"Reward"

With the course settling into its proper rhythm, Tver found himself becoming more relaxed instead.

The third-years were still practicing movement, spending class under Tver's guidance casting spells while dodging the curses he sent their way from time to time.

The second-years were mainly making up for the foundational skills they had missed last year, including spellcasting techniques, magical output, and the application of certain spells.

This was the year group Tver worried about most.

Their abilities varied wildly. Some students could not even maintain a steady output of magic, yet possessed refined spellcasting techniques.

There were far too many students like that. Some had not learned any aspect properly, so Tver had to look after the weaker students as well, teaching them the first-year material all over again. Other than the faster pace, it was practically no different from first year.

The new first-years, meanwhile, were simply laying their foundations and receiving instruction starting with spellcasting.

Of course, regardless of year, everyone had to take a test before class began.

The tests no longer covered the material of an entire year. Instead, they summarized the preceding lessons, making them considerably more difficult.

As for how difficult they were, the students' comments said it all—

"For the last two and a half hours of class, Professor Fawley is the best teacher in the school. But for the first half hour, he's the most detestable teacher in the school!"

Naturally, he had not forgotten the reward he had promised the third-years.

That afternoon, after finishing class, Tver returned to his office and enjoyed some quiet reading time.

"Knock, knock, knock."

A measured knock sounded. Without even looking up, he called out.

"Come in."

The door immediately swung open. George's raised hand had not even lowered yet as he stared blankly at Tver inside.

Tver looked up and set down the book in his hands. "What, is there a man-eating monster in my office?"

Only then did the four students outside come to their senses and jog in. Once they were inside, the door slammed shut on its own with a bang.

They paid it no mind, instead taking the opportunity to furtively inspect the professor's office.

Every Defence Against the Dark Arts professor had a different office each year, so every visit gave them a new experience.

But when they saw the books piled all around them, they could not help clicking their tongues in amazement.

Even by graduation, they probably would not be able to finish half the books here!

Tver knew what they were thinking as soon as he saw their expressions. He tapped the four essays on his desk, drawing their attention back.

"Save your curiosity for later. Let's talk about your reward."

The four immediately broke into smiles, with George and Fred even high-fiving each other excitedly.

"However, before that, I need to confirm something." Tver's serious expression cooled the atmosphere. "The two Weasley gentlemen's essays may be written differently, but their core content is identical."

"How do you explain that?"

The twins looked at each other.

"It had to be Fred. I started writing first!"

"What good is starting first? I was obviously the one who finished first, and then you secretly took it to read!"

As the two argued, a tall, handsome boy behind them stepped forward.

"Professor, may I say something on their behalf?"

"Of course, Mr. Diggory."

This was the Hufflepuff student who had earned a reward—Cedric Diggory.

He glanced at the Weasley Twins, who were still glaring at each other.

"The two Weasleys are twins and are often together. Their thoughts and experiences are basically the same. You may not know since you've only just arrived, Professor, but they often have similar work in other professors' assignments as well."

The Weasley Twins immediately switched into their brotherly act, draping their arms around each other's shoulders as though inseparable, nodding frantically to show their agreement with Cedric.

Tver nodded approvingly.

He had indeed considered that possibility, and he had not seen any sign of lying in their eyes.

"In that case, this reward belongs to the four of you."

"Oh, yes!" Davis immediately cheered.

Even the usually steady Cedric became excited, hugging the twins as they celebrated together.

Only Tver watched them with an amused look in his eyes.

"The reward is behind the Defence Against the Dark Arts classroom. You'll see it when you get there. Go on, hurry up!"

The four nodded in unison and ran out while cheering.

But as they ran, Cedric suddenly realized something was wrong.

"What kind of reward would be placed behind the classroom?"

Davis did not care about that at all. He grabbed Cedric and pulled him onward.

"Don't overthink it. If it's a reward, they're not going to give us a set of test papers, are they?"

At the thought of that possibility, the twins shuddered. "No way. Even if it's exam papers, they'd give them to us in the office. There's no need to bring us to a classroom."

"The professor's office is small, but the classroom has more space. Maybe the reward is substantial, so he arranged it here!"

Only then did everyone relax, though Cedric still kept a trace of suspicion to himself.

They jogged all the way to the Defence Against the Dark Arts classroom on the first floor.

Since it was on the first floor, plenty of young wizards passed by, but this was not a classroom for them to practise magic in. Its doors were tightly shut.

Davis knocked on the door in confusion.

"Did the professor forget to give us—"

Creak.

Like the office door, it opened by itself, revealing the pitch-black classroom within.

"We have to learn this spell. Preferably one that can lock the door too, so Mum can't just barge into our room whenever she wants!"

George said indignantly.

Mrs Weasley often came and went from their room as she pleased, confiscating quite a few "contraband items" and causing them heavy losses.

"Trust me, mums always find a way into our rooms," Davis complained in heartfelt agreement.

As they entered the classroom, the candles inside lit up automatically with their footsteps, illuminating the room.

Fred had wanted to marvel at the professor's setup, but the moment he saw the humanoid figure wrapped in black cloth, he lost his voice.

Three others stood there with their mouths open, equally unable to make a sound.

They had long heard about the professor's dummy for second-years, which the second-years had described as something almost miraculous.

But it had only appeared in the first lesson of their second year, so now that they were third-years, they had never seen it for themselves.

Yet at the sight of it, the same ominous feeling rose in all their hearts.

"Th-there's a note on its chest. Let's read that first. It might not necessarily be that thing." Cedric pointed at the parchment attached to the black cloth over its chest.

Only then did the others react. They cautiously approached, terrified that the figure might suddenly pull out a wand and cast a spell on them.

"This is your reward: a personal sparring partner for one month. Just tell him to begin, and you may try fighting him."

After the four of them finished reading the note, the same realization suddenly dawned on them.

This was bad. It seemed they had fallen into a trap!