Apart from Snape, who always wore a sour expression in Potions class and never discussed anything beyond the lesson or insults, the other professors all brought up the upcoming duelling training class to some extent during that week's lessons.
Professor Flitwick was by far the most enthusiastic.
Only then did Tris learn that Professor Flitwick and Professor McGonagall had both been regular competitors in the International Wizarding Duelling Championship in their younger days, and both had won titles. Professor Flitwick, in particular, had won three years running.
Who would have thought the little Professor Flitwick was that formidable?
But if he was that formidable, why had Lockhart asked Snape rather than him to help with the Duelling Club in the original story? Had he thought Snape looked friendlier?
What a load of nonsense...
Before they knew it, Saturday had arrived.
It was also Hogwarts' first Hogsmeade visit of the year. The young witches and wizards usually spent the whole day wandering around Hogsmeade, and many only returned to school just before curfew.
Today, however, was an exception.
Even Ron, who was deeply attached to the sweets at Honeydukes and Madam Rosmerta at the Three Broomsticks, started urging everyone to hurry back as dinner approached, so they would not miss the first duelling training class.
"The notice said it's a trial run. If too few people turn up, they might cancel it. Let's hurry," Ron said, tugging at Tris's arm.
Tris was not particularly interested in the training class.
At his current level, there was probably little it could teach him. If the class moved at his pace, the other students might as well not attend. They certainly would not be able to keep up.
But with Ron, Harry, and the others dragging him along, Tris could hardly say he was