"Honestly, I'm surprised you volunteered to be his assistant. Godric knows you hate the man." Luna said as she was looking in the mirror finishing getting dressed.
"I prefer to think of it as an opportunity to embarrass him in front of everyone." Snape said, a mischievous smile on his face.
"Severus, you aren't planning on hurting Gilderoy, are you?" Luna questioned him.
Snape paused for a second, a grin plastered on his face as images of Lockhart writhing under the effects of various curses went through his mind.
"Severus." Luna said more sternly.
"No no, I won't hurt him... much" Severus muttered.
"Severus!" Luna half yelled half giggled.
Severus wrapped his arm around Luna, pulled her in close, and placed a sweet kiss on her forehead. "Come on, don't want to keep the golden boy waiting" he teased.
"Gather round, gather round! Can everyone see me? Can everyone hear me?" Lockhart said rather officially.
"Unfortunately." Snape muttered under his breath. Luna gave him a playful smack.
"Now, Professor Dumbledore has granted me permission to start this little dueling club, to train you all in case you ever need to defend yourselves as I myself have done on countless occasions - for full details, see my published works." Lockhart continued.
Snape rolled his eyes.
"Let me introduce my assistant, Professor Snape. He tells me he knows a tiny little bit about dueling himself and has sportingly agreed to help me with a short demonstration before we begin. Now, I don't want any of you youngsters to worry - you'll still have your Potions Master when I'm through with him, never fear!"
"Go on then" Luna teased nudging Severus towards Gilderoy. "You heard what he said. I'll still have you when he's through."
Severus cast a look of daggers at Luna, which she returned with only laughter.
Severus and Gilderoy turned to face each other and then bowed. They raised their wands at the ready.
"As you can see, we are holding our wands in the accepted combative position. On the count of three , we will cast our first spells. Neither of us will be aiming to kill, of course." Lockhart continued to lecture.
"One - two -three -" Lockhart counted.
"Expelliarmus!" Snape shouted the moment the word "three" left Lockhart's lips.
Lockhart went flying across the room, slammed into a wall, and fell to the floor.
Luna's hand quickly went to cover her mouth to try to hide her smile.
McGonagall peered through the doorway, "Luna, may I have a word?"
"Of course" Luna said as she excited the Hall. The sound of Lockhart's pompous voice could still be heard on the other side of the doors.
"I'm afraid we're going to have to double up our security until this whole Heir of Slytherin business is settled. The students are more nervous than ever. They can't learn when they're afraid. They need to be made to feel safe... Even if they really might not be. Would you and Severus be able to manage adding another night each week to your rounds?" Minerva asked.
"Of course, Minerva. Whatever you need." Luna responded.
"Thank you. Be sure to tell your partner in there that you've just signed him up for extra work." she paused, "but let him finish embarrassing Lockhart first." she snickered.