The week went by quickly, each student in their right mind doing their best to be the one who forced Lockhart from his position. In those 5 days, he had been locked into his office with a dozen Nifflers that had apparently been stolen from the COMC class, had his food dosed with laxative potions, his chair banished from beneath him whenever he attempted to sit, and even had his robes set alight, but he was still there, if a little antsy.

But it was Saturday finally, and the first session of the duelling club that most of the school was talking about. Severus, Filius and Minerva would be overseeing it as it was the first one, and as they were sitting in the empty Great Hall with Mia and Lex, who they had nominated to assist them, Albus and Gilderoy entered.

"Ah, good, found you all. Now, explain why our very own DADA professor is not running this class?" Albus asked pompously.

"It was not his decision Albus, the other professors and I are taking charge of it for as long as the students are forced to learn what Gilderoy's favourite scent is," Minerva said, disdain heavy in her words.

Not that the headmaster seemed to notice, he just brushed it off, "No one has ever told you how to teach Minerva, you should not do the same to Gilderoy. I insist he be a part of every club session given, no arguments allowed."

"Of course," the professors replied.

The headmaster left and Gilderoy clapped his hands together, "So, what's on the plan for today?"

Severus grinned evilly, "Well I was going to personally go up against Hermione, show the other students that us professors are willing to train them even one-on-one. I suppose you can just sit on the sides and watch, get into the swing of things."

"Nonsense," the blonde sized Hermione up and smiled pleasantly, "I'll take your place old man, let the students see how it's supposed to be done."

The potions master put the bluster on but as soon as Lockhart was gone, he had a huge grin, "Hermione?"

"Oh, this will be fun," the brunette declared, spinning her wand with her fingers as she thought over all the spells she knew.

Minerva and Filius wore identical smiles, knowing full well that the two second years were far more advanced than their grade, and their colleague thought he had an easy task ahead of him. It was just the icing on top that the jerk was going to be beaten by a 12 year old Gryffindor witch.

10 minutes later most of the school entered the room, the three professors amazed at the numbers and forced to move the club to the Quidditch pitch. Once everyone was settled in, Filius conjured a long platform in the middle, "Welcome to the first ever Duelling Club session. It is very nice to see so many of you here. We have a treat for you all, to prove that the professors involved will be personally involved, our own Professor Lockhart has volunteered to duel 2nd year Gryffindor Hermione Granger."

The applause was loud; the students seated in makeshift stands on the ground, the Quidditch stands too high up for everyone to see clearly. Hermione stepped up onto the platform, as did Lockhart, and both bowed to the audience, as was protocol. No seconds were announced, mainly due to none of the other professors agreeing to be Lockhart's.

The two duellists stood in the middle and bowed to each other, as they did Minerva's voice stating loudly, "This is an instructional duel, duel to disarm, stun or injure, no Unforgivables. Once your opponent is declared down, you are to cease the duel. Return to you places and await the start."

Hermione moved quickly to her end, Severus and Lex there to get the best view of her beating the professor. Sending them a smile, she turned back and awaited the sound of a cannon blast. But barely a second before it sounded, a red stunner flew over her crouched head, the cheat who had sent it looking on in amazement that she hadn't been hit.

"Expelliarmus," the gold spell racing down to her opponent, who just missed getting hit by it, not even trying to put up a shield.

The next stunner that came at her was battered off by the witch's shield, whereas she threw a Tarantallegra back at him, forcing his feet to dance about wildly. At the same time that the wizard had stopped his feet, he was hit by a Multicorfors that changed his hair bright pink, his skin purple, and his robes the dullest grey possible. It seemed the shock was too much as he just stood there as a quick Furnunculus covered him in pimples and then disarmed him.

"The winner, Hermione Granger," Filius called out cheerfully, "And 50 points to Gryffindor for such perfect spell work."

Apparently hearing that the witch who had done this to him was getting points was the breaking point needed. Gilderoy grabbed his wand back and raced from the laughter that came from the stands. For 2 hours the club had an excellent time, learning all sorts of spells and duelling techniques, though some older students were annoyed when the two demigods assisted them; that is until they were threatened with a duel against them if they didn't shut it.

It was no surprise at all when Dumbledore stood that evening at dinner and announced that Lockhart had resigned and all DADA classes were cancelled until another could be found to replace him. While those who hadn't been there that day groaned, everyone else cheered loudly, and all of the professors were seen toasting the man's resignation.

After dinner, Hermione and Alexander ran down to Firenze's home, they had received permission from both McGonagall and Grubbly-Plank to stay in the forest every Saturday night.

"Nye!" The pair called out happily as they spotted the Pegasus having a feed.

He trotted over and nuzzled both demigods, his telepathy growing stronger every day, "Mia, Lex, how was today?"

Sitting down, they told him all about it, laughing as he did. Firenze appeared from the forest and smiled pleasantly, "Ah, I see that you have both arrived. Have you eaten?"

"Yes"

"Well then, a little star-gazing and sleep. Tomorrow we begin training."