Hogwarts: Third Dark Lord

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Kirk excitedly hugged Wentworth, while Cedric high-fived him. Other Hufflepuff students clapped enthusiastically for Wentworth.

"Wentworth, it's great that you're unhurt."

"Well done, Wentworth! Your surrender was so clean and decisive!"

To the unknowing observer, it might have seemed as though Wentworth had been the victor of this duel.

However, unlike the warm cheers that greeted Wentworth upon his return to the Hufflepuff common room, the actual victor, Waylon, found himself in an awkward position.

This was because one of the duel judges, Professor Ilona, the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher at Hogwarts, was standing with her wand in hand, her eyes ablaze with fury, staring directly at Waylon.

"Even when facing a stranger in a duel," Ilona began, her voice sharp with anger, "if the opponent announces their surrender, you must cease casting your spells immediately!"

"And you, facing a fellow student, dared to cast a spell even after they declared their surrender—and with your back turned to them! Are you deliberately ignoring me?"

Caught in the crossfire of Ilona's wrath, Waylon quickly lowered his wand and tried to explain.

"Professor Ilona, you've misunderstood. I didn't mean to! I just… couldn't stop myself in time!"

Ilona scoffed coldly, her expression filled with disdain. "Slytherin, ten points off—for treating your professor like a fool!"

Hearing the deduction, Waylon froze, his body stiffening. At the same time, mocking laughter erupted from the direction of Hufflepuff. Following the sound, Waylon saw Wentworth in the center of a group of cheering Hufflepuffs, including Cedric and Kirk.

Wentworth glanced at Waylon with an expression of amused pity, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips.

In truth, Wentworth had been entirely confident in turning his back to Waylon and declaring his surrender without even attempting to dodge. His trust lay firmly in the Hogwarts professors present.

Look at tonight's lineup of judges: Professor McGonagall, Hogwarts' Deputy Headmistress; Professor Flitwick, the Charms teacher and former Duelling Champion; and the enigmatic Professor Ilona of Defense Against the Dark Arts. If anything could happen to Wentworth under their watch, Hogwarts' reputation would surely crumble.

And yet, Waylon had dared to pull such a stunt in front of them. Wentworth could only shake his head internally, marveling at the sheer recklessness of his opponent.

Meanwhile, Waylon, now fully subjected to Professor Ilona's wrath, felt like a tiny boat amidst a raging storm. Even the magic within his body seemed to ripple uncontrollably under her intense scrutiny.

Fortunately, at that moment, Professor Snape rose from his seat and intervened.

"Professor Ilona," Snape began smoothly, "Waylon was indeed in the wrong. After the duel, I will ensure he is properly disciplined."

Hearing his Head of House speak up, Waylon finally exhaled a long breath of relief. Typically, when Snape intervened, the other professors would respect his authority.

But this time, Ilona did not relent. Instead, she countered, "Since Professor Snape has offered his suggestion, we'll proceed with it. However, there's no need to trouble you, Professor Snape. I'll handle the punishment myself. For the next month, Waylon will report to my office every evening to help me prepare materials for the next day's classes. That will be his penalty."

Before Snape could respond, Ilona continued, her voice resolute.

"Furthermore, let me make this perfectly clear: if anyone attempts such tricks in the Duelling Club again—if your opponent has surrendered and you continue to attack—I will use the same spell to stop you."

"And if your spell can counter mine, then so be it. But if it rebounds, any injury you suffer will serve as your punishment. Do I make myself understood?"

The room fell silent. Even Snape, who had seemed ready to argue further, quietly swallowed his words. With Dumbledore remaining silent and showing no objection to Ilona's decree, the students from all four houses murmured their understanding.

Satisfied that her point was made, Ilona nodded and announced, "With that, I declare the first duel between Hufflepuff and Slytherin: victory goes to Slytherin!"

Hearing this, the Slytherins, who had been anxiously fearing that Ilona might overturn Waylon's victory, erupted into cheers of relief.

In contrast, the Hufflepuffs seemed entirely unbothered by their loss. Some even clapped politely, as though the result had been inconsequential.

As the Slytherins celebrated, Ilona continued, "Next, we shall proceed to the second duel between Hufflepuff and Slytherin! Representing Slytherin is fourth-year Mike! Representing Hufflepuff is their prefect, fifth-year Kirk!"

At her announcement, the room erupted in even louder chatter, mixed with a scattering of crisp applause. Looking towards the source, it was clear that many Ravenclaw students were clapping in awe.

In another corner, however, the professors seemed to understand Hufflepuff's strategy immediately. Snape, his expression darkening, rose abruptly from his seat and glared in Hufflepuff's direction.

But no one from Hufflepuff looked back at him. Every student was focused on cheering for Kirk.

Snape's gaze shifted to Dumbledore, who was watching Wentworth with a look of admiration, completely ignoring Snape's growing irritation.

Realizing no one was paying him any attention, Snape finally sat back down, his expression stormy.

Meanwhile, the murmured explanations from Ravenclaw students gradually spread to the other houses. Soon, even the Slytherins realized Hufflepuff's true intentions.

Hufflepuff hadn't been naive—they had planned this all along!

By sending first-year Wentworth to face fifth-year Waylon in the opening duel, they had secured an immediate loss, with Wentworth surrendering outright.

But this tactic allowed Hufflepuff to send older students to face younger Slytherins in the subsequent duels.

Though Hufflepuff's overall strength might be weaker than Slytherin's, that was only true within the same year group. Among Hogwarts students, where magical growth was rapid, even a single year's difference could result in a significant gap in power.

Realizing this, Waylon and his fellow Slytherins were livid.