The Black Bloodline of Hogwarts

"Have you heard? Professor Lockhart is starting a dueling club." Kayson rushed into the dormitory, interrupting Julien and Edgar's duel.

Julien seized the opportunity to disrupt the chessboard, already covered in rotten egg yolk. "Lockhart? Can he handle it?"

"Even if that doesn't work, it's still better than us little wizards, right?"

"That's true, we haven't had much real combat experience since we entered first grade," Edgar chimed in. "Last year we met Quirrell, and this year Lockhart has only been telling stories since the first lesson."

"Then let's go take a look."

Now, the atmosphere inside Hogwarts Castle is as tense as a taut string. The corridors are no longer filled with the usual hustle and bustle, and the young wizards walk in groups, as if this can ward off the unknown threats lurking in the shadows.

Even the fearless Gryffindor students would subconsciously quicken their pace when passing certain corners.

"At times like these, what we need most is—real combat training!"

Gilderoy Lockhart stood on the makeshift stage in the auditorium, his rose gold vest shimmering under the magical lights, his blond hair as always meticulously combed.

He spread his arms, revealing his signature white teeth, and his voice, amplified by a megaphone spell, echoed in every corner: "Defense Against the Dark Arts is not merely theoretical knowledge; it requires practice! Therefore, I hereby announce the founding of the Hogwarts Dueling Club!"

Sparse applause rang out from the audience. Julien sat at Ravenclaw's long table, toying with his silver linden wand, his brow slightly furrowed.

A duel club? This plot does exist in the original work. The petrification incident has already caused panic in the school, so Lockhart's suggestion at this time can be considered to be in line with the situation.

"To improve everyone's practical skills," Lockhart continued, a confident yet almost narcissistic smile on his face, "I've specially invited... uh, an assistant. Although his skill level is still not as good as mine, he should be enough to handle you beginners."

The Great Hall doors swung open with a roar, and a black figure drifted in like a dark cloud. Severus Snape walked expressionlessly to Lockhart's side, his black robes billowing, his eyes icy.

"Professor Snape will assist me in the demonstration," Lockhart's smile was somewhat stiff, clearly not expecting Snape's imposing aura. "Now, let's show you what a true wizarding duel is all about!"

The two walked to the center of the arena and stood facing each other. Lockhart gave an exaggerated bow, while brandishing his wand with a series of fancy gestures, as if he were attending a ball.

Snape merely nodded slightly, staring coldly at him, his wand already sliding into his hand.

"Should I call 'start,' Severus?" Lockhart blinked. "Remember, this is just a demonstration; I won't take it too seriously..."

"Disarm you!"

Snape didn't even give him a chance to finish speaking. He stepped forward, swung his right hand, and a red light flashed. Lockhart flew backward, crashing heavily into the stone pillar behind him, and then slid to the ground like a lump of mud.

His glittering vest was covered in dust, and his blond hair was messily covering his face; he was nowhere near the "legendary wizard" he once was.

The auditorium fell into a deathly silence, which was then broken into a burst of laughter.

Snape put away his wand without saying anything, his face expressionless.

Lockhart scrambled to his feet, his cheeks flushed, but he forced a smile.

"Uh...good! A very impressive demonstration! But to be honest, Professor Snape, your intentions were too obvious. I could have easily dodged it. I just gave the young wizards an unsuccessful example."

He dusted himself off, trying to save face: "Now, let's invite student representatives to the stage for a practical exercise. Anyone willing to...?"

"I'll do it."

A crisp sound rang out from beside Ravenclaw's table. Julien stood up, his emerald green eyes calm as still water.

He didn't know what would happen next, and rather than waiting passively, he decided to take the initiative and try to change something.

Lockhart paused for a moment, then recognized him.

"Ah! Mr. Black! A Ravenclaw star student! Very good, very courageous! So, your opponent is..."

"Since it's a demonstration," Snape suddenly spoke, his dark gaze lingering on Lien for a moment before sweeping over the Slytherin table, "why not let the students from the two houses spar? And..."

Snape stopped the eager young wizards with a look. "And it has to be a matter of equal strength, doesn't it, Miss Rosier? Please."

Elizabeth Rozier slowly rose to her feet, her deep green cloak shimmering like flowing lake water under the lights.

She didn't look at Lockhart, but instead threw off her cloak and walked straight to the center of the arena, her icy gray eyes meeting Julien's across the distance. Her gaze held a question, and also a tacit understanding only the two of them could comprehend.

"Perfect!" Lockhart clapped his hands excitedly. "Ravenclaw versus Slytherin! A clash of wits and ambition! Gentlemen, please take your positions!"

Julien walked to one side of the field and stood ten steps away from Rozier.

He could feel everyone's eyes on him. Hermione looked at him worriedly from beside the Gryffindor table, while Harry and Ron waved their fists excitedly.

"The rules are simple," Lockhart announced loudly, "stop here! Use the standard spells you've learned, no dark magic allowed—and of course, I trust you won't either. Now, bow!"

Julien and Rozier bowed slightly at the same time, their eyes fixed on each other.

"start!"

"Abolish your weapon!" Rozier attacked first, a red light shooting out from the tip of her staff. Her movements were clean and swift, without any hesitation.

"Armor Protection!" Julien's wand traced an arc, and a pale golden shield of light instantly formed. The Disarming Charm struck the shield, creating a ripple.

"That's fast," Julien thought to himself, while simultaneously flicking his wrist. "Obstacles galore!"

A transparent magical barrier appeared out of thin air, attempting to block Rozier's movement.

But Rozier had clearly anticipated this; with a graceful side somersault, a movement as elegant as a dance, she pointed her wand at the ground: "Bounce away!"

The floor beneath Julien's feet suddenly springed up like a spring, propelling him upwards with tremendous force. However, Julien remained calm, quickly adjusting his posture in mid-air and pointing his wand downwards: "Float!"

It wasn't used on himself, but on Rozier. Rozier felt a sudden lightness in his body, and was actually lifted off the ground by the levitation spell.

The two faced each other in the air, like a pair of stars drawn together by fate.

"Break the spell!" Rozier shouted, breaking free from her levitation and using the momentum to float backward. As she landed, she waved her wand repeatedly: "Blazing Flames!"

The orange-red flames transformed into a long whip, lashing towards Julien. Every young wizard had learned this move, but most were only at the level of starting a fire in a furnace.

Rozier's move was beyond the scope of ordinary lower-grade students, clearly indicating that he had learned a lot of advanced techniques within the family.

Julien remained calm and unhurried. "Clear water like a spring!" was the most ordinary move. However, clear water gushed from the tip of his staff and collided with the flaming whip, stirring up a large amount of steam.

The steam obscured their vision, but their magical senses remained sharp. Julien could detect Rozier's location; she was moving rapidly, attempting to flank him.

"Trying to ambush me?" Julien's lips curled into a slight smile, and he tapped his wand on the ground: "Obstacles abound!"

The difference this time is that it's an area-of-effect spell, with a slowing barrier appearing in the center of the entire arena.

Rosier froze, and Julien seized the opportunity to burst out of the steam, his wand pointed directly at him: "Expelliarmus!"

A hint of admiration flashed in Rosier's eyes. Instead of dodging, she stepped forward, her wand tracing a complex arc in the air: "Shield of Protection!"

A silver light shield appeared, but Julien noticed that her left hand was secretly making a strange gesture behind her back—was that a unique spellcasting habit of the Rozier family?

"Bang!"

The red light was deflected by the shield, but Rozier also took three steps back. The two separated again, both slightly out of breath.

"A fantastic attack and defense!" Lockhart exclaimed from the sidelines. "Both students are incredibly skilled! But please note, this is just a demonstration, don't—"

"Shut up," Snape interrupted him coldly.

Neither Julien nor Rozier paid any attention to the outside noise. They exchanged a glance, both seeing a lingering sense of satisfaction in each other's eyes.

But both of them understood that it was not appropriate to reveal their true cards here.

"A draw?" Julien asked softly, only Rozier could hear him.

"A draw." Rozier nodded slightly.

Lockhart looked at this one, then at that one, and finally decided: "A draw! What a wonderful duel! Let's give them a round of applause!"

Thunderous applause erupted. Julien and Rozier bowed again.

As he stood up, Rozier whispered, "Next time, I'll check the cards."

"No problem, I'm always ready," Julien said with a smile.