Chapter 308: Hitting its Stride
Chapter 308: Hitting its Stride
The werewolf incident caused quite a stir at Hogwarts, with students buzzing about the possibility of werewolves in the Forbidden Forest. Rumors were rampant about sightings of the Minister of Magic and Aurors near the school grounds, and some claimed that the professors were clearing out the forest to prevent any werewolves from lingering nearby.
Despite the excitement, the Wizarding Card tournament proceeded as planned, attracting an even larger audience than before. However, Albert was slightly disappointed that the "Small Tournament" task still hadn't been fulfilled.
Nevertheless, there was some good news: the tournament was really hitting its stride.
Students who had never encountered Wizarding Cards before were intrigued, especially by the sight of players holding their own decks. Unlike Exploding Snap, which relied on automatic explosions during gameplay, Wizarding Cards required more strategic thinking, and many Ravenclaws were particularly drawn to this aspect.
"Where did they get those cards? I've never heard of this game before," a Ravenclaw student whispered to his friend, who had dragged him along to watch the tournament.
His friend simply pointed to a nearby sign that read: "Please remain quiet during the tournament."
No wonder everyone was being unusually quiet.
"What's everyone crowding around for?"
As Professor McGonagall entered the Great Hall, her eyes immediately landed on the tables packed with students. She made her way over and saw that they were gathered around a group of four playing cards.
When did the school start a club like this, and how had it become so popular?
The students noticed Professor McGonagall's arrival and quickly made way for her.
"Professor, is something the matter?" Albert asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Easter is approaching, and I want to remind everyone to stay away from the Forbidden Forest to avoid any accidents," Professor McGonagall said, her eyes fixed on the Wizarding Cards. She paused for a moment, her mind seemingly elsewhere, before continuing. "With the recent werewolf incident, we can't rule out the possibility of more werewolves in the forest. So please, do not take any unnecessary risks."
It wasn't difficult to connect this warning to the previous day's events.
"Is it because of the werewolves?" Albert voiced the question on everyone's mind.
"Yes," Professor McGonagall nodded gravely. "Being bitten by a werewolf would ruin your life. So please, be extra cautious and stay away from the forest."
"Looks like the rumors about werewolves in the Forbidden Forest are true," Albert murmured.
"Mr. Anderson, what are you all doing here?" Professor McGonagall turned her attention to the group.
"We're holding the first Wizarding Card tournament, Professor," Albert replied honestly.
"And these are Wizarding Cards?" she asked.
"Yes, they are. We drew inspiration from Chocolate Frog Cards. If you allow it, Professor, we'd like to create a special card featuring you," Albert suggested, his eyes twinkling. None of the cards in the tournament included the Hogwarts professors, as they hadn't been able to obtain photos, and they also wanted to avoid potential trouble with the staff.
Professor McGonagall hesitated, her eyes narrowing as she studied Albert and the cards on the table. "When you have a moment, come and tell me more about this," she said softly. "It's clear that you've put a lot of advanced magic into these cards. Some of the spells used are taught in higher-level classes, and yet you've managed to use them more skillfully than some of my students."
With that, Professor McGonagall left, neither agreeing nor disagreeing to the proposal.
Albert wasn't concerned, confident that she would eventually consent. After all, most witches and wizards couldn't resist the allure of having their own Chocolate Frog Card.
Despite the minor disruption, the tournament continued. The number of participants in the elimination round was even smaller than before, but the competition was fiercer. Those who made it through the first round displayed a decent level of skill, and the mindless gameplay from the previous tournament had been largely replaced by more thoughtful strategies.
Luck played a role in Wizarding Cards, but it was also about paying attention to the finer details. A single mistake could give an opponent the opening they needed to turn the tables, and this was true for both the novice and more experienced players.
As expected, Sana, one of Albert's favorites, sailed through the elimination round. Angelina's luck held strong, and she advanced as well. Truman also made it through with remarkable ease, establishing himself as a strong contender for the championship.
Albert predicted that the champion would likely emerge from among these three, as long as they didn't face each other before the finals.
"Looks like the final match will have to wait until next month," Albert said, glancing at his pocket watch. With that, he signaled for the crowd to disperse.
After the tournament, Albert found himself surrounded by curious students eager to learn more about Wizarding Cards. Lee Jordan, who had been enlisted to explain the game, shot Albert a resentful look as the crowd grew.
"Fourteen people want to join the club," Lee reported during lunch, his expression still sullen. "Seven from Ravenclaw, three from Hufflepuff, and four from Gryffindor."
"That's great," Albert said, not missing a beat.
"It is great," Lee agreed, "but why did you run off and leave me to explain the rules to them?"
You guys ran off pretty fast, you scoundrels.
"We're giving you a chance to shine!" Albert laughed.
"I don't need this kind of opportunity," Lee protested. "Not at all."
"On the contrary, my friend, you do," Fred and George chimed in together, placing their hands on Lee's shoulders. "Think about the second, third, and even fourth Wizarding Card tournaments. We'll need someone to host them, and you're the best person for the job. It's important to get some practice so we don't become a laughing stock."
Lee looked taken aback, clearly thrown off by their words.
Changing the subject, Albert said, "The first Wizarding Card tournament went even better than I expected. I'm thinking of creating a photo album to be passed down by the club managers through the generations as a record of the club's history."
That's a great idea.
The trio nodded in agreement. If Wizarding Cards gained popularity, the Hogwarts club would be seen as its birthplace, attracting even more attention from students intrigued by its origins.
(End of Chapter)
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