The Return to Hogwarts

Hermione's hypothesis made Neville even more apprehensive; his helpless eyes darted around, hoping someone could offer a reasonable suggestion.

"But didn't Professor Blaine grant you those rights?"

Ron, clutching a potato pie, watched Hermione's frantic reaction with great interest.

“If I were you, and those stinking Slytherins dared to cause trouble, you could easily have them clean the entire castle’s washrooms. I think you could talk to Percy; he has a book called ‘How Prefects Gain Power.’ During the summer when he learned he had been appointed prefect, Percy clung to that book the whole time. It’s said to contain a thousand legitimate reasons for confining young wizards.”

Neville's eyes gleamed, and he looked like he wanted to say something but hesitated. However, Hermione stopped him sternly.

"We cannot abuse our power, Neville!"

“If you’re really worried about classroom discipline, Hermione—” Harry hesitated for a moment before offering a much more reliable suggestion, “I can ask Sirius. I think if he shows up in the classroom, those Slytherins definitely won’t dare to cause you any trouble.”

This method was indeed quite good, and even Hermione was quite interested. However, after a brief moment of thought, Hermione shook her head slightly.

"Professor Blaine clearly wants us to get some experience, so this is our own business. What's the point of asking Sirius for help?"

"That little bastard Malfoy wouldn't be so righteous and moral, you little fool."

The twins skipped and hopped down the spiral staircase, Fred said in a lighthearted tone.

"No matter what, we need to rely on ourselves." Hermione's eyes gradually hardened.

Harry and Ron exchanged a glance and shrugged helplessly. They knew Hermione very well; she was quick-witted, but sometimes she liked to get stuck in dead ends, and once she made up her mind about something, not even ten dragons could pull her back.

It was already past seven in the evening, and the Gryffindor group was all ready to go. Seeing that Hermione still seemed unable to shake off her nervousness, Ron tossed the remaining potato pie into his mouth and stood up as well.

“I can call Seamus and Dean. If that little bastard Malfoy dares to cause trouble for you, just give us a signal and we’ll rush in and give him a good beating.”

"Oh--"

Hermione raised an eyebrow, a slight smile flickering across her lips as she looked at Ron, but she ultimately took a deep breath and said seriously.

"Thank you, Ron, but I don't think this will work."

"Don't worry, we'll keep an eye on her for you!"

Fred and George ruffled Ron's hair vigorously before leaving arm in arm. Harry didn't have time to say goodbye to Ron; he was busy encouraging Neville. After all, Neville obviously had more pressure in the assistant teaching position than Hermione.

Ron stood on the sofa by the fireplace, watching the large group of people leave the common room. For some reason, he suddenly felt a pang of sadness.

"Hey Ron, wanna play a game of Goblin?"

Dean waved to him from a few seats away.

"All right--"

Ron shook his head, dismissing the strange feeling in his heart, and walked around the sofa blocking his way to sit opposite Dean.

"Have you finished the paper Professor Sprout assigned, Dean?"

“No—” Dean replied casually, his head down as he busied himself with the props, “But there are still several days to go, aren’t there?”

"Oh, of course!"

Ron shook his head, his expression gradually calming down.

Hermione and the others encountered Luna on their way to the special classroom. She was climbing the stairs all by herself, but there was no sign of unease or loneliness on her face.

Good evening, Luna--

Hermione glanced at Luna's back pocket, where she had rolled up the stack of parchment Professor Blaine had given her—the one supposedly capable of revealing swarms of harassing wolves and horned snorkels—and tucked it into her back pocket.

"How are you feeling?" Hermione asked tentatively.

"very good."

Luna said cheerfully, but there was a strange emotion in her silver eyes, an emotion that was quite contagious. Even Hermione's furrowed brows unconsciously relaxed after meeting that gaze.

“I can see them much better now, which means that maybe one day I can escape their harassment. Oh, my dad will be amazed by the depth of Professor Blaine's research on them. Today I'm thinking of writing to my dad about these methods—”

No one responded to Luna's words, or rather, no one wanted to reply but didn't know how.

Hermione glanced curiously at the parchment scroll stuck in Luna's backside, and after thinking for a moment, she cautiously suggested...

"Hmm, you mean you want to show your father Professor Blaine's research manuscripts on harassment? Uh, I think it would be best to get Professor Blaine's permission first."

After a brief exchange, the Gryffindor group arrived at the gymnastics classroom.

The Hufflepuff wizards were almost all there, and the three remaining Ravenclaw witches had also arrived. Harry was a little puzzled as to why they hadn't invited Luna along. However, when he saw Cedric standing next to Cho Chang, who was about the same size as him but much taller, Harry's mood inexplicably soured, and he lost all interest in defending Luna.

Some Slytherin members also arrived. They glanced indifferently at the Gryffindor group before tacitly withdrawing their gaze and continuing their own conversation.

Professor Blaine has been disappearing for days on end lately, and he's not even seen at the faculty and staff tables during mealtimes. So, the junior wizards in the other three houses are unaware that he's been out.

Over the next ten minutes, the classroom door opened and closed repeatedly as people gradually filled in. Malfoy and Parkinson also entered the classroom during this time, all waiting for Professor Blaine, who was used to appearing at the last minute.

Harry was eavesdropping on Cedric's conversation with the three Ravenclaw girls. As the start of class approached, his attention returned to Hermione and Neville. Neville seemed beyond saving; his body was stiff as a board. Hermione, trying to calm herself through rapid breathing, noticed Harry's worried gaze and gave him a reassuring look.

"Cough cough!"

At 7:59, Hermione suddenly coughed loudly, a signal that had been pre-arranged. The young wizards of Gryffindor immediately began to organize their ranks, while the young wizards of the other three houses watched this scene with bewilderment.

Neville wanted to go back to his place, but Hermione grabbed him and stopped him.

Trembling with fear and sweating profusely, Neville immediately made the young wizards in the room, whose observational skills had already been honed, realize that something might be about to happen.

Some people were curious, while others looked on with indifference.

"Cough cough!"

Hermione coughed loudly again, giving Luna, who was standing to the side lost in thought, a wink.

"how?"

Pansy Parkinson looked mocking.

"Is your throat smeared with frog brains, Granger?!"

A burst of laughter immediately filled the classroom, mostly from Slytherin students, though some Hufflepuff students thought Parkinson had told a good joke.

"In fact!"

In that instant, Hermione felt her anxiety vanish. She didn't look at Pansy Parkinson, but instead scanned the classroom and said loudly...

"Professor Blaine left Hogwarts this morning on business, and to avoid affecting the course's progress, before leaving, he appointed me, along with Neville Longbottom and Luna Lovegood, as teaching assistants to oversee the course's daily training while he is away. Now..."

Hermione took a deep breath, ignoring the expressions on the faces of the Slytherins in response to her words, and continued.

"I want you to get your formation in place as soon as possible and begin today's training!"

Chapter 405 Another Competition (Part Two)

2023-08-05

The Hufflepuff students exchanged bewildered glances, unsure whether to follow Hermione's instructions. Ernie Macmillan and Justin Finley exchanged a look and shook their heads discreetly. Hermione Granger was quite famous at school, and many teachers admired her grades, but she was, after all, just a third-year wizard, wasn't she?

Few people would be convinced if two third-year students and one second-year student were appointed as teaching assistants for this course.

If Cedric were to come, the Hufflepuff students would have nothing to say.

“Oh, congratulations--” But there were also those in Hufflepuff who disagreed. Hannah nodded and smiled at Hermione, “I believe you can do a great job.”

"Thanks--"

Hermione returned Hannah's friendly smile.

"Well, if it really is Professor Blaine's opinion—"

Cedric seemed somewhat dissatisfied, but out of respect for Professor Blaine, he did not raise any objections.

Well, everything was going differently than expected, and the biggest problem still came from Slytherin. None of the young wizards in the house obeyed orders; they stood lazily in place, staring at Hermione and Neville with mocking eyes.

Draco's pale gray eyes held a hint of disdain. He stared at Hermione for a moment, then turned his gaze to Neville, almost laughing at Neville's trembling silence. As for the eccentric Luna Lovegood Draco of Ravenclaw, he only glanced at her before losing interest.

"I think you all heard what I said, didn't you?"

Hermione's breathing became slightly heavier. She stared at the Slytherin students and repeated in a more forceful voice,

"We don't have much time to waste, we should hurry—"

Why should we take your orders?

Surprisingly, Draco didn't step forward to cause trouble, but it was practically him; after receiving instructions, Pansy Parkinson arrogantly raised her chin.

"With those beaver-like front teeth of yours!"

Pansy's taunt immediately caused a burst of laughter among the Slytherin group, and even students from the other two houses who were not so hostile towards Hermione secretly grinned.

Hermione's cheeks flushed instantly, but her eyes showed no sign of backing down. She was about to refute Parkinson's words when Harry, faster than her, drew his wand and stood in front of Hermione, his face ashen.

"Wow, that's interesting!"

Harry pointed his wand at Pankinson and said sternly.

"You, with your poodle-like face, dare to laugh at others? Do you have Parkinson's?"

The atmosphere in the classroom exploded because of Harry's words. Before Hermione could stop him from his sharp but accurate statement, Percy Parkinson was already screaming and cursing. The instant Harry drew his wand, Draco also drew his wand and shielded Percy.

“Apologize, Potter!” Draco’s pale gray eyes flashed with anger. “Otherwise, I’ll make you pay for your words!”

“Are you deaf, Malfoy?” Harry said coldly. “Why don’t you listen to what Parkinson said to Hermione!”

"Oh, that's really interesting--"

Fred and George also stepped forward, each with one hand on Harry's shoulder, glancing sideways at Draco.