A/N: I had a series of brainwaves over the last few days, and all of them had to do with this story. As a result, I've been doing a lot of planning, and for the next month or so I'll be focusing almost exclusively on The Professor's Journey. I have a lot of changes in store, most of which will change canon dramatically. My biggest challenge will be taking things one chapter at a time, so I'm relying on you reviewers to make sure that I don't start rushing – that happens sometimes when I get really excited about ideas starting later on, but I'm determined not to let it happen this time. There will be an acceleration of some canon events, as well as a new focus on the Malfoy family, Draco in particular. None of this will happen quite yet, but it's something to look forward to.
In this chapter we see the aftermath of the basilisk's death, as well as the beginning of the Golden Trio's training with Sarutobi. Please read and review!
Disclaimer: I own nothing. I don't even own the laptop on which I'm currently writing this chapter – Ron with his borrowed wand has nothing on me.
Chapter 9: Body, Magic, and Mind
The Professor stood in Dumbledore's office, feeling like a squad leader undergoing a full-scale military tribunal. But this time, Hiruzen was on the wrong side of the desk. He couldn't keep a small smile from his face as he thought back to how many Konoha shinobi he'd questioned after a mission. Now Dumbledore was in the role of finding out what had happened, and Sarutobi didn't envy him one bit. It was even, Sarutobi realized, kind of fun to be the one on the other end of the questioning. However, that might be because Dumbledore was too kind to seem intimidating, and the other Professors in the Headmaster's Office didn't exactly strike fear into Hiruzen's heart.
There were four professors present in the office besides Dumbledore, and of them all, only Professor Snape looked like he suspected Sarutobi of any wrongdoing. He glared at Sarutobi with suspicion, but the Potions master's best glare fell a little flat in Sarutobi's estimation. He was used to Morino Ibiki, after all, and the head of Konoha's Torture and Interrogations Unit could strike fear into someone's heart without so much as batting an eyelid.
"Thank you for coming so promptly, Professor Sarutobi," Dumbledore began, the twinkle behind his half-moon spectacles belying the grave tone of his voice. "I have invited you here, along with the Heads of the four Houses, in order to shed some light on the troubling occurrences of Halloween. As you were the only teacher present during these events, we are grateful for the opportunity to benefit from your first-hand experience."
Hiruzen bowed his head. "I will be glad to help in whatever way I can." He looked around at the assembled faces, trying to get a feel for what his audience might be thinking. As Hokage, Hiruzen had become adept at reading the currents of tension in a room with no more than a cursory glance – in the heated political environment of Konoha's Village Council, a single look was often the only hint one could get of what was in store.
Professor McGonagall looked expectant, with no hint of any feeling other than restrained curiosity. She had been horrified to hear of the basilisk, but after learning that it was dead she had regained her normal steely self-control. Professor Sprout had a grim expression on her face, and her sleeves were rolled up as if she was preparing to go to work. She knew that whatever had summoned the basilisk was just the beginning, and was anxious to get the details from Sarutobi so that they could begin taking measures to ensure the security of the students. Professor Flitwick was still very agitated, not wanting to believe that such a terrible creature could have moved so easily through Hogwarts. His attitude towards Sarutobi was one of gratitude for killing the beast. Snape, on the other hand, watched Sarutobi like a hawk. If there was any opposition at this debriefing, it would come from Snape. Of that, Sarutobi was sure.
The Professor cleared his throat loudly, and began to deliver his report. "I became aware of the basilisk just as it petrified the caretaker's cat. Mr. Potter, Mr. Weasley, and Miss Granger were running from the beast, which was beginning to pursue them. I confronted it, making sure to blind it after Miss Granger informed me about its peculiar ability. Then I used a technique of considerable destructive power to kill the basilisk. I contacted the Headmaster immediately, of course, and he came on the scene within minutes. Apart from the snake, a puddle of water, and the petrified Mrs. Norris, the only other strange thing I noticed at the scene was the message scrawled on the wall. It said, 'The Chamber of Secrets has been opened. Enemies of the Heir, Beware.' As to what that means, I must admit I am completely in the dark."
Apart from Professor Flitwick twitching violently at the mention of the basilisk, none of the Heads of Houses reacted much to his retelling. Professor Dumbledore explained why a second later, after finishing a lemon drop and smacking his lips loudly.
"As I once said to a young man in the Hospital Wing, there is nothing guaranteed to spread like a complete secret. Although Professor Sarutobi and I cleaned up the mess and put the corridor back the way it was, there was no hope of keeping this knowledge from the students. The estimable Peeves came flying as soon as he heard the sounds of an altercation, and saw the message on the wall. Moreover, all of the paintings in that corridor are still complaining about Professor Sarutobi's method of slaying the basilisk – when the walls and ceilings melted, their frames all fell to the floor. However, I believe I speak for all of Hogwarts when I say that it is only the paintings that resent the Professor's quick and decisive action." He nodded to Sarutobi with amusement.
Sarutobi could sense a range of emotions from the other teachers, from gratitude and respect for his strength to resentment. The latter, of course, emanated only from Professor Snape. Professor Dumbledore shrugged his shoulders before continuing.
"What's done is done. We can no more tell the students to forget about the Chamber of Secrets than we can tell them to stop eating sweets, or go to bed at a reasonable hour. All that's left is for us to do all that we can to ensure their continued safety. The basilisk is dead, and with it the threat of the monster of the Chamber has died with it. But there is still a very real threat to us all, and that is the person who set the basilisk loose. He or she is still at large in the castle, with even more reason to harm our students."
"What can we do?" Flitwick squeaked. "None of our defenses are aimed at catching a student, and it isn't as if we can interrogate all of them."
"Even if we did," Snape drawled with contempt, "it wouldn't work. The Heir of Slytherin is sure to be an accomplished liar, and even if we questioned every student we would have no way to be certain they told us the truth. Unless you want me to brew enough Veritaserum to flood the lake, that is, and merely getting the ingredients for that much Truth Serum would require more time than we have."
"Professor Snape is right," McGonagall said with a severe nod. "We must find a better way of searching for the culprit."
Snape broke in slyly, saying, "I, for one, am very interested in what happened before the start of Professor Sarutobi's report. Why, exactly, were those three students running away from the basilisk?"
Dumbledore smiled gently. "Surely, Severus, you wouldn't expect them to run towards it?"
Snape flushed with shame at the delicate rebuke. "I meant, why those students particularly. According to the Bloody Baron, Potter and his two devoted followers were seen tracking Mrs. Norris as early as the day before yesterday. It is surely not a coincidence, then, that they were at the scene when Mrs. Norris was petrified. I would like an explanation for such suspicious behavior."
"I can explain that, Professor Snape," Hiruzen said, wincing slightly. This was going to sound odd no matter how he phrased it, but if there was any suspicion attached to the youngsters because of his test, it was his job to remove it. "You see, I gave those three Gryffindors the task of shadowing Mrs. Norris. It was a test of their ingenuity and tenacity. My timing was unfortunate, because in sticking close to Mrs. Norris they brought themselves into direct contact with the basilisk."
Sarutobi knew he was fudging the truth slightly, but he hoped that he could get away with not telling the other Professors that the task had actually been to kidnap Mrs. Norris. Shadowing was not technically breaking any rules, and Hiruzen had no intention of explaining to the irascible Mr. Filch why he had told the second-years to target his precious feline. Hence his little fib, which he hoped would skate by undetected. Luckily, the other professors were looking so confused that he doubted they would think to question his story.
"I'm sorry," Professor Sprout said frankly, "but I'm sure I misheard. Did you just say that you told your students to follow a cat?"
Sarutobi nodded to her calmly, his expression serene. "Of course. It is the custom of my village to make young warriors show their skill by tracking an animal. It is a right of passage of sorts, before they begin serious training."
Sarutobi struggled to keep his face perfectly straight – Dumbledore's quirked eyebrow was close to making him burst into laughter. What a complete fib that had been! Sarutobi felt like a genin again, telling lies to his jonin sensei to keep from getting punished.
"Serious training…" McGonagall said, her lips beginning to purse in a disapproving fashion. "What do you mean?"
Sarutobi was glad to move away from the dangerous subject of Mrs. Norris. He looked directly at Dumbledore when he spoke. "I have decided to take on Mr. Potter and two of his friends as my students. In the tradition of my village, a warrior takes on three youths when they are ready for further training. They are to become my apprentices, in a sense. I am going to train them in combat, according to the principles of my culture."
The Heads of the four Houses all spoke at once in response to his declaration, but the only reaction Sarutobi cared about was Dumbledore's. The Headmaster wore a shadow of a frown, but after locking eyes with Sarutobi, he nodded slightly. That was all the agreement that Sarutobi would get – not that he needed Dumbledore's permission. He was just glad to know that he wouldn't have to go against the wishes of the man he respected most in this universe.
Snape spoke over the rest of the teachers, raising his voice almost to a shout. "Isn't that a blatant show of favoritism?"
"Absolutely," Sarutobi declared crisply. Everyone fell silent, shocked by his lack of argument. "There is no fairness in war. Let me ask you a question, Professor Snape. If Lord Voldemort were to return, who would be his first target? Besides Professor Dumbledore, of course."
Snape grimaced, but there was only one answer, and he knew it. "Potter." He made the name sound like a curse word.
Sarutobi nodded. "Precisely. As such, I believe it is necessary to prepare Potter for the fight that will one day find him." Sarutobi knew about the Prophecy, but he didn't dare mention it here for fear that one of the teachers might not know. However, he could see in Snape's eyes that he knew about the role that Harry would have to play in bringing down Lord Voldemort.
"In fact," Sarutobi went on, "I find it highly problematic that Harry Potter has not been trained before this. For the first eleven years of his life, he did not even know that magic existed! How could you expect him to even compete with his peers, let alone protect himself against the greatest Dark Wizard of the age? He has never been normal, and allowing him to live normally now would be tantamount to leaving him unprepared."
Sarutobi did nothing to soften his words, though he knew they would cause Dumbledore pain. The Headmaster wanted Harry to grow at his own pace, but Sarutobi knew that that was a mistake. Even if Orochimaru were not at large, concocting Kami only knew what twisted plans, Sarutobi would have recommended that Harry be given advanced training.
"So I'm going to take it upon myself to see that Harry Potter learns how to defend himself. As it is the custom of my village to assign three students to one sensei, I am also going to train Mr. Potter's two friends. They will be of great help to him in the future. I greatly regret that I cannot give this type of aid to all of the students of Hogwarts, but alas – I am just one man. Mr. Potter has the greatest need, and I also think he shows the greatest potential. The rest of the students will still have the opportunity to learn more about combat, of course. I understand that the first meeting of the Dueling Club is just around the corner."
Snape glowered at him, but he didn't challenge Sarutobi any further on the subject of favoritism. Dumbledore warded off any more questions by having the final word. "Professor Sarutobi has my full support in this matter. Harry Potter has shown an amazing ability to act as a magnet for trouble, and whatever he can learn in terms of self-defense can only be a source of reassurance. Moreover, it is every Professor's right to give a student as much or as little outside aid as he or she deems necessary. Now, if that matter is settled, we have much more to discuss. Professor Sprout, what are your thoughts on further security measures to protect our students?"
"Well, we have a nice healthy crop of mandrakes, so Mrs. Norris will soon be healed and we will be prepared in case there are any other basilisks roaming around the school walls."
Dumbledore winced at her acerbic tone, and Sarutobi had to agree with her. Last year it was the spirit of Voldemort possessing a teacher, and this year there was a giant snake making its lair in the walls – Dumbledore might be a genius and a great wizard, but he had obviously overlooked a few flaws in Hogwarts' security.
The conversation shifted to new topics, and the teachers talked until long after curfew, when all but the ghosts and a few troublemakers were asleep in their beds.
oOoOo
In the days following Halloween, Hogwarts was in an uproar. Harry didn't know how it happened, but suddenly everyone knew about the basilisk and the writing on the wall. Luckily, no one seemed to know that he, Ron, or Hermione had been involved, so they weren't bombarded with questions or accusations.
In the common rooms and the dorms, in class and at meals, all anyone could talk about was the Chamber of Secrets. After Professor Sarutobi's homework assignment, students were much more comfortable looking up new information in the library, and Madam Pince was flooded with curious students looking for mentions of the Chamber in old books.
Harry and his friends were just as determined to find out what the message meant as the rest of the school. They had almost been killed by the basilisk, yet they hadn't a clue where it had come from or why. Hermione was the most determined of the three, and even asked her teachers in class about the Chamber and the Heir.
It was McGonagall who finally caved, and told the Gryffindors in her class that the Heir referred to the Heir of Slytherin. She told them about the monster of the Chamber, which everyone knew must be the basilisk that Professor Sarutobi had killed. Soon the whole school knew, and in the absence of any particular suspect, Slytherins in general were treated with a healthy dose of fear. Most enjoyed it, even if the idea of the Heir of Slytherin secretly frightened them.
Students from the other three Houses approached daily life with a large dose of paranoia. They moved in packs, and avoided dark corners. Fred and George made a considerable profit selling wards and "snake repellent," which Hermione maintained was absolutely useless and probably poisonous. Ginny seemed to have caught the general paranoia more than most – Ron's sister wandered through the halls like a ghost, and she jumped if people so much as called her name. Harry could only hope that the Heir would be caught soon, because maybe then Ginny wouldn't seem so frightened and lost.
For a while, Harry had been worried about his ability to hear the basilisk speak. He wondered if perhaps it hadn't been some kind of connection to the beast – in his darkest moments, he even thought that perhaps he was the Heir of Slytherin, and just didn't know it. But then he remembered the boa constrictor from the zoo, and how he had been able to hear it talking to him. Harry guessed that he could talk to all snakes, but until he proved that to himself he wasn't going to share that information with anyone. He didn't want them to look at him with fear in his eyes.
While Harry didn't enjoy the fear of others, there were a few who clearly enjoyed the atmosphere created by news of the Heir's return. Malfoy in particular seemed overjoyed. He strutted around as if he were the Heir himself, and became even more vocal in his hatred of non-magical families.
"Mudbloods better watch out now," Harry heard him say one day at the end of Potions class, "they won't be able to show their faces now that the Heir is laying down the law."
Hermione had to forcibly restrain Ron from drawing his wand, which would have brought Snape's full fury down on their heads. When they were back in the Gryffindor Common Room that night, all they could talk about was the Heir.
"What if it's really him?" Ron demanded, still fuming on behalf of Hermione. The tips of her ears were a little red, and Harry thought that she was secretly glad that Ron was so quick to defend her. Not that she would ever say that, of course.
"Draco, I mean," Ron continued, looking back and forth between the two of them. "The Heir of Slytherin is sure to share his pure-blood mania. And who do we know who thinks all Muggleborn are scum? Gee, let's think," he concluded sarcastically.
"I don't know," Hermione said hesitantly. "The Heir of Slytherin set the basilisk loose, maybe meaning to kill people. Draco's a nasty little git, but I don't think he's a murderer."
"My dad says Malfoy's dad didn't need a reason to go over to He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named; if his dad is that evil, what's to say Malfoy can't be, too?"
Harry was starting to be slightly convinced, although he shared Hermione's reservation about Malfoy's killer instinct. He had always thought Draco was a bit of a coward, like the time he had challenged Harry to a duel and then informed Filch on him. Still, there weren't many other candidates that Harry could think of who might actually enjoy being the Heir of Slytherin. He said so to the other two, who acknowledged his point with a nod.
Hermione fidgeted in her plushy arm chair. "Still, we don't have any proof. We can't just accuse him of being the Heir if we don't have solid evidence."
"How would we get that?" Ron was beginning to get a little fed up with Hermione's objections, and asked her sarcastically, "D'you reckon we should just waltz into the Dungeons and ask Draco if he and his buddies are hiding another monster?"
Hermione was oblivious to his sarcasm, a realization striking her so suddenly that Harry could almost see the lightbulb going off next to her head. "That's… not a terrible idea, Ronald."
Ron was dumbstruck, staring at Hermione as if she'd lost her mind. "Hermione, have you gone barmy? Of course it's a bad idea – I was joking."
Hermione sniffed absently. "Then I don't think much of your sense of humor. Now, what was the name of that potion again… oh yes! Polyjuice Potion!"
She focused on her friends, a wide grin animating her face. "I know how we can get into the dungeons without the Slytherins realizing. The Polyjuice Potion can make you look exactly like someone else. We could disguise ourselves as Slytherins-"
Harry saw where she was going, and finished her thought for her. "And Malfoy would spill his guts, thinking we were his friends. Hermione, it's brilliant! You're brilliant!"
Hermione gave an embarrassed wave. "Stop it, you'll make me blush."
Ron was looking a little disgruntled, probably because Hermione had taken his joke and turned it into a workable plan. "How do we make this Polyjuice thing?" he asked with poor grace. "Do you know the recipe?"
"No," Hermione said, her face falling a little. "It's terribly advanced, and some of the ingredients are dangerous. The book with the recipe is sure to be in the Restricted Section, and we'll need a teacher's permission to even look at it."
"Still, it's a good idea," Harry pointed out. "We can get permission somehow, and once we do we can start brewing the potion. It'll be worth it if we learn something from Malfoy. Even if he's not the Heir, maybe he'll know who is. He's a Slytherin, after all, and whatever there is to know about the Heir, he'll know it."
"It's a plan, then," Ron said, growing excited at the chance to sneak into the Slytherin dorm. He got an idea, and gestured excitedly at Harry and Hermione. "Hey, why don't we ask Fred and George for the Marauders' Map once we learn how to make the Polyjuice Potion? It might be useful if we need to figure out when Malfoy is in the Slytherin Common Room. We could pick a time when not many other Slytherins are around, so there wouldn't be any risk that the real people would show up and ruin our disguises."
Hermione looked at Ron with frank amazement. "That is absolutely brilliant! Why didn't I think of that?"
Ron blushed so deep a red that Harry thought he might explode.
oOoOo
It was during this period of paranoia and speculation about the Heir of Slytherin that Harry, Ron, and Hermione had their first official lesson with Sarutobi. He had told them to meet him after class on Monday, and all three had been looking forward to it for days. Hermione was a little bit apprehensive, while Ron was simply ecstatic. He told Hermione about the giant dojo in the Professor's trunk so many times that even Harry was starting to get a little sick of the story.
But when the Professor took the three of them to his office after class, Harry guessed that Hermione would get to see the dojo first-hand. And that was precisely what happened. Professor Sarutobi wasted no time, instead unlocking the trunk with one of his odd-looking hand seals.
"If you would," he said politely, gesturing for them to descend the stairs. Even after being there once before, Harry was impressed by the giant room. Hermione was in transports of awe, muttering about "Space-Displacement Charms." Harry noticed that Hermione gulped and paused for a second when she saw the rows of weapons lined up on the far wall, and the target dummies that were riddled with sharp knives.
Professor Sarutobi led them to the center of the dojo, where, curiously enough, a blackboard was waiting for them. It must have been enchanted, because as they approached, a piece of chalk hovered in the air and wrote, "Welcome, Professor Sarutobi."
The Professor saw them looking at the blackboard and chuckled. "The Headmaster was kind enough to lend me this teaching aid, once I told him what I needed. I find that when explaining concepts to new students, pictures are invaluable. Now, pay attention. This is our first day of training, and as such I need you to understand my approach."
He waved his hand, and three desks appeared out of nowhere. Harry, Ron, and Hermione sat down, waiting expectantly. "First," Sarutobi began, "know that what we are doing has never been tried before. To my knowledge, no wizard has ever been taught according to the principles of my village. There is good reason for that – can anyone tell me why?"
Hermione's hand shot up, and Ron almost groaned. It looked like they were going to get shown up in their private training, too. "Yes, Miss Granger?"
"Because we use wands?" she asked.
Sarutobi nodded. "Yes, although that is only one effect of a deeper cause. The truth is that my magic is of an entirely different sort than yours. My power comes from an energy called chakra, and from my work with Professor Dumbledore I have ascertained that your magic does not rely on chakra at all. Thus, the spells that you can use and the spells that I can use are completely different. That means that I will have to adjust your training to reflect the differences in our abilities."
Hermione was concentrating hard, and Harry bet that she wished she had a notebook to write this down. For his part, he was a little worried. If they couldn't learn to do what Professor Sarutobi could, how could he teach them?
Professor Sarutobi glanced at Harry, seeming to catch his hesitation. "With help from Professor Dumbledore, I have devised what I think is the most efficient method of training. In order for you to understand it fully, I will tell you a little of how training happens in my home village."
He gestured at the blackboard, and the enchanted piece of chalk began to draw stick figures. Once drawn, they moved about on the blackboard of their own volition, almost like the paintings of Hogwarts, but with less detail.
"Warriors of my village are called shinobi, and their training is comprised of three disciplines: taijutsu, ninjutsu, and genjutsu. Taijutsu is the art of physical combat. Ninjutsu is the manipulation of chakra to affect external reality. Genjutsu is the manipulation of chakra to target an enemy's mind. Taken all together, these three disciplines are what make a shinobi."
The three Gryffindors split their attention between the Professor and the blackboard, which was changing to illustrate his terms. Stick figures were demonstrating each of the three disciplines: for taijutsu, there were two figures punching and kicking each other; for ninjutsu, the figures made hand seals that produced bursts of fire, lightning, water, wind, and earth; and for genjutsu, one figure made hand seals that resulted in its target falling to its knees, clutching its head in a comical fashion.
"For a wizard," Sarutobi went on, "ninjutsu and genjutsu are impossible. But I will follow this model by dividing your training into three main areas. I will call them Body, Magic, and Mind."
At his words the blackboard erased the miniature figures, and created three categories, one for each aspect of their training.
"Eventually, your training in Body will include knowledge of physical combat, both armed and unarmed. It may seem strange to you that I am asking wizards to learn how to fight like Muggles, but it is of the utmost importance that you do so. A wand is only as effective as the hand that wields it. You must improve your speed, endurance and reflexes, all of which are just as important for a wizard as knowledge of spells. If you can't dodge a curse or hit a target, then you'll be easy prey."
This time, the figures that appeared on the blackboard were caricatures of Harry, Ron, and Hermione. They stayed in the Body section of the blackboard, and began running around and throwing mock punches at each other.
"Next, we proceed to Magic," Sarutobi said, and the miniature Gryffindors on the blackboard obediently hopped over the dividing line into the Magic section. Sarutobi nodded with amusement. "This section is for the most part self-explanatory. We will expand your knowledge of spells, so that you will be equipped with an answer for every situation. Too many witches and wizards are limited in the spells they know – it shows in the fact that most jinxes, hexes, and curses travel in a straight line. But what if an enemy is behind cover, or has activated a barrier? Before I'm done with you, you will possess a vast array of offensive and defensive spells, potions, charms, enchantments and more. Just because my own abilities prevent me from using such spells myself, doesn't mean that I can't teach them to you."
The little figures on the board were casting spells recklessly with frequent bursts of chalk, turning the middle section of the blackboard into a miniature battlefield. Sarutobi coughed gently, bringing their attention back to him.
"Last, but by no means least, is Mind. In my village, the techniques affecting the human mind are so subtle and powerful that they are taught separately. Here as well, magic that affects the mind is a delicate art taught only to a few. But your training in Mind will not advance to such magic until you are ready for it. What I will teach you first is mental discipline. You will learn to order your mind, to react quickly in the face of a threat, and to determine immediately the most appropriate course of action in any given situation. Tactics, teamwork, strength of will, how to use your allies' strengths to the best advantage – these skills are much, much more important in achieving victory than mere spellwork."
Harry tried to commit what he was hearing to his memory, determined not to disappoint Professor Sarutobi. Body, Magic, and Mind. That's not so bad. We can do this.
"Your first task is to become competent in all three of these disciplines," Sarutobi said, giving them a stern frown. "But only when you combine them will you earn the right to be called a warrior."
He snapped his fingers, and the figures on the blackboard disappeared, leaving the surface glossy and chalk-free. A second later, the blackboard itself folded up and disappeared. Sarutobi gestured at the three Gryffindors to stand up, and when they did the desks at which they had been sitting vanished with a pop. All three jumped with surprise.
"I'll tell you now," Sarutobi said with a grin. "That was the first and only time you will ever be sitting at a desk when you are training with me. Battles are not fought in a classroom, and you must not train in one. Next time we meet, I'll set up a permanent schedule for you. All of your training will happen here, in Training Ground One."
Harry raised his hand nervously. Sarutobi nodded to him kindly. "Are we allowed to share what you teach us with others? I mean, if they want to learn too?" He was thinking of Neville, who was so determined to do well in Defense Against the Dark Arts. However hard they had to work, Neville would work just as hard, if not harder. He was a fighter, and Harry wanted to help him if he could.
Professor Sarutobi deliberated for a second. "I see no reason why not. I will only train the three of you, but there is no reason that you all couldn't work with your classmates outside of the time you are training with me. My only rule is that you must not teach them any new spells – working on spells without an experienced teacher around is dangerous at best, and I would be responsible if there were any accidents. However, the lessons that you will learn in Body and Mind would be quite valuable to others, should they have the determination to persevere."
"Thank you, Professor."
Sarutobi dismissed his gratitude with a wave. "That's enough chatter, I think. Time for your first practical training. The three of you will run around this dojo, along the white boundary line."
"How long should we run for?" Ron asked.
Sarutobi looked at him as if confused. "Until you can't run anymore, of course. I wouldn't advise stopping first, however," he added as an afterthought.
"Why not?" Hermione asked, a nervous tone edging into her voice.
Sarutobi made a series of hand seals, generating a puff of smoke and a loud crack. When the smoke cleared, a large bulldog with a spiked collar was standing before them. An angry light gleamed in its piggy eyes, and a thin string of drool hung from its sharp teeth. The bulldog looked back and forth between the three Gryffindors, like a starving man deciding where to start at the buffet.
"Because he wants you to stop," Sarutobi said with a malicious grin.