Harry Potter: I started checking in from Diagon Alley

But if we don't use it, we're stuck in a stalemate, creating a vicious cycle.

Furthermore, the same question remains: even if Snape uses more powerful offensive methods, he is not guaranteed a victory.

Who knows what else Eric is hiding?

Snape didn't give it his all, and it was clear that Eric wasn't either.

They weren't in a private space; there were many audience members around them, and the entire auditorium was packed with people.

Snape guessed that Eric was also frustrated by this combat environment, as he couldn't use many spells.

He was wrong about that; Eric was immersed in the excitement of his increased spell proficiency.

The stalemate continued for a while. While continuing his attack, Eric tried to make eye contact with Snape: How about I give you a way out?

I feel a little bad about using someone else's skills as practice.

Snape understood, but he pretended not to see it; he couldn't bring himself to do it. He turned around and cast another spell, which Eric's Armor Charm instantly blocked.

Snape was startled; Eric was casting spells much faster than before.

At the crucial moment, Dumbledore came to the rescue.

After Dumbledore presided over the opening ceremony, he went to attend to his own business and was startled when he received Colin's report.

Eric and Snape got into a fight?

Dumbledore knew Eric; he was lawless and wouldn't be surprised if he did anything, but why would Snape take Eric's side?

Dumbledore couldn't understand it and, fearing the two would demolish the Great Hall, rushed to the scene.

Just then, Snape unleashed a powerful spell at Eric, but Eric casually used Transfiguration to create a stone wall to block it.

"Enough!" Dumbledore shouted.

Eric and Snape, who were poised to attack, stopped immediately upon hearing the sound and simultaneously breathed a sigh of relief.

Eric: Thank goodness, they're finally here.

If the fighting continues, they might really have to demolish the auditorium.

Snape: Why are you so late? Where were you all this time?

Chapter 103 Scars

Dumbledore approached and saw Snape and Eric staring at each other, and asked, "What's going on?"

Eric laughed and said, "I suddenly had some insights into dueling and wanted to ask Professor Snape about them, so here I am. I'm sorry, Professor, for causing any trouble."

Eric had been fighting for a while, which improved his spell proficiency. Since he hadn't suffered any losses, he was too embarrassed to speak ill of Snape in front of Dumbledore.

Professor Snape was such a kind man.

He knew that Dumbledore wouldn't make things difficult for Snape over such a trivial matter, and Eric bringing it up would be pointless; it would only annoy Snape and have no other effect.

Given Snape's background as a former Death Eater and double agent, Dumbledore would never allow Snape to escape his sight.

Not to mention expelling Snape from school or firing him from his job.

Just like how Dumbledore treated Eric.

The most dangerous person should definitely be kept by your side.

So Eric might as well say nothing.

As for college grades? Eric never cared about that.

Today's events started because of Malfoy. Eric certainly doesn't like Malfoy, but now that Dumbledore is here, there's no need to keep bothering Malfoy. There will be plenty of time to deal with him later.

Eric glanced at Malfoy, who was terrified and avoided Eric's gaze.

Eric can fight Snape to a draw, so taking him down would be a piece of cake.

Malfoy now deeply regrets provoking Eric, that scoundrel.

He never imagined that even Snape couldn't defeat Eric.

Malfoy felt uneasy and slowly moved outside, slipping out of the crowd.

Eric turned and called Hermione over, whispering a few words in her ear. Hermione looked surprised and glanced at Eric. Eric nodded, and Hermione hesitated before returning to the crowd.

Seeing Eric spouting nonsense, Dumbledore turned to Snape.

Snape said expressionlessly, “As Clapton said, he has some doubts about dueling, and since I happened to be there, I’ll give him some pointers myself.”

Damn it.

Eric and Dumbledore both looked at Snape in surprise.

Eric hadn't expected Snape to have this kind of understanding with him.

Dumbledore never expected that Snape, with his thick eyebrows and big eyes, would also talk nonsense.

Snape's face was burning, but luckily his skin was fair, so it wasn't very noticeable.

As a professor, if he were to personally discipline a student without actually hitting them, even if Snape were shameless, he would never publicize the incident.

Now that Eric is offering him a way out, he's taking it.

Harry chimed in anxiously, "Malfoy was clearly first..."

Harry was only halfway through his sentence when Hermione covered his mouth.

Dumbledore and everyone around looked over. Hermione smiled and said, "It's okay, it's okay. He just advanced and he's so happy."

Hermione dragged Harry away, taking Ron with her as well.

Hermione was incredibly clever and knew that neither Eric nor Snape wanted to make a big fuss.

Although Snape started the duel, he clearly doesn't want to continue the conflict now, and it would be best if this matter could be resolved perfectly like this.

Hermione is more thoughtful, unlike Harry who likes to act impulsively.

Dumbledore glanced at Eric on the left and Snape on the right. The two men's expressions and movements were remarkably synchronized as they calmly met Dumbledore's gaze.

Eric activated his soul barrier, showing no fear whatsoever.

Snape, now under Occlumency, flashed his signature cold smile.

In just a few rounds, the three exchanged countless glances.

“I see. That’s a good thing. That’s the purpose of our dueling club. Hehe, it’s to give students a chance to practice, popularize dueling skills, and enhance their self-defense awareness.” Finally, Dumbledore’s expression changed, and he laughed, “Alright, let’s continue the match. There’s no need for everyone to gather here. Severus, Eric, come with me.”

Severus is Snape's name.

After Dumbledore left with Eric and Snape, the surrounding crowd dispersed and began to discuss the duel between the two.

It took a long time for the competition to return to order.

Only Colin remained at the scene, bewildered, searching left and right for Harry's figure.

Where's Harry? Where are Harry and Hermione who were just here?

Once they reached a secluded spot, where only the three of them were around, Dumbledore, his expression unchanged, asked, "Tell me, what happened?"

Eric: "So it is, and so it is." He recounted how Ron punched Malfoy and the subsequent events, but omitted the part that angered Snape.

Just now, in front of everyone, Eric also had to consider the impact on Hogwarts. He hadn't forgotten that Rita Skeeter was still in the castle.

Now that the three of them are talking, there's no need to save face for anyone.

Even if he didn't say it, Dumbledore could find out through other channels.

All three of them knew the truth about Snape and Lily's affair.

Knowing something is one thing, but saying it out loud is another.

If Eric were to reveal Snape and Lily's feelings in front of anyone else, Snape would probably try every means to silence him.

Dumbledore, having learned what had happened, glanced at Snape.

Snape sneered, stubbornly replying, "They deserved it."

Dumbledore said sternly, "You need to watch your temper next time, Severus. Abuse of power. I will report your behavior to the Board of Trustees. As for the punishment, we will discuss it and then inform you."

Snape remained expressionless, neither objecting nor responding.

Eric remained unmoved. Dumbledore and Snape were putting on an act for him. If Eric weren't there, the two of them would definitely have their own way of communicating.

As long as Snape doesn't cross Dumbledore's bottom line, Dumbledore won't make things difficult for Snape.

Handling it so gently now is purely to give Eric an explanation.

Dumbledore said, "Ron punched Malfoy, so there's no problem with putting him in solitary confinement and deducting points. I'll add back the other points that were deducted. Ten points for Gryffindor, ten points for Hufflepuff."

After saying that, Dumbledore looked a little embarrassed. Eric was puzzled. Harry and the Hufflepuff referee had their points back, but what about his?

Dumbledore said, “I cannot cancel your solitary confinement and demerit points. Severus is a professor, and according to the school rules, it was his right to decide to put you in solitary confinement at the time, since you did injure Malfoy. Hogwarts operates on a first-instance responsibility system, and even if I were the headmaster, I could not override the professor who was present at the time and forcibly change his punishment. As for whether his decision was fair, and whether he also put Malfoy in solitary confinement, that is another matter.”

Dumbledore asked, "Severus, would you like to lift Eric's confinement?"

Snape said, "No, I stand by my decision."

Dumbledore was helpless, while Eric was mentally prepared for this.

The responsibilities of Hogwarts professors are relatively lenient. The principle of first-instance responsibility means that the first professor to discover a conflict or dispute has the authority to impose punishment unless he waives that authority himself.

Snape was the first professor to discover the conflict caused by Malfoy, and he dealt with Eric and Ron, which, in principle, put the matter to rest.

Dumbledore could overturn the obviously unfair point deductions against Harry and the Hufflepuff referee, since they hadn't actually violated any school rules.

However, given the established fact that Eric and Ron had harmed Malfoy, Dumbledore could not undo their closure and demerits when Snape made his decision.

Hogwarts and the wizarding world have regulations in this regard that are quite reminiscent of those of the ancients.

Over a hundred years ago, Hogwarts professors had the right to punish students physically, which is quite an improvement compared to then.

As for what to do with Malfoy...

Eric didn't take any chances, nor did he go to the trouble of questioning why Snape didn't also deduct points or put Malfoy in solitary confinement for trying to harm Colin.

How could Snape possibly deduct points from Slytherin's house?

If he could be fair and just, he wouldn't be Snape.

Seeing that Eric had no objection to the result, Dumbledore asked, "Which closure did you originally intend for them to perform?"