Chapter 25 - Hogwarts Annual Festival part 5 (2/2)
Daphne then replied while smiling, ”I won against Hermoine as I've promised. Hehe. Anyway, so far, he has the highest number of winning streak”. While they were talking, Storm got impatient and taunted him, ”I heard that Slytherin defeated a Troll. Don't tell me that was just a lie Slytherins build-up to?”.
As Neal refused to comment and stay still, Ron spoke, ”how about defeating him in an official duel, Slytherin? Probably got scared after hearing his winning streak?. Don't worry, as a 3rd-year student, He'll go easy on you”. As some of the Gryffindors laughed, Hermoine slapped her forehead, ”why is this idiot trying to make a fool out of himself again?”.
Neal smiled lightly and patted Malfoy's shoulder, ”If I don't show their place today and embarrass their House, I'll change my surname”. Neal spoke, ”fine, Storm. If you want to embarrass yourself, I'll help you out fine”. As he goes on to the stage, the seventh years who were just sitting around and watching the matches until now, stood up and came near to the Dueling table.
The anger in Storm rose as he saw the seventh year students made their way and stood near the table in interest after Neal stood on the stage. The Sixth Year Prefect of Hufflepuff who was overseeing the match spoke, ”Wands ready”.
Neal took out his Black Walnut wand and went into a duel stance. ”On the count of 3, 2, 1”; Before Storm gets to fire a spell, Neal already shot him with, ”Expelliarmus”. The spell hit him lightly while disarming him and his wand fell on the floor.
The duel was already over in a nick of a second and stumped Storm who won 14 times in a row. While seventh-year students nodded as they expected, Ron's face became red in embarrassment.
Neal ignored the defeated Storm and looked at Ron with his hazel eyes, ”you didn't compete yet right? I'll wait for you here. Until you step above the platform, I won't even step a single foot away from this spot. If anyone in the Gryffindor has the strength, please make me so”.
His challenge provoked everyone in the Gryffindor including a couple of seventh-year students. A second-year from Gryffindor stepped on, ”so, arrogant. Let me see how strong you are, Slytherin”.
He just turned towards him without moving and gestured the Prefect to start. ”3, 2, 1”. The second-year shot, ”Expelliarmus”. Neal simply shielded it with, ”Protego” which blocked the spell and then fired quick, ”Stupefy”.
As it hit opponent, he was stunned for a few seconds and time, Neal fired, ”Expelliarmus”. This time, as he used more power behind it, it pushed him out of the bounds and fell on the floor on his buŧŧ.
Then Neal looked at Gryffindors, ”next”. One by one, Neal is not only defeating every Gryffindor but also everyone from Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw who hasn't competed yet, without even moving a foot from where he is standing as he announced earlier.
The crowd began to grow bigger and the upper-class students came to watch the duel as they heard Neal is on 24th winning streak. Ron's face becoming redder in embarrassment every time Neal looks at him after the match. After winning his 25th match, he once again looked at Ron, ”So, are you coming on the stage or not. If you aren't coming then how about you, Harry?”.
As Harry looking at him seriously with full of nervousness inside, Fred and George who just returned after winning the Mini Quidditch pushed Ron front, ”go, on, Ron. Don't sacrifice others for your sake”.
Seeing the increased crowd, Ron who lost his courage to face Neal, gulped and slowly stepped on the stage. Upon seeing him, Neal smiled and put his wand inside his pocket making everyone wonder what's going on.
They were surprised when he pulled out another wand that has stunning beautiful artwork and looked at Ron, ”I pulled out this wand, special for you. From the start of the academic year, you seem to have something against me even though we have nothing to do with each other. Today, I've lost my patience towards you, Ron Weasley”.
Then he looked at his wand and spoke in a parseltongue, ”Awake my wand”.