"Everyone has to go in order!" Professor Flitwick stood on a high stool and firmly refused James's request. "And remember, you're all classmates!"
James curled his lip, looking thoroughly unwilling, but there was nothing he could do except duel the others first. With every opponent he defeated, his expression grew darker.
By the time Snape stepped onto the stage with him, James's face was so grim it looked ready to drip water.
Snape tipped his chin up slightly, his eyes filled with contempt and provocation.
"Now, bow to each other," Professor Flitwick called.
They barely nodded, staring at each other without blinking.
"Oh... very well. One, two, three, begin!"
In an instant, blinding flashes burst across the stage, and the sound of colliding spells shook the Great Hall.
Professor Slughorn's expression changed. He hurried forward and, together with Professor Flitwick, waved his Wand to create a protective barrier before the audience, blocking the occasional stray spells.
This duel was fiercer than any of the previous ones. Excited cheers and cries erupted from the crowd, and someone even conjured a chair to stand on, craning their neck to watch.
Snape's gaze was icy, his face filled with murderous intent. The Wand in his hand moved like a nimble venomous snake, hurling spell after spell mercilessly at James.
As he swung his Wand forcefully, he kept advancing on James. The hem of his black robes snapped loudly in the rushing air.
At last, Snape forced James back to close range. He directly thrust out his other hand and drove it hard into James's stunned face.
With a crisp crack, blood spurted from James's nose and splattered across the stage.
"Bang!" Professor Flitwick shrieked, waving his Wand. A flash of blue light forced the two apart. "No fists allowed!"
Snape staggered back from