As the sun set and dusk approached, orange-red light fell on the two figures waiting at the edge of the Forbidden Forest, stretching their shadows.
Andy shook his head, smiled, and looked at Hermione, who appeared anxious. "Why are you being anxious?" he asked. "It's just a duel. Not to mention, it's a duel with the greatest white lord ever; he's not going to eat or harm us."
"And we are not going to a trap-filled ancient ruin or monster-infested place. Even if we are, with me here, there's no need to be nervous or panic."
"Moreover, I already made one sneakoscope, which will warn us of most dangers early."
From the day Dumbledore announced Professor McGonagall's promotion as Headmistress, a week has passed.
The very next day after the banquet, the news about Dumbledore's announcement was published by newspapers and other media, stirring another wave of buzz. The heat of it still hasn't been settled yet.
Dumbledore's supporters, who had previously remained silent, became vocal after that announcement. Before, it was only victims of war and their supporters who were mostly vocal, as most others didn't want to speak against them in that situation, which is why public wind was against Dumbledore at that time.
Well, that doesn't matter to Andy. As usual, he just spent this week on Alchemy and spell practice, earning another potential point.
As for the experiment, Andy visited Snape once to ask for advice on the potion ingredient ratio because Professor Slughorn seemed to be avoiding him.
Now, with the appointment time approaching, they are waiting for Dumbledore to take them to the duelling ground.
"What do you mean, just a duel?! It is a duel with Headmaster Dumbledore." Hermione said pointedly and then asked, "And are you ready?"
Even if he is powerful, she can't understand why he can be so calm. After all, the person he is going to face is the greatest wizard of this era.
Even if he believes in his own strength, he should at least be nervous and excited, right?
"Did you find out where we are going and who he is going to bring with us?" Hermione shook her head and changed the question.
The day after the banquet, when Andy woke up, he found a letter from Dumbledore attached to his class schedule, which the house elf would place at their desk at the start of every semester, instead of calling him or sending the letter through an owl or Patronus.
In the letter, he didn't mention the location. He just asked Andy to come to the Forbidden Forest entrance on Friday, a week later, by six pm.
Dumbledore also said he would bring someone to witness the duel.
When Andy approached him that evening to ask permission to bring Hermione and inquire about the place and person he would bring, he just answered in his usual riddling manner, refusing to answer directly.
"Huh, no. He was being stubborn, no matter how many times I asked." Andy scratched the back of his head and said with a sigh, "He just said it would be his first lesson to me before he leaves on his final journey, which would start right after we arrive at the duelling location."
"As for the person he would bring, he just perfunctorily said that I know that person."
"Do you have some guesses?" Hermione asked with a thoughtful expression.
Solving puzzles and mysteries has become one of her hobbies.
They heard footsteps while they were chatting.
When they turned, three figures approached them. It was Dumbledore and-
"Harry!"
"Professor McGonagall!"
Andy and Hermione shouted one name each in surprise and turned to each other before looking back at the approaching figure.
The ones who were accompanying Professor Dumbledore were Harry and Professor McGonagall.
Professor McGonagall was one of the people Andy expected. As for Harry, Andy didn't think that Dumbledore would involve him in such matters after Voldemort's death.
Moreover, he only mentioned that he would bring one witness.
Looking at Andy's surprised look, Dumbledore just smiled and explained, "Originally, I only intended to bring Minerva with us."
"But on the way here, we ran into Harry, who was on the way to the castle from the Quidditch pitch. So, believing it is a fate's decision, I decided to bring him along."
At this, Professor McGonagall just shook her head and nodded at Andy and Hermione as a greeting.
Although she dislikes such waywardness, she didn't think bringing another person to witness a duel was a big deal, so she kept quiet when Dumbledore asked Harry to follow along.
Harry looked at everyone with fire in his eyes and asked with enthusiasm, "Where are we going? Are we going to fight some dark wizards?"
"Professor didn't inform you?" Seeing him shake his head, Andy sighed and said, looking into Dumbledore's eyes, "The only thing I know is, I am going to duel Professor. I don't know where we are going."
Andy still doesn't know why Dumbledore brought others along to witness the duel.
Is he intending to make them aware of his strength for some reason?
Does he want Professor McGonagall to keep an eye on him and guide him to a good path, wanting her to show him extra care so that he won't end up like Voldemort?
Does he want them to find his strengths and weaknesses so they can deal with him in case he goes rogue? Or does he want to motivate Harry to train and grow stronger?
Well, nothing matters, though. Even if Harry undergoes magic transfigurations or a fusion of mind and magic, with the help of his cheat, Andy would grow even stronger than now, growing every day, with less weakness.
"Duel?" Harry looked at Andy and Dumbledore to confirm and asked in shock. "With Professor Dumbledore?"
"Then can I also duel with you, Professor?" After getting confirmation, Harry perked up and asked eagerly.
He is getting bored with only duelling Sirius.
"Haha. If you wish." Dumbledore laughed at hearing such a Gryffindor-like answer and replied. "Not today, though. After watching the duel, if you wish, you can find me."
Professor McGonagall smiled faintly. As Gryffindor's head, she felt proud of Harry's brave response.
Only Andy was uninterested in their talk, wishing for them to hurry and start the duel soon.
"Yes!" Harry cheered and asked impatiently, "Are we leaving now?"
Dumbledore looked at Andy's and Harry's expressions and decided to leave, extended his hand, and said with a smile, "Let's go."
Andy held Dumbledore's right hand and turned to Hermione, reaching for her hand.
Professor McGonagall took Dumbledore's left hand and held out her hand for Harry.
Once the four of them held hands, Dumbledore used Apparition, and they disappeared from where they were and appeared on a desolate, lifeless land.
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