A Walk

A Walk

When Cassandra pushed the door open and came in, she was still holding her lesson plans. The first thing she did upon entering was pick up the teacup on the table.

"Sixth years were doing all right today, but half of them still instinctively hesitated for half a beat when casting spells. Their judgment of direction was correct; their reaction speed just couldn't keep up." She let out a breath after saying that.

"How can they improve?" Harry asked curiously.

"More simulation training. Shorten the delay between judgment and movement." She set down the lesson plans. "The method is simple in theory. It just needs repeated practice."

"Then you can have them practice more after class."

"I already told them I'll be checking next lesson." She went over and sat on the windowsill. "If they practiced, it'll show next lesson."

Harry sat down across from her.

"You went to the Greenhouse today? What did Pabbie say?" Cassandra asked.

"She was sorting flower seeds, and I helped beside her," Harry said. "She said she'd gone to yesterday's flower field several times, but only during peak bloom, never at other times. She also said the field expands every year. In a few more years, it might spread all the way toward Oak Forest."

"Then it might look different when we go again next year," Cassandra said.

"She said we could go again next year. She'll confirm the blooming period in advance when the time comes," Harry said.

That afternoon, Harry read in the tower for a while, then helped Cassandra organize a set of lesson plans.

Toward evening, Pabbie sent a message to their phones, saying she had made an extra serving for dinner and asking them to eat in the lounge beside the Greenhouse.

Harry and Cassandra went down