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Chapter 26: A Match with Commentary
Chapter 26: A Match with Commentary
Facing the fifth-year and seventh-year students, Professor Hup put on a different face.
He waved his wand, distributing the test papers from their last class to the students.
Felix stood on the stage without a word, but a heavy atmosphere had already settled over the young wizards.
They were all seventh-year students, and they had shared three years of "classmate camaraderie" with this professor. Especially when they first entered the school, Felix was in his fifth year.
What did he do in fifth year?
Well, he issued a duel challenge to the Zabini Family. So these students witnessed his most ruthless side right from their first day, leaving a deep psychological impact.
To the innocent and naive first-year freshmen, was that a duel challenge? It was more like a death warrant, and not just for one person, but for an entire family.
Felix fiddled with his wand, and once the atmosphere was suitably tense, he finally spoke, "These are your test results from the last class. To be honest, I'm disappointed, very disappointed..."
"Marcus!"
Marcus Flint trembled as he stood up, "Pr... Professor." Felix might not remember him, but he clearly remembered Felix, as the "Shafik" who sat next to him back then.
Being a Pureblood, his father had even asked that senior to look after him. But on the first day of school, he encountered a major disaster.
He could never forget the image of that spirited senior collapsing on the ground.
Felix walked up to him and patted his shoulder, "Your grades are a bit poor. Work harder in the future, I believe in you."
"Yes... Professor."
What else could Marcus say? He would have to study his heart out from now on!
Felix was pleased with this Slytherin's attitude. After all, he was from his own house, and they were quite supportive.
"We'll start the class. There's a lot of content today, so I'll go through it quickly. After class, you'll need to complete these three sets of test papers."
"Considering your Newts Exam is this year..."
...
Saturday, in the Gryffindor Common Room.
Percy looked exhausted. He had just finished a twelve-inch History of Magic essay on "The Development and Innovation of Cauldrons", but he still had homework from six other subjects to complete—too many courses, he had chosen.
Damn it, at this rate, he wouldn't even have time for dates!
Hermione, holding a thick book, emerged from the girls' dormitory. She saw Harry and Ron gathered around a table, with about seven or eight young wizards seemingly watching something interesting.
She walked over, and the Weasley Twins were there too. They were using their wands to make two Magical Automatons dance.
She recognized these puppets; they were the same ones Professor Hup had demonstrated in the Open Class.
To the sound of silent music (or rather, no music), a pair of half-foot-tall male and female figures embraced, dancing gracefully and moving lightly across the tabletop—this was their dance floor.
Lee Jordan was narrating the "plot": "Thus, Fire Man and Ice Woman fell in love, becoming the envy of everyone. But their bliss was short-lived, as their ideals clashed severely, leading to an all-out fight!"
Fred and George Weasley, in sync with his narration, took turns using their wands. Fred moved first, making Ice Woman kick Fire Man in the face.
"Ah! Ice Woman gains the upper hand, kicking her former lover two feet away. Has their solemn vow of love faded so quickly?" Lee Jordan lamented, shouting dramatically.
George, not to be outdone, flicked his wand, making Fire Man leap up and deliver a powerful punch to Ice Woman's stomach, followed by a kick that sent her flying far away.
"Finally, Fire Man is no longer hesitant; love cannot match the conflict of ideals! He must act, he moves, he moves, and he finally kicks! Beautiful!"
A young witch in the crowd spat.
Hermione watched in amazement, "You guys are really creative, even with a plot."
A few minutes later, after a series of rapid punches, Fire Man gained the upper hand and kicked Ice Woman, but then suddenly fell to the ground mid-air.
Next, Ice Woman also stopped moving.
"Out of power, out of power!" Dean Thomas, who grew up in the Muggle world, said something incomprehensible.
Fred and George Weasley grabbed the puppets and ran to a corner, beginning to re-engrave the Ancient Runes.
"Professor Hup is really too harsh, only allowing a half-hour of activity after each Runic Script session." Many young wizards were complaining about a certain professor.
The crowd dispersed, and Hermione, Ron, and Harry found a new spot to sit down.
Hermione glanced at the twins in the distance. "They've already reached this level?"
"This isn't much. Many wizards spend a lot of time on it", Ron explained. "Fred said that Hufflepuff's Cedric often gets up in the middle of the night to practice secretly, just to win the exam before Halloween and get the mysterious prize."
"And there are many witches who hold onto their Magical Automatons all day long."
Hermione nodded. Indeed, over the past week, she had seen young wizards everywhere holding Magical Automatons. "But isn't Fred's Magical Automaton not the same one?"
Ron casually replied, "He borrowed it from Angelina to recreate the classic battle in the Great Hall. But to be honest, they still have a long way to go. I mean, they just finished the first set of Runic Scripts, and they need to master four sets, like collecting Chocolate Frog Cards, putting all the skills together to form a complete set..."
"Harry, you didn't train today?"
Harry looked grim. "Training is in the afternoon." Although only two weeks had passed, he was already struggling.
Ron suddenly chuckled, looking at Harry and Hermione, he whispered, "Apparently, Wood has been struggling with his Ancient Runes homework. Thanks to Professor Hup, Harry had a relaxed morning."
"Is the homework very difficult?" Hermione guessed.
"No", Ron stifled a laugh, "But the sixth-year assignment isn't translation; it's a thousand-word essay titled 'My Summer Holiday.'"
Hermione felt a sense of familiarity.
This style seemed very common when she was in primary school...
Professor Hup, being a Muggle-born, indeed had a lot of life experience, Hermione thought.
As they were chatting, Percy suddenly stood up, quickly packed his things, and left without looking back.
Time to go on a date!
Watching Percy's back, Harry mused, "He seems a bit agitated."
Ron shrugged, "Percy took too many classes. He passed 12 Owls last year and wants to take 12 more this year, but Professor Mcgonagall talked him out of some of them."
The two felt a bit nostalgic and looked at Hermione in unison. Could this be what Hermione's future looks like?
Hermione ignored them and continued reading her book.
Harry, noticing the book in Hermione's hands, asked, "Didn't you already pass the exam? Why are you still reading 'The History of Ancient Runes'?"
Hermione turned a page, "Professor Hup left a lot of comments on my essay, things I need to pay attention to. Plus, I find Ancient Runes quite interesting."
"Quite interesting..."
The two academic slackers looked at each other, feeling like the pumpkins Hagrid planted in the ground were growing on their necks whenever they discussed academic issues with Hermione.
So they decided to play Wizard Chess on their own.
In the afternoon, Wood led the team out of the common room. Harry wanted to ask about his Ancient Runes homework but, knowing that even the end of the world wouldn't stop Wood's training enthusiasm, he kept his mouth shut.
On the way, they encountered Colin Creevey, who, as usual, greeted Harry enthusiastically, "Hello, Harry!" Harry responded weakly, "Hello, Colin."
He knew that the upcoming training session would be accompanied by countless flashes and shutter clicks.
Back in the castle, Ron felt bored and could only do his homework.
He stared at the blank parchment for a long time, then folded it into a paper airplane. The plane hit Neville's nose, causing him to cry out in pain.
In the evening, after dinner, Hermione reported to Felix's office.
(End of Chapter)
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