Chapter 207: Harry's Battle
Chapter 207: Harry's Battle
Harry pressed on, "You must know something—"
Snape waved his wand and whispered, "Silencing Charm", to ensure no one could overhear their conversation. He spoke each word clearly, "You're too nosy, Potter! A few compliments and you think you're the Chosen One. If it weren't for your mother's sacrifice, you'd be nothing!"
Harry's stomach churned. He felt a mix of relief and sorrow. He was relieved that Snape truly knew more, but he was saddened by the mention of his mother. What was there that he didn't know?
Moreover, Snape was boldly mocking him, portraying him as a lucky survivor who had stolen a reputation that wasn't his. Harry felt his lungs ready to burst.
He couldn't help but grip his wand tightly, wishing he could cast a Bat-Bogey Hex on Snape. The spell's name seemed fitting for Snape, who looked like a dirty, large bat.
Snape noticed Harry's movement and narrowed his cold eyes, saying with a sinister tone, "Want to fight, Potter? I'd be happy to give you the chance..."
Harry took a deep breath, forcing out, "No, I'm not here for you." He took a few steps back, turned to look at Felix, and declared loudly, "I choose Professor Hep."
Snape's expression was one of great surprise. In his estimation, Potter's temper would have been provoked, and he would have given Snape the perfect excuse to teach him a lesson.
To be honest, he had been looking forward to that.
But the boy had actually refused, how dare he!
Snape reluctantly retreated to the edge of the stage. Felix and Harry stood face to face, wands raised in a formal salute.
Harry whispered, "Professor, if I can last two minutes, will you agree to one request?"
Felix looked at him and smiled, "Like during our training sessions?"
"Exactly", Harry said quickly. He had never expected to get information about his father and Sirius Black from Snape; it had been a lucky coincidence. This was his real plan, "Just like when I first succeeded, and I invited you to see the Firebolt broom in the Quidditch store."
"I went easy on you then, to boost your confidence", Felix said.
"I know, but I've improved", Harry said.
After a brief exchange, they saluted each other again, stepped back seven paces, and turned to face each other.
Felix showed no intention of making the first move. Harry understood that everything would be like in the Leaky Cauldron's basement.
He suddenly waved his wand and shouted, "Incarcerous!" A rope shot out like a thin snake toward his opponent. Without waiting to see the effect, he took two steps back and followed up with a silent Disarming Charm.
Felix stood there smiling. The rope softened as soon as it touched his body. He then tilted his head, dodging the red arc of light, and cast two spells in quick succession, one red and one gold.
"Armor Shield!" Harry had his Shield Charm ready. One spell grazed the magical barrier, while the other struck it directly, producing a dull thud.
Harry silently counted the seconds. This was a pattern he had observed during training. Professor Hep never knocked him down in one go, always leaving a gap between spells, which gave him a glimmer of hope.
Counting to eight, he dodged, and a powerful spell shattered his Shield Charm. He scrambled to his feet, raising his wand to cast several Stunning Spells— "Stupefy! Stupefy! Stupefy!"
Without any visible movement, a faint magical barrier appeared in front of Felix, blocking Harry's spells. Then, he extended his hand, and the barrier transformed into several blunt arrows, flying toward Harry.
"Whistling through the air, they let out a mournful howl."
Harry cast a Freezing Charm, freezing the arrows mid-air, and immediately dived to the side.
The arrows paused for a second or two before continuing along their predetermined path, striking the wooden floor with a suspicious thud.
"Hisss!"
The entire exchange lasted less than thirty seconds, but the two displayed a formidable offensive and defensive interaction, drawing the attention of many onlookers. Professor Hep was undoubtedly at ease, and the young wizards were unfazed, but Harry was a mystery.
His familiarity with dueling surprised everyone.
Harry was certainly disheveled, spending most of the time dodging, rolling, and retreating in a panic... but he always managed to find openings to counterattack, casting spells at a frequency far exceeding that of previous students.
His expression was also remarkably calm, showing none of the panic and confusion displayed by his predecessors.
Harry kept running on the stage, trying to increase the distance between himself and Professor Hep.
Two minutes was a long time, and Harry had to be meticulous, something he had never considered before. Despite knowing his spells were ineffective, he continued to counter, attempting to disrupt Professor Hep's attack rhythm.
But to his despair, Professor Hep maintained a steady offensive, launching a spell every seven or eight seconds, unaffected by Harry's interference.
'I'm still so far behind!'
'At this rate, I wouldn't stand a chance against Sirius Black!'
Harry's anxiety grew as he desperately reminded himself that it wasn't the right time, but he couldn't help but let his mind wander.
While running, he was hit by a binding spell and stumbled to the ground.
His glasses flew off, and Harry looked up dazedly, vaguely seeing a blurry figure raising a wand.
"No!"
He struggled to lift his wand and shouted, "Expelliarmus!"
A bright red beam of light shot out, resembling a wrist-thick laser, faintly glowing white.
The spell spanned several meters and collided head-on with Felix's Disarming Charm.
"Huh?"
Felix silently increased the power of his spell, balancing the two Disarming Charms.
From the perspective of the young wizards, Harry seemed to be holding his own against Professor Hep for a moment, their spells clashing with a crackling sound and magical arcs.
Half of the Great Hall erupted in excitement.
"Is this Harry's Disarming Charm? How did he practice it!"
"They say he used this spell to destroy the Dementor that tried to attack him..."
"He's only in his third year, no wonder he's the Chosen One who defeated the Dark Lord."
"Do you think he can win?"
"Are you dreaming? But I believe he might in the future!"
Snape, standing in the corner, watched the scene in shock. He had never known that Harry could cast such a powerful spell, far exceeding his usual level.
Then, he noticed another person's presence.
It was Lupin!
He looked extremely haggard, his graying hair more noticeable, and his clothes were patched. Snape didn't know when he had appeared in the Great Hall, but he was now watching Harry with concern.
Their eyes met, and Lupin nodded reassuringly before fixing his gaze on Harry.
On the gilded platform, Harry struggled to maintain his spell. He didn't know how long it had been, but every second felt like an eternity. He hoped he could hold on a bit longer.
Perhaps he had already lasted two minutes? If so, Professor Hep wouldn't refuse his request. Harry thought.
Felix's spell was terrifyingly stable, never weakening from start to finish. Harry watched helplessly as his own magic was pushed back.
He gritted his teeth and held on, his vision blurring, the world spinning. He was no stranger to this feeling.
'In the next second, I should be lying on the carpeted floor, uncomfortable but not too painful...'
"Thud!"
Harry hit the ground hard, "Ouch!" tears streaming down his face.
He suddenly realized: he wasn't in the basement of the Leaky Cauldron for special training, but on the gilded platform in the School Hall, with nothing but bare hardwood beneath him.
"Harry~Harry~" He heard a gentle voice calling out, and someone squatted down beside him, but he couldn't tell who it was.
He passed out completely.
Felix watched as Professor Lupin rushed to Harry's side and stopped from a distance.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
