The wind over Hogwarts was unusually restless that evening. The Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom was packed with students and professors, all waiting for the duel between Slytherin and Hufflepuff to begin.
"Portable magnifying glasses! See every spell clearly! Weasley products are always top quality!"
The Weasley Twins had even started selling magnifying glasses they'd made themselves in the classroom. After all, without a little help, it was hard to see the duel through the gaps in the crowd.
Professor Snape had led the students of Slytherin House here long ago, waiting for Hufflepuff House to arrive. But the other main participants in tonight's duel—the Hufflepuff students—were nowhere to be seen.
"Maybe they got scared and ran away!"
Vane stood behind Professor Snape, speaking with an unhappy look on his face.
Meanwhile, just outside the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom, Wentworth, Cedric, and the others were waiting.
"Wentworth, aren't we going in yet?"
Coke came over and asked.
Wentworth replied unhurriedly,
"Prefect Coke, there's no need to rush. The stars always make their entrance last. Let them wait a little longer—preferably until they're getting restless—then we'll make our entrance!"
As the appointed time drew closer, the Slytherin crowd began to stir. Some had already started wandering around, while others gathered in little groups to chat.
Vane finally couldn't hold back. He went over to the three professors who were serving as referees that evening and asked anxiously,
"Professor, if the appointed time arrives and Hufflepuff still hasn't shown up, does that mean Slytherin wins?"
Professor Flitwick and Professor McGonagall exchanged a glance with Professor Ilona before she answered,
"Of course. If the time comes and Hufflepuff still hasn't arrived, then by the rules of the duel, Slytherin will naturally be declared the winner."
Hearing this, Vane found himself torn. On the one hand, he hoped Hufflepuff would show up so he could give them a good beating. On the other, he hoped they wouldn't, so Slytherin could win without a fight.
As Vane and the other Slytherins wrestled with their conflicting hopes, the appointed time drew near.
Wentworth glanced at the time one last time, then turned to the Hufflepuff students behind him.
"It's our turn to make an entrance, stars of the night!"
Just as the clock was about to strike six and Vane was watching the classroom door expectantly, it suddenly swung open from the outside.
Wentworth led the way, pushing open the door to the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom and walking in. Cedric and Coke followed close behind, one on each side of him.
Wentworth had originally wanted Coke to lead the way, but Coke had refused. After hearing Wentworth's plan in full, Coke had been thoroughly impressed and insisted that Wentworth take the front.
Behind them, all the Hufflepuff students filed in two neat rows. Dressed in clean, tidy yellow Hufflepuff robes, they walked in with their heads held high.
The dignified, orderly Hufflepuffs immediately outshone the loosely assembled Slytherins. Even the Gryffindors, who had never been fond of Slytherin, had started cheering for Hufflepuff, led by the Weasley Twins.
At the sight, all the professors looked pleased—except Snape. Sprout and Ilona looked the proudest of all.
"Did all of Hufflepuff get lost somewhere in Hogwarts?"
Vane, who had been waiting for ages, sneered.
Before Wentworth could say anything, Coke spoke up from behind him.
"How strange. I've seen people cut in line for food and fight over seats, but I've never seen anyone rush to get beaten up!"
Just as the two sides were about to start trading insults, Professor McGonagall, one of the referees, coughed twice and said,
"That's enough. Both of you, be quiet! Do you want the other houses to laugh at you? Remember, you represent Slytherin and Hufflepuff!"
That finally shut Vane and Green up!
Professor Flitwick stepped forward and said,
"Right. As agreed, both houses will first hand their lists of duel participants to Professor Ilona. Then I'll go over the rules of the duel once more!"
"First, no..."
As Professor Flitwick reiterated the rules, Vane was the first to hand Slytherin's list to Professor Ilona, all the while giving Green a fierce glare.
Then Vane handed Hufflepuff's list to Professor Ilona as well, smiling at Vane.
For some reason, when Vane saw Green's smile, he shivered. There was something sinister about Green's smile tonight, as though it concealed some scheme.
When Professor Ilona saw the lists submitted by both sides, her brows knitted as if she'd noticed something. But a moment later, as though she'd figured it out, her brow relaxed and she gave a knowing smile.
After Professor Flitwick finished explaining the rules, he looked toward Dumbledore. Dumbledore rose leisurely and said,
"Everyone, we're reopening the Dueling Club at Hogwarts tonight to encourage interaction among the students. This isn't about deciding who's better, and certainly not about fighting to the death. I hope no one gets hurt in tonight's duels!"
"Are both sides ready to take part in tonight's duel?"
"Ready!"
Vane and Wentworth answered at the same time.
Dumbledore raised both hands and announced,
"Then I declare the duel between Slytherin and Hufflepuff officially underway!"
At Dumbledore's words, a wave of cheers rang out. A closer look revealed that most of the cheering came from the Gryffindor and Ravenclaw students. The Slytherins and Hufflepuffs watched the center of the room tensely, focused on their respective representatives.
As the cheering continued, Ilona, Hogwarts' Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, slowly walked to the center of the dueling area and announced,
"For the first duel, Slytherin's representative is—Vane!"
Amid cheers from Slytherin and jeers from Hufflepuff, Vane hurried onto the dueling ground.
Once Vane had taken his place, Professor Ilona continued,
"Hufflepuff's representative is—Wentworth!"
The moment Professor Ilona said Wentworth's name, the room fell completely silent. All the students stared blankly as Wentworth walked step by step onto the dueling ground.
Even Dumbledore and Snape looked astonished and confused.
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