Dark magic came with side effects, and Ethan knew he wasn't ready to handle them in his current condition. Besides, Hogwarts itself was highly resistant to the use of such magic. If word got out that a Muggle-born wizard like him knew dark magic, he doubted he could remain in the wizarding world at all. Neither side would accept him.
"I feel like Professor Quirrell has bad intentions," Terry whispered. "The older students are even speculating that his soul was replaced by dark magic. You should be careful. Maybe he's targeting you—you're much younger and more handsome than he is."
"I'll be careful," Ethan replied, thoughtful after Terry's warning.
Voldemort, that bastard—could he actually want to possess me?
First, lure me with dark magic so I keep approaching Quirrell. Then he appears, starts some twisted manipulation to make me believe in his promises of power, and at just the right moment, he takes over my body?
Nice try.
That might work on an average Slytherin student, but Ethan wasn't just anyone. If Voldemort dared try, Ethan wouldn't hesitate to send him straight back to the Albanian forest—with fire, no less.
As he pondered this, the time before class was winding down.
Cassandra suddenly stood up and, in front of the whole class, walked over to Ethan.
"Ethan, come out with me for a moment."
Ethan didn't ask why. He got up and followed her.
The other students, especially those in Slytherin, watched with a mix of envy, jealousy, and hatred. If looks could kill, Ethan would be long gone. In Europe and America, "puppy love" wasn't exactly frowned upon. Middle and high school students dating wasn't a big deal. But Cassandra wasn't just anyone—she was a star in Slytherin.
With her delicate looks, outstanding talent, and prestigious family background, she was the dream girl of many. But she was so exceptional that no one dared to approach her. Any time she interacted with Ethan, others burned with the desire to beat him up—but his genius reputation held them back.
Now that he had taken down five upperclassmen in a duel, fear kept their anger quiet.
Outside the Charms classroom, around a corner, Cassandra turned and looked at Ethan, her expression cool and serious.
"Do you remember the promise you made me?"
"A wizard duel?" Ethan asked, suddenly recalling.
He remembered agreeing to that months ago, and he thought she had forgotten.
"Yes, that's the one. Good to know you remember."
Cassandra nodded with satisfaction, pleased that Ethan had taken her request seriously.
"Is it really necessary?" Ethan sighed. He had already fought five students. Did Cassandra still want to duel?
She was talented, yes, but she lacked his advantages. If she faced five upperclassmen, she wouldn't last long. The gap in their strength was clear.
"You promised me."
Cassandra's tone was firm, her eyes locked on Ethan.
She understood what he meant—she herself knew the gap between them. From the first time they met in Flourish and Blotts, she had been silently comparing herself to him. He had outdone her on the Hogwarts Express, but she believed the setting held her back.
Since starting school, she'd realized that Ethan's strength truly outshone hers. Still, she thought she might catch up. That's why she asked for the duel—to measure the gap firsthand. Originally, she'd planned to wait until the second year, after training over the summer.
But after Ethan's explosive performance recently, Cassandra felt hopeless about catching up soon. The gap was just too large.
This duel was to test how far behind she really was. And she comforted herself with the thought: there would be other chances, and losing now didn't mean losing forever.
"Alright, you name the time and place," Ethan agreed.
"Tonight at ten, in the Trophy Room. Bring your wand," Cassandra said, pointing to the end of Ethan's wand sticking out from his pocket.
Ethan glanced down. Ah, she meant his wand—not some other "stick." His wand was longer than most and didn't fit well in his pocket.
"No problem. I'll be there."
As they headed back to class, they were startled by the sight around the corner—twenty or more students squatting down, eavesdropping.
As soon as they saw Ethan and Cassandra, they bolted back into the classroom.
So nosy.
Back in class, the room buzzed with excited whispers.
"Who do you think will win, Ethan or Cassandra?"
"Ethan, obviously!"
"What makes you so sure? Night duels are her thing. She might win!"
"Bro, give me the details!"
"Let's talk in the back."
As the conversations grew louder and more twisted, Cassandra's face turned red. She had only meant to have a wizard's duel!
Chapter 56: Wizard Duel
Ten o'clock at night, fourth floor of Hogwarts.
Moonlight gleamed through the crystal display cabinets, casting silver and gold reflections off trophies, shields, and medals. A tall, golden-haired girl stood hidden in the shadows.
"You're finally here."
Cassandra stepped forward.
"This place isn't ideal," Ethan said after a glance. "Come with me."
He led the way.
The Trophy Room wasn't suitable for a duel. In the original story, Harry and Draco had duels here, which ended in trouble. Ethan didn't plan on repeating history.
He had asked Hagrid for the night off from their patrol duties to keep this appointment. Since Hagrid didn't object, everything was settled.
"Where are we going?" Cassandra asked as she followed him.
Slytherin students liked using the Trophy Room—it represented honor, though it was easy to get caught.
"Eighth floor."
Cassandra raised an eyebrow but said nothing more.
It was a familiar corridor. Ethan showed Cassandra how to open the Room of Requirement. Once inside, the room transformed into a dueling arena. Cassandra looked around, curious. A room that adjusted to your needs—how was this even built?
"If you want a proper duel, this is the best place. No one will interrupt us," Ethan said.
Penelope had wanted to come watch, excited at the idea of Ethan "bullying a little girl," but he had firmly kept her back in the dormitory.
"Alright," Cassandra agreed.
They took positions ten meters apart, drew their wands, and bowed.
"Diffindo!"
Cassandra struck first with a Severing Charm.
Ethan flicked his wand upward. A flock of magical birds burst into the air, intercepting the curse mid-flight. With sharp claws and beaks, they dove toward Cassandra.
"Lapifors!"
Cassandra reacted quickly. Stones lifted off the ground, hurling toward the birds—and some toward Ethan.
Ethan sidestepped with ease.
"Incendio!"
Cassandra launched a fiery arc toward him.
Just as the flames reached him, cold air surged from under Ethan's feet. Her fire fizzled out instantly.
"Atmospheric Charm!"
A thundercloud appeared overhead, flashing lightning like wild silver serpents. But it lacked control. Some bolts even struck the arena floor—and nearly hit Cassandra herself.
Ethan raised his wand. A red spell shot into the cloud, instantly dispersing it.
That was her trump card. She had only recently learned it and hadn't had time to master it. It drained her magic, yet Ethan erased it with ease. The disappointment hit her hard.
Was the gap really this wide?
"Petrificus Totalus!"
Cassandra sent a Body-Binding spell Ethan's way.
He blocked it effortlessly.
As Ethan advanced, Cassandra instinctively backed away. Suddenly, a white light burst from Ethan's wand.
"Levicorpus!" he called.
He hadn't thought much before using it—it was a useful control spell, after all. But now, Cassandra was dangling midair by her ankle, skirt flipped by gravity, long legs fully exposed under the moonlight.
Ethan blinked.
So, Snape's spell still had its uses.
Realizing her state, Cassandra struggled furiously. When she saw Ethan still watching her legs—no shame at all—her face went red with fury.
"You pervert! Put me down right now!"
She threw her wand at Ethan in frustration.
Shameless. Who used that spell on a girl?
"Alright, alright," Ethan said, catching her wand. "But hey, you expect me to just turn away with a disgusted look?"
The Levicorpus spell lifted, and Cassandra landed gracefully, pulling her robe down and snatching back her wand.
If she could've beaten him, she would've punched him right then and there.
"Pervert!" she snapped again.
"It was a natural reaction! Don't label me like that!" Ethan defended.
But she was already walking away, muttering under her breath about unethical dueling tactics.
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