Seamus: It Is Our Duty

Ron was furious, but there was nothing he could do about Harry. After grumbling a few times, the two of them were called aside by Loren.

"Let me make this clear beforehand: a duel is not like solving a problem; there are no standard answers in the conventional sense. My opinions are based solely on my understanding, and I hope they offer some insights. Always remember, the fighting style that best suits you is the one you develop based on your own strengths."

"Stop talking, Loren!" Ron urged impatiently. "Teach me how to get rid of his annoying Disarming Charm. I'm already thinking about pinning him to the ground and beating him up."

"You sound like you're not fully awake yet," Harry said smugly, which made Ron grit his teeth again.

"Alright, let's talk about the duel." Loren drew their attention. "First, Harry, your Disarming Charm is very powerful; some adult wizards can't match it. I think besides your personal talent, Professor Flitwick also deserves credit."

Harry nodded. From the beginning, he had a particular fondness for the Disarming Charm. After listening to Professor Flitwick's lecture at the Charms Club event, he chose the Disarming Charm as his specialization almost without hesitation. Through repeated practice, he had developed some of his own understanding of the charm.

"You have a good grasp of this spell and have also listened to Professor Flitwick's advice, working hard on the accuracy of the spell and the speed of casting."

Loren paused for a moment, then continued, "But I must say, your dueling awareness is too immature, and your target is too obvious. Your mind is only focused on hitting your opponent directly with spells, and you have no tactics at all. That's why Ron was able to dodge your spells almost every time, and only in the end, when he was exhausted, was he hit by the Disarming Charm."

Ron nodded repeatedly. "If I weren't so tired, I could play with you all day long."

Harry recalled the battle just now... Although he was on the offensive against Ron, apart from constantly using the Disarming Charm, he couldn't end the battle quickly and could only let Ron stall for time.

"Try using other actions or spells to conceal your target. Stab his body or restrict his evasive movements, and seize the opportunity to end the fight." Loren looked at him. "Remember, back in your first year, you would use Levitation Charm, Transfiguration, and other knockback charms to cover up your Repelling Charm. Now that you've mastered the more powerful Disarming Charm, you've lost that awareness."

Harry scratched his head; it seemed so. The powerful Disarming Charm gave him the illusion that as long as he kept bombarding the Disarming Charm with it, he could win.

Although the question was directed at Harry, Hermione, standing nearby, thought of herself... Since her physical abilities were enhanced, she seemed to have consistently relied on speed and strength to overpower Loren, achieving considerable success. However, Loren had learned Apparition, so if they fought outside the school grounds... that day, she chased Loren all the way, but couldn't even touch the hem of Loren clothes.

Hermione pursed her lips; this wouldn't do.

After Harry finished analyzing the problem, Ron stepped forward. "My turn! Tell me quickly, how can I get rid of that annoying Disarming Charm?"

Loren curled the corners of his lips and laughed, "Have you realized that if the Disarming Charm doesn't hit you, you don't need to pay any attention to it at all? No matter how powerful it is, it has nothing to do with you."

Seemingly realizing something, Ron's eyes widened. "Ignore it..."

"Yes, Harry's Disarming Charm and your spell collided, and there was only a brief pause in the middle of the attack. You were able to seize the opportunity and dodge in time. If you had dodged earlier, just as his spell was activated, or even before it was activated, no matter how powerful the Disarming Charm was, it wouldn't have hit you."

"I could seize the opportunity right after he cast his spell and retaliate." Ron swallowed hard, imagining the scene. He had to admit, he was tempted.

"Also, spell practice is crucial. Whether it's the Shield Charm for defense or the Disarming Charm that Harry specializes in, mastering a spell will make your duels much more impressive," Loren advised.

Harry and Ron took the advice to heart and carefully recalled the first battle, confirming their various suspicions.

Ten minutes later, they began their second battle.

Skipping over unnecessary dueling rituals, Harry and Ron stood five or six meters apart, wands held in front of their chests, staring at each other warily.

Harry exhaled and launched the first attack: "[Expelliarmus]"

Ron stared intently at his arm and the direction the wand tip was pointing. The instant the spell ended, his pupils contracted. "I saw it!"

He nimbly moved two steps to the left, and a familiar red light from the Disarming Charm shot out, striking Ron diagonally behind him to the right. The fragments of the charm dissipated into the air.

Just as he thought!

Ron couldn't help but feel a surge of joy. It was easier than he had expected. Not only could he predict the spell's landing point from Harry's movements, but he could also read Harry's eyes and even his thoughts—he always wanted to hit his chest.

A vague thought flashes by, like playing chess, you can try to guess what he's thinking.

Unfortunately, he didn't seize the opportunity to counterattack. He'll definitely do it next time! Ron couldn't wait to start the second round of attacks.

It's getting harder... Harry pursed his lips, feeling the blood rushing through his veins. He wasn't sure if it was just his imagination, but he felt a surge of excitement emanating from his wand.

The ensuing battle became even more intense.

Harry used the Levitation Charm to drag tables and chairs from the back of the classroom, using them to smash Ron and create roadblocks, blocking Ron's escape route.

These tables and chairs not only became Harry's help, but also Ron's. Ron used them as cover, dodging and taking advantage of the gaps to unleash a few spells, making Harry's attack less smooth and easier.

Transfiguration was slowly incorporated into the design. Ron transformed the four corners of the table into hooves, seemingly trying to conjure a bison to charge at Harry, but he only completed half of it; the table with drawers remained on top.

With its four hooves thrashing about, it staggered towards Harry at a slow pace, only to be blasted away by a powerful Disarming Charm...

Both of them possessed a certain talent for combat. In their back-and-forth attacks and defenses, the magical knowledge they had learned in the past and their personal ways of thinking gradually transformed into experience in dueling, which they used subconsciously, resulting in rapid progress.

However, despite the intense battle between the two sides, this level of duel was still a bit lacking for Hermione and Loren. Their private duels were far more intense and faster-paced, requiring a greater exchange of spells and martial arts techniques to truly test their combat abilities.

Hermione strolled over to Loren and asked, "So, is Professor Morgan satisfied with them? He really acted like a professor when he was explaining things."

"It's alright." Loren accepted the title readily.

"Come on, Professor Morgan, I also have a question to ask you." Hermione grabbed his arm and led him out of the classroom.

Upon arriving at the Library, Hermione let go of his hand and plunged into the long bookshelves, flipping through the books one by one.

Few people come to the Library during the holidays, and besides, the Basilisk had scared most of the young wizards home. Apart from Madam Pince, there was no one else in the Library. When they entered, Madam Pince glanced at the two of them, and after confirming that they wouldn't make a lot of noise or damage the books, she ignored them.

Loren read the title from the side of the book:

"The Apparition Exam Guide?"

"Safe Apparition Starts Here?"

"The Magical Transportation Safety Act?"

Loren could guess what Hermione wanted to do without even thinking, "You want to learn Apparition!?"

This little Witch probably underestimated its danger after seeing him quietly Apparition. Recalling his hundreds of experiences of Splinching himself in the Fantasy Book, Loren felt a chill run down his spine and reached out to press down on the stack of books in her arms. "Hermione, practicing Apparition without permission is against school rules!"

"Oh? Is that so?" Hermione rolled her eyes at him several times; the words coming from his mouth sounded utterly unconvincing.

Loren, exasperated, pulled the little Witch aside and, after much persuasion, finally explained the risks of practicing in secret. Based on his own experience, he vividly described the various scenes of Splinching, depicting bloodshed and graphic violence.

The little Witch frowned as she listened.

He could cut off his hands and feet in the virtual space of the Fantasy Book, and even practice the Thai Magic Head-Flying Technique, but he absolutely could not let Hermione practice without protection; it was far too dangerous.

"So, you've practiced Apparition Splinching many times?" Hermione looked at him seriously, her small face tense and very intimidating.

The air seemed to freeze. Loren's neck stiffened, but to dispel Hermione's dangerous thoughts, he forced himself to nod.

Having gotten the answer, Hermione angrily raised the book in her hand and slammed it against him, making the cover bang loudly. "Practice, danger, magic! Practice, danger, magic!"

She kept saying words one by one, tapping her phone after each word, until she slowly softened and stopped. Hermione eyes were already a little red.

"I have a special method to avoid harm. I had Professor Flitwick watching when I actually cast the spell, and I succeeded on the first try." Loren said apologetically, his voice not loud. "Don't worry, I heard from the upperclassmen that you can take the Apparition exam once you turn 17. The school will run special training courses with professional supervision, so it's safer."

Hermione gave a muffled "oh," then lowered her head and continued burying herself in the bookshelves, collecting information about Apparition.

"Hey!" Loren followed anxiously behind.

"Don't worry, I won't practice it on my own. You can't Apparition in Hogwarts, can you? I'm just interested in this magic and want to learn more about it." Hermione said, pulling a large book from the bookshelf.

Loren breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this. He didn't notice that Hermione's pupils, which still retained some cat-like features, contracted, turning into cunning vertical pupils.

If a professor is watching over her, she'll be safe, right...? Hermione hummed softly.

That evening, after greeting the Fat Lady, Loren entered the Gryffindor Common Room, where he immediately heard Ron's arrogant laughter:

"Harry, although your Disarming Charm is powerful, it's still a little short of defeating me, hahaha..."

Only Ron and Harry were in the Common Room, or rather, they were there on purpose. Ron spotted Loren, who had just returned, and warmly pulled him to sit on the sofa, beginning to recount his heroic deeds.

In the second duel during the day, the two fought each other for more than a dozen rounds. Because the Disarming Charm was more difficult to cast, Harry's casting speed slowed down after using Disarming Charm countless times. Ron seized the opportunity and used a wave of Petrificus Totalus to end the battle.

Forced to hear his own story of persecution again, Harry's face was filled with helplessness. "It's just that one of us won one game..."

His voice was drowned out by Ron's laughter, failing to elicit any response. Predictably, this incident would be repeated over and over in the coming months, until everyone was tired of hearing it.

Eight days after the Christmas party, Hermione lost her last Cat Hair, signifying her recovery and complete removal of the Catgirl title.

Loren deeply regrets this.

Loren had a very fulfilling holiday. He studied Alchemy and Rune under Flamel's tutelage, and was occasionally dragged by Harry to practice dueling with them.

He spends most of his time with Hermione, and the two of them review the Animagus Exam together, and he answers some of Hermione's questions about Apparition.

One day, the horn of the Flying Car was drowned out by a melodious whistle, and they knew that the Hogwarts Express had arrived, and the Christmas holidays were over.

The holiday fun made them forget the threat of the Basilisk. At the new school term dinner, the young wizards who had just gotten off the train chattered excitedly to their friends about their holiday experiences. The lively atmosphere kept Dumbledore smiling.

At the Gryffindor table, Loren, Harry, and Ron lowered their heads, avoiding eye contact with the people opposite them, and guiltily averted Seamus's gaze.

Hermione and Neville watched with great interest.

"I never expected this—no, I knew it!" Seamus was so heartbroken he could hardly breathe. "He infiltrated the Slytherin Common Room using Polyjuice Potion, slew the Basilisk with the Sword of Gryffindor, and incidentally dealt with that good-for-nothing Professor Lockhart!"

"My hunch was right, Crabbe is Heir of Slytherin!" Seamus's heart ached even more at the mention of Crabbe. "If I had stayed at school during the Christmas break, Seamus Finnigan's name would definitely have appeared on Gryffindor's Champion list."

He angrily condemned his three roommates. "You started it on the very first day of the holiday! Even shortly after I left!"

Seamus, lost in his delusions, began to ramble incoherently. "If it were just a few minutes earlier, just a few minutes... even if I were stuffed into a stocking as a present for my mother on Christmas Day, I would still stay..."

"Has he gone mad?" Harry kept gesturing to Loren with his eyes.

"Take it easy, it'll be fine in a few days..." Loren replied.

Just as Seamus was heartbroken and couldn't eat, his good friend Dean saved him. Dean reached out and stopped Seamus, whispering in his ear, "Look at the High Table, the seat next to Dumbledore."

Seamus looked up and saw a person dressed in a black cloak, whose face was not visible at all, sitting next to Dumbledore. Even when he was eating, only a glimpse of his thin chin could be seen.

Dean said, "I heard it's the new Defence Against the Dark Arts Professor, replacing Lockhart."

Quirrell Lockhart, the Defence Against the Dark Arts Professor and a man in hiding...

Connecting these keywords, Seamus felt a jolt, his body trembling with excitement. He stammered as he asked Dean, "Is it what I think?"

Dean nodded firmly.

Their eyes met in mid-air, and the noise in the Great Hall seemed to vanish, leaving only their unwavering gazes.

Now, with the elusive Defence Against the Dark Arts Professor right before me, I must consider whether this might be my only chance in this lifetime to achieve the glory of Gryffindor Champion ...