someone amongst you who’s cut out for racing,’ she added, without a hint of enthusiasm in her voice. ‘But that can wait.’ She dragged out the syllables terribly, emphasising each one heavily. ‘For now, we’ll focus on the basics, which is what you’re certainly lacking.’ She turned her back on them, gazing out of one of the windows. ‘I ought to tell you exactly what I’ll be expecting in my lessons, but that’s a waste of time.’ Although in the case of all previous lessons such an assurance would have been a relief to all the cadets, now it seemed like a grim foreshadowing of many problems. ‘You are to prepare for field training. I’ll be waiting outside the stables.’ Without further explanation, she turned on her heel and marched out of the hall.
Everyone sat there as if petrified, not knowing what had just happened. Draco turned to ask if this was normal, but the door creaked open and a chubby face appeared in the doorway.
‘Just don’t keep me waiting.’ The shriek ended in a giggle, or perhaps more of a cackle.
No one hesitated, and the whole group practically raced to the changing rooms, where they quickly split into their teams and rushed off to their respective cubicles. It was only once the door had closed behind them that Draco plucked up the courage to ask a question.
‘What on earth was that?’ The reptile had had all sorts of experiences with eccentric teachers, but this was the first time in his life he’d encountered someone who could instil an aura of terror simply by appearing.
‘Our new lecturer.’ Zane was quick to offer a helpful reply.
‘Interesting, I wouldn’t have noticed that.’ The sarcasm in the dragon’s voice was almost palpable.
‘Stop bickering and get on with changing,’ Cedric scolded them; it was the first time they’d heard his voice since the previous day.
‘Easy for you to say.’ The elf, though he seemed slightly sulky, got up from his seat and began to take off his shirt. ‘You’ve been given a horse, so at least
