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HPTD - CH 125 - Really? Tickling?
🕑 Added 2025-05-09 18:43:06 +0000 UTCA wave of applause broke out. Even the sceptics leaned forward now. Marianne was grinning from ear to ear, nudging the fourth-year next to her.
"That's our Beater," she said proudly. "He hits people for fun and education."
Two second-years in the front row looked ready to pass out.
"He caught the wand," one breathed.
"And launched Lockhart like a Quaffle," the other added, eyes wide.
"Do you think he'd sign our spellbooks?"
"Or our wands?"
Ron looked both impressed and a bit horrified. He glanced at Harry, who was watching intently, clearly taking notes in his head.
"Blimey," Ron muttered. "Remind me never to get on his bad side."
Harry nodded. "Yeah… don't think I'll be trying to take him on anytime soon."
Hermione, arms crossed, looked far less amused."That was completely unnecessary," she said, though her eyes hadn't left Ben's wand. "But… that was definitely an Impressive Disarming Jinx followed by a Knockback. You'd have to be quick to pull that off together."
Ron blinked at her. "You reckon?"
Luna was clapping like it was the best magic show she'd ever seen. "Now pull a bunny out of your hat!" she called out cheerfully.
Ben gave her a deadpan look. Then, with a sigh of mock surrender, reached behind his own head and tugged. There was a pop — and a very colourful, very annoyed-looking fwooper emerged from thin air, squawking wildly.
The nearest students covered their ears. Luna beamed.
Ben shoved it back where it came from before anyone could go deaf. "That's not in the syllabus," he said dryly.
Laughter spread again, louder this time.
Cho blinked. "Did he just—was that a fwooper?"
"Better than a bunny," Luna nodded serenely. "Much more truthful."
Ben lowered Lockhart carefully and released the spells. "Don't worry, nothing we'll be doing tonight is dangerous. Unless you're planning to duel me."
Lockhart groaned from the floor, then sat up and clapped. "Marvelous! Exactly what I… had in mind!"
Ben tossed him his wand. "Glad to assist, Professor."
Ben turned back to the crowd. "We'll start with the basics. Wand grip, posture, and why it's important not to flail like a sea lion when casting."
Laughter followed him as he took the lead, students quickly falling into line.
Lockhart grinned, dazed but proud. "Brilliant lad. No idea who he is, but brilliant. I'm sure I must have taught him everything he knows… yes, I must have."
Ben didn't bother with him. His Obliviate on Lockhart hadn't gone quite right, leaving the man with occasional memory glitches. He was already walking back to the centre, wand spinning lazily between his fingers like a baton.
Ben clapped his hands once. "Alright, who's feeling brave? Come up one at a time and try the Disarming Charm on Professor Lockhart."
"Me?" Lockhart looked shocked, pointing to himself.
"Give it your best shot, Professor Lockhart is an expert at shielding charms," Ben added.
Lockhart, still wobbling slightly, forced a smile. "I am? Of course I am, but I don't quite remember," Lockhart looked very puzzled, trying to remember his expertise.
But he adjusted his robes, clearly still remembered to look dashing.
Students began murmuring, excited and nervous. Several already had wands half-raised.
But then, of course—
"Why not duel someone who actually knows what he's doing?" drawled Malfoy, stepping forward. His wand was already in hand, and his smirk was practically carved into his face.
Ben raised an eyebrow. "Alright. Want to be our demonstration dummy, Malfoy?"
Malfoy's eyes narrowed. "Let's make it a proper duel. You and me."
The Hall went quiet again, faster than someone could say Expelliarmus.
Ben didn't move. "A proper duel?"
Malfoy's smile sharpened. "Afraid you'll lose, Brown?"
Ben stretched his neck slowly, as if Malfoy's challenge were no more pressing than a stiff muscle. "No. I'm just wondering if I'm allowed to turn you into a ferret."
A few laughs rippled through the Hall. Even Lockhart had the sense to step back this time.
"Clear the platform!" someone shouted. It might've been Roger Davies—he sounded far too eager.
Ron leaned over to Harry. "He's actually doing it."
Harry nodded, eyes on Ben. "I almost feel bad for Malfoy."
Hermione huffed. "Honestly, Boys."
Lockhart raised his wand. "Now now, You know the standard duelling procedure, boys! Bow first!"
Ben and Malfoy barely dipped their heads.
"On the count of three," Lockhart declared, waving his hand grandly. "One—two—"
Malfoy struck on two. "Rictusempra!”
Ben flicked his wand to the side, deflecting it with a lazy Protego. The flash of silver bounced off his shield harmlessly.
“Really? Tickling?” he scoffed, stepping into position.
Malfoy's eyes narrowed. He fired again, faster—Stupefy, Trip Jinx, Knockback Hex—spells flew in rapid bursts, but Ben was already moving. He ducked, parried, spun a single step left and—
"Flippendo!"
Malfoy's feet left the ground. He crashed into the back curtain with a thump, taking half of it down with him.
Silence.
Then the cheering started—loud, chaotic, and far too enthusiastic for Drako's liking.
Ron whooped. "Did you see that? He flipped him like a pancake!"
Hermione winced but said nothing, though the corner of her mouth twitched.
Harry leaned on the edge of the bench, half smiling. "Bet Malfoy doesn't try that again."
Ben dusted off his sleeves and turned to the crowd. "Next volunteer?"
Malfoy groaned as he shoved the curtain off his face and staggered to his feet. His hair was sticking up on one side, and his pride looked even more battered than his robes.
"I'm not done yet," he snarled.
Ben, halfway through turning back to the group, paused. "Mate, you flew and landed on your face. I think the duel's done."
But Malfoy's wand was already raised. "Serpensortia!"
With a flash of light, a thick black cobra shot out of the tip of Malfoy's wand and landed on the stage, coiling immediately and raising its hood, facing Ben directly.
A collective shriek ran through the crowd. Lockhart scrambled back, nearly tripping over his own cape. The students closest to the front row dove away.
The snake hissed, eyes fixed on the nearest figure—Ben.
Ben's wand twitched, thinking of the ways to deal with this in the coolest way. 'Should I turn it into a pool noodle?'
But before he could act, Harry stepped forward, eyes fixed on the cobra.
“No, Stop! Don’t go near him. He’s not the one who summoned you!”
"Back away from him. There’s no fight here."
His voice was calm. Oddly calm.
The snake stopped. Lowered its head slightly. Hissed once more, quieter now.
It obeyed.
Everyone stared.
"Did—did you see that?" someone whispered.
Ben stared at Harry, stunned.
"Seriously," he muttered, voice clipped. "Did my words fall on deaf ears, or do you just enjoy making things harder for yourself?"
All eyes turned to Ben.
People were no longer staring at Harry.
They were staring at him.
Ben frowned. “What?”
Lockhart clapped his hands, delighted. “My word! You too can make those delightful snake sounds! Did I teach you that? I must’ve—”
Ben closed his eyes for a second. “Oh, for Merlin’s sake.”
He hadn’t spoken in English.
The words had come out in hisses.
He'd done fucked up now. 'Stupid Parseltongue', he thought before flicking his wand and vanishing the snake in a wisp of smoke.
There was an awful pause during which panicked murmurs filled the hall.
Ben straightened. “Right,” he said briskly. “That's enough snake-ing around for one night. No more non-standard duelling spells in the duelling club.”
“Malfoy, congratulations—you’ve just been banned from the Duelling Club. For life. Or until you grow a brain, whichever’s sooner.”
Draco would have opened his mouth to argue, but he'd just seen his two biggest nemeses speaking fluent snake.
“Everyone else—if you still want to duel, line up in pairs. But if you’re going to start summoning snakes or talking to them, kindly exit stage left.”
A long, awkward beat passed. Then a shuffle of movement. Several students backed away, suddenly unsure if they wanted to duel at all. Only a handful remained.
Ben exhaled through his nose, rubbed his temple once, and glanced briefly at Harry—who was watching him, with a lot of questions in his eyes.
“…Later,” Ben muttered. Then he turned to the next pair. “Alright. Who’s up?”
-To be Continued...
Comments
Fire_Fox2590
"So... I might have accidentally eaten a part of Voldemort's soul..."
Xazo
Thanks for the chapter! Can't wait for the next one!
