The atmosphere inside Hogwarts felt different the next morning.
News of the Duel Club had spread through the castle overnight.
Every group of students seemed to have its own version of what had happened between Harry and Malfoy.
The most popular rumor claimed that Harry was the Heir of Slytherin.
Some students even believed he had caused the attacks on Mrs.
Norris and Colin Creevey.
When Harry entered the Great Hall for breakfast, the noise around the Gryffindor table faded at once.
Several Hufflepuffs noticed him and hurried out before finishing their meals.
Even some Gryffindors watched him from a distance and whispered behind their hands.
“Ignore them, Harry,” Ron said around a mouthful of sausage.
“Fred and George thought the green fire was brilliant.” Harry forced a weak smile and pushed his fried egg around the plate.
He had no appetite.
The three friends arrived at Defense Against the Dark Arts with heavy expressions.
The classroom looked completely different from usual.
Every desk had been moved against the walls.
A wide training area now occupied the center of the room.
A large weapons rack stood in one corner.
It held shields, longswords, maces, shortbows, and several daggers.
Each weapon had been made or adjusted for students their age.
A heavy wooden crate rested beside the platform.
Thick chains wrapped around it.
Something inside scraped against the wood and produced a disturbing clicking sound.
“Good morning.” Leon tapped the front desk with his wand.
“We will not be studying theory today.
This lesson will focus on practical combat and teamwork.” He turned toward the blackboard and wrote three words.
Defense.
Offense.
Support.
“Facing a dangerous enemy alone is rarely a wise decision,” Leon explained.
“A coordinated group has a much better chance of surviving.” He pointed toward the first word.
“One person stands at the front and prevents the enemy from reaching the others.
Another attacks from a safer position.
The final member heals the wounded or weakens the opponent.” The students had grown used to Leon’s unusual lessons.
Compared to his previous teachings, the idea of working together sounded simple and reasonable.
“Form groups of three.” Harry, Ron, and Hermione immediately moved together.
Leon waited until the class had divided into teams.
A faint smile appeared on his face.
“Now I will introduce your opponent.” He approached the chained crate and tapped the lock with his wand.
The chains loosened.
Bang!
The wooden door burst open.
A black creature the size of a small table crawled onto the floor.
Eight hairy legs supported its round body.
Its large pincers snapped together while eight dark eyes studied the students.
Several girls screamed.
One nearly fainted.
“This is a young Acromantula,” Leon said as calmly as though he were presenting a harmless pet.
“I borrowed it from Hagrid.” The creature hissed.
“Its venom glands have not fully developed.
It cannot produce venom yet.
The rest of its colony rejected it, so Hagrid agreed to let it assist with today’s lesson.” The class relaxed slightly after hearing that it was not poisonous.
Ron did not.
His face had turned completely white.
His body shook as he stared at the enormous spider.
“Spider…” “Mr.
Weasley,” Leon said.
“Unless you want it to bite you, I suggest taking a shield from the rack.” Ron remained frozen.
“Students who chose Fighter, Ranger, Rogue, or another martial class may also select a weapon.
Physical attacks can sometimes succeed where magic fails.” Leon looked toward the first group.
“Potter, Weasley, and Granger.
You are first.” Ron forced himself to move.
He selected a wooden shield marked with a simple red cross and stepped into the training area.
“Don’t come any closer!” His legs trembled.
Even so, he stood in front of Harry and Hermione with the shield raised.
He was fulfilling the role he had chosen.
The young Acromantula released a harsh hiss and charged.
“[Grease]!” Ron’s position gave Hermione enough time to cast.
She swept her wand forward and completed the same first-circle spell Leon had used during his duel with Snape.
A layer of slippery grease appeared beneath the creature.
Its eight legs lost their grip.
The Acromantula slid sideways and nearly crashed into the wall.
It recovered quickly and turned toward Harry.
“No, you don’t!” Ron moved to the right and placed himself in its path.
He pushed the shield forward as the spider attacked.
Clang!
One massive pincer slammed into the wood.
The impact traveled through Ron’s arm and left his fingers tingling.
The shield absorbed most of the force.
“I blocked it?” Ron opened his eyes.
The Acromantula’s face was only inches from his own.
Fear still gripped him, but something stronger began rising beneath it.
“Get back, you disgusting thing!” Ron drove his shoulder against the shield.
To his surprise, the spider stumbled backward.
“Now, Harry!” Hermione shouted.
The creature stood directly in front of him.
He had a perfect chance to attack.
Harry raised his wand and prepared to cast [Magic Missile].
Then he remembered the dark green beam from the Quidditch match.
He also recalled the flames that had covered Malfoy.
His confidence vanished.
“Harry!” Ron shouted.
The Acromantula recovered and moved around the shield.
Its pincers opened as it rushed toward Harry.
“Expelliarmus!” A red bolt struck one of its legs.
The Disarming Charm had no useful effect on a creature that carried no weapon.
The spell made it hesitate for only a second.
Its pincers swept toward Harry.
“Stop.” An invisible wall appeared between the students and the Acromantula.
The creature struck the barrier and bounced backward.
Leon waved his wand and forced it toward the crate.
“That performance was barely acceptable.” He looked at Ron first.
“Mr.
Weasley did very well.
Despite his fear, he held his position and protected his companions.
That is exactly what a frontline Fighter must do.” Ron lowered the shield.
His hands still shook, but pride slowly replaced his terror.
“Miss Granger also chose the right spell and cast it at the proper moment.” Leon then turned toward Harry.
“Mr.
Potter, you lost focus.
Using a Disarming Charm against a giant spider was clearly ineffective.” Harry lowered his head.
He already knew his hesitation had placed all three of them in danger.
“You must trust your training and your teammates,” Leon continued.
“Fear becomes dangerous when it prevents you from acting.” Leon looked toward the next group.
“Mr.
Malfoy.
You’re next.”