Chapter 59: Gryffindor Is Not a Reckless Lion
Douglas shrugged.
"That's exactly why I said strategic retreat."
"Charging forward when you know something is impossible isn't bravery—it's recklessness."
He gave a small smile.
"Of course, I'm a Hufflepuff after all."
"But when Hufflepuffs face an invasion, we risk our lives to protect what matters most to us."
"Our courage is no less than Gryffindor's."
Douglas looked at the class and spoke more seriously.
"What I want you to understand is this: when you're still weak and facing danger, you must first learn to protect yourselves."
"Stay alive. Stay useful."
"And when the moment finally comes—give everything you have."
He waved a hand dismissively.
"Of course, Hogwarts is safe. You won't face that kind of danger here."
"But don't forget the school's motto."
"Never tickle a sleeping dragon."
Then he clapped his hands lightly.
"Back to the lesson."
"Remember, the goal of this exercise is to pass safely, not defeat your opponent."
"If there are no more questions, follow me."
Douglas clearly had no intention of continuing the debate with a room full of first-year students.
After all, bravery, courage, and boldness were Gryffindor's defining traits.
The Challenge Begins
He led them to a classroom at the end of the corridor.
Inside, the room had been divided into two sections.
Near the entrance was a small compartment barely large enough for twenty students to stand.
Two openings were carved into opposite walls.
One was labeled Entrance.
The other was labeled Exit.
The entrance looked like the mouth of a cave—completely black, as if enchanted so that nothing inside could be seen.
The darkness alone was enough to make it feel eerie.
Douglas folded his arms.
"Who would like to go first?"
Every hand shot into the air.
None of them wanted the professor to think they lacked courage.
Douglas considered for a moment before pointing.
"Miss Weasley."
"Please set an example."
Ginny stepped forward immediately, gripping her wand.
She glanced at Douglas.
At his nod, she stepped into the opening labeled Entrance.
Her figure vanished instantly, swallowed by darkness.
Several students unconsciously stepped backward, keeping their distance from the cave entrance.
The Observation Map
As soon as Ginny entered, Douglas took out a piece of parchment.
With a soft incantation, it unfolded again and again—like a sheet folded countless times.
Finally it spread across the wall like a map.
The image displayed was a simple line drawing of the cave.
A small moving ink dot marked Ginny's location.
Next to the dot appeared a label:
"Wand-Lighting Charm."
It was a simple monitoring trick Douglas had learned while studying the principles behind the Marauder's Map.
Of course, it wasn't nearly as powerful.
The map only displayed information within the range of Douglas's detection spells.
It couldn't identify names.
However, he had added one useful feature:
Whenever a student cast a spell, the spell would appear next to their marker.
The mysterious "creature" inside the cave was actually a small alchemical puppet created by Douglas.
Its movement was based on vibrations and airflow.
Whenever something nearby moved or disturbed the air, the puppet would follow.
The principle resembled the legendary wandering lights often seen in marshes.
As it moved, it produced a faint rustling sound.
The noise was intentional—it added psychological pressure.
Its only method of attack consisted of two green spherical "eyes."
Those beads were enchanted with a Full-Body Bind Curse and an eye-detection charm.
Inside the Cave
The moment Ginny stepped into the cave, darkness swallowed her.
She immediately felt grateful that Professor Flitwick had taught them the Wand-Lighting Charm only two days earlier.
She had already mastered it.
According to Professor Flitwick, the charm might appear simple—but in the hands of a powerful wizard, it could even dispel certain dark magic.
Her wand lit up.
Ginny gasped.
The cave looked primitive and uneven, with jagged rocks and shallow pits scattered across the floor.
She quickly reminded herself of Professor Holmes's warning.
Don't look into its eyes.
Her gaze dropped to the ground.
As long as she could walk safely to the exit, she would succeed.
Taking a few careful steps forward, she listened closely.
A faint rustling sound reached her ears.
Ginny froze.
She listened carefully—but heard nothing.
When she moved again, the sound returned.
Fear crept into her chest.
She didn't dare look behind her.
What if she saw something even more terrifying?
Fortunately, Ginny kept her composure.
Instead of running, she slowed her steps.
If she moved slowly, perhaps she could determine how far away the sound was.
Strangely, when she slowed down—
The rustling stopped.
Suddenly she remembered the Whispering Charm Professor Holmes had taught them.
After a moment's hesitation, she gritted her teeth.
First she extinguished the light on her wand.
Then she pointed the wand at her feet and whispered:
"Whisper."
Immediately afterward she relit the wand.
Outside the Cave
In the observation room, a new line appeared next to Ginny's marker:
"Whispering Charm."
Then the ink dot suddenly began moving faster.
Douglas watched as Ginny approached the first corner of the maze.
A small smile appeared on his face.
"My signed books won't be won so easily," he murmured.
The Trap
Inside the cave, Ginny noticed something surprising.
After casting the Whispering Charm, the rustling sound disappeared unless she took very large steps.
Confident now, she quickened her pace.
Soon she noticed faint ripples of reflected light ahead.
Water?
As she approached, she saw several shallow puddles scattered across the ground.
She could easily step around them.
Or she could simply walk straight through them.
Ginny smiled slightly.
Obviously a trap.
In a place like this, puddles appearing suddenly had to be suspicious.
Anyone with common sense would avoid them.
"Professor Holmes," she muttered under her breath.
"You underestimate Gryffindor."
"We're not a bunch of reckless lions."
She examined the puddles more carefully.
Two dry spots were large enough for her feet.
Perfect stepping points.
Ginny placed her foot down.
And suddenly—
In the reflection of the water beside her—
She saw two green glowing shapes.
Eyes.
Her mind went blank.
The professor's words echoed in her head:
"If you look directly into its eyes, you will be struck by a Full-Body Bind Curse…"
Too late.
Her arms and legs snapped together.
Her entire body stiffened.
She toppled sideways like a wooden board, splashing into the shallow water.
Something lightly struck her and then vanished.
A faint magical mark appeared on her.
Tagged.
Ginny nearly cried.
Who would have guessed?
The puddles weren't the trap.
The reflection was.
Back in the observation room, Douglas sighed.
"I'm sorry to announce that Miss Weasley has failed the challenge."
Using a telepathic message spell, he informed Ginny—now recovered from the curse—that she could safely retreat.
Moments later, Ginny emerged from the cave entrance.
Completely soaked.
Douglas tapped her shoulder gently with his wand.
Immediately, warmth spread through her body like a tiny sun glowing inside her.
A soft hissing sound followed.
Steam rose into the air.
Within seconds, both her clothes and hair were completely dry.
Ginny blinked in surprise.
The other students stared at Douglas with admiration.
Especially those raised in wizarding families.
They had seen drying charms before.
But few had ever seen one performed so effortlessly.
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