After they finished drawing, the wooden plaques began to warm in their palms, and numbers slowly appeared.
Hermione saw that her number was three. Ron leaned over, looking excited.
"We're in the same group. Both threes. Harry, what did you get?"
Before Harry could answer, Draco turned deathly pale and cried out.
"No."
Draco looked down at his wooden plaque, then at Hermione and Ron. He had just heard them say they were number three.
"This plaque must be broken."
Ron turned to look at Draco in astonishment, his voice trembling, whether from excitement or surprise.
"Don't tell me you're number three too."
Draco rolled his eyes.
"Hahaha!" Ron laughed excitedly. "Hermione, let's work together properly in a minute..."
"Ahem," Douglas reminded them quietly from the side. "Those with triangles on their wooden plaques are attackers. Those with circles are defenders."
With that, he took a step back, looking thoroughly interested.
Hermione and Ron exchanged a glance, and the excitement on Ron's face abruptly vanished.
Harry leaned over for a curious look. Right, Hermione had a triangle, and Ron had a circle. In other words, Ron and Draco would have to defend together.
He shrugged helplessly, patted Ron on the shoulder, then stepped back in relief.
At any other time, he might have been indignant, but they had to remember whose class this was.
Besides, he was hardly better off himself. His teammate was Blaise from Slytherin.
Clearly, everyone knew Douglas well. However miserable they felt, no one protested. Who knew what would await them after a protest?
Holding his insulated cup, Douglas swept his gaze across the lake.
"Hermione Granger will attack. Ron Weasley and Draco Malfoy will defend. You'll go first as group one."
"The rules remain unchanged-the attacker wins by reaching the central island. The defenders must