Professor Flitwick couldn't sit still any longer.
He had once studied at Durmstrang himself and knew that their students were exceptionally skilled in combat. The fact that Tver had reached such a level there spoke volumes about his dueling prowess.
"Tver, how about we demonstrate a duel for the young wizards? Just simple spells."
Calling it a demonstration was merely an excuse to indulge an old itch. Professor Flitwick could feel the long-dormant desire for dueling, buried under years of teaching, beginning to stir again!
Tver's eyes lit up.
He had wanted to spar with Professor Flitwick for quite some time, but challenging a colleague so soon after arriving at Hogwarts would have seemed like provocation. Since Professor Flitwick had brought it up himself, there was no issue.
"Just simple magic?"
Such a rare opportunity—Tver wasn't satisfied with something so trivial.
Professor Flitwick gave a knowing glance toward Professor McGonagall, then grinned. "Simple Transfiguration will do just fine."
Only then did Tver nod in satisfaction. "In that case, I have no objections."
Professor McGonagall, who had been observing the exchange with approval, took charge of the preparations and set the rules.
"Let's not delay, then. Tonight at eight o'clock. Clear out the Great Hall—it'll give us plenty of space."
She pointed toward the center of the hall where the House tables stood, though for wizards, clearing the area would be a trivial matter.
"But keep it measured. Stick to simple spells and Transfiguration. The goal is to show the students the precision and finesse of real combat."
Professor McGonagall was no rigid traditionalist. In fact, she had graduated top of her class in Charms at Hogwarts and earned a promotion within two years at the Ministry.
As a capable witch, she clearly understood how important this duel could be for the students.
Of course, nothing that happened at the staff table could escape the sharp eyes and quick instincts of Hogwarts students—and the professors hadn't intended to hide it anyway.
Soon enough, a few students came over to ask about it.
After confirming the news with those involved and getting approval from the Deputy Headmistress, Penelope immediately turned and spread the word to her classmates.
Following Hogwarts' grand tradition, the news spread from the Great Hall in an instant, echoing through every corridor of the castle.
Students who hadn't been dining in the Great Hall were quickly found by their friends and dragged back to witness the excitement.
By a little before seven, the Great Hall was already packed with eager students—no one wanted to miss this chance.
Yet within five minutes, they were all ushered out.
"The hall still needs to be prepared! Don't get in the way!" Professor McGonagall scolded as she shut the Great Hall doors.
The young wizards grumbled quietly but didn't dare complain. Professor McGonagall's strictness was well known—not just in Gryffindor, but across all four Houses.
In their eyes, she was even more intimidating than Headmaster Dumbledore.
Still, none of them left. Instead, they crowded shoulder to shoulder outside the doors, talking excitedly as they waited.
Time slipped by in anticipation. At exactly eight o'clock, the doors to the Great Hall opened.
Students surged forward eagerly, only to stop short as they reached the entrance.
Professor McGonagall stood there.
"Where are the prefects? Quickly, maintain order! First years up front, seventh years in the back—no house divisions, everyone together!"
Harry and Ron immediately lit up, following close behind Percy as they took in the transformed Great Hall.
The tables and chairs had vanished, replaced by a large rectangular platform in the center. Professors Fawley and Flitwick stood atop it, wands in hand, smiling down at the gathered students.
"Form a circle around the platform. First years, to the front. Seventh years, you'll have to make do with the back."
After Professor Flitwick's instructions, the students quickly arranged themselves in neat rows. Most of them, however, chose to stand on either side—specifically on the right-hand side of each professor—as if by doing so, they could lend strength to the one they supported.
The first- through third-years gathered without hesitation behind Professor Fawley, joined by a few older students. They had seen his spellcasting before and believed firmly in his strength.
"Professor Fawley can cast a spell every second! He'll overwhelm Professor Flitwick by sheer numbers alone!"
The remaining students gathered on the opposite side. While some genuinely supported Professor Flitwick, most were venting a different emotion.
Frustration.
Especially the upper-year students, who were fed up with having the timid Quirrell as their Defence Against the Dark Arts professor—and even more upset that Professor Fawley had repeatedly refused their requests to teach their classes.
"Professor Flitwick has won countless dueling championships! There's no way he'd lose in a little match like this!"
With the prefects keeping order, the hall's deafening chatter soon quieted into excited whispers, filling the air with a low, expectant hum.
"Look! Professor Dumbledore's here too!"
The sudden exclamation drew everyone's attention. Harry turned and saw Dumbledore standing behind the staff table along with the other professors—even his least favorite, Professor Snape.
Dumbledore raised a hand in greeting.
"Don't mind us. Tonight's main focus is the two professors on stage. Your job is simply to observe. I promise this demonstration will benefit all of you."
His voice was gentle but carried clearly through the entire hall.
"Did you hear that? Even Headmaster Dumbledore says this battle will be enlightening!" Ron said excitedly.
Even Hermione, a supporter of Professor Fawley, couldn't hold back a sigh. "The Headmaster meant us, Ron. It's a demonstration for our learning."
Ron's enthusiasm faltered a little. "Can't you just let me have this one?"
Their exchange was cut short as Professor Flitwick smiled and continued where Dumbledore had left off.
"Tonight's duel is purely for demonstration purposes, so we'll only be using simple spells and Transfiguration."
"However, even simple spells can produce brilliant results," he added, pausing long enough for the students' disappointment to ease. "This demonstration will show you overly confident young wizards that the 'simple' spells you dismiss still hold tremendous power!"
Without another word, Professor Flitwick turned to face Tver and made a dueling gesture.
"Let's begin, Professor Fawley."
Tver raised his wand crisply. The two bowed to each other, then lifted their wands before their chests, poised like drawn arrows.
Professor McGonagall stepped forward, serving as commentator to explain their actions.
"This is the standard dueling stance. Once I count to three, the duel will officially begin."
The students held their breath. Hermione clenched her hands so tightly that her nails bit into her palms, yet she didn't notice the pain.
"Three... two..."
Every student leaned forward, straining to catch every detail. The chatter from before fell away completely, leaving the hall in taut, breathless silence—a stark contrast to the earlier chaos outside.
"One!"