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The battle ended with Tom collapsing to the ground.
Even Dumbledore was momentarily stunned before regaining his composure.
"Wonderful! Absolutely marvelous!" Dumbledore exclaimed, leading the applause.
His enthusiastic praise snapped everyone out of their daze. They began to clap instinctively, even those purebloods who were initially hostile toward Robert and Tom. Despite their prejudices, they couldn't help but admire the spectacular duel they had just witnessed.
"It wouldn't be an exaggeration to call this the most exciting duel between students in the history of Hogwarts," Dumbledore declared.
With a casual wave of his wand, the debris and broken objects in the room seamlessly returned to their original state.
In truth, Dumbledore had planned this all along. During that day's Defense Against the Dark Arts class, he deliberately skipped the chapter on dark creatures and instead focused on dueling skills. It was a strategic move to showcase Robert and Tom's extraordinary abilities.
By demonstrating their strength in public, Dumbledore aimed to deter those who might have considered targeting them in secret. At the same time, students who were hesitant about joining Robert's group would feel more confident after witnessing their power.
Slytherin's long-standing prejudices were well-known, and non-pureblood wizards faced a challenging environment there. Dumbledore hoped that by supporting Robert's group, he could inspire change within Slytherin and ensure that Robert and his friends wouldn't be isolated throughout their time at Hogwarts.
Robert understood Dumbledore's intentions, which was why he and Tom had staged a performance that was intentionally dramatic. But the duel wasn't merely for show—Dumbledore saw firsthand the incredible talents of both students.
Tom, despite being weaker than Robert, displayed remarkable mastery of every spell. His calm demeanor and precise spellcasting, even under pressure, revealed his extraordinary mental resilience. Dumbledore believed that with time, Tom's power could rival his own.
On the other hand, Robert's abilities were astonishing. He cast spells with an ease and fluidity that defied convention. His magic flowed seamlessly, each spell following the next like water over stones. If it hadn't been a performance duel, Tom likely wouldn't have lasted five seconds against his relentless barrage.
If Tom was a genius, then Robert was a prodigy among prodigies.
The exhibition duel had an unexpected and profound impact.
Although the pureblood Slytherins still kept their distance, the non-pureblood students were noticeably more open. They didn't yet dare to approach Robert and Tom directly, but they were comfortable talking to Charlie and Henry, who were part of Robert's circle.
After the duel, Dumbledore organized paired practice sessions for the rest of the class. But unlike Robert and Tom, the other students struggled with even the most basic spells. Some accidentally disarmed bystanders, while others were too nervous to cast spells at all.
A few pairs even resorted to wrestling with each other when their magic failed. Watching the chaotic practices, Dumbledore was reminded once more of how extraordinary Robert and Tom truly were. While most of the class couldn't perform even basic spells, Robert and Tom had dueled like seasoned Aurors.
As the lesson ended, the other students looked at Robert and Tom with newfound respect and even awe. They now understood just how difficult it was to reach their level. While most of them could barely manage a disarming spell, Robert was capable of silent casting—an advanced skill beyond his peers.
As usual, Robert and his friends stayed behind, waiting for the classroom to empty before leaving. It was a habit they developed to avoid unwanted attention.
Suddenly, a girl with pigtails approached them from the Gryffindor side. It was Grace McLaggen, the same girl who had previously challenged Tom.
Tom raised an eyebrow, his expression guarded.
Grace took a deep breath and spoke, "I... I admit that you're stronger than me. But one day, I'll catch up to you!"
For someone as proud as Grace, it was a remarkable show of humility.
Tom opened his mouth to respond with a sarcastic remark, but Robert placed a firm hand on his shoulder, silencing him. Tom scowled but held his tongue.
Robert's voice was gentle, "Grace, I believe in your potential. But there's no need for us to be rivals. We could set aside unnecessary hostility, become friends, and grow stronger together."
Grace hesitated, clearly taken aback. "But... you're Slytherins. I'm a Gryffindor. How could we possibly be friends?"
Robert smiled warmly. "Who says Slytherins and Gryffindors can't be friends? The four founders of Hogwarts were close friends, weren't they? If they could be allies, why can't we?"
Grace opened her mouth but couldn't find an argument.
"Grace, Robert is right." Dumbledore's voice echoed softly as he approached them. "You're all students of Hogwarts. While Slytherin and Gryffindor have a long-standing rivalry, no one ever said students from the two houses couldn't be friends."
"In fact, Professor Slughorn, a Slytherin, has been my friend for many years," Dumbledore added.
Grace remained silent, processing his words.
Dumbledore then turned to Robert. "Did you know that Hogwarts allows students to form clubs? Even first-years can create their own. Have you ever considered starting one?"
Robert's eyes sparkled with interest. A club could be the perfect way to build a community around him.
He asked, "Could I start a dueling club?"
"Certainly," Dumbledore replied. "Though Hogwarts already has one, it only accepts upper-year students. I see no harm in a club for younger students..."
Robert beamed. "Tom, why limit ourselves to just dueling? What if we created a club where students help each other? Those who are good at academics can tutor others, and those interested in dueling can train together."
Tom's eyes widened, immediately recognizing the opportunity. "That's brilliant! We could bring students together from all houses..."
Dumbledore smiled approvingly. "Robert, you truly have a generous spirit. I'm sure your club would help many students grow together."
Robert turned to Grace. "I don't know if you're ready to be my friend, but if we form this club, I'd love for you to join. We need talented people like you to help us all grow stronger."
Grace looked at Robert in surprise, then sighed. "Robert... you really don't act like a typical Slytherin."
Robert grinned. "Who says I have to?"
Grace's expression softened. "You can call me Grace... Grace McLaggen."
Later, in the Room of Requirement, Robert and his friends gathered to plan their new club.
"Tom," Robert said seriously, "we should welcome students from every house. The more allies we have, the stronger we'll be. It doesn't matter if they're Gryffindor or Slytherin."
Tom hesitated but finally nodded, realizing Robert's wisdom. His vision was bigger than rivalries between houses—he was aiming to change Hogwarts itself.
Together, they began to draft their club's purpose: a place for learning, growth, and unity. A place where house rivalries didn't matter, and every student could reach their potential.
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