Harry Potter: The Duelist of Hogwarts

While the rest of the class was still processing the shock of their famous professor being sent flying with a single, effortless spell, Sean was already looking inward. He ignored the dozen or so prompts from the vanquished Cornish Pixies and scrolled directly to the bottom of his internal panel. His eyes were glued to the reward he got from his duel with Lockhart. The familiar text popped up in his mind.

[Duel Won!]

[Conditions Met: Victory Against Gilderoy Lockhart.]

[System Commencing Random Ability Extraction from Defeated Target: Gilderoy Lockhart.]

[Extracting...]

He felt that little mental buzz as the system did its thing.

[Extraction Complete!]

[New Ability Acquired: Writing Skills (LV4)]

A muscle in Sean's jaw twitched. His face was a complete blank as he closed the panel.

In one smooth move, he strode forward and hauled the dazed Professor Lockhart out from the wreckage of the splintered cabinet. Instantly, Sean's face transformed, shifting from cold and indifferent to a mask of pure, absolute worship.

"Professor Lockhart!" he exclaimed, his voice ringing with admiration as he began brushing dust and wood chips from the man's lilac robes. "You truly care for us students! So much so that you couldn't even bear to use your magic against us. I failed to realize the depths of your compassion, and I attacked you first. I am truly, deeply sorry."

Is that what happened? Lockhart thought, his mind struggling to catch up. It could be explained that way, couldn't it?

The bewildered look on his face melted away, replaced by his signature, brilliant smile. The familiar white teeth reappeared. "As expected!" he boomed, nodding with profound agreement. "The student who understands me best! You've guessed my true intentions. I am truly moved. So, let's call off this little demonstration..."

"NO!" Sean interrupted, his voice filled with zealous determination. "Professor, I was the one who made the mistake. I must be the one to make amends. Please, I will stand right here. You cast your spell first. I have absolute faith that with your legendary magical abilities, you can stop at precisely the right moment, teaching us all a valuable lesson while ensuring my complete safety! After all the adventures in your books, a simple demonstration like this must be child's play for you, isn't that right?"

He shot another meaningful look at Blaise and Harry. They understood their cues perfectly and began to lead a new round of applause, their voices ringing with false praise.

At this point, the classroom had fractured into three distinct factions. The first was Lockhart's fan club, who, though slightly rattled, chose to believe Sean's flattering explanation; it fit perfectly with their idealized image of their hero. The second faction was composed of gleeful skeptics who now believed Lockhart was an utter fraud and were eager to see Sean continue to humiliate him. The third, and largest, group was on the fence; they weren't sure if Lockhart was a liar, but they were quite certain he wasn't as capable as he claimed. They were more than happy to watch the duel continue and find out for sure.

When Blaise and Harry began cheering, the rest of the class joined in, the sound echoing through the room. Lockhart was trapped. Sean's words had been so sincere, so full of flattery, that the last dregs of his vanity overruled his good sense. He puffed out his chest and chose to duel again.

"You are right, Mr. Bulstrode!" he declared. "It is no difficult feat for me. Let us begin again, and I shall teach you how to defeat one's enemies... gently!"

He raised his wand, striking a pose that belonged more on the stage of a theater than in a classroom. With a flourish he clearly considered elegant, he cast his spell.

"Peskipiksi Pesternomi!"

A beautiful, shimmering golden light shot from the tip of his wand, arcing gracefully toward Sean.

"Protego!"

Without a hint of hesitation, Sean swung his own wand in a violent, cutting arc. A blue-white halo of energy rippled into existence before him. The golden light struck the Shield Charm and simply... dissipated. It didn't even cause a flicker. It was like a gentle breath against a stone wall. The spell, much like its caster, was all flash and no substance.

Sean saw the flicker of panic in Lockhart's eyes, the subtle shift in his posture as he prepared to retreat. He would not give him the chance. He had to win to get the reward.

"Levicorpus!"

A transparent, shimmering wave of energy shot from Sean's wand. It struck Lockhart before he could react, hoisting him into the air by his ankle. He spun, flailing, several times before crashing heavily to the floor.

The Defence Against the Dark Arts classroom fell silent once more. Then, a single snort of laughter broke the tension, followed by another, and another, until the room was filled with the sound of unrestrained mirth. If the first time had been an accident, the second was undeniable proof. Gilderoy Lockhart was incompetent.

Sean didn't pay any attention to the professor on the floor or the laughing students. He just opened his panel again, his eyes focused on what new thing he'd gotten.

The familiar system message popped up in his mind.

[Duel Won!]

[Conditions Met: Victory Against Gilderoy Lockhart.]

[System Commencing Random Ability Extraction from Defeated Target: Gilderoy Lockhart.]

[Extracting...]

He felt that little mental buzz as the system worked.

[Extraction Complete!]

[New Ability Acquired: Bone-Stripping Curse (LV1)]

Sean clicked his tongue, a little annoyed. Tsk. Not Obliviate, huh? But then he paused. Bone-Stripping Curse? What even is that?

As soon as he had the thought, all the information about the spell just flooded into his mind. Turns out, it wasn't supposed to be a curse at all, not at first. It was a completely messed-up Bone-Mending Charm. Lockhart, in his legendary carelessness, had learned the spell all wrong. He'd twisted a healing charm into a dark piece of magic that did the exact opposite of what it was supposed to, gruesomely stripping the bones right out of a limb.

It was, Sean had to admit, a pretty unexpected and morbidly fascinating surprise.

He looked up at Lockhart, who was still groaning on the floor. In a flash, Sean's expression changed to one of deep, worshipful concern. He rushed forward, holding out his hand to help the professor up.

This time, Lockhart was not so foolish. He scrambled backward, away from Sean's offered hand. Just as he was about to say something, the loud, clear ringing of the class bell echoed through the castle.

A look of pure, unadulterated relief washed over Lockhart's face. "Class dismissed!" he shouted, then turned and fled the classroom without a backward glance, terrified of being pulled into another "demonstration."

Sean watched him go, a helpless sigh escaping his lips. Even a useless wizard had dozens of skills and talents. Extracting the one he truly wanted, the Memory Charm, was not going to be a matter of one or two encounters. He would have to be persistent. He would have to find a way to duel Lockhart again and again.

And if the professor was unwilling... well, Sean was not above using more forceful tactics. After all, once he finally extracted Obliviate, he could simply make Lockhart forget the entire ordeal.

(End of Chapter)

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