The days that followed were filled with whispers.
Heir of Slytherin.
Chamber of Secrets.
Someone will die.
Students jumped at shadows.
Corridors emptied faster than ever.
Even ghosts were quieter.
Naturally, Gilderoy Lockhart decided this was the perfect time to reclaim his lost glory.
The Brilliant (Terrible) Idea
A notice appeared on every board:
DUELING CLUB
Learn practical defense!
Witness legendary magic!
Instructor: Gilderoy Lockhart
Registration overflowed.
Keith signed up—not out of interest, but boredom—along with:
Rias, Helena, Daphne, Hermione, Cassandra, Astoria, Ginny, Katie, Penelope, Angelina, and Susan.
"Free entertainment," Keith muttered.
Rias smiled knowingly.
The Entrance Everyone Regretted
The Great Hall was transformed for the club.
With a dramatic flourish, Lockhart burst onto the stage, robes billowing far more than necessary.
"Witches and wizards!" he announced loudly.
"Tonight, I demonstrate real defensive magic!"
Snape stepped beside him—arms crossed, expression murderous.
Helena's eyes narrowed instantly.
Keith caught Snape's gaze and spoke silently with his eyes:
I know. It's rough.
Snape gave a near-imperceptible nod.
Helena pouted harder.
Snape noticed.
…And became ten percent more annoyed at Lockhart.
Professor vs Fraud
"Severus will assist me," Lockhart declared.
"I'll give him a chance to shine."
Snape said nothing.
Lockhart cast first.
Snape sidestepped casually and countered.
Lockhart went airborne.
He hit the wall.
Hard.
The hall went silent.
Lockhart scrambled up, hair disheveled.
"Aha! Just testing him!" he laughed weakly.
Helena looked seconds away from committing academic patricide.
Student Duels Begin
The matches rotated quickly.
And one by one—
Rias dismantled her opponent effortlessly. Daphne won with clean, precise spells. Hermione dominated through control and timing. Cassandra overwhelmed with raw magic. Astoria showed frightening composure. Ginny shocked everyone with speed. Katie & Angelina fought like seasoned teammates. Susan stood radiant and unshaken. Helena fought cold and sharp—very Snape-like.
Lockhart clapped loudly every time, pretending credit.
Snape's eye twitched.
Ron Weasley's Moment
Then came Ron.
To Keith's surprise—
Ron won.
Cleanly.
The crowd murmured.
Keith frowned slightly.
Ciel:Vitality decreased marginally.
No black aura detected.
Keith blinked.
"…So even the dark influence doesn't like him?"
Ciel:Assessment: Entity finds subject inefficient and irritating.
Keith sighed.
"Even black magic has standards."
From the necklace, Velgrynd groaned.
Velgrynd:Pathetic.
Rowena covered her face.
Rowena:How is this boy alive?
Keith's Turn
Finally—
"Keith Argus Runcandel," Lockhart announced.
Murmurs rippled through the hall.
Ron stepped forward, gripping his wand tightly.
This is it, Ron thought.
Tom taught me spells. I'll show them. The girls will see.
Keith walked calmly onto the floor.
Hands in his pockets.
No wand.
No stance.
Ron fired spell after spell.
Colorful lights flashed.
To everyone else—
Keith stood still.
To Snape—
Keith moved.
Barely visible.
Effortless.
Every spell missed by a hair's breadth.
Snape's eyes widened.
Ridiculous…
Ron snarled and cast again.
That was when Keith sighed.
"Enough."
Four portals opened in the air.
Ice-blue and ancient.
From them surged chains of frost, wrapping Ron's wrists and ankles, lifting him cleanly into the air.
He dangled helplessly, frozen mid-shout.
Silence.
The chains hummed softly.
The duel was over.
Aftermath
The hall erupted.
"What spell was that?!"
"Is that ancient magic?!"
"No wand?!"
Lockhart stared in horror.
Snape closed his eyes briefly.
"…As expected."
Helena smiled for the first time that evening.
Ron was lowered gently, unconscious but unharmed.
Keith removed his hands from his pockets.
"Next."
No one volunteered.
Velgrynd laughed openly now.
Velgrynd:I like him.
Rowena nodded.
Rowena:That wasn't magic. That was authority.
Ciel's voice was calm, pleased.
Ciel:Assessment: Psychological dominance achieved.
Keith just sighed again.
"I wanted something relaxing."