Lockhart's Time to Explain (I)

Madara looked at Snape. Facing the head of his own House, he smiled.

The smile vanished in an instant, but Snape saw it. In those scarlet eyes was something that was neither mockery nor provocation, but a lofty acknowledgment: You are strong, but not strong enough.

"Brilliant! Absolutely astounding!" Lockhart's clear voice rang out with perfectly measured admiration, breaking the silence between them. He strolled calmly between the two, the hem of his violet robes fluttering slightly. He looked first at Snape, wearing an elegant smile of mutual understanding.

"Professor Snape, my dear senior, thank you so much for this teaching demonstration of such exceptional 'combat artistry'! Your exquisite 'control' over the force of your spells, especially that final strike..." He gave a meaningful glance at Uchiha Madara, who stood opposite him completely unharmed. "It was simply a textbook example of 'stopping at the right point'! I am sure you deliberately weakened its power, fully demonstrating your care for outstanding students—especially outstanding students of your own House."

Snape's lips pressed into a thin line. He said nothing. He glanced at Lockhart beside him, whose face was full of smiles, and gave the slightest nod in acknowledgment of his attempt to smooth things over. Then he neatly put away his wand and stood off to the side with his arms folded.

Seeing that Snape had calmed down, Lockhart applauded as he turned toward Madara. Gently stroking the enormous wooden wall between them, he advised him softly with gleaming eyes, "And of course, our Mr. Uchiha. Truly worthy of being Slytherin's finest. Is this the Plant Magic Professor Sprout praises so highly? It certainly is extraordinary. All right, Madara, you may withdraw it now."

Having confirmed the spellcasting strength Snape had displayed, and seeing that they could not possibly have a real