"Scared Potter?" Nott spat as he took his place.
"You're joking right?" Harry cocked and eyebrow and shook his head.
"In a couple minutes you'll wish I had been joking!" Nott retorted, lamely, Snape quietly shook his head sadly behind him.
"Right." Harry shrugged and turned to Lockhart. "So can I beat him already or is there something else we're waiting for?"
"Nope, not waiting for anything." Lockhart smiled and hopped off the stage. "First spell on three. One, Two -"
"Serpentsortia!" Nott cast a second early.
Of course. Harry thought with a quiet sigh and a glance into the audience. And Justin just happens to be standing right where he was before too. Not going to talk the snake down this time.
"I'll get rid of it for you Potter, if you forfeit." Snape offered sneering.
"Please allow me!" Harry said at the same time that Lockhart did and sent a vanishing charm at the snake a second behind Lockhart's spell, which hit it and launched the snake skyward, causing Harry's to miss and vanish a patch of the stage instead.
With a mental smirk Harry dashed forward when the snake landed and started heading towards Justin. Harry sheathed his wand as he ran and just as he was almost on it he dove forward. The snake just started striking when Harry's hand darted out and caught it just behind the head.
"Yoink!" Harry shouted as his momentum kept him moving forward. He broke his fall with his left hand and continued into a roll over his left shoulder. Bringing his feet back under himself he stood seamlessly and tossed the snake at Nott, who shrieked and jumped off the stage to avoid being bitten.
Harry rubbed the back of his neck as Snape vanished the snake. "Um, I think I won."
"Yes, well, not exactly the traditional way to win, but this round goes to Harry Potter."