Hogwarts: Not Even Voldemort Can Stop Me From Learning Chapter 250: The Announcement and Preparations - Novel Cool

Chapter 250: The Announcement and Preparations

Chapter 250: The Announcement and Preparations

The title of the announcement piqued everyone's curiosity.

"May Challenge?" Padma wondered, "Does that mean there will be a June Challenge as well?"

"An event every month?" Michael exclaimed excitedly, "That's great!"

"I bet the June Challenge will be the end-of-term exams!"

A voice from behind dampened everyone's enthusiasm. They turned around and, as expected, it was HERMIONE.

The girl nodded to herself, looking expectant, "The end-of-term exams are approaching, and we should indeed make the most of our time."

"Forget about June!" Fred, who was also stuck outside, stretched his neck and shouted to those inside, "Wood, what's written at the back?"

Wood, the captain of the Gryffindor Quidditch team, continued reading the notice, using magic to amplify his voice.

"May Challenge... This activity will commence on Saturday, May 16th, at 10 a.m. The challenge target is an enlarged Python."

"Please note that the Python is Professor Caterwaul's personal pet, so the following spells are prohibited: Shattering Charm, Fiery Blast, Blinding Hex, Gutting Jinx..."

A list of spells followed, along with instructions prohibiting the use of hexes and curses.

Then came the rules and criteria for winning the competition.

This was more of a fun-oriented competition, so it wasn't entirely fair. Participating teams had to draw lots to determine their entry order, then overcome various obstacles before finally facing the Python.

The enlarged snake was originally a docile creature, but under the influence of spells, it would be filled with rage towards the competitors. Participants had to dodge its attacks and ensure their safety while leaving their team's name on the snake's scales.

The team whose name was closest to the small flag on the Python's forehead would be crowned the ultimate champion.

"Oh, damn!" A Slytherin student in the crowd cursed angrily, "I've been practicing the Blinding Hex for two weeks!"

It was clear that he had received some information, but it wasn't complete.

Michael and George exchanged mischievous smiles and quietly high-fived each other.

"What's going on here?"

Filch stood at the entrance of the castle, his face grim as he glared at the crowd of students.

"No loitering in the Entrance Hall!"

McMillan from Hufflepuff bravely shouted, "The school has no such rule!"

Filch glared at the speaker, but couldn't identify who it was. He snorted, "If you keep blocking the way, there will be such a rule soon enough! Move along!"

The crowd finally started to move forward. As they passed through the Entrance Hall, Vold nodded to Filch, who subtly nodded back, his facial expression changing slightly.

Then, he immediately resumed his stern demeanor and continued to urge the students behind to move faster.

As Vold and Michael entered, they saw HARRY and the others already seated at the end of the Hufflepuff table. Theo stood up and waved at them.

Vold and his friends made their way over, and the Hufflepuffs kindly made space for them.

There was a slight inconvenience at Hogwarts, as even during mealtimes, students usually sat at the long tables designated for their respective houses.

For the SSC, a group composed of students from different houses, mealtimes meant separation, making conversations inconvenient. So, they gradually got used to sitting together at the same table.

Gryffindor and Ravenclaw students tended to be more exclusive, but Hufflepuffs were more accommodating. Even when students from other houses sat at their table, the badgers rarely complained and often pushed delicious food towards them.

They were happy to see their house being appreciated.

"Honestly, Vold, it would be great if you joined our team." Padma said, "We'd have a much better chance of winning the championship."

Vold shook his head, "Even if we win with me on the team, others might attribute it to my presence. And with HARRY on your team, you already have a strong chance of winning."

"Me?" HARRY asked, looking up from his chicken leg, bewildered.

Then, as everyone turned to look at him, HARRY blushed and waved his hands, "Don't forget that many Sixth and Seventh Years are also participating! They know a lot more magic than us."

"There's no need to be so modest, HARRY," Vold smiled, "The magic you know is already sufficient. And according to this judging criteria, you have a huge advantage over others."

"What advantage?" Leon asked, looking at HARRY and then at Vold.

Although the SSC members believed that HARRY had a strong talent for combat spells, they thought it was an exaggeration to say he was better than Sixth and Seventh Years.

Vold gestured for silence with his finger, "I can't reveal it. Once it's out, other teams will be prepared."

"Oh..." Theo nodded, still puzzled.

"But to win, you must first overcome the obstacles ahead." Vold continued, "If you stumble in the early stages, it's all for nothing."

"I've already summarized the characteristics of most of the animals, insects, and magical plants you'll encounter in the maze, as well as their distribution range."

HERMIONE quickly pulled out a thick notebook and said, "I've also noted the simplest spells to deal with them... and planned a route with fewer obstacles."

"HERMIONE, you're amazing!" Michael exclaimed, taking the notebook and flipping through a few pages before praising, "So detailed... When did you do this?"

"Um... just these past few weeks." HERMIONE said, a bit awkwardly, "I, er, I thought you might find it useful."

"Of course, it's very helpful!"

Michael passed the notebook around for everyone to see. When he turned back, he noticed Padma pouting, seemingly unhappy.

Michael reached across the table and grabbed a Strawberry Mousse Cake, "Wow, they have this cake today. I remember you saying you wanted to try it!"

Padma took it and finally smiled.

Meanwhile, as the notebook was being passed around, Leon asked Vold, "What will you do when we're all participating in the competition? Will you be a judge with the professors?"

"No," Vold replied, "Fred and George's Two-Faced Mirror is almost ready. I plan to test it out during the activity."

(End of Chapter)

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