Sorry this update took so long, but I had work to do… Anyway, I hope that I will not disappoint any people and have them muttering that my writing does not live up to the premise. Oh, and I'm sorry if I did not develop the story clearly in the earlier chapters.
Again, after you read, please review….
Chapter 7: Circles
"You are here in this class because of a threat." Those words were spoken with authority. The students, now sitting on the tatami mats, listened intently.
"I will not presume to be able to teach you enough to vanquish that threat, but, hopefully, you will be able to learn enough to survive."
After telling them to rise, the Batman then told the students to form a circle on the mats. They were wearing new gi. Ron was worried at the cost of new uniforms, but the Batman assured them that there would be no charge.
When they arrived for their second class, the students were filled with excitement when they realized that their new professor would be teaching them martial arts. The nearest experience that they had to combat was during the tenure of Lockhart, and they all knew what a disaster that had been.
Going through the stretches as led by their new professor, the students felt their anticipation give way to calm. There was something about that circle that allowed them to calm their minds. The routine was simple enough that they were able to follow it quickly. Harry, of course, was already familiar with some of the stretches, since the routines were the same ones they used before a game.
"Sit out with your legs in front." The command was obeyed, immediately. "I will now be teaching you how to break your fall."
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After the class, the students filed out the door silently. You could tell by their faces that they were hurting all over, but they were quite happy about it. When the door closed behind them, they all started chattering at once.
"Wow! That was a bloody great class!" Ron exclaimed.
"Yeah, after that joke of a Defense against the Dark Arts class, I really needed that." Harry agreed heartily.
"I still don't know how he could have resisted Malfoy's spell. I tried researching on it last night at the library, but there is no book that says how a muggle can take a full hit of the spell and not be affected." Hermione was pouting… mulling things over in her mind.
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Meanwhile, Draco Malfoy was busy examining the designs of his dormitory floor. This was not really because he was interested in the construction of Hogwarts. It was more because he wanted to divert his attention from the man speaking to him.
"Look at me when I am speaking to you!" Draco's eyes rose to meet his Father's. "How many times do I have to lecture you on the value of discretion?"
"He is a bloody muggle…" Draco muttered
"It does not matter if he is a muggle! He is now a professor in this school, hired personally by Dumbledore! Do you realize how bad it would look if the Batman had reported you to the authorities?"
Draco pondered his father's point. He was also wondering why he never got so much as a house point deduction for his actions.
"I sent you to gather information, Draco. I did not tell you to attack a teacher!" Lucius' rage was now evident in his eyes. "Do you not think that we can handle one muggle ourselves?"
"But…"
"No buts, Draco. Leave the muggle to us."
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In the Batcave, Alfred was at the computer. Speaking into a microphone, he said "All clear to land, sir. Welcome home."
Standing up, Alfred walked to the door that led to the hangar of the Batwing. He was standing there, waiting patiently, when Bruce emerged, wearing his uniform without the cowl.
"Good class, sir?" Alfred inquired.
"It was satisfactory, Alfred."
"Sir, I would like to remind you that it is to be my day off tomorrow."
"Yes?" Bruce was puzzled. Alfred did have a scheduled day off. However, he rarely took advantage of these days and preferred to spend his time in the manor. Well, except for one or two occasions when he spent the day with Dr. Thompkins.
"I would like to go somewhere, to visit old friends."
"Of course, you can go anywhere you want, Alfred."
"Thank you, sir. So may I join you when you go to Hogwarts tomorrow?"
"uh… why not?" Bruce, once again, was left dumbfounded at how easily his butler manipulated him. The greatest detective in the planet could take down the whole justice league but was a pushover for his butler.