Disarm! I said disarm only! Stop!"

Looking for more victims, Draco and Harry casted rictusempra at various students until at least a fourth of the room was laughing in hysterics. Harry spotted Ron across the hall, waving his hands at some odd smoke, while poor Neville looked rather pained. Draco watched in amusement as Ron yelped from a stinging curse.

Snape scowled at them and the two quickly faced off again trying hard not to laugh and failing. It was the look of pure mischief in Draco's smirk that had Harry curious. His raised questioning eyebrow was answered with a small nod in their next victim's direction causing Harry to laugh and nod eagerly. Draco gauged Snape's level of distraction before giving the signal, "Now!"

Dual hexes soared towards Lockhart while he cried out for students to stop. Lockhart's piercing yelp was what sealed the clubs fate as Snape simply took over shouting the simple command that Jason failed to cast for Neville last year, "Finite Incantatem!"

Ernie gained control over his legs again and the rest stopped laughing; only that didn't stop Millicent who had Hermione in a headlock. Harry stepped up to them and cleared his throat, "Bulstrode, I suggest you stop acting like a Gryffindor before you're resorted."

Millicent released Hermione and turned angrily at the voice who mocked her, noting everyone staring at them. Huffing Millicent picked up her wand and stomped away. Hermione plucked her own wand off the floor and trembled as Harry allowed her to lean against his side for support.

Lockhart looked a bit frazzled as he stood up on the stage again. "Perhaps another demonstration showing blocking spells." Looking hesitantly at Snape, Lockhart quickly turned back to the students. "How about two volunteers... Mr. Longbottom and Mr. Finch-Fletchley?"

Scoffing, Snape disagreed with the choices of volunteers. "Mr. Longbottom has trouble with the simplest of spells. We don't want to send Mr. Finch-Fletchley to the hospital." Snape grabbed two students by their collars keeping his voice low for their ears only, "Since you two decided to have a bit of fun, let's see what you two know, hmm?"

Both Harry and Draco exchanged a quick humored glance and mumbled a 'yes, sir' as they quickly joined Lockhart on the stage. "Mr. Malfoy and Mr. Potter will demonstrate." Snape watched his two students carefully and they both nodded in agreement.

"Excellent!" Lockhart grabbed Harry's upper arm and lead him to one side as Draco stood opposite him. "Just move your wand like so..." Lockhart wiggled his wand in odd movements and dropped it to the floor.

Harry raised an eyebrow and smirked, "I see. Dropping my wand will cause a shield or a blocking spell. That is something new. Which book of yours is that covered in, sir?"

Draco snorted and turned his attention to Snape quietly relaying what just transpired. Snape raised an eyebrow at Harry who had the decency to lower his gaze with a sheepish grin. Lockhart ignored Harry's comments and question and spoke loudly, "Yes, so at the count of three. One. Two. Three!"

Without hesitation Draco cried out, "Serpensortia!"

While Harry ignored what Lockhart told him to do, the young wizard used the proper incantation and wand movements to simultaneously cast, "Protego!"

Harry paused and stared in curiosity when black smoke poured from Draco's wand before the smoke took the form of a snake. Tilting his head, Harry watched as the snake rose menacingly before him. Harry smirked at Draco, "Is that the best you can do, Malfoy?"

"Stand back!" Before Harry could stop Lockhart, he mumbled something and pointed his wand at the snake, causing it to fling at least ten feet straight up in the air before it landed with a thud.

The snake hissed angrily at the professor. "Easy." Harry pushed Lockhart behind him to safety. "This man is no threat to you." Lockhart stumbled back and the snake lost interest. Harry could feel how agitated the snake was and his grip tightened on his wand. "No need to be angry." Its tongue darted out and its head snapped to the left with interest. "I want you to calm down." The snake stared down its prey as Justin Finch-Fletchley froze in fear. "That boy is weak and you are not in danger." Harry refused to back down and stepped closer crouching to eye level, demanding the snake's obedience. "Enough! Look at me."

Hesitating only for a moment the snake's forked tongue darted forward towards Justin again before it turned its attention back to Harry. "I am not weak. And you will obey me." Reluctantly the snake settled at Harry's feet never breaking eye contact with the boy. Harry nodded once, still watching the black snake as it coiled, casually waiting long enough for Snape to cautiously approach and banish it.

Harry sighed in relief and glanced up at Snape. The odd look on Snape's face confounded Harry. He turned to look at the others as they all gaped at him. Slowly Harry looked at Justin, only he didn't look pleased which confused Harry further. Harry thought he'd be grateful, instead Justin snapped at him. "What was that for?"

Annoyed with the ungrateful attitude, Harry hopped off the stage to stand before Justin and snapped back, "Ungrateful git, next time I won't bother stopping him."

Edited 10/12/2016