"Midnight Society? Is that the name of the original student club?" Harry asked. "What do you think they do?"
"They're definitely doing the same as us, figuring out how to learn!" Michael said dismissively.
Padma pouted and said, "It's ridiculous that such a club didn't continue, while something like the Gobstones Club has been around for so many years... What do you think, Hermione?"
Hermione touched her chin, thoughtfully saying, "Starting a club... sounds nice."
"What club?" Padma pursued, "Are you thinking of starting one too?"
"Why not? It's a very right thing to do." Hermione said slowly, "Class exploitation is the root of social inequality. Even House-Elves should have equal human rights... Slavery is absolutely wrong and unacceptable!"
"What is unacceptable?"
Hermione spoke so softly that Padma couldn't hear clearly and asked again.
Hermione suddenly grabbed her hand, eyes shining, and asked, "Padma, if I started a new club, you'd definitely join, right?"
Her expression looked as if she had finally found her life's goal, but this unfounded zeal made Padma shrink a little, weakly responding, "…huh?"
Meanwhile, Vid had already finished examining that wooden sign, gripped the brass handle, and pulled the door open.
A burst of herbal scent from the magic cleaner hit them because the classroom had just been cleaned, making the air quite damp.
Possibly considering the need for learning spells, although there was a blackboard in the room, there were no tables and chairs, only a circle of targets around for practicing spells.
Quite a few people were already in the classroom. Hearing the door, they all turned to look.
Present were not only students from Ravenclaw but also Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, and even Slytherin.
Of course, the Slytherin students were the fewest. Only Daphne, dragged over by her sister, stood in the corner, her face tense, looking unapproachable.
Seeing this scene packed with people, several who walked behind Vid instinctively paused, appearing a bit nervous.
"So many people?" Harry swallowed and said quietly, "I thought at most there'd be a dozen or so."
The classroom looked like it had forty or fifty people.
"Apparently, more people want to learn spells than we expected." Michael touched his chin and said quietly, "These folks are planning to learn and then join the league, right?"
"So isn't Vid practically training his own competitors?" Padma muttered, forgetting Hermione's earlier talk of starting a club.
After a slight pause, Vid continued moving forward, drawing everyone's eyes with him.
Students who gave up their rest time to come here naturally trusted Vid's level of magic. No one doubted him or foolishly tried to challenge him.
Compared to Vid, the students present were actually more nervous, fidgeting constantly. Some tugged on their collars or smoothed the creases on their clothes, while others unconsciously avoided his gaze.
Anthony quickly came over, joyously saying, "You're here! We've all been waiting for you, Vid."
Then he leaned closer to Vid, saying in a low voice, "These Slytherin students also helped set up the classroom. If you spend some time with them, you'll find not every Slytherin is annoying."
Vid: "..."
Actually, Vid had no issue with Slytherin as a whole; he focused more on certain behaviors, not the entire house.
But at Hogwarts, it seemed any behavior could easily be labeled by house association. Even if the situation had improved in recent years, the long-standing opposition and discrimination weren't easy to eliminate.
Vid nodded to Anthony, then moved through the crowd to the front.
This activity room was like any regular classroom, with a platform at the front. Vid stepped up and turned to face everyone.
All eyes were on him. In this position, faces and expressions seemed blurred, but the sparkle in their eyes was particularly clear.
"Good evening, everyone."
Vid spoke as calmly as he could, "Even though we are from different houses and years, I believe we all have the same purpose here—"
"To master more magical knowledge, enhance spell skills, and in the upcoming Magic School Tournament, win for Hogwarts as well as ourselves—bring honor!"
"So in the Magic Spell Study Group, we will focus on combat spells—Iron Armor Spell, Disarming Spell, Healing Spell, the Stunning Spell, Expel Curse... Whether these spells are beyond your current level, they are our learning focus."
"But before we start, we need to establish some rules. Those who think they cannot follow them may leave, and those who break them... I'll ask you to leave as well."
Vid scanned everyone's expressions and, after a pause with no objections, continued with a clear and indisputable voice:
"First, you cannot cast spells on other students without permission; harmful or derogatory spells are prohibited, including pranks while others practice spells."
Vid's gaze flickered over the Weasley twins, both gaping in disbelief with exaggerated but amusing expressions.
A few chuckles rose from the crowd and quickly died down again.
"Second, there are no house divisions here. You may have to practice with anyone. If you can't accept, complain, uncooperatively go cold, or quarrel and hold grudges due to mutual spell practice... sorry, I'll have to ask that person to leave."
Some students looked as though they wanted to protest but closed their mouths when Vid's gaze swept over them.
Vid straightforwardly finished the rest of the rules in one breath:
"Third, those who have mastered a spell ahead have an obligation to help other students practice, just as I am willing to stand here to help you. Similarly—no house divisions, no year divisions."
"Fourth, if anyone doubts the spells I teach or believes there are better learning methods, you're welcome to discuss it privately with me, but do not interrupt the teaching process at will."
"Fifth, the Magic Spell Study Group is not mandatory. Anyone not wishing to continue can leave at any time; classmates not currently here are also welcome to join. But regardless of who, anyone entering this activity room must follow my rules."
"Any questions?"
He scanned the room, his gaze carrying a force that rendered the air still. Everyone subconsciously straightened their backs, their breathing light and slow.