We Haven't Lost Yet!

Wentworth hurried over to Professor Ilona, looking anxious, and said:

"Professor, I object!"

Ilona glanced at Wentworth and asked in a calm voice:

"Object? To what?"

Wentworth pointed toward Hufflepuff House, looking indignant. "Professor, Hufflepuff cheated!"

At Wentworth's accusation, Professor Ilona rolled her eyes. Without even looking at him, she said, "Hufflepuff cheated? Be more specific. How did they cheat?"

"They... they..."

Wentworth was at a loss for words. After all, Hufflepuff had only tampered with the order of their contestants. They hadn't broken any agreements or violated the rules of the duels.

Seeing Wentworth fall silent, Cassandra, who had been quiet for a long time among the Slytherins, finally couldn't hold back. She'd sensed something was wrong as soon as Wentworth had stepped into the dueling area first to face Vane.

But it wasn't until Green entered the ring just now that Cassandra understood Hufflepuff's plan. She felt conflicted: part of her admired Hufflepuff's strategy, while another part couldn't accept the result.

Cassandra walked over to Professor Ilona and said, "Professor Ilona, I think Hogwarts reopened the Dueling Club to see how well we students can perform in actual combat. If Hufflepuff uses tricks like this, doesn't that make the duel meaningless?"

"What do you think, Professor McGonagall? Professor Flitwick?"

Professor McGonagall seemed hesitant at Cassandra's question, but Professor Ilona remained unmoved. "Cassandra, you need to understand that actual combat isn't just two people standing still and trading spells! In a real fight, strategy is often more important than strength!"

Professor Flitwick, who had been standing to one side, nodded. "That's right. I agree with Professor Ilona. Exceptional intelligence is humanity's greatest asset!"

As the head of Ravenclaw House, Professor Flitwick had ended the debate with one of Ravenclaw's famous sayings.

Seeing that Professor Ilona and Professor Flitwick both approved of Hufflepuff's tactics—and even seemed to endorse them—Cassandra was extremely unwilling to accept it, but she had no choice. She returned to the Slytherin group.

At Professor Ilona's urging, the duel between Hufflepuff and Slytherin resumed.

Though Green himself admitted that he was no match for Vane, he still showed his skill against a Slytherin from a year below him. As Hufflepuff's Prefect, he was more than capable.

Unlike Vane, Green was far steadier beneath his carefree exterior. He began with an Armor Charm, making himself nearly impossible to defeat. After several rounds of spell trading, he finished with an Expelliarmus that sent his opponent's wand flying, winning with ease.

Back among the Hufflepuff students, Green ignored their cheers and praise and went straight to Wentworth, pulling him into a tight hug and thanking him repeatedly.

The next two duels pitted Hufflepuff fourth-years against Slytherin third-years, then Hufflepuff third-years against Slytherin second-years. Both matches passed without incident and ended in Hufflepuff victories.

When Hufflepuff won the third duel, the house erupted into loud cheers. Perhaps caught up in the excitement, or perhaps impressed by Hufflepuff's strategy, Gryffindor and Ravenclaw broke into thunderous applause as well.

Amid the cheers that rang through Hogwarts, Green and Cedric lifted Wentworth, one on each side. With help from the other Hufflepuffs, they tossed him into the air, showing their gratitude to the man most responsible for Hufflepuff's victory.

"Put me down! I'm afraid of heights! You ungrateful lot! Aaaah!"

Wentworth's terrified cries only made the crowd cheer louder!

All the professors watched in silence, tacitly agreeing not to intervene. Dumbledore, McGonagall, Snape, and the others who knew Wentworth's identity all had the same thought:

From this day on, Wentworth had become Hufflepuff's most revered figure! After winning over every Hufflepuff's stomach, he had finally won over every Hufflepuff as well!

Ilona, meanwhile, was thinking that Wentworth was still only a first-year. If nothing unexpected happened, he would spend another seven years here. Over that time, thirteen groups of students would become his classmates.

Where were they? Hogwarts! Thirteen groups! That meant an entire era in the Wizarding World! So their new leader in the Acolytes had come to Hogwarts to monopolize an entire generation of magical talent! What vision! What ambition!

When Ilona had still been Rosier, she'd learned that Wentworth was concealing a plan, and she'd spent a long time trying to guess what it was. Every time she thought she'd figured it out, Wentworth soon surprised her again.

Now, at last, Ilona was certain of one thing: leaders could be trained, but great leaders were born! Like Gellert before him, and Wentworth now!

While most of the professors were lost in thought, Hufflepuff was caught up in celebration, and Slytherin was sunk in sorrow, one person remained clear-headed.

"Hey! Are you done celebrating?! This duel isn't over yet!"

A clear, bell-like challenge rang out, and the noisy Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom suddenly fell silent.

Everyone turned toward the voice. A green-eyed girl in emerald robes stood in the dueling area, her graceful figure poised as she waited, wand in hand.

"Cassandra, we... we've already lost..." Vane walked up behind her, trying to persuade her, his face full of dejection.

"You lost, not me! I haven't even taken the stage yet! And stay farther away from me! You're not worthy of Slytherin's greatness!"

Cassandra's words turned Vane's face bright red. He retreated, and the other Slytherins looked just as ashamed.

"Professor Ilona, perhaps Slytherin has already lost, but I haven't! Please announce the lineup for the next duel!"

Cassandra stared straight ahead, her gaze resolute.

Everyone, give that little button a click, and cast your votes!

Thank you all!

May the new year bring you nothing but sweetness, with no ice!