Cassandra vs. Cedric

Looking at the stubborn, proud girl before her, Ilona suddenly saw a glimpse of herself as a young woman.

Just as Ilona was lost in her memories, Cedric stepped forward from among the Hufflepuff students and said, "That's right. The duel isn't over yet."

Seeing this, Ilona didn't hesitate any longer. She announced, "The fifth duel between Hufflepuff and Slytherin. Representing Slytherin is—Cassandra!"

"Representing Hufflepuff is—Cedric!"

"Both of you, get ready!"

Cassandra and Cedric bowed to each other, then turned and walked backward. At Ilona's signal to begin, they both turned around at once. But while one pointed his wand at his opponent, the other pointed hers at herself.

"Expelliarmus!"

"Protego!"

The two traded spells, one after another exploding in the middle of the dueling area. For a time, neither could gain the upper hand.

Perhaps because they were so evenly matched, this duel between a second-year Hufflepuff and a first-year Slytherin was even more exciting than the earlier ones.

As spell after dazzling spell flew back and forth, the crowd's excitement surged again. The Hufflepuffs, already assured of victory, cheered Cedric on without restraint. And although Slytherin had already lost, Cassandra's ability to hold her own against a second-year as a first-year had at least helped restore some of the house's pride.

As Wentworth watched the duel grow increasingly intense, Cassandra and Cedric's Expelliarmus spells had become entangled! The two spells twisted tightly around each other in midair, neither able to advance an inch.

What kind of classmates are these?! Cedric is one thing—he's a true Champion who'll represent Hogwarts in the Triwizard Cup in a few years, and in some ways, Hogwarts' number one. But how is this girl, who never even appeared in the original story, so strong too?

Look at those spells! Good grief, I don't think I could withstand a single one of them!

And they're both students around my age? The magical world is even more dangerous than I imagined!

In the past, Wentworth had come to Hogwarts with little more than a sense of curiosity. But now, watching the scene unfold before him, he found himself feeling an inexplicable urgency and sense of danger.

Just as Wentworth was lost in thought, a wave of gasps from the crowd snapped him out of it.

When he looked back toward the center of the dueling area, he saw Cedric's Expelliarmus gradually pushing toward Cassandra's wand. Cassandra's once-fair face had gone pale, and sweat poured down her, ruining her delicate makeup.

"Cassandra's about to lose. Compared to Cedric, she's nearly out of magic. Against another Hufflepuff second-year, she might really have managed to pull off an upset, but unfortunately, she ran into Cedric."

Coke explained from beside Wentworth.

Although Cedric was on the verge of winning, Coke didn't seem particularly happy. Instead, his voice was full of regret.

Cedric, standing in the dueling area, spoke up. "Cassandra, give up. You must be nearly out of magic!"

But Cassandra clenched her teeth and said nothing. She continued straining to cast her spell with all her might.

A few scattered claps sounded, then grew louder and louder, eventually sweeping through the entire Hogwarts Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom.

Under the applause, Cassandra finally couldn't hold on any longer. Her body went limp, and her spell abruptly stopped. She seemed about to collapse, too.

At the crucial moment, two figures almost simultaneously stepped in front of Cassandra.

Ilona, Hogwarts' Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor, merely flicked a finger and dispelled Cedric's spell without even using her wand.

The other was Slytherin's Head of House, Professor Snape.

Snape stood in front of Cassandra and reached out, steadying her by the shoulder with one hand so she wouldn't fall.

Seeing her Head of House, Cassandra couldn't hide her disappointment. "Professor Snape, I'm sorry. I lost. I've brought shame upon Slytherin..."

As she spoke, her eyes began to glisten.

Just then, Cedric's voice rang out from nearby. "Cassandra, neither of us won this duel, and neither of us lost..."

As it turned out, Cedric had been coming over to check whether Cassandra was hurt. He'd overheard what she said and hurriedly spoke up.

But Cassandra cut him off before he could finish. "You don't have to comfort me. A loss is a loss. Do you think I can't handle losing? I lost this time, but I'll win next time! Just wait. It won't be long before I challenge you to another duel!"

Seeing this, Cedric, who had looked worried, suddenly smiled. "Cassandra, if you insist on thinking you lost, then you only lost to yourself. I'm not going to admit I won!"

"Besides, if you want to win next time, don't come looking for me! I'm a year above you, after all. There's nothing to brag about if I win, and if I lose, I'll have no face to show. Go find that boy over there instead. He was the one who came up with today's idea!"

Cedric pointed at Wentworth, who stood in the distance.

Wentworth: ???

But this time, Wentworth suddenly didn't want to refuse. With the soul of an adult, he knew full well that there were many things in this world you couldn't avoid unless you never left Hogwarts for the rest of your life.

So this time, Wentworth didn't refuse. Instead, he walked over of his own accord. Seeing him approach, Cassandra forced herself to stand up straight. Snape let go of her and stepped aside.

Wentworth came up beside Cassandra and leaned close to her ear. "You're still upset that I stood in front of you last time and got there before you, aren't you? Once you've rested, I'll accept your challenge! I might not be your match, but I'll give it everything I've got! At worst, you can beat me up!"

Hearing Wentworth say this, Cassandra was about to smile. But the moment she relaxed, her eyes suddenly closed, and she fainted.

Luckily, Wentworth was quick enough to catch her. But before he could breathe a sigh of relief, he heard a sinister voice say, "What did you say to my student?!"