Once the new term began, Professor Frugilagus called a meeting of his three students to go over what the next term would cover, and how the three of them would begin joint studies. Eric brought up the meeting with Saurus. "So, my old colleague has returned. How unfortunate."
"Unfortunate, sir?"
Corvin sat across from the group to explain. "Saurus was, like myself, an expert in the Dark Arts. However, his studies were directed less towards comprehension and defense and more towards actual application. He sought the same goals as Voldemort: power and immortality.
"While Voldemort was in power, he gathered a small but dedicated number of followers as well. They called themselves the Draconian Order. Unlike the Death Eaters, however, Saurus' followers had a more clever and cunning leader, who knew the best way to power was to take it from a weak opponent. Rather than to war against both the Ministry and Voldemort, Saurus chose to bide his time until the Death Eaters and the Ministry confronted each other in a final battle. Such an encounter would demolish one side while leaving the other too weak to repel a second attack from his forces.
"This, however, never happened. When Voldemort fell victim to Harry Potter, the Death Eaters broke apart without engaging the Ministry. As such, the Ministry never lost strength, and the Draconians chose to set aside their plans for domination until a future time when a new opportunity presented itself. At least one of the Draconians is a powerful prognosticator who saw that Voldemort would rise again."
Corvin stood and began pacing the room. "You see, Eric, most conflicts do not consist of simply two powers, and being a primary power does not mean that one cannot seize an opportunity. I have taken the opportunity to speak with Dumbledore at length. We have agreed that there is a new conflict coming. The primary war will be between the Death Eaters and those who oppose them directly, and Albus is seeing to that. However, if the Draconians are not tended to, they will strike in the same way as the Bolsheviks did during the Russian Revolution. They will wait until the revolutionaries and the establishment have finished decimating each other, then they will seize power for themselves. Albus has asked that we accept the responsibility for preventing this."
Corvin stopped his pacing and turned to them. "Now you know all about this that I do. If we are to continue, it is with the understanding that we are training for war. If you choose not to fight, your studies with me are at an end. I understand if you choose a safer path."
A few seconds passed before Sheena stood. "Nothing's safe, Professor. If there's going to be a fight, I want to be ready for it."
Eric stood next. "It looks like I'm in this war whether I like it or not. I might as well be prepared." Naomi said nothing; but she stood as well, taking Eric's hand.
Corvin nodded understandingly. "And you stand with those you care for; quite noble. Be sure to watch out for each other and remain vigilant. Watch the shadows for those who would ambush you, and be sure to keep our secrets. The enemy is near, and time grows short."