The Urquhart castle expedition couldn’t happen just yet; professors rarely found free time outside the weekends.
By Friday night, after dinner, the edge of the Forbidden Forest—specifically near the Hippogriff paddock—had become a makeshift arena.
Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy, seekers for their respective houses, were currently undergoing a high-stakes assessment of their “Dueling Club” progress.
Professors McGonagall and Snape stood by as observers, while Hagrid watched from the side with Ron, Hermione, Neville, Crabbe, Goyle, and Pansy.
The tension was palpable, far surpassing any Quidditch match.
The two boys were pushed to their absolute limits, weaving through the forest at breakneck speeds on their brooms.
“Counter-attack!” Lockhart bellowed, his voice cutting through the wind.
“Don’t get stuck in a child’s turn-based game!
Think about your next move the moment you start dodging!
Combine your evasion with your offense!
And stop staring at their wands—don’t aim the Disarming Charm at their wands, aim it at their brooms!
Or better yet, aim it at them!” Lockhart paced like a frantic conductor, his wand waving sharply—occasionally coming dangerously close to poking Snape.
He didn’t care; he knew what he was doing.
He had been a seeker for Ravenclaw himself, and while his own career highlights were mostly accidental, he understood the geometry of flight.
“Use your Quidditch maneuvers!
Dives!
Lateral shifts!
Barrel rolls!
Flexibility—that is the essence of flight, not just mindless speed!” Snape watched with narrowed eyes, genuinely impressed.
To see second-years performing at this level was unheard of.
He glanced at Lockhart, his expression shifting from detached skepticism to a flicker of genuine respect.
If Lucius Malfoy knew his son was being trained into a combat prodigy, he would likely be begrudgingly grateful.
The climax came when Harry spotted an opening.
His Disarming Charm struck true.
Draco, having learned well, didn’t just fall—he used the force of the spell to pivot his body, launching himself off the broom and tackling Harry mid-air.
The two boys collided, their broomsticks spiraling downward like failing aircraft.
“Arresto Momentum!” Snape’s voice was instant, his spell catching them before they could shatter against the ground.
McGonagall followed suit, her wand transforming nearby bushes into wooden hands that gently pried the brawling boys apart.
They were disheveled, bruised, and bleeding—Draco had a nasty purple swelling around his right eye—but they were alive.
“Merlin’s beard!” McGonagall gasped, moving to summon Madam Pomfrey.
“Move aside,” Lockhart commanded, pushing through the crowd.
He picked up a green twig from the ground and tapped it with his wand.
Two vibrant, sweet-smelling purple flowers bloomed instantly, dripping a sticky, honey-like nectar onto the boys’ cuts.
Within seconds, the wounds vanished.
The students cheered, their eyes filled with pure worship.
Lockhart stood tall, basking in their adoration.
This is real, he thought.
This isn’t a performance—this is my power.
As the students headed back to the castle, still buzzing with excitement, Lockhart turned to McGonagall.
“What do you think?” He wasn’t just showing off.
He was fishing.
He wanted to take his two star pupils to Urquhart Castle.
He knew he needed the extra hands—he might have the theoretical knowledge, but his own magical output was still abysmal compared to what was needed.
He needed these “students” to be his support team.
McGonagall hesitated.
The danger was obvious, and her protective instinct was screaming against it.
Before she could refuse, Snape’s drawling voice cut in.
“Perhaps…” he sneered, though his eyes were sharp, “I would be willing to allow Draco and the others to accompany you…
provided that I am permitted to oversee them personally.” Lockhart’s eyes lit up.
Reliable Professor Snape!
He turned his gaze toward McGonagall, hopeful.
McGonagall finally let out a long, weary sigh and nodded.
“I only hope this doesn’t lead to disaster.” — Don’t forget to send Spirit Stones for more chapters.
Extra chapter when we reach 100 Spirit Stones Can’t wait for the daily uploads?
“@” with the letter “a”.
For every person who joins,
With a thank you note with your username on the chapter.
Make sure to message or like which story you came from so I can make sure I add the bonus chapters on the right story.