Saturday, September 4, 1993
I stood at the centre of the Great Hall, hands clasped behind my back, smiling out at a crowd of students who looked far more awake than any sane person ought to be on a Saturday morning.
"Good morning everyone," I began brightly, letting my voice carry. "And welcome to the first Fight Club meeting of the new school year."
That earned me a respectable ripple of applause, a few cheers from the more enthusiastic regulars, and at least one groan from someone who clearly hadn't realised this was optional.
"Now," I continued, gesturing behind me, "today we have a few special guests assisting with our demonstrations."
I stepped aside slightly.
"First, as always, my ever-reliable assistant, Professor Filius Flitwick."
Flitwick waved cheerfully, receiving a warm round of applause. I waited for it to die down before continuing.
"Second, our new Defence Against the Dark Arts professor, Professor Remus Lupin, who very kindly agreed to help today."
Lupin inclined his head modestly as the applause returned, this time mixed with curious murmurs. I caught more than a few students whispering already, sizing him up.
"And last," I said, drawing out the pause just long enough, "but certainly not least… our beloved Potions master, Professor Severus Snape."
The reaction was immediate and divided.
Slytherin offered polite, restrained applause. Gryffindor, on the other hand, responded with loud jeering and a handful of particularly creative boos. Somewhere in the crowd, I was fairly certain Lee Jordan was responsible for a hissed "boo" that sounded suspiciously like a dying flobberworm.
Snape did not react in the slightest.
He stood with his arms folded, expression carved from pure disdain, eyes sweeping across the jeering students with surgical precision. I had no doubt whatsoever that several names were being mentally recorded for later… educational repercussions.
Once the noise settled, I smiled pleasantly.
"You may be wondering," I said, "why we have two additional professors joining us today."
I raised a finger.
"That would be because today's demonstrations will be slightly more advanced than usual."
A murmur ran through the Hall.
"We'll be showcasing both a two-versus-two engagement," I continued, "and a three-versus-one scenario."
That got their attention.
Several students straightened in their seats. A few leaned forward. I spotted at least one Ravenclaw already theorising spell combinations under their breath, while a number of Gryffindors looked ready to volunteer on the spot.
"Before anyone gets too excited," I added smoothly, "this is a demonstration. You will be observing, analysing, and learning. Participation comes later, once we've established proper technique and, more importantly, control."
Snape's lip curled faintly, as if the word control personally offended him.
"Professor Flitwick will be assisting with precision casting and defensive charms," I said, nodding to him. "Professor Lupin will demonstrate adaptability and teamwork under pressure."
I turned slightly, letting my gaze land on Snape.
"And Professor Snape," I finished, "has graciously agreed to remind us all what happens when hesitation meets intent."
A few students swallowed.
Snape's sneer deepened, which I chose to interpret as enthusiastic cooperation.
"Now then," I said briskly, clapping my hands once. "Let's begin."
…
I raised my hand, and the noise in the Great Hall gradually subsided.
"For our first demonstration," I announced, "we'll begin with a two-on-two. Professor Lupin and myself versus Professors Flitwick and Snape."
That got everyone's attention.
We stepped onto the cleared floor of the Great Hall, desks pushed well back, protective wards already humming faintly around the duelling space. I noted, with some amusement, that Snape's eyes had locked onto Lupin the moment we took our positions, sharp and glittering with something that had nothing to do with professional rivalry.
Ah. Old grudges. How quaint.
Flitwick, ever the gentleman, gave us a polite nod. Snape, on the other hand, did not take his eyes off Lupin for even a second.
I made a point of drawing my troll whisker wand rather than my staff, the familiar handle fitting comfortably in my palm. Less raw power, yes, but far more elegant for a demonstration. And, truth be told, using the staff would have been unfair.
"Ready?" Flitwick chirped.
Snape's answer was a spell.
A jet of red light screamed towards Lupin the instant the duel began. Lupin reacted quickly, conjuring a shield that barely held before a second curse slammed into it, forcing him back a step. Snape pressed the advantage relentlessly, spell after spell flowing with practised cruelty.
I sighed inwardly. Of course he would focus on Remus.
I flicked my wand.
Illusory duplicates of Lupin burst into existence, scattering in different directions. Snape snarled as two of his curses sailed harmlessly through phantoms, but it bought Lupin a precious second to regain his footing.
Flitwick, meanwhile, turned his attention to me, clearly recognising that if Snape was on the offensive, someone had to keep him alive.
"Impedimenta!"
I twisted aside, letting the spell pass through another illusion that shattered like glass. A second later, Flitwick's follow-up ricocheted off a mirrored image and dissipated into sparks.
I kept moving, weaving illusion after illusion into the space; false trajectories, phantom footfalls, flickers of movement that made it impossible to tell where I actually was.
Lupin wasn't idle, either. Despite being a bit rusty, his fundamentals were solid. He deflected, countered, repositioned, but Snape was merciless, driving him back with precise, punishing magic.
Then it happened.
Snape's wand snapped downward.
"Fracassus!"
The bludgeoning curse struck Lupin squarely in the chest.
There was a sickening crack, loud enough to make several students gasp, and Lupin was hurled backwards, skidding across the stone floor before coming to a hard stop.
A hush fell over the hall.
Snape straightened, a thin, satisfied smile curling his lips.
I let that moment linger.
Just long enough.
"Expelliarmus."
Lupin's voice came from behind Snape.
The potion master barely had time to register the impossibility of it before his wand was blasted clean from his hand, spinning end over end across the floor.
The real Lupin stepped out of an illusion I had layered moments earlier, breathing hard but very much unbroken.
Snape's expression was glorious.
At the same time, Flitwick launched another spell at me, clearly realising things were slipping.
Too late.
"Animare."
His tie gave a violent twitch.
Then, to the utter astonishment of the crowd, it slithered to life like a brightly patterned serpent, snapping upwards and wrapping itself neatly around Flitwick's wand arm. With a sharp tug, it yanked the wand free and flicked it away.
Flitwick blinked, startled, then burst out laughing as the tie obediently released him and went limp once more.
Silence.
Then applause. Loud, enthusiastic, thunderous applause.
I inclined my head slightly, lowering my wand, while Lupin offered a tired but genuine smile.
"Victory," I said lightly, "to teamwork, creativity… and the importance of not underestimating misdirection."
Snape retrieved his wand without comment, his glare promising future retribution. Lupin, for his part, looked far too pleased for a man who'd just been sent flying across the Great Hall in front of his students, even if it was just an illusion.
A very good start to the year indeed.
…
The murmurs hadn't even fully died down from the previous match when I stepped forward again, this time alone, my staff already in hand.
"Now then," I said cheerfully, tapping the stone floor once for attention. "For our final demonstration… three against one."
That got their attention.
Flitwick adjusted his sleeves. Lupin rolled his shoulders, already looking tired. Snape merely smiled, a thin, predatory thing, and I knew precisely who would be attacking first.
I raised my staff slightly. "Begin."
Snape moved instantly.
A slashing curse screamed through the air, aimed straight for my face. I tilted my head just enough for it to miss, the magic slicing past my cheek close enough that I felt the heat of it.
And pain blossomed a heartbeat later as blood trickled down my skin.
Ah. So he had nicked me.
Before I could reposition, Lupin and Flitwick fired Disarming Charms simultaneously, perfectly timed, while Snape followed up with two heavy bludgeoning curses, one to each of my obvious retreat paths.
Very neat. Very ruthless.
I brought my staff down hard against the stone.
Golden light erupted around me, expanding outward in a domed shimmer, the ancient Aegis Shield, an old Greek ward I'd studied under Flamel himself. The spells struck it and rebounded instantly.
Flitwick yelped, diving aside as his own charm came spinning back at him. Lupin barely managed to roll away from his reflected spell. Snape snarled as he snapped up a shield just in time, the force still knocking him a step backwards.
Before they could recover, I struck the floor again.
Ten copies of myself burst outward in a ring, each one solid, radiant, and very much armed. The students gasped as the illusions moved independently, staffs and wands raised, surrounding the three professors from all sides.
Chaos followed.
Spells flew in every direction. Copies shattered into light under precise strikes, only for others to dart in, casting, feinting, advancing. Flitwick was panting within minutes. Lupin's movements grew heavier. Snape fought with single-minded fury, carving through the illusions with brutal efficiency.
Finally, with a sharp incantation, Snape unleashed his signature spell, Sectumsempra.
The last remaining copy split apart in a spray of fading golden light.
Silence fell.
The three of them stood there, breathing hard, robes scorched, hair singed.
Flitwick frowned. Lupin blinked, looking around in confusion. Snape's eyes narrowed dangerously.
"Looking for me?" I asked pleasantly.
I stepped out from beside the students, straightening my robes, the cut on my cheek from the start of the fight nowhere in sight. Fred and George Weasley were beside me, hair smoking faintly, cards scattered at their feet.
"Apologies," I added lightly. "You finally finished off my copies. I didn't mean to keep you waiting, I was in the middle of a rather enthusiastic game of Exploding Snap with Messrs Weasley."
Snape looked as though he might actually rupture something vital.
Flitwick let out a weak, breathless chuckle. Lupin closed his eyes briefly, like a man desperately wishing for a chair, a cup of tea, and several hours of uninterrupted rest.
I sighed theatrically. "Right. Let's conclude, shall we?"
I brought my staff down one final time.
The stone beneath their feet rippled like water, flowing upward in smooth, relentless waves. In moments, the floor had risen to encase them from the feet to the neck, solidifying into an elegant, immovable prison.
Perfectly safe. Entirely humiliating.
I turned back to the students with a bright smile.
"And that, ladies and gentlemen, is why positioning, preparation, and creativity matter just as much as raw power."
Behind me, Snape's muffled snarl was deeply satisfying.
They had been giving their all and I hadn't even been there to begin with.
…