Harry Potter: I started checking in from Diagon Alley

"Yes, what's wrong?"

“No wonder, I guessed it too. Only you have such an ability,” Cedric exclaimed. “I’ve heard my father mention this spell before, and I know it’s specifically used to deal with Dementors, but I’ve never seen him use it.”

"I was very impressed with the magic you used on the court."

"I heard from them that you also used the Patronus Charm on the train, but I didn't see your Patronus appear?"

Eric laughed and said, "What you see is actually my guardian spirit."

Cedric asked doubtfully, "That spell that killed the Dementors? Was it a Patronus?"

“You’ve misunderstood one thing. Dementors cannot be killed; their energy is simply transferred,” Eric said. “Secondly, everyone’s Patronus is different, and you can change it if you want to. However, for most people, their magic and will are not strong enough to change the form of their Patronus.”

"For example, like me."

Eric tapped his wand lightly, and no one around him felt anything. But in the next instant, a pure white giant eagle suddenly appeared behind Eric.

Those who saw Eric's guardian spirit for the first time couldn't help but gasp in surprise.

The giant eagle that Eric summoned was indeed awe-inspiring.

Hermione and Ron were most impressed by Eric's giant eagle.

Compared to its appearance on the train, the giant eagle that Eric summons now appears more robust and powerful, and seems to be larger as well, with a gaze that sends chills down one's spine.

But Eric's performance was not over yet.

With a deft flick of his wand in the air, the giant eagle, which had been hovering in mid-air, suddenly leaped forward.

Wood and Angelina, standing in front of Eric, displayed the excellent physical abilities of Quidditch players, rolling and dodging without hesitation.

The anticipated shock did not materialize.

Just as it passed over Eric's head, the giant eagle suddenly transformed into a thick, silver-ringed snake in mid-air, coiling around Eric's arm and hissing as it flicked its tongue forward.

Wood and Angelina exchanged a shocked and embarrassed glance before quickly getting up from the ground.

But no one laughed at them; everyone was watching Eric's guardian spirit.

Next, without Eric needing to do anything extra, Eric's guardian spirit leaped off his arm and transformed into a lion once more, passing by everyone's feet.

When the guardian spirit returned to Eric's side, it had transformed back into a badger.

In just a few seconds, Eric's Patronus transformed into the representative creatures of the four houses of Hogwarts.

Everyone except Eric stared in disbelief at the scene.

Eric has really mastered the Guardian Charm.

What shocked them most was that Eric's next voice actually came from the mouth of the guardian deity.

"What you are seeing now is the guardian deity in its normal form."

"As for the magic I used on the court, it was essentially a variant of the Guardian Charm."

Fred and George were really startled this time, and they hugged each other with a cry.

The reactions of the others were roughly the same.

Even Hermione and Cedric, who had a relatively deep understanding of the Patronus Charm among these people, were somewhat frightened.

They had never seen a talking guardian spirit before, nor did they know that guardian spirits could be used in this way.

Compared to the others, this was the first time Harry had ever seen Eric's Patronus. He watched in astonishment as the pure white Patronus that Eric conjured jumped around in front of him, almost unable to believe his eyes.

This was the first time he had ever seen such fluid magic.

Compared to the other two, all the magic he has used so far seems like child's play.

“Eric! Please teach me the Patronus Charm!” Harry exclaimed excitedly, jumping out of bed.

Harry's words drew everyone's attention to Eric.

If Eric agrees to Harry's request, he might also agree to tutor them as well.

Eric's toughness is evident to all.

Apart from Eric, no one present could use that Guardian Charm spell just now.

Not to mention someone like Eric, who arbitrarily changed his guardian deity.

Eric paused, not in a hurry to answer, and with a wave of his wand put away the Patronus.

After glancing around and confirming that he could see the trust in the eyes of the others, Eric said, "I can teach all of you, if you are willing."

"real?!"

Eric nodded and said, "It's no trouble at all for me, but only if you really want to learn."

"Why do you say that, Eric? Surely no one wouldn't want to learn this spell?" Harry asked doubtfully.

Eric laughed and said, "For the vast majority of people, yes."

"But some people may not think that way at all, and they have something to say to me."

"You're right, aren't you, Cedric?"

Everyone was startled and turned to look at Cedric.

Cedric's face paled when his secret was exposed, but he quickly regained his composure.

He stepped forward, ignoring the suspicious looks from those around him, and looked at Eric, saying seriously, "Eric, since you've seen through me, I'll be frank. I want you to accept my challenge and duel with me!"

"Okay."

Chapter 89 The duel begins

Fred and George were shocked to hear this.

They exchanged a glance, walked over to Cedric, one touched his forehead, and the other checked if there was anything wrong with Cedric's body.

"Have a fever?"

"It doesn't look like it."

Cedric shook them off: "What are you doing?"

Fred asked, "Are you alright?"

George continued, "It's rare to see someone willing to torture themselves like that."

Fred nodded.

Cedric retorted angrily, "This is a challenge, do you understand? It's perfectly normal to challenge someone stronger."

After saying that, Cedric put away his expression and stopped joking. He said, "Eric, after witnessing your spellcasting firsthand, I know there is a gap between us, but I want to experience for myself exactly where that gap lies."

Eric asked, "Because of the Duel Club?"

Cedric nodded.

The Duel Club is about to reopen.

Cedric naturally signed up for the event as well.

Eric was well-known, and he had been paying attention to Eric for a long time, always wanting to test his skills against him.

After witnessing Eric's incredible magic during the game, Cedric finally couldn't contain his desire any longer.

He didn't expect Eric to see through him so easily.

Ron tried to suppress a laugh upon hearing this, but it was noticed by Cho Chang who was standing nearby.

Cho Chang asked, "Do you think Cedric isn't qualified to be Eric's opponent?"

Ron looked embarrassed. He was too embarrassed to admit that it was impolite to Cedric, but that was indeed what he was thinking.

Eric's strength was a benchmark in his mind.

Whether on the train or in the castle, Eric always appeared so imposing in Ron's eyes.

Especially the magic that shattered more than a dozen Dementors at once made Ron lose all will to fight.

Ron looked to Harry for help with a pained expression, knowing that Harry shared similar thoughts.

Harry stepped in to smooth things over, saying, "Cho, you know how strong Eric is. I understand Cedric's feelings, but there's no need for this."

Wood chimed in abruptly, "Cedric isn't weak either. He's always been Hufflepuff's best student, with a solid foundation in spells. It's said that after Percy graduates, Cedric will be the next student council president. Don't blame me for being blunt, Ron, but your brother Percy is far inferior to Cedric in every aspect except academics."

"Well said, Wood!"

Fred and George agreed with Wood's second half of the statement; they would support anyone who criticized Percy.

Eric said, "I can accept your challenge. Regardless of the outcome, I will teach you the Patronus Charm. If you have no objections, we will use the normal dueling rules."

"Okay, when?"

"Let's not delay, let's do it now."

Upon hearing this, everyone became excited.

Seeing is believing. Some of them had only seen Eric use magic, but had never seen Eric fight anyone.

In the magical world, a wizard's combat prowess is the most direct indicator.

If someone is very good at using spells, it proves that they have a strong comprehension ability and can learn anything quickly.

Just like Eric.

Conversely, if someone is only theoretically strong but falters in actual combat, it means they are not destined for greatness.

The release of magic is closely related to the wizard's mood and will.

In the magical world, there are no experts who are purely theoretical; the strong are those who excel in both theory and practice.

Eric nodded and said to Cho Chang, "Could you please inform Professor Flitwick again? I'd like to ask him to be the host of the duel. Let's set the venue at the ball court. The professor should agree, since he's been asking me for something anyway."

Qiu Zhang agreed and turned to leave.

The remaining few, led by Eric and Cedric, headed back towards the Quidditch pitch.

People kept joining along the way.

People passing by were very interested when they heard that Eric and Cedric were going to have a duel.

The crowd grew larger and larger, and by the time they reached the entrance of the Quidditch pitch, nearly fifty people had gathered.