Because the Headmaster has no use for a second office, he has re-purposed this room for an entirely different use. The room is larger than it should be; the fact that Tate reduced a wall into an adjoining room is obvious by the fact that his ‘office’ has two doors along the same long wall. Rather than leaving an empty office or reinventing the standard dueling area, the room now serves as a training facility for those with an interest in Defense and Defense related careers: Aurors, Hit Wizards, and the International Task Force (among others).

The two windows in the room face out over an inner courtyard and let in tree-filtered light throughout the day. Beside one such window, floor-to-ceiling bookshelves have been stuffed full of countless Defense texts. The titles range from ancient tomes in spidery indecipherable scripts to glossy hardcovers featuring some of the premiere Defensive authors of the day. The long table is conducive for transcribing notes from the various books, but there are also a few deep chairs pushed together for general reading or quiet conversation. There is a sign posted on the bookshelf.

Along the opposite wall, leading from the far door halfway to the window, Tate has set up various pieces of exercise equipment, intending for those interested in pursuing a Defensive career to develop themselves physically as well as mentally. A punching bag is suspended from the ceiling in the corner, sitting beside a stand of free weights and other odds and ends, mats and exercise balls and the like. Stretching along the remainder of the space to the window is an enormous climbing wall, complete with hand and foot holds all the way up to the ceiling. There are no ropes, but the floor is generously cushioned with a charm.

Between the two windows sit a series of padded dummies, perfect for any dueling practice needed for class or just to be used in the process of learning new spells. Drag one or two out and practice. Either of the windows onto the courtyard may be opened and, weather permitting, training can extend into this open space. Try not to kill and trees or squirrels in the process.