Agent Vizet

After dinner, many students chose to stay in the Great Hall, intending to wait there until eight o'clock.

Professor Flitwick raised his wand, bringing the four house tables together, then moving them to the very center of the Great Hall, perfectly aligned.

Professor McGonagall stood before the four house tables, gently waving her wand as if conducting an orchestra, casting Transfiguration that turned the house tables into a wide stage.

Just as Professor McGonagall was adjusting the stage details and adding gilded patterns, Professor Flitwick pointed his wand at the ceiling;

As Professor Flitwick gently flicked his wand, the brilliant starry sky on the ceiling gradually dimmed, settling into a velvety black night sky.

Thousands of candles floated in mid-air, their flickering flames mirroring the students' emotions—a mixture of anticipation and excitement—against the backdrop of the dark night sky.

As more and more students gathered, the Great Hall became increasingly noisy, with everyone sitting close together, discussing excitedly.

"They're here! They're here!"

It was unclear who shouted, but everyone turned to look at the Great Hall entrance.

"It's Snape..."

"And Professor Lockhart..."

"Oh! I thought it was Headmaster Dumbledore himself who came!"

Snape walked at the front, still dressed in the familiar attire of all the students: a flowing black robe, his lowered eyelids concealing his coldness and cruelty.

Lockhart followed closely behind, wearing a purple-red fringed robe and sporting his signature smile. As he waved and walked onto the stage, he tripped on the steps and nearly fell.

Snape glanced at the disheveled Lockhart, a clear mockery playing on his lips.

Lockhart seemed completely unaffected, speaking animatedly about his good intentions and why he was organizing the gathering.

Even at the very end, he didn't forget to mention his own work, praising the adventures described in it.

Lockhart's smile froze when Snape, growing impatient, shifted his stance and raised his wand. He stammered as he introduced his assistant, Snape, "Let me introduce my assistant..."

Snape twisted his wrist, clearly ready to fulfill the duties of a teaching assistant at any time.

Lockhart, however, changed the subject, "As everyone knows... Professor Snape was a Potions Master... and he's very different from me..."

"Given my excellent adventuring experience... I really don't want to cause him to get hurt during the demonstration later because I didn't handle things properly..."

As Snape narrowed his eyes and stared at Lockhart like a viper hunting its prey, Lockhart subtly took a step back, coughed lightly, and continued speaking.

"Since the goal is to teach students how to duel, then we should have a student come up on stage to demonstrate... Professor Snape, what do you think of my suggestion?"

"Yes...that's absolutely right!" Snape's eyes flashed coldly. "Since you've made the suggestion, then I'll find a proxy. You..."

Lockhart breathed a sigh of relief and interrupted Snape before he could finish speaking, saying, "I think there's no problem at all!"

Even with the help of a laptop, it would be very difficult for him to match Snape in less than a week.

Finding a proxy for Snape is almost the best solution that can be thought of at present.

After less than a week of intensive training, he can now barely cast an Shield Charm... at least he hasn't missed a single time while practicing.

Even if a student who hasn't graduated yet is outstanding, it's unlikely to cause him much harm, especially since he can use the Shield Charm to deal with it.

"Mr. Vizet Lovegood!" Snape turned his head slightly, scanning the crowd. "Come up!"

Starting with Potions Class O at the end of last school year, they gradually became less resistant and just watched as Wizet walked onto the stage and stood to Snape's side.

"Ah... a very good choice..." Lockhart's face lit up again. "Today we'll teach you a simple spell... the Disarming Charm!"

"That's right! Just disarm the wand! That's a quick and easy way to win... Do you know the Disarming Charm?"

"Ahem!" Snape coughed softly, so softly that only Wizet could hear it.

Wizet understood and gently shook her head. "Professor Lockhart, I've only learned about this magic; I've never actually used it..."

"Hiss..." Lockhart felt a headache coming on. He seemed to have encountered Wizet's so-called "just knowing" excuse once before.

"Then let me teach you simply... The Disarming Charm charm isn't complicated; it's just— Disarming Charm! Then thrust out your wand..."

"Is that so? Are you going to thrust out your wand?" Snape interjected menacingly. "Mr. Lovegood, what is the casting animation for the Disarming Charm?"

"According to the book, if you're a beginner... it's best to flick your wand and imagine you're knocking away the other person's weapon," Wizet said.

"Ah... I must have mixed it up with other magic..." Lockhart said, sweating profusely, trying to salvage the situation. "After all, I know too many spells..."

"Since you, Wizet, are so familiar with the Disarming Charm, let's begin our duel! And while you're at it, let's explain the entire duel process to the students below!"

"Yes, Professor Lockhart." Wizet held the wand in her hand.

"First, we hold the wand to the center of our chest, with our noses facing the tip..." Lockhart said slowly, "And then we bow..."

"Both sides need to maintain a distance... The rules of the duel are to use magic... No physical contact... This must be remembered..."

Snape abruptly interrupted Lockhart's explanation, "Shouldn't you all stand a little further back? As beginners to the Disarming Charm, it's easy to lose your sense of proportion..."

Harry's eyes widened, his voice filled with disbelief, "Snape actually cares about Lockhart!"

"I don't think it's concern..." Ron analyzed. "Look at Snape ... doesn't he look like he does when Potions Class is on patrol? He's definitely up to no good!"

Lockhart waved his hand. "I don't think so. As an adventurer... I'm very confident!"

Snape nodded. "Well then... Mr. Lovegood, remember to exercise restraint and be sure to keep things in check!"

Wizet coughed lightly, expertly controlling the twitching corner of her mouth, and nodded seriously, saying, "I'll try my best!"

"Then let's begin!" Lockhart waved his wand as if wielding a sword and about to perform a flourish. "On the count of one, cast the Disarming Charm... Three, two, one!"

Just as Lockhart uttered "one," Wizet swung his wand violently, shouting, "Disarming Charm!"

A burst of red light erupted, and the students closest to the stage were momentarily blinded, as if the whole world had turned red.

With a loud thud, they gradually came to their senses and saw Lockhart appear on the wall in the distance, slowly sliding down it...