"Good evening second-years," Lucia said, her voice carrying clearly through the hall with the aid of the stage's amplification enchantments. "It is nice to see all of you gathered in one place again after a while, even if I imagine most of you would have preferred a little more warning."
A few students shifted. Someone near the back gave a quiet, bitter laugh before swallowing it.
Lucia's mouth curved faintly, as if she heard it and chose mercy. "Sir Regulus and I are here to give you information regarding your upcoming examinations. We will touch briefly on your Theory exams, and then we will discuss the Practical assessment, which I suspect is what most of you are more concerned about."
The room changed slightly at that.
The practical exam had been named. Not guessed at. Named.
Liam glanced briefly toward Sheila's section without turning fully. She was sitting upright, focused on the stage.
