The moment Douglas finished speaking, Ginny shot her hand into the air, the anticipation in the room palpable.
"Professor, but we've only learned the Quietus charm. How are we supposed to deal with that creature?"
Douglas feigned astonishment.
"Oh, Merlin's socks! What are you all—Hogwarts first-years! The budding flowers of the wizarding world! The hope and future of all witches and wizards!
I think it's time you learned how to protect yourselves. When you're faced with a threat, you shouldn't just charge in, waving your wands and hoping to blast your way through.
No, you need to know when to make a strategic retreat…"
Ginny countered,
"But Professor, Gryffindor's motto is bravery and daring—charging ahead, no matter what."
The other students nodded earnestly in agreement.
Douglas shrugged.
"That's true, which is exactly why I said a strategic retreat. Knowing something is impossible and doing it anyway? That's not bravery—that's recklessness!
Well, I suppose this is where my Hufflepuff side shows. But let me tell you, when Hufflepuffs are invaded, we'll fight just as fearlessly to protect what matters most. We're every bit as brave as Gryffindors.
All I'm saying is, when you're still young and not yet strong, you need to learn how to keep yourselves safe. Stay out of harm's way for now—save your courage for when it really counts.
Of course, Hogwarts is perfectly safe. These sorts of threats are still a long way off for you… But don't forget the school motto: Draco Dormiens Nunquam Titillandus—Never tickle a sleeping dragon!
Now, back to the lesson. Remember, the goal is to make it through safely—not to defeat the opponent!
If there are no more questions, follow me!"
Douglas had no intention of debating the matter further. Bravery, nerve, and boldness—that was the true Gryffindor spirit.
He led the group down the corridor to another classroom. This one had been divided into two sections, with a small entryway just big enough for twenty or so students to stand together.
Two walls featured openings, one marked "Entrance," the other "Exit."
Both doorways gaped with inky blackness, as if enchanted—nothing could be seen inside, and the effect was more than a little unsettling.
Douglas turned to the class.
"Who wants to go first?"
Every hand shot up. No one wanted the Professor to think them lacking in courage.
After a moment's thought, Douglas pointed at Ginny.
"Miss Weasley, why don't you set an example for everyone?"
Wand in hand, Ginny stepped forward, glancing at Douglas for reassurance. At his nod, she strode into the opening labeled "Entrance"—and vanished, swallowed by darkness.
A few students instinctively shuffled back, putting a little more distance between themselves and the ominous doorway.
As soon as Ginny disappeared, Douglas pulled out a folded piece of parchment. With a quiet incantation, the parchment unfurled itself, layer by layer, until it hung on the wall like a map.
On it was a simple line drawing of the maze, with a single moving ink dot. Next to the dot, glowing text read: "Lumos."
This was one of Douglas's little inventions, inspired by the Marauder's Map.
His version wasn't nearly as powerful—the map only displayed what his detection charm could sense, and it didn't include names. But for teaching purposes, he'd added a spell-recognition feature: whenever a student cast a spell, it would appear on the parchment.
The so-called "creature" inside was actually a small alchemical automaton of his own making. It moved in response to vibrations and air currents—much like the legendary will-o'-the-wisp. As it moved, it produced faint scraping sounds, just enough to set a student's nerves on edge.
Its only "attack" was a pair of green orbs, each enchanted with a Full Body-Bind Curse and an eye-detection charm…
—
Inside, Ginny found herself enveloped in pitch darkness. She was grateful that Professor Flitwick had just taught them the Wand-Lighting Charm in Charms class—she'd mastered it quickly.
According to Professor Flitwick, while Lumos seemed simple, in skilled hands it could even dispel certain dark magics.
As her wand tip flared to life, Ginny gasped. The space before her resembled a primitive cave, pitted and uneven, with jagged rocks jutting from the walls.
She remembered Professor Holmes's warning: Don't look the creature in the eyes—just get through safely.
She dropped her gaze, focusing on the ground. No obvious traps so far.
Her brothers' adventure stories echoed in her mind—how so many explorers failed because they didn't watch their footing and fell for the simplest of traps.
She took a few steps forward—then paused. Was that a rustling sound? She stopped and listened, but it faded away.
She moved again—the rustling returned. A shiver crept up her spine, but she didn't dare look back, terrified she might see something even worse.
Despite her fear, Ginny kept her head. She slowed her pace, inching forward, trying to pinpoint the sound's source.
Oddly, as she slowed, the rustling faded completely.
Suddenly, she remembered the Quietus charm Professor Holmes had taught them. After a moment's hesitation, she made up her mind.
She extinguished her wand, quickly pointed it at her own feet, and whispered,
"Quietus!"
Then she relit her wand.
—
In the observation room, the students and Douglas watched as new words appeared next to Ginny's ink dot: "Quietus!"
The dot sped up, moving more confidently through the maze.
Douglas watched her approach the first corner he'd designed, the ghost of a smile on his lips.
"My books aren't so easy to win," he murmured.
—
In the cave, Ginny realized that, after casting the Quietus charm, as long as she didn't take huge steps, the rustling vanished entirely.
Relieved, she picked up her pace.
Soon, by the glow of her wand, she spotted a faint shimmer up ahead.
"Is that water?"
As she drew closer, she saw several shallow depressions in the cave floor. With care, she could cross by stepping between the dry patches.
Or she could ignore the dips altogether and walk straight through the water.
Ginny smirked.
Nice try.
Sudden puddles in a place like this? Obvious trap. No one with half a brain would step directly into the water.
Professor Holmes, you really underestimate us Gryffindors. We're not just a bunch of reckless lions…
She carefully eyed the stepping stones between the dips. As soon as her foot landed—
She caught a glimpse, reflected in the water, of two glowing green, eye-like orbs.
Her mind went blank. The Professor's words flashed through her head:
"If you see its eyes indirectly, you'll be hit by a weakened Full Body-Bind Curse and be paralyzed for a minute…"
But it was too late. Her arms and legs snapped together, her whole body going rigid. She toppled sideways, splashing into the water.
A moment later, she felt something tap her lightly, then vanish.
"I've been marked!"
Ginny wanted to cry.
Who'd have thought—the puddle wasn't the trap. The reflection was.
~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~
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