Harry Potter and the Dovahkiin-Chapter 122: Corridor Diplomacy

"Hey! Wait up," Ben called as the trio stormed out of the classroom.

They didn't stop. Hermione was leading the charge, her tiny legs carrying her surprisingly fast.

Normally, Ben wouldn't have cared if someone was upset, but this was Hermione. If he didn't patch things up, he'd have to do his own assignments. Can you imagine?

He jogged a bit and stepped in front of her, blocking the corridor. She tried moving left; he moved left. She went right; he mirrored her.

"Move, Ben, or I swear I am going to hex you right now," she snapped.

"Woah woah woah, calm down will you? Wand use in the corridors is strictly against school rules—" he started, but had to duck halfway as a punch came his way.

Wow, his reflexes were really getting sharper from dodging bloody Bludgers left and right.

"Alright, what the hell's your problem?" he asked, standing up straight again.

"My problem? You're my problem!" Hermione shot back, eyes blazing. "You humiliate me in front of the whole class and then act like it's no big deal? I thought you were my friend!"

"Bit of a toss move, that," muttered Ron. "Even for you."

"Dude, I saw you laughing," Ben pointed at Ron.

"Yeah, well... it was funny 'til she started murder-walking."

Ben turned back to Hermione. "Look, I just thought I was doing you a favour. Saving you from Lockhart's live reading of his autobiography. Volume Four."

"You didn't save us from anything!" she hissed. "We still had to go through that!"

Ben gave a lazy shrug. "Eh, it's the thought that counts. What else was I supposed to do, just accept our fate and listen?"

Ron stepped in then, arms folded. "This isn't just about class. You Stupefied us."

"You knocked us out like we're dead weight," Hermione rumbled.

"Only because you refused to listen," Ben replied. "That thing killed a girl last time, Hermione. You think your cleverness would've stopped a Basilisk from turning you into a lawn ornament?"

"You didn't even try to talk to us," said Harry, clearly holding back a deeper frustration. "We could've figured something out."

Ben raised an eyebrow. "You're mad at me for not letting you die horrifically underground. Got it."

"You lot would've been Basilisk chow before you finished shouting Lumos," said Ben flatly. "No offence, but I doubt you know even one spell that would have helped."

Ben turned to Hermione. "You—yeah, maybe. You'd probably have been useful. But not if you were dead before you cast anything."

Hermione halted in the middle of refuting. That annoying thing where she wanted to be angry but also knew he had a point.

"Oi, I know loads of spells," Ron said.

"Yeah, I don't think Eat Slugs would work on a Basilisk, Ron. Nice try, but you're still dead," Ben said.

Hermione looked like she wanted to explode. "That doesn't mean you get to treat us like children!"

"I didn't," Ben said. "I treated you like friends I'd rather not bury. Big difference."

"Then teach us," Harry said. "If we're so useless—make us better."

"Yeah, tell us how you defeated the Basilisk," Ron said.

He folded his arms. "You think you can learn what I used?"

Harry nodded.

Ben looked at him, then at Ron, then Hermione and remembered how he'd dealt with the snake. He hadn't, it was now his grumpy pet. He doubted they'd be able to learn that. Skyrim magic wasn't wand magic. And unless they had Magicka... well.

"Doubt it," he said honestly. "You need... other stuff."

Ron groaned. "You keep acting like you're from a different bloody world."

Ben arched a brow. "Maybe I am."

"We're not idiots, mate!" Ron snapped. "We faced worse than that in the first year!"

"And you survived because you got lucky," Ben said coolly. "Next time, if you want to actually help, you need to be ready. Actually..." He pointed back at the now-closed classroom door. "...I think I know someone who might be able to help."

"Lockhart?" Hermione's voice echoed halfway through the corridor. "He's been useless all year! And now—thanks to you—he can't even remember why he's useless!"

Ben smirked. "He's still got the basics. Enough to get the duelling club running."

"Um, get what running?" asked Harry.

"Lockhart? Run the duelling club? The only thing he can run is his mouth," said Ron.

"Exactly, that's all he needs to run," Ben grinned. "Back in a tick."

—

Lockhart was brushing his hair in a golden-framed mirror enchanted to offer compliments.

"Oh yes, that's the angle," it cooed.

"Professor," Ben said brightly, ignoring the mirror. "I had a brilliant thought."

Lockhart turned with a sweeping smile. "Ah, my dashing adversary from earlier! Back to try your luck again? Or perhaps... you want my autograph?" he said, waving his eyebrows.

"Professor!" Ben chirped. "Quick question: what if Hogwarts had... I don't know... a duelling club led by its most dashing professor?"

Lockhart blinked. "A what?"

"The Duelling Club, Professor. It was your idea, really. You know... before."

Lockhart suddenly straightened, chest puffing. "A club! Of course! I always intended to start one, you know. Before the unfortunate... memory hiccup. How splendid of you to remind me!"

"Thought so," Ben said. "Just imagine it—crowds of students, spellwork flying, all eyes on you, defending Hogwarts from all things magical."

Lockhart's eyes sparkled like he was already picturing a stage spotlight. "Yes... yes! This is marvellous! Let's get this club started straight away."

"Great," Ben said. "You should speak to the Headmaster right away. He'll be thrilled."

"Let's go straight away." Lockhart paused mid-stride, lowering his voice. "Actually... erm... do we have to go now?"

"Yes, of course. Headmaster's a busy man, we should catch him before he leaves again," said Ben, pushing Lockhart towards the door.

"Wait a second, let's talk about this, we should think this through," he babbled as his feet dragged on the floor.

"You've already thought this through, remember?" said Ben, putting his all into dragging Lockhart as he clutched on to the edge of a table.

"Please, beautiful boy, don't make me! He's got that... twinkle in his eye. Like he knows what colour your socks are without checking."

Ben raised an eyebrow. 'Who would have thought Lockhart's so perceptive', he thought

He cast Courage on Lockhart and said. " What are you afraid of? You just faced a vampire today, very bravely, I must add."

Lockhart suddenly stood up straight and marched towards the door. "You're right. It's just a decrepit old man? I'm gonna go march in there and—"

As soon as he opened the door, he promptly yelped and fell backwards.

Fuck, should have used Rally instead, Ben lamented using a Novice spell.

Dumbledore stood outside the door, visibly trying to stifle his grin. "Ah, Gilderoy. What were you about to tell me?"

-To be Continued...

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