Sculpting clay in art class please help!?

Hi! So, in art class, we are making clay dragons. First of all, we have to make two pinch pots (I think that is what they are called ? :P) and put them together to form the body. Before you put them together, you are supposed to tightly pack each pot with lots of paper towel... the thing is, I forgot to do that. :S I was just wondering what will happen when it is fired in the kiln without paper towel inside, and why we have to do that? I don't want to ask my art teacher because I'm afraid I will have to start over, and I really love the way the dragon is coming along... please help!!!! Thank you so very much!!