Hogwarts: My Grandmother is the Queen

Chapter 203 Afternoon Tea Party

Several desks were pushed together and covered with a white tablecloth—a color that did not represent any particular college.

On the table was an exquisite tea set, with white porcelain cups decorated with gold patterns. Next to the teapot was a three-tiered dessert stand, with finger sandwiches on the bottom tier, warm scones in the middle, and several delicate cakes and macarons on the top tier.

There was also a small dish of chocolate chip cookies on the side, which smelled of butter and cocoa.

Lucy was standing by the table, adjusting the position of the teapot.

She was wearing a clean tea towel with a small silver flower embroidered on it.

Her ears twitched slightly; hearing the door open, she turned around.

"Your Highness, the guests have arrived," she said softly.

Henry turned around from the window, a book in his hand, and smiled when he saw the people in the doorway.

"Mr. Weasley, please come in." He looked at Percy first. "Thank you for coming."

Percy walked in, his gaze sweeping around the room before finally settling on Henry.

"Your Highness Henry." He gave a slight bow.

"Just call me Henry," Henry said. "Please have a seat. The tea is freshly brewed; Lucy's is excellent."

Lucy had already pulled out the chair, her movements swift and efficient.

Percy sat down opposite Henry, his back ramrod straight, his hands on his knees, as if attending a formal meeting.

Ron, Harry, and Hermione also came in and sat down at the table.

They weren't new to tea parties, and they were extremely relaxed—Percy, on the other hand, looked a bit nervous.

The kind that's capitalized.

"Please enjoy your tea." Lucy placed the teacups in front of each person, one by one.

Percy picked up his teacup and took a sip.

"Good tea," he said, setting down his teacup.

"Lucy made the choice," Henry said. "She knows more about these things than I do."

Lucy lowered her head slightly, picked up the teapot again, added some tea to everyone's cups, and then quietly retreated to the side, standing in a corner, ready to serve at any time.

After drinking two cups of tea, Percy cleared his throat.

"Your Highness, uh, Henry," he corrected himself, "I received your note. What exactly is this dueling club you mentioned?"

Henry leaned back in his chair, his fingers gently tracing the rim of his teacup.

"You must have heard about Professor Lockhart's class," he said. "Those Cornish elves—in short, he made a complete mess of the classroom, and the other students had no idea how to cope."

"I've heard about it." Percy's expression changed slightly. "Professor McGonagall mentioned it too."

"So I want to start a real dueling club," Henry said. "Not the kind that's just for show, but one where everyone can actually learn something. Gemma Farley has already agreed to be an instructor; she's the sixth-year prefect, has excellent grades, and has real-world fighting experience."

Percy nodded, his gaze falling on the teacup on the table.

"Miss Farley is indeed very talented." His tone carried a sense of professional recognition. "Her Defense Against the Dark Arts score is the best among the sixth-year students."

"But she alone isn't enough," Henry continued. "If there are too many people, she won't be able to guide them all. So I need a few assistants who are experienced, capable, and can inspire trust in others."

Percy looked up at him.

Do you think I'm suitable?

"More than just suitable," Henry said, smiling slightly. "You are one of the most suitable candidates. You are one of the twelve zeros of 0.WLs, a prefect, and a Gryffindor. Your addition will make Gryffindor students even more willing to come."

Percy was silent for a moment, then placed his hands on his knees and tapped them lightly with his fingertips.

"Does Miss Farley know about this?" he asked.

"I know," Henry said. "She also thinks you should be invited."

"Miss Farley said that?" Percy looked somewhat surprised.

“Yes,” Henry said. “She said a good dueling club can’t just be full of Slytherins.”

"What are you planning to do?" Percy pondered for a moment. "I mean, how exactly will it work?"

Henry explained the club's initial plan: every Wednesday evening at 7 p.m., in the Room of Requirement, the first half hour would be spent with instructors explaining basic theories and precautions, the next hour would be for group practice, and the last half hour would be for free practice.

He also mentioned security measures, protective barriers, and that Dumbledore and Madam Pomfrey had been informed that duty rosters had been arranged for Wednesday nights.

Percy listened attentively, nodding occasionally and frowning slightly at times.

His brow relaxed when he heard that Mrs. Pomfrey had made the arrangements.

"You've considered this very thoroughly," he said approvingly, "more thoroughly than I expected."

Ron, who was listening nearby, almost spat out his scones. He quickly covered his mouth and tried his best to hold it in.

Percy glanced at him helplessly. He felt that his younger brother wasn't entirely beyond redemption—at least he was more worthy of saving than the twins.

Hermione chimed in, "I also think Henry is very thoughtful. We didn't learn anything in Professor Lockhart's class. It would be good for everyone if there were a club where we could actually learn something."

Percy nodded.

"Then I'll go," he said, "but—"

"But what?" Henry asked.

Percy thought for a moment, seemingly choosing his words carefully.

"However, I need to confirm one thing," he said, looking at Henry. "Is this club truly open to all colleges, or is it just—for show?"

"It's really open," Henry said with a smile. "Anyone who wants to come can come—Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff—"

No one will be rejected because of their college affiliation.

"Okay," Percy said. "I agree."

Henry nodded and picked up his teacup.

Thank you for your help.

"You're welcome." Percy also picked up his teacup. "You're right, you really can't learn anything from Lockhart. Gryffindor students can't waste this year."

He took a sip of tea, put down the cup, and picked up a macaron.

The macaron was pink. He looked at it and took a bite.

"Hmm." He nodded approvingly. "These macarons taste quite good."

"Lucy made it," Henry said.

Percy looked at the tiny house-elf in the corner.

"Well done," he said.

Lucy blushed slightly and lowered her head.

"Thank you, sir."

Ron, watching this scene from the side, suddenly felt that Percy wasn't so annoying after all.

Harry sat opposite Ron, quietly eating his snack.

He picked up a chocolate chip cookie, took a bite, and found it delicious.

He glanced at Henry, then at Percy, and a strange feeling suddenly arose in his heart.