"Very good question, Mr. Finigan." Professor Lockhart clapped his hands and said, "You can come forward and try to use the Floating Spell on this Mud Monster, then your doubts will be resolved."
Seamus stepped up skeptically and used a Floating Spell on the Mud Monster.
However, nothing happened; the spell hit the Mud Monster without the slightest effect.
"This is why you should wait until the Mud Monster opens its mouth before attacking with a spell." Professor Lockhart placed a hand on Seamus's shoulder and explained with a smile, "The back of the Mud Monster has high magic resistance. Unless one has strong magic power, it's not recommended to do so."
"Thank you, Professor," Seamus said politely.
"You can try again, Mr. Finigan," Professor Lockhart said, "Try to take on this Mud Monster—rest assured, if anything happens, I'll be right here to protect you."
"Alright, Professor."
Seamus drew his magic wand, and at the same time, Lockhart lifted the Binding Spell from the Mud Monster.
The Mud Monster roared and charged at Seamus.
Seamus had been watching the Mud Monster's movements closely. He quickly rolled aside, dodging its attack, and then threw a Thunder Explosion at it.
"Confringo!"
With a bang, the Mud Monster was flipped over by the impact of the explosion, its body upside down, flailing its limbs.
"I must say, a very impressive Explosive Curse." Professor Lockhart cast an Episkey on the Mud Monster, "But I don't recommend you use this spell on your classmates—Gryffindor, five points."
"Yeah!" Everyone cheered together.
"Does anyone else want to challenge this Mud Monster?" Lockhart clapped his hands, "Any volunteers?"
"Professor, I'd like to try." A slightly buck-toothed boy from Hufflepuff stood up.
He thought if the Gryffindor students could do it, there was no reason Hufflepuff couldn't.
"Okay, Mr. Finley." Professor Lockhart motioned for him to come forward, "Come on, pick up your wand and prepare to fight..."
Finley raised his magic wand and pointed it at the Mud Monster.
At the same time, the Mud Monster lunged at him.
Sitting below in the classroom, watching Seamus tame the Mud Monster didn't seem like much—but facing the Mud Monster directly, and seeing this hundred-pound creature lunging at him, Finley's legs went weak.
Fortunately, Lockhart was nearby, who cast Armor Protection on Finley, saving him.
"Don't freeze up, Mr. Finley." Professor Lockhart smiled encouragingly, "But commendable courage, Hufflepuff, one point."
A consolation prize, but still nice.
Finley quickly thanked Professor Lockhart, and returned to his seat, still looking a bit shaken.
That was really terrifying just now, even with Lockhart's Armor Protection, he still saw the Mud Monster's huge build.
"Anyone else willing to take the field?" Professor Lockhart said with a cheerful smile, "Don't worry—"
"Professor, let me try." A blonde girl stood up from Slytherin.
"Daphne..." Pansy asked in a low voice beside her, "Can you do it?"
"I think so," Daphne also said softly, "Someone from Slytherin should step up."
Pansy nodded and didn't persuade her further, but looked at Daphne with much satisfaction.
"Alright, Miss Greengrass." Professor Lockhart signaled her to come forward.
Daphne walked to a spot not far from the Mud Monster and took out her magic wand.
"Ready," Professor Lockhart said, "three, two, one..."
With those words, the Mud Monster's restraints were released.
The Mud Monster raised its head back.
Daphne quickly dodged to the side, narrowly avoiding the Mud Monster's tongue attack.
But it seemed like she dodged with a bit too much movement and stumbled, nearly falling to the ground.
As a result, she missed the chance to counterattack.
Of course, the Mud Monster wouldn't give her a chance to catch her breath. After retracting its tongue, it came down heavily at Daphne like a mountain.
Daphne rolled hard on the ground, narrowly avoiding the Mud Monster's lunge.
"Wingardium Leviosa!"
The Floating Spell hit the Mud Monster's back with no effect.
At their age, they hadn't learned spells like the Repel Spell for displacement.
"Don't rush, Miss Greengrass," Professor Lockhart reminded.
Sure enough, the Mud Monster turned back and reared its head again.
This was the standard pre-tongue movement. This time, when Daphne dodged to the side, her movements weren't too exaggerated.
The tongue grazed her, missing its mark, and at the same time, Daphne's Floating Spell hit the Mud Monster's tongue.
"Well done!" Professor Lockhart clapped his hands, "Slytherin, five points. Nice spell, nimble moves!"
Daphne waved happily as her Slytherin classmates cheered for her points.
Several classmates volunteered to step up one after another, but none succeeded in facing the Mud Monster's attack; Lockhart had to save them with an Iron Armor Spell.
"Professor, I'd like to give it a try." Neville stood up.
Seeing it was Neville, the most... well, you know, in Gryffindor, Professor Lockhart nodded and said, "Alright, then give it a try, Mr. Longbottom—remember, do not push yourself."
Neville nodded and raised his wand, aiming at the Mud Monster.
"Ready," Professor Lockhart said, "three, two, one..."
As the Mud Monster lunged, Neville swiftly dodged to the side.
The Mud Monster brushed past his robe, narrowly missing him.