Chapter Twenty One

Life, Love And Honor

Class was back in session and Hogwarts was in a buzz, in just a few minutes they would be getting ready to duel under Professor Lockheart's instruction.

"So how was you Christmas?" Hermione asked

Ron and Harry had to suppress their smiles, they had yet to tell Hermione just what they had been up to.

"It was good, Harry and I turned the common room in to a forest and went camping"

"Oh, I'm jealous I love going camping."

"Sorry Hermione," Harry replied, "maybe next time. It was a kind of boys gone wild week, you probably would have killed us by the end of it."

"No doubt"

"You know it's funny that once again we are being taught to duel by a Lockheart. Maybe it's a gene that comes with the name."

"Don't be silly, Ron its just a coincidence" Hermione replied.

Ron was about to open his mouth again when they arrived at the Great Hall and came face to face with the subject of their debate.

"Good to see you, glad you all signed up. Find a place we will be starting shortly."

The Great Hall soon filled with students wanting to duel.

"Welcome to the dueling club, this year I will teach you all how to defend yourselves, as I have had to do before. Professor Snape has been nice enough to help me with a demonstration."

The trio looked at each other with a sense of déjà vu. Only three years ago this scene had played out with the former Lockheart. Maybe it really is a trait of the name.

"Dueling is the proper way for wizards to work out their issues. It is not deemed honorable to resort to cheap shots. Start by facing your opponent, bow and bring your wand into the ready position. Walk twenty paces from your opponent and turn to face them. On the count of three you cast your spell. 1..2..3"

"Expelliarmus"

"Protego" Lockheart easily blocked Snape's spell, turning to face the crowd

"Now Professor Snape and I will each pick a student to come up and take a turn, on my count cast you spell, if anyone needs it I will remove the spell for them. After you all get a chance we will break and meet back next time for more practice. Lets see, Seamus you first"

"Pansy, you go"

Seamus and Pansy climb up onto the platform, facing each other in the middle. Following instructions they went through the motions and waited for the count.

"1..2..3"

"Rictusempra" chants Seamus. Pansy never got her spell off being hit with the tickling spell before she could react.

"Finite Incantatem" Pansy regains her composer and they leave the platform.

Ginny was paired with Padma, resulting in Padma falling to the ground when Ginny had cast the jelly leg jinx on her. Hermione and Anthony went a round and landed up in a draw as the could not seem to knock the other one down after three rounds. Ron lost to Justin when he used Evanesco on his wand causing it to vanish. One by one they all tired their best to win. Until only two remained

"Harry" Lockheart called out

"Draco" Snape yelled

And so it was once again arch enemies faced each other in a duel. Harry thought back to the last time this happened and the whole school found out her was a parselmouth. Face to face he stood with Draco, barely bowing before walking to his end of the platform.

"Wands at the ready, 1..2..3"

"Incendio," roared Harry fire shooting from his wand.

"Confundus," Draco retuned but it was too late Harry's spell had made contact seconds before setting Draco on fire. Draco screamed like a banshee for the full three seconds that he was on fire before Lockheart put him out and continued to scream for several more seconds afterwards.

"Such a drama queen" someone in the crowd said

A flood of cheers overtook the room, someone started to chant Harry, Harry. Soon the whole room was doing it and Harry took a small red faced bow before jumping off the platform and rejoining his friends. Harry could not help but smile, he had a good life, love and honor.