Most of the young wizards had nothing but praise for the newly established Dueling Training Class.
Even Ron and Draco, who never got along and always contradicted each other just for the sake of it, had reached a rare agreement: this was a pretty good activity.
Ron was rather more pleased with it, though, because he had thrashed Draco during the very first Dueling Training Class.
After Osgilia explained what they needed to watch out for in a duel, he invited a few students up to demonstrate and check how much they had learned.
Ron was the first to raise his hand, and once he got up there, he challenged Draco.
Draco was actually a little reluctant.
Slytherin and Gryffindor shared Transfiguration lessons, so he knew very well how good Ron's marks were in that class. They did not share Charms lessons, but he had heard that Ron was just as outstanding there.
Draco's own marks, by contrast, were merely decent. He did not need to worry about failing, but he was nowhere near outstanding.
He only dared to step up because Lucius had taught him a few simple pieces of dark magic at home.
Once he was actually on the dueling platform, however, things did not go quite as Draco had imagined. Ron's wand movements and spellcasting were far faster than he had expected.
His wand was knocked out of his hand before he even had a chance to use his dark magic.
Although Ron had not pressed his advantage, for several days afterward he ran his mouth whenever they met. "Oh, isn't this Malfoy, who couldn't last even one exchange against me? Well? Have you learned how to hold on to your wand yet?"
Draco was so angry that he ate half a bread roll less than usual.