Professor Lockhart had no idea that, during his brief performance, a battle-hardened Demoness below—someone who had fought countless life-or-death battles—had already sentenced him to death.
He was still congratulating himself. "Students, did you see that?
"That series of moves I just performed is the most traditional dueling etiquette. You must watch carefully and learn!"
"Learn what? How you nearly dropped your wand on the floor, Professor? Or how to leave your neck completely unguarded for your opponent?"
Someone in the crowd called out in a pinched voice. The students burst into laughter, and the heads of the houses wore strange expressions.
Professor McGonagall glanced at Fred, who was holding a bow tie, but said nothing.
She merely made a quiet mental note to give the Weasley Twins some pointers at the next Transfiguration Club meeting, so they could better disguise the magical fluctuations coming from that bow tie.
After all, Professor McGonagall had spotted the source of the prank with just one glance.
Professor Lockhart, however, seemed not to have heard Fred. Still wearing his sunny smile, he turned to Professor McGonagall.
"Oh, dear Professor McGonagall, might we ask you to act as referee?"
"Of course." Professor McGonagall sighed faintly, gaining an even deeper appreciation for Professor Lockhart's shamelessness.
Professor Snape stood at ease, his wand held steadily in his hand as he watched Professor Lockhart with lazy indifference.
He ignored the Slytherin students' cheers from below. Beating a Squib was hardly worth the fuss.
Suddenly, he tilted his head slightly and caught a faint, familiar voice.
"Come on, Professor! Give that pompous idiot what he deserves! How dare he look down on you?
"He must think you're the weakest, or he wouldn't have chosen you as his opponent!"
Professor Snape's presence surged. The laziness vanished from his eyes, and