Shawn heard a noise and thought something had slid, but when he turned to look, he found Goyle and Crabbe eating ice pops.
Shawn didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
"What are you two doing here?"
Goyle and Crabbe had been looking down, utterly absorbed in enjoying their ice pops.
Now they both jumped and, in perfect unison, hid their ice pops behind their backs as they stammered.
"Chief, I, I-oh, Draco told us to wait here and see when you came out."
"D-Draco said, said if you weren't out by eight, he'd bring people, bring people..."
Shawn glanced back at the closed office door and waved them into silence.
"All right, I understand. Let's go back to the dormitory together."
The two nodded rather goofily and followed Shawn toward Slytherin.
Shawn rarely spoke much with these two roommates. Since he had the chance today, he asked as they walked.
"How are you getting on with your spells?"
Goyle and Crabbe exchanged a nervous glance.
Goyle spoke first.
"We know at least twelve spells now. Our Disarming Charm is already level three, and we can just about cast the Shield Charm."
Shawn was a little surprised. Their progress was genuinely quite good; clearly, Draco had taught them well. He was just about to praise them.
Then Crabbe obligingly talked his friend up.
"Goyle, did you forget? Your Incendio is the best among all the Young Wizards below fourth year. Haven't you wanted to ask the Chief for ages whether it's your natural talent?"
Shawn was briefly taken aback, but then realized it made sense.
Goyle had been able to use Fiendfyre at a young age, after all.
His control had been poor, and his nerve had been even greater.
Still, that showed he had an exceptional talent for fire