"Just as I told you downstairs a moment ago—"
To everyone's surprise, today's practical Defence Against the Dark Arts class was not being held in the Great Hall. After briefly explaining what he intended to do, Professor Breen led the entire group in a grand procession to an abandoned classroom on the eighth floor of the castle, near Headmaster Dumbledore's office.
Looking at the slightly excited young wizards standing in the corridor, Amosta smiled warmly.
"I used a complicated spell to expand the space inside this classroom a little, so I could house the dark creature I've prepared for you to deal with."
"What exactly is it, Professor Breen!"
Wayne Hopkins, a second-year Hufflepuff boy, raised his hand and shouted. Casting a somewhat awestruck glance at Harry, who was also quietly discussing things with Hermione and Ron, he asked, "Will it be a Troll?"
"Sorry, Hopkins. As I said before, I don't intend to let anyone know the name of that dark creature in advance. If you want to see it, you'll have to confirm it with your own eyes. Now, I'm going to tell you the rules of this 'game'—"
Leaning against the oak door with his arms folded, Amosta smiled.
"The second-years will form groups of two, and the first-years groups of three, to deal with the creature inside together. Since time is limited, each group will have ten minutes. Running out of time or dying will count as failure."
The crowd began to stir. Many had noticed the unusual word in Professor Breen's statement. Ron and Harry exchanged a glance, both seeing unease in the other's eyes. Based on what they knew of Professor Breen, the creature in that classroom was probably no longer within the realm of "interesting."
Malfoy's body had already begun to tremble in