Chapter 92: The Black Serpent

Snape gestured toward the Slytherins, selecting Malfoy. As Malfoy stepped onto the stage, he wore an expression of smug satisfaction, as though he were about to receive a First-Class Order of Merlin.

# Snape

"Next, Potter."

Snape's cold gaze shifted to Harry.

# Lockhart

"Oh? I think Waters might be a better choice."

Lockhart's eyes locked onto Orli with a peculiar intensity.

All eyes turned toward Harry and Orli, as if waiting for them to decide. Harry clenched his jaw and was about to step forward when Orli grabbed his arm from behind.

# Orli

"I'll go."

Orli took a deep, steadying breath.

# Harry

"But that's Malfoy!"

Harry whispered fiercely, his tone filled with concern.

# Orli

"There are so many people watching. What's he going to dare do to me?"

Orli whispered back, trying her best to sound nonchalant.

# Orli

"Besides, your safety is tied to my life. Let me handle this."

Before Harry could protest, Orli stepped onto the stage, her movements resolute.

Malfoy was already standing next to Snape, his platinum-blond head held high, his smirk as condescending as ever. He looked at Orli with a mockingly polite expression, as if she were an unworthy opponent.

Orli walked to a spot three steps away from Lockhart and stopped. From a distance, she sneaked a glance at Snape, who stood in the shadows. His expression was unreadable.

# Lockhart

"Face your partner!"

Lockhart called out loudly.

# Lockhart

"Bow!"

Neither Orli nor Malfoy made more than the barest nod, their eyes locked in an unyielding stare.

# Lockhart

"Raise your wands and prepare! On my count of three—"

Lockhart's voice rang out, full of theatrical flair.

# Lockhart

"Just Disarming Charms! We don't want any accidents—"

# Malfoy

"Scared?"

Malfoy muttered under his breath, his voice low enough for only Orli to hear.

# Orli

"In your dreams."

Orli hissed back, her words sharp and cutting.

# Lockhart

"One—two—three!"

The instant Lockhart reached "three," Orli raised her wand sharply over her shoulder. But Malfoy had already acted at "two." His spell hit her squarely, and she felt as though she'd been smacked on the head with a frying pan. Staggering slightly, she shook off the daze and quickly pointed her wand at Malfoy, shouting the first spell that came to mind:

# Orli

"Rictusempra!"

A silver light shot from her wand, hitting Malfoy in the stomach. He doubled over, wheezing and laughing uncontrollably, his body shaking with mirth. Immobilized, he was at her mercy. Orli hesitated, unsure whether to press her advantage. She quickly regretted her pause, as Malfoy, still gasping for air, managed to aim his wand at her.

# Malfoy

"Serpensortia!"

A burst of black smoke erupted from Malfoy's wand, and a long, black serpent shot out, landing heavily on the floor between them. It raised its head menacingly, its eyes gleaming with malice as it prepared to strike.

The crowd screamed, scrambling backward and leaving a wide, open space in front of the stage. Harry and his friends tried to rush forward, but Percy grabbed Harry by the collar and held him back.

# Snape

"Do not move, Waters."

Snape commanded, his voice calm and authoritative as he drew his wand.

# Snape

"I will handle this."

# Lockhart

"Allow me!"

Lockhart shouted, stepping forward with his wand raised high. He waved it dramatically toward the snake, but instead of vanishing, the serpent shot a yard into the air with a deafening bang before crashing back onto the floor. Enraged, it hissed furiously, its forked tongue flicking as it slithered straight toward Orli. Rearing its head, it bared its venomous fangs, ready to strike.

Orli froze, her body paralyzed by fear. Yet her heightened senses picked up every detail—the sharp intake of breath from Ron, Hermione's gasp, and the sinister rustling of the snake's scales.

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