"I know the Room of Requirement can provide almost anything, but I think a live teacher is a bit beyond its abilities, and there's a limit to what anyone can learn from an instruction manual," Neville said as he and Ginny paced back and forth before the blank stretch of wall.

Alarmingly, Ginny grinned: "Oh, don't worry -- I've already asked our instructor and since he's already part of the castle I'm sure the Room can move him around without much trouble."

When the door appeared, she flung it open onto a bare expanse with a polished wood floor and an intimidating number of sharp, antique weapons mounted on the wall. "Hello, Sir Vladislav!" she called; "This is my friend Neville, and we're here to learn how not to kill ourselves with swords."

The suit of enchanted armor waiting in the center of the room set its gauntlet on the pommel of its broadsword and bowed.

Gulping, Neville did the same.