As soon as Snape appeared, the young students immediately noticed something unusual about him and began discussing why his face was even paler.
"I bet Snape went back to that room and got bitten by the big dog again!" Ron declared confidently. "His face is so pale because he lost too much blood."
Harry studied Snape closely. "But I can't see any injuries."
"He's hiding them well!"
Hermione couldn't help saying, "Stop making wild guesses, Ron. Audrey said Professor Snape has already been cleared of suspicion."
"Hmph! Go ahead and listen to her. Have you forgotten she's in Slytherin?"
"Not everyone in Slytherin is bad."
"This isn't about being good or bad. It's about sides and loyalties!"
"We're all Hogwarts students. What sides and loyalties?"
"There are!"
As the two began bickering, Harry looked from one to the other, at something of a loss.
"Ron Weasley!"
Suddenly, Snape's voice rang out.
Ron stiffened. "Here!"
"You're up first!" Snape turned to Harry. "Potter, you'll be his opponent."
"Ah, yes, Professor."
Despite their extreme reluctance, the two still walked onto the dueling platform.
"We're done for. The Durmstrang students are here today, too. If I embarrass myself, Mum's definitely going to send me a Howler."
Ron muttered under his breath.
Harry immediately said, "Don't worry. We'll just go through a few motions and finish with a draw."
"Good idea!"
But Snape immediately spoke up. "The loser will clean toilets for a week. If it's a draw, both of you will clean them for a month."
"!!!"
The look in these "best mates'" eyes changed. Both stepped back and drew their wands.
People kept entering the Practical Combat Class classroom, and it soon became rather crowded.
Lee Jordan stood on a desk, holding a wand as a microphone:
"All right, Hogwarts' seventh Defense