A Professor of Magic at Hogwarts

Chapter 94: Dueling Class

"Young wizards, I need you to stand in the four directions on the stage according to your respective houses," Felix Harp waved his hand to lift the sound-restriction charm.

The students in the audience were puzzled. Felix walked to one side of the square, gold-plated stage, and announced, "Slytherin, gather here!" Then, he moved to another side, "Ravenclaw, gather here!"

"Gryffindor, gather here!"

"Hufflepuff, gather here!"

As Felix walked around the stage, the young wizards understood the professor's instructions and quickly moved into position.

"Ginny, over here!"

Ron called out to his sister. Harry turned his head and saw Ginny standing hand in hand with a Ravenclaw girl, motionless in their spot.

The girl wore a peculiar necklace with bottle caps strung together, and her light, golden hair was tousled. Like Ginny, she remained still. Harry even thought that she might not have grasped the situation, as she stared wide-eyed at the young wizards passing by her.

Ron pushed his way through, with Harry and Hermione following closely.

"Ginny, come on. Um... who's this?" Ron looked at the Ravenclaw girl in front of him.

"I'm her new friend," the girl's gaze slid over him, briefly paused in front of Harry, and then settled on Hermione.

"I know you. Many say you should have been sorted into Ravenclaw," she stared intently at Hermione.

"Is that so? I quite like Gryffindor," Hermione replied.

Harry and Ron exchanged a glance. Harry cautiously said, "I think we should get moving..."

Most of the young wizards had taken their positions, making this group quite conspicuous.

Even Professor Harp looked over.

Ron pulled Ginny along and the girl suddenly said, "Luna, Luna Lovegood. That's my name."

Harry, who was lagging behind, had to stop and introduce himself, "Uh, I'm Harry Potter."

"I know you," the girl named Luna said.

"Really?" Harry muttered. The scene before him was a bit awkward. He hastily added, "See you around!" Then he went to catch up with his friends.

Luna casually made her way to the Ravenclaw group. She waved at Ginny on the other side.

"Who's that?" Ron asked Ginny.

"My new friend," Ginny replied. Seeing Harry still looking at her, she blushed and lowered her head, "Our families actually live quite close to each other, but there's a mountain in between."

"White Ridge Mountain?" Harry asked with great interest. He had visited the Burrow this year and learned about this name from the twins. According to Fred, one of their childhood dreams was to "ride toy broomsticks over White Ridge Mountain."

Ginny quickly glanced up at Harry and whispered, "A bit more north. Their house is on a mountaintop."

Onstage, Felix Harp withdrew his gaze, muttering to himself, "Luna, the witch with red hair—could that be the youngest Weasley daughter?"

As the last young wizard took their position, Felix spoke up, "Next, we'll move on to group exercises. You can choose your own partners, preferably from the same year."

The young wizards sprang into action again. Felix and Snape descended from the stage, tidying up the disorderly lines.

"Pairs, with a five-meter gap."

Like a silent, gliding bat, Snape drifted behind Harry and Ron, who were engrossed in conversation. Snape rolled up his sleeves, and with both hands, he smacked them firmly on their heads. "Pay attention, you two."

Harry and Ron grimaced as they watched Snape's departing figure. Ron puzzledly asked, "How does he manage to walk without making a sound?"

Five minutes later, the young wizards were neatly lined up in formation.

"Watch me closely and recite the incantation with me," Felix Harp, who had returned to the stage, said. "Be careful not to aim your wands at your partners. Wave your wands in a small arc, then thrust quickly, like this—"

"Disarm!"

Onstage, a brilliant red light shot out of Professor Harp's wand like scorching lightning.

The young wizards in the audience chanted in unison, "Disarm!"

"Very good, continue."

"Disarm!"

"Pay attention to the angle of your wands. Keep going!"

"Disarm!"

"Excellent," Felix said. "Next, we'll delve into the theoretical aspects of spells. I'll cover only the most crucial..."

After approximately twenty minutes, the young wizards were getting the hang of waving their wands, but no one had succeeded yet.

Felix and Snape exchanged a few quiet words. Then Felix said, "Young wizards, take out the parchment I provided you with."

The young wizards looked puzzled as they retrieved the parchment.

"I've had a discussion with Professor Snape, and your problems primarily center around these seven issues. I will go through each one, and you can compare them on your own."

"Balk, come up to the stage. I need your assistance."

After twenty minutes of explanation, Felix's throat felt a bit dry. He knew, though, that his words would only impact some of the top students. For most young wizards, learning magic relied more on "feeling" and "repetition."

So, for the next half-hour, he and Snape kept moving through the crowd, giving specific guidance.

"Miss Pett, your thrust lacks decisiveness. Think about my demonstration and then consult point seven on your parchment."

"Mr. Warren, your incantation pronunciation is off. Yes, an incantation isn't mandatory, but that comes after you've mastered it."

"Ah, you're Nawi Longbottom, right? You're too nervous. Confidence is key! Picture yourself successfully casting the spell. Yes, I suggest you imagine it twenty times in your mind."

Every ten minutes or so, they called up a few examples of mistakes for demonstration. Felix noticed that showing errors was more effective than demonstrating correctness—after a laugh, many young wizards realized they had made the same mistake.

Of course, those who were teased received extra points as compensation.

"Thank you, Nawi, your problem is quite representative. Also, Gryffindor gets five points."

"And you, Miss Vira, your movements are too stiff. Everyone, no laughing. If Miss Vira displays even a tenth of her talent for Ancient Runes, she'll amaze you all. Ravenclaw, five points."

"Marcus... well, let's just say, don't imitate him. We should appreciate his courage at least. Slytherin, five points."

Felix wiped his brow. Guiding wasn't the challenge; the challenge lay in preserving the young wizards' self-esteem and praising them creatively.

"I should prepare a list of compliments, listing every possible reason. That way, I won't need to think on the spot..."

Finally, an hour and a half into the Dueling Class, a fifth-year young wizard succeeded.

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