Shawn spoke softly, but the arrogant disdain in his voice sent a chill through the smug Kenneth, leaving him distinctly uneasy.
"You said it!"
He twisted his stiff neck and waved a hand behind him. Five students each stepped forward from Gryffindor and Slytherin.
The Twins were among the Gryffindors, while the two Slytherins who had deliberately lost their matches earlier were there too, including Gloria Nott.
These remaining Slytherin rebels felt rather guilty. They had shown no regard for their house's honor, and if they failed to win, the consequences would be unimaginable.
Not only would Shawn retaliate, but their Head of House, Snape, would probably poison them too.
With their mouths twisted and eyes askew, the Twins hurriedly pulled out the little alchemical gadgets they had prepared and handed them around.
"These are Lightning-Proof Boots, and this is a Lightning-Proof Cloak."
"This is a Smoke Bomb, and these are Enhanced Ears."
"This is an upgraded Dungbomb. For your own good, remember to put your masks on."
Shawn smiled without interrupting. Strictly speaking, the Twins really were talented, but their personalities were far too unruly.
Worse still, they remembered the treats but never the beatings. Without experiencing real grief and pain, they would be difficult to change.
Kenneth assigned positions to the students from both houses, arranging them roughly in a Three Powers Formation around Shawn.
Clutching his wand nervously, Kenneth addressed the still-unruffled Shawn.
"Shawn, we're ready."
Shawn did not draw his wand. He casually brushed some nonexistent dust from his shoulder and spoke in a slightly chilly tone.
"You're challenging me. If you win, you can ruin my reputation, but if you lose, it seems you don't stand to lose anything. Everything in this world is an equal exchange. So if you lose, you'll have to pay