Happry Potter: The New Player

Hermione acquired the potion book the following morning, and Evan sorted the herbs that afternoon.

That night, they gathered in the third-floor girls' bathroom. There were no wails, everything was eerily quiet. Myrtle the Moaning Myrtle was nowhere to be seen in the bathroom; Evan glanced around and noticed a small snake coiled by a copper tap.

"That tap is broken," he remarked.

Hermione searched the thick potion book for the Polyjuice Potion recipe and double-checked the formula for the herbs she had just purchased.

"This is the most complex potion I've ever seen," murmured Hermione, tracing the array of ingredients with her fingers. "Peppermint, Lacewings, Lacewing flies simmered for twenty-one days, Leeches, Bicorn horn, Snake skin from a Boa Constrictor and a strand of hair from the person you wish to transform into."

"God, Evan, how much did you spend on these, they're not cheap?"

"Three hundred Galleons, it's all the money the newspaper has earned recently," Evan shrugged. "I was planning to use the money to buy a Christmas gift for everyone, but there are more pressing matters."

"Are you saying all these herbs cost three hundred Galleons?" Ron asked, slightly dismayed by the price.

"Yes," Evan also sounded dismayed.

"Well, we have everything we need for the potion, except something from the person we want to transform into."

"What do you mean by something from the person? I won't drink it if it contains Crabbe's toenails!" Ron exclaimed.

Hermione seemed to pay him no mind.

Ron turned to Harry, speechless, and Harry's expression mirrored his.

"The question now is, how long will it take to brew the potion?" Evan inquired.

"Well, you need to brew the Lacewing flies for 21 days."

"21 days! Malfoy would have wiped out half the Muggle-borns by then," Ron remarked.

"Do you have a better idea then?" Hermione slammed the book shut and glared at Ron.

"What if we use the house-elf that's been causing trouble for Harry? What if we prepare Malfoy a terrible meal when he's home over the holidays, making him stay home the whole term?" Ron's voice trailed off as Hermione shot him an angry glare.

"We're not certain it's Malfoy," Evan shook his head. "Plus, the herbs have already been purchased, so there's no turning back."

"You're right, Evan."

Ron, seeing Hermione on the verge of arguing with him, quickly relented, "It's a waste of Galleons, but please, no toenails, alright?"

The group discussed the plan once more, and after ensuring no omissions, they began to prepare the materials according to the recipe.

Time passed gradually, the school atmosphere remaining somewhat gloomy.

Evan paused in Lockhart's class during one of his lessons.

Lockhart had asked Evan to impersonate a creature he had written about in one of his books; it was a new teaching activity recently created by Lockhart.

"Evan, your performance was wonderful."

"I'm glad I could help, professor."

"What else do you have for me to do? My next class is Professor McGonagall's Transfiguration class, I mustn't be late," Evan remarked.

"I see," Lockhart said, flashing his trademark smile, "I'm thinking of starting a dueling club in light of the current events at the school."

"A dueling club?"

"Yes, you know I have more experience dealing with magical creatures than the other professors."

"Excellent idea, what do you need me to do?"

"I'll post the message on the notice board, and you can advertise in the newspaper, that's all," Lockhart stated.

Lockhart wanted it to be front-page news but without his name attached, mentioning it was to keep it under wraps and give everyone a big surprise. Just the thought of it made Evan crack an ironic smile.

"Pensó Evan, '¿Qué no puede enseñarnos Lockhart, cómo deshacernos de los huesos?'"

But he readily agreed to the other party's request, after considering that there was nothing worth promoting. Perhaps it would be an opportunity to redeem the increasingly low newspaper sales with the influence of the dueling clubs.

'The school will open a dueling club,' he read in the article.

In the latest issue of the newspaper, Evan sketched a large question mark, followed by a list of potential professors for the Dueling Club, their strengths, and past achievements. After much publicity, this issue of the Hogwarts Magic newspaper sold as it did before the second attack.

Under Evan's article, most people thought the professor would be Dumbledore.

It was striking because Professor Dumbledore had not used magic in public for many years; he did so briefly before Voldemort's fall.

Of course, it thrilled many young wizards, along with many adult wizards who ordered the newspaper wanting to come to the school to have the chance to learn from the greatest wizard of modern ages. It was thrilling just to think about it.

The editor of the Daily Prophet wrote to him shortly after learning about the dueling club. He wanted to send some to interview the dueling club.

However, he was rejected, which made the students even more curious; most thought it would be Dumbledore.

Due to Evan's propaganda, the dueling club, which was originally going to be in a small area of the dungeon, had to be moved to the Great Hall due to the number of students.

At eight o'clock on Wednesday evening, the students returned to the Great Hall after resting in the common room after dinner. The long tables vanished and were replaced by a magnificent stage illuminated by hundreds of floating candles above it.

Soon, the ceiling darkened again like a moonless night.

Evan, who knew the truth, was dragged by Colin and Ginny from the library to the Great Hall. In their words, they hoped Evan would guide them in defensive spells so all the first years would know that Evan's spells were the best among his peers.

Everyone was packed together, each holding their wand, filled with excitement.

"When will the headmaster arrive, what do you think he will teach us?"

"Don't be silly, Ron!"

Due to the crowd's noise, Hermione had to raise her voice and shout, "It can't be, Professor Dumbledore hasn't taught in years. Also, if it were him, there would be no need for secrecy; it would be just a publicity stunt."

"It's not Dumbledore."

"Wasn't Flitwick a dueling champion when he was young, maybe he will be the one to teach us?" Hermione said with doubts.

"Evan must know, he wrote the article."

Harry and Ron hurried over to Evan, who was near Colin and Ginny, Neville also joined with an anticipatory look.

"Don't look at me like that, I thought by seeing the article, you might figure out who it was!"

"Wait a moment, you don't want to..."

Before Harry's words could finish, they turned into a groan as they saw Lockhart ascend the stage wearing a radiant purple robe.

"Yes, it's him!" said Evan, "And it looks like he's brought a special guest with him."

The lively atmosphere of the Great Hall suddenly turned a bit somber as they saw who was next to Lockhart.

It was Snape, dressed in his usual black attire.

.....

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