Duel Preparations

Professor Flitwick could no longer sit still.

He had once studied abroad at Durmstrang himself and knew that the students there were truly skilled in combat.

For Tver to have reached such a level at Durmstrang, it was easy to imagine just how formidable he was in battle.

"Tver, how about we give the young wizards a demonstration duel? We'll only use simple magic."

Though he called it a demonstration, his hands were itching for a fight.

After so many years of teaching, Professor Flitwick felt the long-dormant urge to duel stirring within him again!

Tver's eyes lit up even more.

He had long wanted to have a match with Professor Flitwick, but challenging a professor to a one-on-one duel right after arriving at Hogwarts would have looked more like a provocation.

Since Professor Flitwick had brought it up himself, there was no problem.

"Only simple magic?"

With such a rare opportunity before him, Tver was not content to merely "play around."

Understanding exactly how he felt, Professor Flitwick glanced at Professor McGonagall and said with a broad smile, "Even 'simple' Transfiguration is allowed."

Only then did Tver nod in satisfaction. "In that case, I have no objections."

Professor McGonagall, who had been watching the two of them the entire time, approvingly took over the preparations and set the rules for them.

"No time like the present. Let's do it tonight at eight. We'll clear out the Great Hall, and there'll be plenty of space."

She pointed to the middle of the Great Hall, where the House tables normally stood. But they were wizards; arranging it would be effortless.

"But mind yourselves as well. Simple spells and Transfiguration will be enough. The key is to let the students observe the finer points of combat!"

Professor McGonagall was hardly one to cling rigidly to convention. In fact, she had graduated from Hogwarts top of her Charms class and earned a promotion at the Ministry of Magic within two years.

As a capable witch, she clearly understood how important this duel would be for the students.

What happened at the staff table could not be hidden from the sharp-nosed Hogwarts students, and of course, the professors had no intention of concealing it.

Students immediately came over to ask about it.

After receiving confirmation from those involved, along with the deputy headmistress's approval, Penelope turned around and told her classmates the news.

Following Hogwarts's fine traditions, the news spread from the Great Hall in an instant and swept through the entire castle.

Some students who had not been eating dinner in the Great Hall were tracked down by classmates and friends and dragged over.

As a result, before seven o'clock, the Great Hall was already packed with eager students—no one wanted to miss an opportunity like this.

But five minutes later, they were driven back out. "The Great Hall still needs to be arranged. Don't stand around in there getting in the way!" Professor McGonagall even shut the Great Hall doors.

Though dissatisfied, the young wizards did not dare say anything. Professor McGonagall had always been strict. Not only Gryffindor, but the other three Houses also dared not anger the deputy headmistress.

In the students' eyes, she was even more imposing than Headmaster Dumbledore.

Still, they did not leave. Instead, they crowded shoulder to shoulder outside the Great Hall doors, discussing the matter with great excitement.

Time passed amid their anticipation. The moment eight o'clock arrived, the Great Hall doors opened on schedule.

The students immediately surged forward in a rush, but stopped as they neared the entrance.

Professor McGonagall was standing there.

"Where are the prefects? Hurry up and maintain order! First-years in front, seventh-years in the back. Enter regardless of House!"

Harry and Ron immediately beamed. Following behind Percy, they looked around the newly arranged Great Hall.

The tables and chairs had all vanished, and a rectangular raised platform stood in the middle. Professor Fawley and Professor Flitwick stood atop it with their wands in hand, smiling at the students.

"Gather around the platform. First-years in the front row, and seventh-years, I'm afraid you'll have to make do with the back."

After Professor Flitwick's instructions, the students became much more orderly and stood where they had been told.

Most students, however, preferred to split into two groups on either side, each standing to the right of one professor, as though that would lend strength to the professor they supported.

The first- through third-years unhesitatingly gathered behind Professor Fawley, along with a small number of older students.

They had seen more or less of the professor's spellcasting methods and had absolute faith in his strength.

"Professor Fawley can cast a spell every second. He can drown Professor Flitwick with sheer numbers alone!"

The remaining students gathered on the other side. Aside from those who had faith in Professor Flitwick, even more were venting their dissatisfaction.

Yes, dissatisfaction.

The older students in particular were extremely unhappy that their Defence Against the Dark Arts professor was that trembling Quirrell. They were unhappy that despite asking repeatedly, Professor Fawley still refused to teach them!

"Professor Flitwick has won so many dueling championships he's lost count. How could he possibly lose a tiny match like this?!"

Under the prefects' supervision, the students' thunderous discussions gradually turned into whispers, filling the Great Hall with an eager buzz.

"Look, Professor Dumbledore is here too!"

The sudden cry sounded especially conspicuous in the Great Hall. Harry turned his head and saw Dumbledore and the other professors standing behind the staff table. Even Professor Snape, whom he disliked most, was there.

Dumbledore waved to them.

"Don't mind us. Tonight's stars are the two professors on the stage. All you need to do is watch carefully. Everyone will gain something from this demonstration."

His voice was not loud, yet it reached every young witch and wizard with perfect clarity.

"Did you hear that? Even Headmaster Dumbledore will gain something from this battle!" Ron shouted excitedly.

Even Hermione, who supported Professor Fawley, could not stand listening to that. "The Headmaster was emphasizing us. This is only a demonstration for us."

Ron's enthusiasm immediately dimmed somewhat.

"Can't you stop throwing cold water on me?"

Their discussion did not last long before Professor Flitwick smiled and picked up where Dumbledore had left off.

"Tonight's battle is only a demonstration, so we will be using only simple spells and Transfiguration."

"However, simple magic can produce equally exquisite results." He paused, allowing the students to shake off their disappointment. "This demonstration is meant to show you young wizards who don't know their own limits that the simple magic you look down on still possesses tremendous power!"

Without further explanation, Professor Flitwick turned and made a gesture to Tver, readying himself for the duel.

"Let's begin, Professor Fawley."

Tver briskly raised his wand. They bowed to each other, then held their wands before their chests like arrows.

Professor McGonagall briefly took on the role of host, explaining their movements to everyone.

"This is the standard dueling stance. Once I finish counting to three, they will officially begin their duel."

The students below held their breath. Hermione clasped her hands so tightly that her nails dug into her skin, yet she did not notice the pain.

"Three... two..."

All the students stretched their necks expectantly, afraid of missing even the slightest detail. The lively discussion that had still been going on moments earlier abruptly fell silent, utterly unlike the bustling excitement outside the doors.

"One!"