Midnight Duel

The Order of Merlin departed, but Klein couldn't catch a break.

A team of Healers from St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries consumed all his free time.

If not for Severus Snape appearing with a cold expression to rescue him, he figured such harassment would have continued for a very, very long time.

"Don't forget detention tonight."

Intentionally or unintentionally separating the Healers from Klein, the esteemed Professor maintained his usual stern demeanor, his face pulled long.

"Mhm."

Feeling Snape's protection from the bottom of his heart, Klein smiled and nodded.

"Hmph."

Seeing that the Healers no longer dared to pester him, Snape let out a cold snort and turned to leave.

Klein, seizing the opportunity, also escaped the big trouble Mr. Aberdo had left him and ambled back to the Slytherin common room.

A lot had happened today; he needed to process it all and refine his and Dumbledore's plans.

Moreover, with the Order of Merlin matter concluded, he finally had time to visit "that place."

Leaning comfortably in a carved armchair, Klein smiled faintly at the snake carving on the stone wall.

At the same time, in the Hogwarts Great Hall.

"Enjoy your last dinner in the castle, Potter."

Draco Malfoy raised an eyebrow, Crabbe and Goyle snickering behind him.

"What's this, Malfoy? Back on solid ground with your lackeys, and your courage has grown?" Harry Potter retorted coldly.

He and Draco had clashed that afternoon over Neville's Memory Ball. Fortunately, Professor McGonagall, impressed by his flying talent, had made an exception and allowed him into the Gryffindor Quidditch team. Otherwise...

He might have been expelled from school!

Thinking of this, Harry grew even more indignant.

"Ha, angry?"

As if not seeing the look in Harry's eyes, Draco lifted his chin haughtily.

"How about this? I'll give you a chance, Potter. I'm willing to duel you myself, to show you the difference between us.

How about tonight? Wands only, no physical contact.

I bet you've never heard of wizard duels before."

"Of course he has!" Ron Weasley, standing beside Harry, couldn't help but snort.

"Harry's second is me. Who's yours?"

"Uh..."

Hearing this, Draco thought for a few seconds before finally pointing to the larger Crabbe.

"Crabbe."

He paused, then continued.

"Then it's settled. Midnight, in the Prizing Room. The doors there don't lock. Heh, don't be too scared to show up.

"Just wait, we'll teach you a lesson," Ron retorted fiercely, his face set, unwilling to back down from Draco.

"Very well, see you then."

Having set the time, Draco didn't want to say more and left the Gryffindor table with Crabbe and Goyle.

"What's a wizard duel? And what do you mean by being my second?"

Once the annoying Slytherins were gone, Harry asked Ron.

"Oh, it's nothing. It just means if you die, the second takes over." Ron replied nonchalantly, continuing to eat his now-cold pie.

"Die?"

Hearing that word, Harry's expression became quite interesting.

"Hey, don't be scared. We haven't learned much magic yet. At most, we'll just shoot sparks at each other. No one will get hurt.

But I thought you'd refuse." Ron shrugged, giving Harry a smile that eased his tension.

"What if my wand doesn't react at all?"

After hearing Ron's words, Harry felt much more at ease, but he quickly realized another problem.

He doesn't know any magic!

He couldn't possibly use a spell that turns a match into a needle on Malfoy.

"Then throw away your wand and just punch that damn pale face!"

Ron suggested with a wicked grin.

"Sorry to bother you."

As Harry and Ron were discussing countermeasures, a girl's voice suddenly sounded by their ears.

"Tsk, it's the 'Botherer,' Granger."

Seeing who it was, Ron quietly pouted.

Hermione ignored him and turned directly to Harry.

"I accidentally overheard your conversation with Malfoy."

"Ha, I knew it,"

Ron muttered under his breath.

"Wandering around the school at night, you must be crazy. Think about it, if you get caught, how many points will be deducted from Gryffindor? You'll definitely get caught, you're too selfish!"

"It's none of your business."

Harry didn't know what to say, so he just shook his head slightly at Hermione.

Exchanging a glance with Ron, they both stood up from the table at the same time.

"I will stop you!"

Angry and annoyed, Hermione stomped her foot, losing her appetite for dinner.

She sat down huffily, her big eyes blinking a few times as if she had made up her mind.

Late at night, 11:30 PM.

"I can't believe you actually did it!"

Hermione, who had deliberately blocked the entrance to the Gryffindor common room, looked at Ron and Harry with disappointment, her small face so cold it seemed like ice could form.

"Why do you have to meddle in everything?"

Ron snorted unhappily.

Harry also felt Hermione was going too far; this clearly didn't concern her.

"Let's go."

Pretending Hermione wasn't there, Ron pulled Harry out of the Gryffindor common room entrance.

"I won't let you deduct any more points from Gryffindor. I don't want you to waste the points I earned from Professor McGonagall like this!"

Hermione grumbled like an angry goose, unconsciously following Harry and the others out of the Gryffindor common room.

"Get lost!"

Ron, finally fed up with the nagging in his ear, snapped angrily at the 'Botherer' Granger.

Harry sighed, saying nothing.

"You, you..."

She had meant well, but received such treatment.

Hermione felt deeply wronged, and her eyes began to well up.

"Don't blame me if you get expelled tomorrow, I warned you!"

After speaking, she tried to return to the Gryffindor common room, only to be horrified to find that the Fat Lady on the entrance portrait was gone.

"Ah!"

Hermione shrieked.

The Fat Lady had gone to visit other portraits, which meant...

She was locked out and couldn't get back in!

"What should I do?"

She panicked slightly and hurriedly asked Ron and Harry.

"That's your problem."

Ron shrugged, looking helpless.

"Why don't you come with me?"

Harry, being the kinder one, tentatively suggested.

"Dada da"

Before Hermione could answer, the three of them heard a series of footsteps.

"Is that Filch?!"

Hermione was so scared she was about to cry. She couldn't imagine the scene tomorrow, being expelled from school and sitting on the train back home.

"No, it's not Filch."

Although also thoroughly scared, Harry and Ron could still manage to keep their wits about them.

Filch's leather shoes were old and worn, making a "creak, creak" sound as they stepped on the floor.

If it wasn't Filch, then...

Who would be moving around the castle this late at night?