After the two bowed to each other, the duel began.
Barty Crouch Jr. gave a sharp flick of his wrist, and a red curse, accompanied by a piercing shriek, shot straight towards Snape.
Snape's dark eyes showed not a flicker of panic. His wand danced in the air, and in the blink of an eye, three ordinary candles melted and reshaped, their flames, as if alive, leapt and intertwined, forming a shield of shimmering silver fire.
The curse crashed violently into the shield, sparks flying everywhere, illuminating both their faces.
Snape seized the opportunity to retaliate. With a flick of his wand, a black beam from an Impedimenta charm zipped towards Barty Jr. The air sizzled where the spell cut through.
"Protego!" Barty's face changed, and he quickly raised his wand, a transparent protective shield immediately enveloping him.
The Impedimenta hit the shield, emitting a harsh clang, and ripples spread across its surface.
Two powerful magical forces collided fiercely in the confined space. Beads of sweat formed on both their foreheads; for a moment, neither could overpower the other.
Snape's wand movements grew faster and faster, unleashing spells like whip-cracks, continuously firing at Barty Jr.
Finally, relying on deeper magical reserves, Snape seized a fleeting opening as Barty Jr. paused to draw breath. A Stunning Spell struck him precisely in the chest.
Barty Jr. flew backward like a broken kite, hitting the magical barrier at the edge of the platform, falling heavily to the ground, his wand clattering from his hand.
"Stop attacking!" Professor Flitwick shouted almost simultaneously, his movement of leaping from his high stool so swift it seemed practiced, his eyes fixed intently on Snape's every move.
Snape instantly tucked his wand into his robes, his steps gliding lightly across the platform. He bent down to pick up Barty Jr.'s wand, then walked to the unconscious Barty Jr. and gently helped him up.
"Professor, I'll take Barty to the Hospital Wing," Snape said amiably.
"You?" Professor Flitwick narrowed his eyes suspiciously. "I'll go with you."
After entrusting Professor Slughorn with the conclusion of the matches, Professor Flitwick and Snape left the Great Hall together, taking Barty Jr. to the Hospital Wing.
"Professor, how did you know what would happen if the Alohomora charm was used on a person?" Snape asked curiously in the corridor leading to the Hospital Wing. He admitted he'd been too impulsive yesterday.
He was immensely grateful that Professor Flitwick had stopped his curse in time, otherwise, that scene would likely have ended both James's and his own school careers simultaneously. Public outcry would have ensured it in different ways: Snape would be expelled, and James would voluntarily withdraw.
"Honestly, Severus!" Professor Flitwick huffed, stamping his foot as the memory flashed back, "Not every door can just be opened! I've heard about some of the quarrels between you and James, but do you really want to be etched into school history through common gossip like that?"
"My apologies, Professor, for alarming you," Snape offered a rare, sheepish smile. "I certainly won't use the Alohomora charm on fellow students again."
As they talked, they found themselves at the entrance to the Hospital Wing.
Pushing open the double doors, they were met with a strong scent of herbs.
Madam Pomfrey was tending to other students who had been injured in recent days. Seeing them enter, she looked up, fuming: "Filius, when will this accursed dueling competition end? How many injured students is this now?!"
"Oh, Poppy," Professor Flitwick gave an embarrassed chuckle, apologizing, "The matches have concluded tonight. From now on, it's back to regular lessons."
"What?!" Madam Pomfrey clucked disapprovingly like a hen. "Regular lessons still? I'm going to see the Headmaster!"
She grumbled as she took Barty Jr. from them, settling him onto a hospital bed. She gently smoothed back his straw-colored hair and felt his forehead.
"Stunned?" she asked.
"Yes, stunned, Poppy," Professor Flitwick confirmed, quickly adding, "Training them now is to ensure they suffer fewer injuries in real battles later on."
"I understand, these are unsettling times..." Madam Pomfrey muttered softly. "You may go, just leave him to me."
"I'd like to wait here until he wakes up, Madam Pomfrey," Snape said softly. "I was the one who stunned him, so I'd like to see that he's all right before I leave."
"Oh, he'll be fine," Madam Pomfrey's expression softened slightly. "However, if you wish to stay, you may, but remember to keep quiet."
"Yes, Madam," Snape nodded obediently, settling into a chair beside the bed.
Madam Pomfrey extinguished the candles in the ward and returned to her office.
Snape sat by Barty Jr.'s bedside, staring at the moonlight stripes on the ceiling, listening to the night breeze rustle the leaves outside the window...
He didn't know how much time had passed when Snape was awakened by a faint rustle.
The sky outside the window had turned a deep blue, and Madam Pomfrey had already begun her rounds.
She was using a spoon to feed a shimmering blue liquid into Barty Jr.'s mouth.
Snape rubbed his stiff neck, his gaze falling upon Barty Jr.'s pale face.
This seemingly somewhat meek boy would, in the future, pass twelve O.W.L.s, successfully resist the Imperius Curse, and keep Moody—whom Charlie Weasley called "one of the best," an Auror who had filled half of Azkaban's cells—imprisoned in a trunk for a whole year.
A complex emotion swelled within Snape.
He thought, if he couldn't pull Barty Jr. away from Voldemort's grasp, then for the peace of the wizarding world, he would rather find an opportunity to ensure Barty Jr. slept forever than allow him to grow into an even greater threat.
Pulling up Barty Jr.'s sleeve, Snape found no skull mark on his arm.
A moment later, Barty Jr.'s eyelashes fluttered slightly. Under the potion's influence, he slowly opened his eyes.
"You're awake. The treatment was a success," Snape said, trying his best to make his expression as gentle and kindly as possible.
"What are you doing here?" Barty Jr. shot upright, asking warily.
"I apologize for being too rough yesterday," Snape offered a paternal, warm smile. "For your age, you truly are remarkable, so it was difficult for me to hold back when facing you.
"I was very concerned about any lingering effects, so I stayed until you awoke.
"Are you feeling uncomfortable anywhere?"
What do you think Barty Crouch Jr. will make of Snape's sudden change in demeanor?