Although Crabbe eagerly tried to get himself picked, Douglas still chose Draco to go first.
"Mr. Malfoy, you must set a good example for everyone. Understood?"
Draco turned back, shot Theodore Nott a smug look, then stood at the starting line.
Once Douglas released the rat in his hand, Draco quickly cast Serpentine Speed Skating on his feet, then sped toward the rat.
The rat seemed to have prepared for this long ago. It suddenly rolled sideways, dodging Draco's outstretched hand.
Clearly, Draco had done plenty of private practice with Serpentine Speed Skating. As he turned sideways, the snakes beneath his feet turned with him.
Douglas had originally intended to have the rat take the opportunity to dart up Draco's trouser leg and bite his calf, but on second thought, he canceled that dangerous move. It was enough if the students could catch the rat.
Although Draco seemed faster than the rat, the rat seemed craftier.
Draco kept chasing right behind the rat, but never managed to touch it.
At first, the rat circled a rock, then subtly led Draco toward the other rocks.
Constantly on the verge of catching the rat, Draco never noticed that it had changed direction.
He chased close behind it. The rat darted beneath some Devil's Snare disguised as Christmas Cactus, then suddenly stopped moving.
Seeing a rare opportunity, Draco immediately canceled Serpentine Speed Skating on his feet and lunged straight at it, trying to catch the rat with both hands.
The instant he caught the rat, it vanished with a whoosh.
As he got up, swearing, the Devil's Snare suddenly closed around him and entangled him, frightening Draco into shrieking.
"What the hell is this thing... why is there Devil's Snare here..."
He soon remembered how to deal with Devil's Snare, but there was