A certain Hogwarts professor of runes

The two stopped casting spells at the same time, as if by unspoken agreement.

"Brilliant! A closely fought battle!" Lockhart's voice rang out at the opportune moment. "Did you see that? How perfectly coordinated they are! I bet those two professors practice spells together quite often in private, those two cunning fellows!"

Snape's face was dark and grim. He walked off the stage without saying a word. However, he didn't leave but stood in the shadows.

The exchange between the two was less a duel and more a test.

He did indeed still possess a few dark spells, but those were learned from the Dark Lord, and he hadn't used them since that incident, so they were of little use. And Felix… what about his ancient magic? His alchemical artifacts? His dark magic?

During the duel, his magical power kept increasing. Would that be his limit by the end of the duel?

Snape tried to describe Felix's strength, but he found himself unable to see it clearly.

Felix calmly walked off the stage, and the crowd automatically parted to make way for him. The young wizards' awe-inspiring gazes shifted between Snape and Felix.

From the young wizards' perspective, the duel was evenly matched, with no clear winner. Although Professor Hyp appeared quite composed overall, hadn't Snape also pierced through two Ironhide Charms with a single spell?

That was the strongest defensive magic known to most young wizards.

"Snape is that strong!" Ron was clearly surprised.

"Professor Hyp greatly admires Snape," Hermione whispered. She was somewhat worried; to complete the Polyjuice Potion, they would most likely have to break into Snape's private collection room, and if they got caught…

Harry remained silent, the duel still exhilarating; he wished he could take the place of either of them. But he realized that while he might be able to see through every spell, if they were in his shoes, he might not even be able to dodge the first one.

At this moment, Professor Lockhart returned to center stage and delivered a spirited speech: "It seems the exhibition match just now went quite well. I think you're all eager to think—'Oh my god, I want to cast spells as smoothly as the three professors!' But don't get your hopes up too high; you're still a long way from that level!"

Ron muttered something below, which Harry didn't hear clearly, but he instinctively thought it was a rebuke of Professor Lockhart, since he thought the same thing.

"—Next, as planned, we'll select two representatives to demonstrate for everyone. How about Longbottom and Finley, whom I just mentioned?"

"I don't think this is appropriate, Professor Lockhart." Snape regained his composure and quickly ascended the steps, his robes billowing as he glided lightly across the stage like a bat.

“Longbottom can cause unexpected destruction even with the simplest spells. If we let him come up here,” Snape’s gaze was quite cold as he swept his eyes over Felix, “we’ll have to put Fenrir’s remains in a matchbox.”

The Slytherin students laughed.

"How are Malfoy and Potter?"

"Excellent!" Lockhart quickly agreed, no matter what Snape's suggestion was, he would agree.

He gestured for Harry and Malfoy to move to the center of the stage.

Seeing Snape and Malfoy whispering to each other, Harry first glanced at Professor Hyp, who seemed lost in thought on the other side of the stage. He could only turn to Lockhart and ask, "Professor, could you demonstrate the Disarming Charm to me again?"

Lockhart: "..." He leaned closer to Harry, paused for about ten seconds, then straightened up, patted him on the shoulder, and said, "Just do as I say!"

"What?" Harry asked in surprise, but he found that Malfoy was already standing on the other side.

"One, two, three—go!" Lockhart shouted quickly.

"The dragon emerges from its cave!" Malfoy shouted, and his wand exploded, a cloud of black smoke quickly transforming into a long black snake.

The black snake slammed onto the floor with a thud, its body slithering as it moved closer to Harry.

The young wizards who were pressed against the stage screamed and backed away, making room for them.

Felix glanced at it and then lost interest; it was just a simple little curse. Snape lazily drew his wand. "Don't move, Potter," he said, pleased by Potter's expression. His bad mood, which had been dampened by Felix's words, miraculously improved.

Lockhart saw an opportunity and felt he had to do something to salvage the situation. So he stepped forward and shouted, "Let me handle this! I'll take care of this!" But then he noticed Harry's eyes were filled with even more terror.

Lockhart's spellcasting meant trouble—a rudimentary understanding Harry had formed in just a few months, as evidenced by the bones that had been removed from his Quidditch match.

Sure enough, Lockhart struck the black snake with a powerful spell, and the entire hall resounded with a loud "bang." The black snake not only did not disappear, but instead rapidly expanded, transforming into a giant python.

Moreover, the python seemed to be on steroids, becoming extremely agitated. It raised its head, bared its fangs, and assumed an attacking posture.

Felix and Snape raised their wands at the same time, but the next second, a chilling sound came, a hissing sound like that of a snake, but even more terrifying and frightening, making one's hair stand on end.

The two of them turned their heads at the same time to look at the little wizard who was speaking a strange language—Harry Potter.

The black snake convulsed, twisting its body as if it were having a seizure, looking increasingly ferocious. But it quickly collapsed to the ground, smashing a large crater in the floor and nearly taking Justin, who was standing in front of it, with it.

Although Harry was still confused about the situation, he knew that he had stopped the black snake's attack, so he gave Justin a bright smile.

However, he soon realized that something was wrong, and the auditorium suddenly fell silent.

Everyone looked at him with a strange expression. Justin trembled all over and shouted, "What trick are you playing!" He ran out of the auditorium like a startled rabbit.

Snape stepped forward and transformed the limp black snake back into a wisp of black smoke. His eyes also became extremely deep, containing too much for Harry to comprehend.

The crowd began to whisper and point at him—this was definitely not a good thing, and Harry felt a chill run down his spine.

Just then, he noticed someone tugging at the back of his clothes.

"Let's go," Ron whispered, "hurry up—"

"But why—"

"Don't ask anymore, Harry, let's go."

Ron and Hermione practically dragged Harry out of the Great Hall.

The crowd automatically parted to both sides, and as they walked out of the auditorium, a murmur of discussion erupted behind them.

Felix stood still, recent events flashing through his mind.

Snake-like voice...

Harry Potter speaks Parsley.

Things that had been incomprehensible before suddenly became clear one by one. Hermione's several moments of hesitation, asking him about the babbling that other wizards couldn't hear, and her special interest in snake-like magical creatures after the attack...