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Accepted combative position

DuelingClub — Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy in an accepted combative position in the Duelling Club in 1992

"Lockhart and Snape turned to face each other and bowed; at least, Lockhart did, with much twirling of his hands, whereas Snape jerked his head irritably. Then they raised their wands like swords in front of them."

— Description^[src]

An accepted combative position^[1] was one of many positions in formal wizard duelling that both duellists adopted after shortly bowing to each other, in order to show readiness to duel. The position consisted of brandishing the wands, like swords in modern fencing. After a beat or, if preferred, on the count of three, the duellers started casting their first spells and start the duel.^[1]

Though the tradition of bowing was met (Gilderoy Lockhart went as far as to twirl his hands to seem more gentlemanly), wizards who showed little or no respect for each other would be more crude in their gesture, as Severus Snape irritably jerked his head,^[1] while Harry Potter,^[1] Draco Malfoy,^[1] and Lord Voldemort ^[2] would barely incline their heads against their adversaries. Malfoy also attacked before the count of three was finished.^[1]

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Behind the scenes[]

When Harry refused to bow to Voldemort, Voldemort used magic to force Harry to bend over.
In the film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Lockhart did not twirl his hands during the bowing, while Snape's bowing was less crude as well.

Appearances[]

Notes and references[]

↑ ^1.0 ^1.1 ^1.2 ^1.3 ^1.4 ^1.5 Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Chapter 11 (The Duelling Club)
↑ Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Chapter 34 (Priori Incantatem)