Chapter 51: Anyone Knocked Out Will Be Marked Absent

Chapter 51: Anyone Knocked Out Will Be Marked Absent

Dumbledore's voice echoed in the silent Great Hall.

When the name "Leon Shelby" was announced, nearly every head swivelled towards the Slytherin table.

A teaching assistant for Duelling Practice? A first-year? Had Hogwarts run out of competent wizards?

Malfoy, still red-faced from having his toast stolen, stared at Leon in disbelief. But Leon remained perfectly calm, as if Dumbledore had merely commented on the freshness of the pumpkin juice.

Leon looked up, meeting Dumbledore's gaze across the hall. The old wizard's eyes no longer held warmth or complexity, but a mischievous glint, like someone settling in to watch a show.

This wasn't just a suggestion; it was a test. A chance for Leon to prove himself. Dumbledore had pushed him onto the stage, eager to see what chaos he would unleash.

Leon swallowed the last bite of toast, rose smoothly to his feet, and spoke. His voice wasn't loud, but it cut through the murmuring hall.

"It would be my pleasure, Headmaster."

He offered no further comment, just gave a slight, respectful nod towards Professor Flitwick before sitting back down.

Dumbledore's appointment, in a way, granted Leon official recognition, giving him the authority to enact change within Hogwarts, at least to some extent. Back in Birmingham, the Peaky Blinders had started with race fixing, clawing their way up for years before getting a sniff of the big leagues. But here at Hogwarts... things were different. This was a magnificent beginning.

Thursday afternoon arrived quickly. Leon was fully prepared.

The Duelling Practice was held in the Great Hall. The house-elves had cleared the space, removing the long dining tables to create a vast, open area. The students were grouped by House, buzzing with excitement, even the older ones chattering eagerly.

"Silence! Everyone!"

Professor Flitwick stood atop a high stack of books. Once the crowd quieted, he gave a brief introduction to the lesson, managing to slip in several fond reminiscences of his own duelling championship victory.

While Flitwick spoke, the students listened intently, a stark contrast to their usual apathy during Defence Against the Dark Arts.

"In conclusion," Flitwick declared, "I have always believed that duelling proficiency is a crucial measure of a wizard's ability."

"Now, students in years one through three will proceed to the left side of the hall with Assistant Shelby. Years four through seven will remain on the right side with me."

"Find your designated areas!"

Professor Flitwick kept his instructions brief, dividing the students to begin the lesson. The students shuffled off as directed. Flitwick patted Leon's shoulder, his eyes twinkling with encouragement, before hopping down from his perch and heading towards the older students.

Leon strode to the left side of the hall and waited calmly for the younger students to assemble.

"Quiet," Leon commanded. His voice, lacking Flitwick's high pitch but possessing a natural authority, quickly silenced the group.

"Professor Flitwick will instruct the senior wizards. I will be responsible for training the junior years," Leon continued.

A wave of murmurs rippled through the younger students.

The Slytherins were mostly unfazed; word of Leon effortlessly defeating their prefect in the common room had already spread. Impressed by his power, the young snakes had little objection to him teaching, perhaps even feeling a sense of House pride.

The other three Houses, however, felt differently.

The Gryffindor lions reacted most strongly, outraged at the idea of being taught by a Slytherin brat. The Ravenclaw eagles were equally indignant, finding the situation absurd. Even the normally placid Hufflepuff badgers looked disgruntled, muttering amongst themselves.

"I am not a patient man," Leon stated coolly, "nor do I have any interest in wasting time trying to convince you verbally that I am qualified to teach."

"Therefore, the rules are simple."

"If any student here can defeat me in a duel – by any means necessary..."

"His House will gain twenty points, and he will be permitted to join the senior students under Professor Flitwick's direct tutelage." As the official assistant, Leon had the authority to award and deduct points during this session. "Any challengers?"

The words had barely left his mouth when a third-year Gryffindor boy stepped forward, defiance written all over his face. His action spurred several others to step up as well. Students from Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff also emerged, eager for the chance to earn twenty points.

"Tarantallegra."

A jet of green light flashed, striking the lead Gryffindor boy. He immediately began to twitch and jerk, performing a ridiculous, uncontrollable dance. Leon followed up with a nonverbal Disarming Charm, sending the boy's wand flying, then ignored him and turned to the next challenger.

"Shouldn't we bow first? And count to three?" a student protested.

Leon silenced him with a Stunner. Protest denied.

What followed was a swift, brutal demonstration. Leon moved through the challengers with contemptuous ease, his wand a blur, incapacitating them one by one with a variety of jinxes and hexes. More unnervingly, not a single spell cast against him managed to penetrate the shimmering shield he maintained effortlessly.

"Any more?" Leon asked, standing amidst the fallen students, his wand held loosely at his side, the picture of calm elegance.

The remaining younger students stared, utterly silent. Their initial scepticism had transformed into pure, unadulterated awe, mixed with a healthy dose of fear.

Only the Slytherins looked proud, letting out a cheer each time Leon dropped another challenger.

"If you can stand, get back in line," Leon commanded, his cold gaze sweeping over the defeated students. No one dared make a sound. "If you cannot continue, report to the hospital wing."

He had been careful not to cause permanent injury. Anyone with sufficient willpower could rejoin the lesson. As he expected, most of the 'troublemakers' staggered to their feet, helping each other limp back into formation, groaning and complaining. A few, however, couldn't take it and left the Great Hall, sobbing.

Leon waited patiently until the last injured student had departed. He then addressed the now perfectly silent group.

"We will now take attendance," he announced coldly. "Anyone not present will be marked absent."

"Absent students will lose two points each for their House."