"Heine..." Professor Eichel falters. Whatever he had been about to say dies in his throat. He's gripping his wand tightly, white-knuckled, but powerless to lift a hand to defend himself.

Jade doesn't think he's seen Professor Eichel so vulnerable before. His own wand is in his hand before he realizes it, but the wood seems to lack its usual warmth; there's something in the room, some unseen menace that seems to swallow up every shred of warmth in the room. Jade stays still, frozen in place, his heart in his throat.