---
Chapter 8 – Continuing the Lesson
"Alright, students, today we'll be practising spell duelling and casting while on the move."
The incident with the petrified cat hadn't left Lockhart with the slightest psychological shadow. He stood proudly on the podium once again. "When you encounter a Dark wizard, it's not just about who can whip out their wand the fastest. It involves footwork, tactics, anticipation, dodging — all the essentials."
"Now then, I need a volunteer to demonstrate with me."
He spotted Hermione with her hand stretched as high as it would go. "Very well, Miss Granger, up you come."
The two of them took their places opposite one another.
"Now, use any spell you learnt in your first year, or anything I've taught you, to attack me. Don't worry — you absolutely cannot harm me."
Hermione truly had learnt well. She raised her wand and cast crisply:
"Petrificus Totalus! Stupefy! Aguamenti! Expelliarmus!"
Lockhart brushed the spells aside with ease, then with a neat flick of his wand sent Hermione's wand flying from her hand.
"Thank you, Miss Granger. Nicely done — lovely rhythm. I didn't feel like we were duelling; it was more like dancing with Miss Granger. Ten points to Gryffindor!"
The class burst into warm laughter.
"Alright, Miss Granger, pick up your wand and take your seat."
---
Lockhart addressed the room calmly. "Did anyone understand the point I was trying to make?"
A low murmur spread through the rows, but no one volunteered to speak.
"Perhaps… I do," Harry said uncertainly.
"Mr Potter, stand up and say it," Lockhart encouraged.
Harry drew in a breath. "Hermione cast four spells at the professor."
"Even an idiot can count to four," Draco Malfoy cut in smugly.
Lockhart's expression tightened. He hadn't felt it while reading the books or watching the films, but now that he was standing here himself, he realised just how insufferably rude Malfoy could be.
"Silence, Mr Malfoy. If you've understood something, stand up and explain it — Slytherin will also earn points."
After shutting the boy up, Lockhart motioned for Harry to continue.
"Well… Hermione cast four spells. The first, Petrificus Totalus, the professor deflected with his protective charm. The second, Stupefy, he dodged. The third, Aguamenti, he blocked with a counter-spell. And the fourth, Expelliarmus, he countered with the same spell. The professor deliberately used different methods to show us that there are lots of ways to deal with an opponent."
"Excellent! Very observant. A round of applause for Mr Potter."
People slapped their desks in appreciation. Many realised they had only watched Lockhart's flashy movements and hadn't paid the slightest attention to the finer details.
"However," Lockhart added, "I can only award Mr Potter five points. He missed something. Whoever can tell me what it is will earn five points."
The class gasped.
"Missed something? Hermione only cast four spells!"
"Don't let Mr Potter's answer limit your thinking," Lockhart hinted.
---
Lockhart surveyed the students, expecting Hermione to work it out. Instead, a fair-skinned Slytherin girl raised her hand.
"The professor used his Disarming Charm to knock Miss Granger's wand away while dodging," she said. "He was showing us that sometimes the best defence is to press the attack."
"Perfect! Yes — the best defence is a strong offence, and the best enemy is one on the floor! Marvelous summary. You could be a writer! Ten points to Slytherin. And your name, young lady?"
"Pandora Fudge, Professor. You can call me Pandora," she said, cheeks flushing.
Slytherin roared with delight while Hermione deflated in her seat.
"I can't believe I didn't think of that…"
"Right, then. Bounce, block, dodge, counter, or knock your opponent flat! Pair up and practise — especially counter-attacks while moving. Even many seventh-years can't manage that. Let's see if we can produce a duelling prodigy among you!"
The students eagerly began practising, spells and footsteps filling the room.
Up on the podium, Lockhart let out a quiet sigh of relief — another lesson successfully survived.
---