Magical Studies at Hogwarts...

Chapter 147 Mad-Eye Moody and the Club

"...It is with great regret that I inform you that there will be no Quidditch match this year."

When Dumbledore announced the news, almost all Quidditch players and students who loved the sport stared wide-eyed, mouths agape, unable to believe it was true.

"We have a major event to hold this year, starting in October and continuing throughout the semester, which has taken up a lot of the teachers' time and energy." Dumbledore seemed pleased with the students' reaction, and continued, "I am very pleased to announce that this year at Hogwarts, we will be hosting an event that hasn't been held in over a century: the Triwizard Tournament!"

"Really!"

"incredible!"

"You're kidding, right!"

As soon as Dumbledore finished speaking, the young wizards began to chatter loudly, their chatter filling the entire Great Hall. Dumbledore, however, looked at the students below with a smile, seemingly quite pleased with their reaction.

"Bang!"

Suddenly, the doors of the Great Hall were pushed open with a thud, and everyone's attention was drawn to the man who appeared in the doorway. He was leaning on a long cane, wearing a black cloak, and walked straight toward Dumbledore.

His face was covered in scars, his nose looked like it was half gone, one eye was still normal, but the other was obviously much bigger and kept turning around restlessly.

After shaking hands with Dumbledore and exchanging a few quiet words, he walked to the empty seat in the professor's chair and sat down. He carefully picked up the food in front of him, smelled it, took out a small knife from his pocket, took a small bite, then unscrewed the small flask from his waist, unscrewed it, and took a sip.

During this time, the blue eye continued to dart around, scanning the group of dumbfounded students below.

"This year's Defense Against the Dark Arts professor is Professor Moody." Dumbledore broke the silence and led the applause, but unfortunately, apart from Hagrid, no one else joined in.

"Ahem..." Dumbledore coughed twice and then began to introduce the history of the Triwizard Tournament, as well as the registration and competition process, emphasizing that "only students aged seventeen and above are allowed to register, which is an age limit unanimously recognized by the participating schools and the Ministry of Magic."

"What a pity, if it weren't for this restriction..." Stuart turned to look at Ike, and Terry did the same.

"What do you want to say?" Ike said, somewhat helplessly.

"I didn't mean anything by it, I just think it's a pity." Stuart chuckled and turned away.

Ike smiled, shook his head, and turned his attention back to the lemon tea in front of him. He felt that the lemon tea tasted especially good tonight.

"...Alright, it's getting late, go to bed! That way you'll be refreshed and clear-headed when you enter class tomorrow morning!"

After saying this, Dumbledore sat down and began chatting with Mad-Eye Moody, while the students stood up and walked out of the Great Hall.

Ike and Hermione naturally headed upstairs. Professor McGonagall had told them long ago to wait for her in her office after the dinner.

After waiting a short while at the door, Professor McGonagall returned. She beckoned the two inside, took out the very familiar box, and handed them two time-turners.

"You all know the rules, so I won't repeat them," Professor McGonagall said. "But be extra careful this year. Because of the Triwizard Tournament, starting in October, the castle will not only house Hogwarts students, but also students from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang.

"As you've probably noticed, this year's course schedule is very tight, with everything focused on the Three Kingdoms Championship."

"So, you must be very careful."

"We understand, Professor McGonagall." Ike put away the time-tamper and readily agreed.

"Knowing isn't enough, Mr. Stradler," Professor McGonagall said, staring intently at Ike.

Ike scratched his head somewhat awkwardly, then nodded.

"There's one more thing I think you need to know," Professor McGonagall said. "Beauxbatons and Durmstrang have borrowed some abandoned classrooms on the fifth floor; they need them for some of their 'unique' courses."

"If... I mean if, you have some 'free' time, you can go and sit in on their class; they won't refuse."

"Of course, students from both schools might appear in Hogwarts classrooms, so..."

"Don't worry, Professor McGonagall," Hermione said, nodding.

"We understand," Ike echoed.

"I don't actually agree with the Triwizard Tournament, but it's being pushed by the Ministry of Magic, and Dumbledore is very supportive," Professor McGonagall sighed. "Don't let your guard down."

Ike and Hermione agreed in unison, and Professor McGonagall finally let them leave. But before they reached the door, she called out to them, "There's one more thing..."

"As you've probably heard, there are all sorts of clubs at Hogwarts, all run by the professors."

"I started a transformation club, and now I'd like to invite the two of you to join."

"We are willing!"

Professor McGonagall smiled with satisfaction and handed two pieces of paper to the two of them.

"The time and place of each club meeting will be listed here, so don't lose it." After they had both put it away, he continued, "You'll also need to go see Professor Flitwick later; he has a little surprise for you too..."

"Also, Mr. Strayed, you will need to see Professor Snape."

"The Charms Club and the Potions Club?" Ike asked. Professor McGonagall didn't answer, but just smiled and ushered the two of them out.

After leaving Professor McGonagall's office, the two headed towards Professor Flitwick's office. As expected, it was indeed an invitation from the Charms Club. Having no chance of refusing, they readily accepted.

This time, the two were going to part ways. Ike still needed to make a long journey to the basement to find Professor Snape, but he still escorted Hermione to the door of the Gryffindor common room.

"Why did you receive an invitation from the Potions Club?" Hermione asked, her competitive spirit suddenly surging, as she stood beside the portrait of the Fat Lady.

"It could be something else," Ike replied with a smile.

"What else could it be!" Hermione stretched out her wicked little hand again, only letting go after Ike gave her a pleading look.

"Alright, you'd better be careful, Snape..."

"It's alright, I go to see him often," Ike said, mischievously messing up Hermione's hair before running away before she could react.

Hermione was left standing there, furious and helpless, stamping her feet in anger.

Ike slipped away so fast that he had long since disappeared at the end of the corridor.

(End of this chapter)