"So… do you know where the Chamber of Secrets is?" Harry asked.
Victor didn't answer immediately. He let a moment pass, as if considering how much to say.
"No," he said at last. "The book didn't mention the location of the entrance."
Harry's shoulders dropped slightly, disappointment clear on his face.
Ron frowned. "So we're back to nothing then."
Victor, meanwhile, had already made the decision.
Telling them now would be a mistake.
If they knew where the entrance was, they wouldn't stay quiet about it. They wouldn't wait, or plan, or think it through. They would act—recklessly, like they always did—and walk straight into something they didn't understand.
And the basilisk was not something you experimented with.
Victor glanced briefly at the three of them.
Not yet, he thought.
He needed the right moment. Control of the situation. A way to deal with the creature properly without turning this into chaos.
"Finding the entrance won't be easy," he said aloud. "If it were, someone would have discovered it long ago."
Hermione nodded slowly. "That makes sense. It's supposed to be hidden."
Harry looked out over the bridge, thoughtful.
"So we find the monster first," he said quietly, "or the person controlling it."
Ron exhaled.
"Brilliant," he muttered. "Just have to track a giant invisible snake or catch a secret heir. Easy."
***
The next day, the Defence Against the Dark Arts class was not held in the usual classroom.
Instead, students were directed to a large, cleared room that had been arranged for practical work. Long benches had been pushed aside, leaving an open space in the center. A raised dueling platform stood there, polished and slightly elevated.
Lockhart stood at the front, dressed even more flamboyantly than usual, his robes a bright shade that caught the light with every movement.
"Gather round, gather round!" he called brightly as the students filed in. "Today, I shall be giving you something far more valuable than theory—practical experience!"
There were murmurs across the room.
Victor stepped inside with the others, his gaze sweeping the room once before settling on the dueling stage.
Lockhart clapped his hands together.
"Books are all very well," he continued, pacing dramatically, "but nothing prepares you for danger like real combat. Today, I will introduce you to the noble art of dueling!"
Ron leaned toward Harry.
"Finally," he muttered. "Something useful."
Lockhart raised a hand.
"Now, of course," he said, "you will all remain perfectly safe. I shall personally demonstrate proper technique before allowing any of you to attempt it."
At that moment, the doors opened again.
Professor Snape entered.
The atmosphere shifted immediately.
Where Lockhart was bright and theatrical, Snape was silent and controlled, his presence alone enough to quiet the room.
Lockhart beamed.
"And Professor Snape has kindly agreed to assist me with this demonstration."
Snape's expression suggested he had not volunteered.
Students gathered closer around the platform.
Victor stood slightly to the side, with a smile.
Lockhart climbed onto the stage with exaggerated confidence.
"Now then!" he said, drawing his wand. "Watch closely. You will learn more in these few moments than from an entire chapter of reading."
Snape stepped up opposite him, his movements precise and economical.
"No doubt," Snape said dryly.
Lockhart ignored the tone.
They bowed stiffly to each other.
"On the count of three," Lockhart announced. "One… two… three—"
"Expelliarmus!"
Snape moved first.
A flash of light burst from his wand.
Lockhart was blasted clean off his feet and thrown backward off the platform, landing hard on the floor.
A ripple of shock ran through the students.
Ron's eyes widened. "Blimey—"
Lockhart groaned but quickly scrambled up, brushing himself off as if nothing had happened.
"Just a demonstration!" Lockhart said brightly. "I allowed Professor Snape to disarm me—to show you the importance of remaining alert."
Snape said nothing.
Victor watched quietly, holding back his smile. He had expected exactly this. The difference between Snape and Lockhart wasn't small—it was the difference between a fraud and a genuine master.
Lockhart dusted off his robes, straightening up quickly as if nothing had happened.
"Well then!" he said, forcing a laugh. "Let's try that again, shall we? Just to give you all a clearer view of proper technique."
Snape raised an eyebrow.
"By all means," he said softly.
They took their positions again.
Lockhart lifted his wand with exaggerated confidence.
"One… two... three—"
"Expelliarmus."
Snape's voice was calm, almost bored.
The spell hit before Lockhart could react.
This time, the results were worse.
Lockhart was sent stumbling backward again, nearly losing his footing before crashing into the edge of the platform and dropping down in a rather undignified heap.
A few students couldn't hold back their laughter.
Victor looked away slightly, his shoulders shifting just enough to hide it.
Lockhart scrambled up again, cheeks slightly flushed but smile firmly in place.
"Excellent!" he said quickly. "Yes—very good demonstration of speed. I wanted you all to observe that—how quickly a duel can turn if you hesitate!"
Snape looked down at him.
"Indeed," he said dryly. "A lesson you appear determined to repeat."
Lockhart gave another forced chuckle, clearly eager to move on.
"Now then!" he said, clapping his hands together. "I think that's quite enough demonstration from us. Time for you all to try!"
*****
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