"Gav..."
Deep in his mind, Gavin was already backing down, his voice shaky:
"He pinned Malfoy down in one move just now... why don't we forget it? If we get sent flying too, it'll be so embarrassing."
"Heh. You think I should steer clear of him?"
Gavin rose from the bench and tugged at the hem of his robes, creased from sitting.
Without waiting for Gavin to answer, he stepped over the white line on the floor.
Lupin had cleaned the training area thoroughly with magic. Every obstacle was back in place, sealing off the route ahead without a gap.
The overturned solid-wood table lay across the center, blocking the view. A tall cabinet cast shadows from one side, while wooden crates and practice mats fit neatly into every turn.
In the farthest corner, magic had already set the coarse burlap dummy upright again, resting squarely against the foot of the wall.
The dummy wore the oversized old robes, their front hanging open. A glaring cross had been painted in red on its burlap chest. Two hardwood splints were strapped to its left leg, which stretched straight along the floor, while the hooded collar lay limply behind its neck, exposing a bald burlap head.
Lupin stood on the other side of the table, his wand angled slightly toward the floor, his expression as gentle as if he were watching over a child just learning to walk.
"Don't be nervous, Mr. Gu."
Lupin spoke softly, with the patience of someone afraid of scaring him off.
"You can start whenever you like. Just go at your own pace."
Gavin stood at the edge of the white line, his face blank. His right hand crept toward his waist as though reaching for his wand, yet slowed with apparent hesitation.
Lupin chuckled and shook