Bryan's gaze swept across the small cluster of Ravenclaw students. After several thoughtful moments, during which he seemed to be weighing his words carefully, he cleared his throat and spoke again.
"I should clarify something important, While I initially mentioned three people per group, we can be flexible on that point. Four members would work equally well for what we're planning—"
No one moved. The young wizards and witches hesitated, their eyes darting between their classmates as they processed this new information. The careful, almost cautionary note in Professor Watson's voice hadn't gone unnoticed, and it made them all the more hesitant to make any rushed decisions.
Among them, Parvati Patil's face fell noticeably as she watched her twin sister Padma, who seemed unwilling to push the issue of forming a group together.
In the midst of this hesitation, Harry immediately stood with Hermione; they would undoubtedly form a team together. However, their group still lacked one person. If Ron were here, they would be perfect. Harry and Hermione exchanged glances, both feeling somewhat dejected.
The Weasley twins, Fred and George, showed none of their classmates' hesitation. With their characteristic enthusiasm and mischievous grins, they quickly pulled Lee Jordan into their group and after doing so, they eagerly watched Professor Watson, waiting for his further instructions.
Across the room, a different kind of drama was unfolding among the Slytherin students. Draco turned hesitantly, immediately catching Pansy's eager, almost desperate gaze fixed upon him. Her hopeful expression made him uncomfortable, and he deliberately chose not to recognize it immediately.
At this moment, he somewhat missed Crabbe and Goyle, though these two were among the first to drop out of Physical Education and even if he had them in his group, they might just be a burden.
The political dynamics of Slytherin house was playing out in silent exchanges: Zabini and Nott tactically avoided making eye contact with Draco, while Daphne Greengrass and Millicent Bulstrode had already formed their group. Draco's frustration with this was shown in a resigned grumble.
"Very well—" he drawled, his voice carrying a note of barely concealed irritation as he finally turned towards Pansy. "We can work together, Pansy, but I'm warning you now – if you repeat your performance from last year's Defense Against the Dark Arts class..."
He left the threat hanging, but Pansy's response came quick and emotionally keen. "Oh, I swear I won't!" she exclaimed, her voice dense with promise before quickly shifting to a more practical concern. "But Draco, who should we choose as our third member? With Crabbe and Goyle not here—"
"I was just considering our options!" Draco said impatiently. Despite the theoretical possibility of choosing teammates from other houses, his pride and family traditions needed to select from within Slytherin. His gaze swept across the classroom, observing his whispering classmates before finally settling on Astoria Greengrass. His brow furrowed slightly as he pondered this choice.
Astoria was the youngest member of the Slytherin group in this class, and no one would choose someone who might appear vulnerable when facing unknown challenges. However, Draco hadn't forgotten how quickly and skillfully she had produced those badges meant to humiliate Granger – badges that had unexpectedly earned Professor Watson's praise.
Additionally, the Greengrass and Malfoy families had been friends for generations, and his father had also instructed him to look after the Greengrass sisters.
"Astoria," he called out, his tone brooking no argument, "you'll be joining our team." Draco gave the order, dismissing Pansy's immediate sounds of protest and disbelief with cold indifference.
As the next ten minutes stretched, the remaining students gradually sorted themselves into groups. After some discussion, Harry and Hermione finally decided to include Ginny, who had been hopefully watching them for a while. However, as the situation became clear their attention was soon drawn to a lonely figure – Neville standing alone and isolated from the others.
This sight was both unexpected yet understandable.
Neville's struggles with practical magic had become increasingly apparent since they began practicing spells in the PE class. His performance in Charms and Transfiguration also remained consistently poor, and even Professor Watson's innovative teaching methods hadn't managed to break through whatever barrier held Neville back from reaching his possible potential.
The weight of being a burden to others had clearly settled heavily on Neville's shoulders. He stood alone, his head bowed in resignation and embarrassment. When Hermione noticed this sight, it was too much for her, and she called out without hesitation, "Neville, come join us! We're still short of one person!!"
The invitation caught Neville completely off guard. He looked up at Hermione with wide, disbelieving eyes that shimmered with barely contained tears. He had thought he was destined to be alone. His voice, when he found it, was dense with emotion and self-doubt. "But I'll only hold you all back..."
"Don't be ridiculous, Neville!" Harry interrupted firmly, taking the initiative to physically guide Neville into their group. His smile was genuine and encouraging as he added, "That sword move you pulled off earlier was brilliant. Though honestly, you should have aimed it right at Malfoy's neck—"
The joke succeeded in making an uncertain smile on Neville's face, lifting some of the weight from his shoulders.
With their team finally complete, Harry turned his attention back to Professor Watson, eager to begin. However, his enthusiasm suffered an immediate blow when he noticed Cedric had managed to convince Cho Chang to join his team. Harry's excited expression froze instantly, replaced by a sinking feeling in his stomach that felt like his internal organs were being twisted into knots.
'This is embarrassing!' Harry thought bitterly, shooting resentful glances at Cedric while trying to maintain his composure.
"As I mentioned before—" Professor Watson's gentle voice cut through the chatter, drawing everyone's attention. His smile was warm but carried a hint of seriousness as he addressed the gathered students, "It's crucial that you develop complete trust in your teammates. You need to believe, without doubt, that they can protect you even when your life hangs in the balance—"
A hushed silence fell over the young wizards and witches. They couldn't quite understand what Professor Watson meant, but they sensed the special meaning in his tone.
"Now then—" Bryan clapped his hands again, "Everyone should return to their positions. We'll be conducting our combat training within my Spiritual world. After all," he added with a touch of humor, "if I were to send a group of injured young wizards to the hospital wing, Madam Pomfrey would either commit suicide or kill me first and then commit suicide—"
The tension broke as laughter rippled through the group. Even Hermione, who had been dwelling on her concerns about the Tournament's dangerous tasks, found herself briefly distracted by the joke.
The transition into the familiar pure white expanse of the Spiritual world came with its usual momentary disorientation. As the brief dizziness passed, the young wizards quickly gathered with their respective teams, anticipation building for whatever challenges lay ahead.
"We'll need one team to demonstrate for the others," Bryan announced as he walked slowly to face the assembled students, his smile encouraging but somehow mysterious. "Any volunteers?"
Experience had taught the students to be wary of Professor Watson's seemingly innocent requests, and most held back. However, the Weasley twins and Lee Jordan, their enthusiasm undiminished, raised their hands high without hesitation.
"Excellent," Bryan nodded, his smile widening slightly. "Step forward, please. You'll be facing me as your opponent—"
The announcement came as no real surprise to anyone present. The students had suspected as much when they entered the Spiritual world, knowing that no small group of young wizards, no matter how talented, could truly pose a challenge to Professor Watson. Yet the rare opportunity to test themselves against one of the most powerful wizard in the Wizarding world had Fred and George practically bouncing with excitement.
"Time to settle that old score, brother!" Fred whispered eagerly.
"Absolutely! Let's show him how much stronger we've become!" George replied, both of them referring to their memorable encounter with Professor Watson in the Great Hall, where he had thoroughly humbled them in front of everyone.
"Before we begin—" Bryan's voice remained gentle, though his smile now carried a hint of warning, "I need to make something clear. While dueling typically carries risks of injury or death, and while actual death isn't possible within my Spiritual world, I believe in maintaining authenticity in our Duel practice. Therefore, you will experience a degree of pain feedback from any injuries you sustain. I suggest you prepare yourselves mentally for this reality."
The anticipation was charged as the young wizards formed a tight circle around Professor Watson, their faces showing a mix of excitement and nervousness. The Weasley twins and Lee Jordan, practically bouncing on their toes with barely contained enthusiasm, positioned themselves at the forefront, eager to participate in the duel immediately. However, Professor Watson continued his careful explanation, his voice carrying clearly through the expectant silence.
"In the interest of fairness, I'll be constraining my magical abilities to a reasonable level and won't use any magic beyond what you might plausibly encounter. However," his eyes gleamed with a hint of something that made several students shift uncomfortably, "I will also be removing certain restrictive parameters. For example, while Apparition is forbidden within Hogwarts' boundaries, I'll be using it freely during our duel. So, you need to be mentally prepared--"
Harry's tongue clicked against his teeth as vivid memories flooded his mind—recollections of his summer experience with Professor Watson's Apparition. His stomach churned slightly at the memory of that distinctly uncomfortable sensation of being compressed through what felt like an impossibly narrow rubber tube.
Both Hermione and Cedric maintained unwavering focus on Professor Watson, their eyes tracking his every movement within the circle. For them, this demonstration held particular significance - both were at a crucial juncture, desperately seeking any knowledge or insight that might help them overcome the formidable challenges that lay ahead in the Tournament.
After a brief period of clarification for those unfamiliar with Apparition, during which the concept of instantaneous magical transportation was explained in detail, the atmosphere grew thick with anticipation. The prospect of witnessing such advanced magics only increased the excitement surrounding the impending duel.
Observing the three still-giggling students before him, Bryan pressed his lips together, his patience evident but tinged with resignation. "I must emphasize," he said, his voice carrying a weight that should have given them a wake-up call, "that you need to prepare yourselves mentally. This will not be a friendly demonstration or practice session. This will be a true duel, and once we begin, I will not show the same consideration you're accustomed to. What happens may well exceed your current expectations—"
"Bring it on, Professor!" Fred exclaimed with a confident grin that spoke of youth's eternal optimism. "We're more than ready for whatever you've got!"
"Very well—" Bryan sighed resignedly. He knew well that no amount of verbal warning could match the harsh lesson reality was about to deliver. After instructing the spectating students to maintain a safe distance, maintain absolute silence, and not interfere with the duel, he calmly announced, "You may begin—"
To Bryan's mild surprise, the twins' team didn't launch an immediate assault as might have been expected. Instead, the three young wizards lined up shoulder to shoulder, wands raised in classic dueling positions as they sized up their opponent with what they clearly thought was tactical consideration.
"Where do you reckon we should start?" Lee Jordan's eager voice carried to George, his wand twirling between fingers.
"Let me think—" George rolled his neck with theatrical casualness, completely unfazed by Professor Watson's expressionless face. "Which spell would give us the best show?"
The gathered crowd expected the duel to conclude swiftly, even with Professor Watson's self-imposed limitations. However, not a single soul could have predicted the shocking manner in which it would unfold!
CRACK!
The sharp sound of Apparition split the air like a thunderclap, causing the three young wizards to flinch. In that instant, Professor Watson, who had been standing several dozen feet before them, simply vanished into thin air. The sudden disappearance left them momentarily confused, their confident expressions faltering. But before their minds could process this development, a chilling whistle of incoming magic from behind made their hair stand on end!
Their months of rigorous training hadn't been entirely in vain - in that fraction of a second, Fred, George, and Lee Jordan recognized the imminent attack from behind. They attempted evasive maneuvers, but that crucial moment of initial hesitation had already cost them their best chance at avoiding the incoming spell.
Whoosh!
Fred and Lee Jordan threw themselves forward in desperate dives. Their fortune held only in that Professor Watson's initial assault wasn't aimed at them - instead, it targeted George with lethal precision.
A piercing scream of agony ripped through the silence of Bryan's Spiritual space!
Fred and Lee Jordan, having completed their forward rolls, turned back to witness a sight that would haunt their nightmares for years to come.
A massive stone spike, nearly two feet in length, had brutally impaled George's thigh, pinning him to the ground like a butterfly in a collection. George thrashed in absolute agony, his blood painting dreadful crimson streaks across the pure white ground!
In that instant, all the watching students felt as though they'd been doused with arctic water in the depths of winter. Bone-chilling terror seized them all, sending violent tremors through their bodies. Many opened their mouths to scream, but terror had wrapped ironed fingers around their throats, strangling any sound before it could escape!
"What in Merlin's name are you doing?!" Fred's furious roar shattered the horrified silence. He and Lee unconsciously moved to rush to George's aid, whose face had gone chalk-white from pain. George might have fainted if the pain hadn't been significantly weakened but Professor Watson raised his wand again. A gray beam erupted from its tip, transforming in air into a viciously sharp crescent that spun toward Fred and Lee with lethal intent!
Bang!
Raw survival instinct forced both Fred and Lee to dodge, but their lack of coordination made it disastrous - standing together, they chose to dodge in opposite directions, one diving left while the other went right. As a result, their heads collided violently!
The impact was so severe that neither of them even had time to cry out before they lost consciousness. Their bodies flickered like faulty television screens before vanishing completely from Professor Watson's Spiritual world, leaving behind only the echoing silence of their defeat!
Bryan's lips curled into a cold smile. With a casual wave of his hand, he displaced the stone spike from George's leg, and the last remaining member of the trio followed his teammates into oblivion.
"These three have died by my hand—" Bryan's words fell like lead weights into the silence as he turned in a slow circle, his cold gaze boring into each terrified student in turn. Not one dared to meet his eyes, their heads bowing in instinctive submission.
"I trust," he continued, his voice as sharp as a blade, "that none of you still have the delusion that dueling is simply an entertaining skill to boast about over butterbeers?"
Professor Watson's classes had never been known for their ease. Every student who had persevered to this point had endured significant hardships, pushing through physical and magical challenges that had wrecked many of their peers.
After surviving those initial trials, most had developed a certain pride in their resilience, especially with the recent changes to Physical Education in the new academic year. But tonight, watching their classmates fall so easily, thoughts of abandoning the course resurfaced again!
Real dueling wasn't about spectacular displays - it was about genuine brutality! And they have learnt it the harsh way.
Though George's body had vanished with the others, perhaps to make an example Professor Watson had deliberately left the pool of blood staining the pure white ground, a sight that pierced everyone's eyes.
"When facing danger, when locked in a life-or-death struggle, pain becomes the least of your concerns—" Professor Watson's voice seemed to rise from the depths of some frozen hell, each word carrying enough chill to freeze the marrow in their bones.
"You will face the possibility of watching your loved ones and friends fall at any moment. You will face despair. You will face death. Don't expect miracles to happen in such situations!"
Professor Watson's voice thundered, each word like hardened steel.
"Caution, courage, determination to survive, teamwork, and well-honed skills — these are the only things that can help you defeat your enemies and win a chance at survival!"
The oppressive silence was suddenly broken by a stifled sob. Though his mind was swimming in a fog of shock, Harry's head turned automatically toward the sound - it was Cho Chang, her hand was pressed desperately against her mouth as tears of terror traced silent paths down her cheeks. Harry opened his mouth but closed it again after seeing that even Cedric, who stood right next to Cho, remained silent.
No one had the luxury of giving up. They had to see it through to the end.
Hermione finally raised her head, staring blankly at Professor Watson. Never in all their time at Hogwarts had she found him so utterly terrifying as she did in this moment!
While this method of teaching clearly violated numerous school regulations, possibly even magical laws, Hermione couldn't bring herself to voice any objection. She understood with crystal clarity that Professor Watson was teaching them something beyond just spells and techniques - he was preparing them for the brutal reality to survive future dangers.
Caution, courage, determination to survive, teamwork, skills.
As Hermione silently repeated Professor Watson's 'key points', she felt something shift within her heart. A strange new strength began welling up from deep inside her, and the paralyzing fear of the Triwizard Tournament's challenges ahead seemed to rapidly disappear.
Bryan observed the gathered students intently, his spiritual space allowing him to sense the subtle changes in their projected consciousnesses. He noted Hermione's transformation with particular interest, and stopped before her but his expression still remained cold.
"Tonight, every team must face their trial, Now, Hermione Granger, Harry Potter, Neville Longbottom, Ginny Weasley - step forward. Your moment has arrived—"
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