Duelling Club

The evening after the Quidditch match, at eight o'clock, the Duelling Club held its first session.

Moriarty, Lilith, and Jericho arrived at the Great Hall.

The long dining tables had vanished, replaced by a spacious gilded stage along one wall, illuminated by hundreds of candles floating overhead.

The ceiling had turned velvet-black, setting off the stage's brilliance. Nearly every student in the school had come, packed tightly together, each holding their Wand and staring at the stage with excited faces.

"Who wouldn't want to get up there for a duel? I say the school should establish an award called the 'Duel King'! The winner would earn one hundred points for their House!" Jericho seemed to have become obsessed with showing off lately. Eager to try, he squeezed into the crowd.

With him clearing the way ahead, Moriarty and the others smoothly made their way into the chattering crowd.

William, Leon, and upper-year students from other Houses were standing there. When William saw Moriarty arrive, he stretched out a hand and called, "Come over here! You'll get a better view!"

Moriarty stepped into the upper-years' circle, discreetly swept his gaze across the group, and then met Leon's eyes: Bill Weasley still had not appeared!

"Professor Flitwick is here!"

Someone shouted, and the crowd fell quiet. The students moved aside, making a path for Professor Flitwick.

So that more students could see him, Professor Flitwick levitated himself. He floated onto the stage and said, "Gather around, children. So that everyone can become proficient in using Spells and gain practical combat experience, I applied to Professor Dumbledore to establish this little Duelling Club."

The students broke into applause. "Thank you, Professor!"

Professor Flitwick nodded. "All right. Before that, you must understand the culture and history of wizard duelling—it is a formal contest between two or more wizards, in which only magic may be used. Ah, I know someone is about to raise their hand and ask, didn't Gryffindor duel Slytherin with a sword? And Merlin and King Arthur—King Arthur also used a sword."

The students nodded repeatedly, and Professor Flitwick smiled. "Remember this, children: strength. Great strength will silence everyone. Though Professor Dumbledore would rather I didn't say such things, learning Spells is also meant to make us stronger."

Once the students had quieted down, Flitwick searched the crowd with his eyes. "Mr. Moriarty, please come up and give everyone a demonstration with me."

Amid applause, Moriarty walked onto the stage and took his place opposite Professor Flitwick. Professor Flitwick said, "Before a duel begins, the two wizards usually bow to each other as a sign of courtesy."

After bowing, they raised their Wands before their chests like arrows. Professor Flitwick said to the students, "Once that step is complete, the formalities of duelling are over. Now, let me count—one—two—three!"

Moriarty and Professor Flitwick raised their Wands over their shoulders at the same time. Professor Flitwick softly said, "Expelliarmus!"

A dazzling red beam burst from the tip of his Wand. Moriarty remained perfectly calm. "Protego!"

An invisible shield appeared before Moriarty, reflecting the red beam up into the ceiling.

"Oh, child, an excellent Shield Charm! Ten points to Slytherin!" Professor Flitwick clapped, then turned to the younger students. "The two Spells you just saw: Expelliarmus, the Disarming Charm, causes an opponent to drop their weapon or any object they are holding. Moriarty used Protego, the Shield Charm. I want you all to remember this Spell, because it may save our lives at a critical moment. It can reflect most Spells."

After the demonstration ended, Moriarty stepped down from the stage. Professor Flitwick said, "Now it is time for you to form groups, children. Would you like to pair up freely, or would you like me to assign you?"

"Freely, of course!" the students answered in unison, then began happily chatting with people they knew.

Leon called loudly, "William! I've been sick of the sight of you for ages. Come on, duel me—if you're still a Slytherin!"

"I thought you'd be too scared to duel me for the rest of your life." William sneered and leapt onto the stage.

"Hey! Percy?" Jericho waved toward the area where the Little Lions stood. "How about a match?"

Percy drew his Wand. "Good idea. I'll defeat you, just watch!"

As Percy walked onto the stage, the Little Lions also turned their challenges toward the little snakes. Oliver Wood challenged Marcus Flint, while Keith and Larpo were challenged away as well.

There were already more than a hundred duelling pairs on the stage. Fortunately, it was large enough that it did not restrict the Little Wizards' movements.

Still, most students had their eyes on William and Leon. The two of them were among the very best students.

"I'll wager one Galleon that Prefect William wins." Lilith stood beside Moriarty and whispered.

Moriarty shook his head with a smile. "Everyone knows you have a grudge against Leon."

Lilith gave a delicate snort and looked at Moriarty with an eager gleam in her eyes. Just as she was about to challenge him, she suddenly heard Penelope's voice!

"Lilith Peverell, if I challenge you, will you accept?"

Penelope stood behind Lilith with her chest out and head held high, her hands behind her back and her Wand in hand.

Lilith had no choice but to abandon her plan. After glancing at Penelope, she haughtily lifted her chin. "You know, you don't look like much of an opponent! But I'll accept, if only to make you see that clearly."

"Then I'll be watching." Penelope smiled, though no one thought she looked happy.

The students quickly made way, watching the two most outstanding first-year witches walk onto the stage without yielding an inch to each other.

"They're only first-years, yet they already have such presence." Gemma appeared from who knew where and walked to Moriarty's side, wearing an amused smile. "What terrifying little women."

Moriarty ignored her and focused on Lilith and Penelope's duel, only to hear Charlie Weasley's challenge!

"Mr. Moriarty, I am Charlie Weasley, a fourth-year Gryffindor student. My Wand is twelve inches, ash wood with a unicorn tail hair core, and I specialize in Transfiguration." Charlie formally introduced himself, then nodded to Moriarty. "May we have a duel?"

The Little Lions around Charlie erupted in cheers, and the other students grew interested as well. Was this a continuation of the Quidditch match?

Moriarty studied Charlie. He had the Weasley family's signature red hair and a face covered in freckles, but it did nothing to diminish his looks.

Charlie's eyes were exceptionally clear, like a unicorn's, and that added greatly to his appeal. Perhaps that was why Charlie would eventually take up outdoor work.

Moriarty put an end to his speculation. He gave Charlie a slight nod and was about to agree when he heard Tonks's voice!

"Wait, Moriarty. I have a few things to say to Charlie." Tonks stepped out from among the Little Badgers and casually said to Charlie, "Hey, Charlie! Do you know what ladies first means? I'm challenging Mr. Moriarty first. Got a problem with that?"

Charlie gave a wry smile and shook his head. "All right. If Mr. Moriarty agrees, I have no objection."

"How about this," Moriarty decided. "I'll duel Tonks first, then I'll duel you, Charlie."

"Sure, no problem." Tonks answered readily.

Charlie's eyes widened. "Does your Magic Power support you through two duels?"

"He'll be fine," Tonks answered for Charlie. Eagerly grabbing Moriarty and pulling him forward, she said without looking back, "When it comes to Magic Power, he doesn't seem like a student at all. He's more like an adult."

Moriarty caught her hand. "Nymph, are you really prepared? To use the Patronus Charm against my Ice Serpent and Spectral Serpent?"