The youngster slowly turned to give Professor Sleptov a deadpan stare. It was a look as if he had barely registered what the man had said. Archer was far beyond being able to comprehend what exactly had happened to him. He assumed it was some sort of cruel joke.

His feet started to shuffle, moving toward the exit of the Great Hall. Some brave child had decided to help escort him to the Hospital Wing. If he wasn't in so much shock, he might have been impressed that someone had actually decided to touch him in this state. Then again, they wore thick gardening gloves to do so.

Like a slug, he left a trail of slime in his wake.