Chapter 303: Lo Hart's Dueling Club
Chapter 303: Lo Hart's Dueling Club
Even Kyle was surprised by the popularity of the item he casually gave to Neville.
With Neville's enthusiastic promotion, more and more people started seeking them out, wanting to purchase the same anti-demon crystal...
It's worth mentioning that even the name was coined by them.
Fred and George were stunned. During lunch the next day, they found Kyle at the Hufflepuff long table, one on each side, surrounding him.
"Kyle, didn't you say you wouldn't get involved in this?" Fred asked, "Why are so many people coming to us to buy things this early in the morning?"
"And what's this about anti-demon crystals..." George looked at him suspiciously, "You must be up to something good behind our backs."
"It's amethyst for Christmas decorations," Kyle explained, a bit helplessly, "I gave Neville a piece yesterday, and now everyone knows about it."
Not only Fred and George, but he also received numerous orders early that morning.
Kyle rubbed his forehead.
Yesterday, Neville wanted to buy it, but he didn't have enough stock, so he didn't take the order and just gave that piece of crystal to Neville.
Neville did say he would help promote it... He didn't know what Neville did, but the effect was surprisingly good.
After listening to Kyle's explanation, Fred and George also understood the situation.
"Neville Longbottom..."
"Why didn't he come to you earlier!"
They were so regretful that if they had known a few days earlier, they would already be counting Galleons by now.
The two hastily ate a few bites of lunch and then eagerly went to Hogsmeade through the secret passage to buy a lot of amethyst.
Kyle then divided them into pointed crystal pillars according to his memory.
To make the product more unique, he also added a homemade pepper bomb under the crystal pillar.
As long as the crystal is smashed at a critical moment, it will release a large amount of pepper smoke, allowing them to escape.
How to put it... It's quite useful.
Fred and George went to Hogsmeade three times to replenish their stock, and the last time they even bought out all the amethyst from Davies-Banks Shop, but it was still in short supply.
Kyle had to admit that he miscalculated.
Everyone seemed to be nervous about the Chamber of Secrets, and they were also willing to spend ten Sickles to feel more at ease.
So, even without the high-end Slytherin market, they made a small profit.
The only downside was that, for a while after that, the Hogwarts Castle often smelled of pepper.
Every day, there would be young wizards accidentally breaking the crystal, like Neville...
He consumed the Galleons on him at a rate of one every two days, so much so that Fred and George felt guilty and kept giving him various discounts and deals.
Harry and Ron, who shared a dormitory with Neville, complained several times that everything they ate now had a strong peppery taste.
"I think you should also buy one. It's not like those useless onions and salamander tails."
Hermione said to them, "The crystal can observe multiple corridors at the same time, the smoke can block the line of sight, and the pepper can affect the sense of smell.
Kyle considered it very comprehensive. No matter what the monster is, it will be useful."
"Perhaps you're right..." Ron waved his hand and said, "But if you had a roommate like Neville, you wouldn't say that."
In this atmosphere, time quickly passed, and it was soon December.
Lo Hart somehow found out that the professors could hold clubs, so he approached Dumbledore, wanting to participate as well.
So, one morning, Kyle, Conna, and Cedric went to the Great Hall for lunch as usual, but as they passed through the Entrance Hall, they suddenly noticed a new parchment pinned to the bulletin board.
"What is that...?" Cedric leaned in curiously, reading the words on the parchment.
"The school is starting a Dueling Club!" exclaimed a Gryffindor in front of them. "The first gathering is tonight at 8 o'clock in the Great Hall!"
"It's about time," someone said. "I'd love to learn some dueling techniques; who knows, it might come in handy one day."
"Ha... you don't actually think the Slytherin monsters will duel with us, do you?" a skeptical voice said from behind.
Kyle turned around and saw Ron, who, despite his words, seemed quite interested.
"Hello, Kyle," Hermione greeted him. "Are you going to join the Dueling Club?"
"Yes, I am," Kyle nodded. "I have some free time tonight, and I'm quite interested in this club."
"We're going too."
"You'll find it useful," she said to Harry and Ron.
"Of course we're going," Ron whispered. "I just hope there's no Pepper-Up Potion involved."
Harry nodded in agreement, standing beside him. These past few days had been exhausting, and they were even eating less than before.
By 8 o'clock in the evening, the Great Hall had transformed completely.
The long dining tables were gone, and in their place, a gilded stage extended along one wall, illuminated by hundreds of floating candles in mid-air.
When Kyle and his friends arrived, the hall was already packed with people... almost the entire student body had gathered, forming small groups, each holding their wands and brimming with excitement.
"Who do you think will be teaching us?" Autumn asked curiously. "Could it be Professor Dumbledore?"
"It might also be Professor Flitwick," Cedric said. "He was a renowned dueling champion in his youth, so who better to teach us?"
"It might not be either of them," Fred said softly, gazing at the dazzling stage. "This extravagant decor reminds me of someone."
A few minutes later, Professor Lockhart strode onto the stage in a vibrant purple-red robe, looking radiant. He was followed by Professor Snape.
"I knew it..." Fred groaned. "Apart from this peacock, the other professors wouldn't be caught dead with such flashy stage decorations."
"And with Snape too... it couldn't get any worse," George sighed. "Do you think we can still make it out of here?"
Conna turned to look at the Great Hall doors, which were now closed. "I guess we're too late."
On stage, Professor Lockhart waved his hands for silence. "Gather around, come closer."
"So, to help you protect yourselves in times of danger, Professor Dumbledore has agreed to let me start this little Dueling Club to share some of my experiences with you."
"I'd also like to thank Professor Snape, who readily agreed to be my assistant. What a good man he is."
Professor Snape's expression turned sour.
If it weren't for getting Professor Dumbledore's signature on that supply list, he would never have agreed to join Professor Lockhart in this ridiculously pointless Dueling Club... and as an assistant, no less!
But Professor Lockhart seemed completely oblivious to Professor Snape's changing expression. He continued to smile and said, "It's just a little demonstration, so don't worry. I'll be mindful of the intensity... and once it's over, I'll return your Potions class to you, safe and sound."
Professor Snape's gaze intensified as he stared at Professor Lockhart, as if he were looking at Harry with his eyes closed.
(End of Chapter)
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