[PS: Can you believe it? It's 2026...]
"Oh, just stay put here, Percy. This is an order from Professor Delfino!"
Fred grinned as he stuffed a teapot cozy into Percy's mouth. Then, ignoring Percy's terrified and angry gaze, he and George lifted their elder brother up and threw him onto a sofa in front of the fireplace.
"You don't have to participate in the operation!"
Ares withdrew his gaze, raised a finger with a solemn expression, and looked at the young wizards, saying:
"But we absolutely do not allow betrayal!"
"Go on, Professor Delfino!"
George Weasley, who had squeezed back to the front of the crowd, said excitedly.
"You just said you wanted to mobilize more people to join our operation!"
"Oh, exactly, Mr. Weasley!"
Ares said.
"Right now, only Gryffindor house is with us (Nick shouted: Don't forget us ghosts!)... This is far from enough. More people must come to our aid; only then will the authorities be intimidated into retreating—"
Ares pondered for a moment, scanning the crowd until he found Parvati Patil.
"So, Miss Patil, the Padma Patil who was with you in 'Protect the Captain' this morning is your..."
"She's my sister, Professor Delfino!"
"Do you think she would join our operation, Miss Patil? And could you ask her to mobilize the Ravenclaw first-year students...
Oh, I wouldn't dare count on the older Ravenclaw students. After all, intelligent people often lack courage."
Ares's remark made the cheeks of the Gryffindor students glow red, and they all puffed out their chests with pride!
"I think I can do it, Professor Delfino. I can persuade Padma!"
Parvati said proudly.
"Very good, very good. So... er, Hufflepuff, who is familiar with the Hufflepuff first-years?"
In the crowd, Neville pursed his lips, trying his best to shrink his shoulders and head.
"Ah, of course, Mr. Longbottom!"
Ares's eyes were sharp; he picked out Neville immediately.
He asked pleasantly:
"Could you try to mobilize the Hufflepuff first-years... Ernie Macmillan and Susan Bones from today's team? I think they both have excellent talent. With a little practice, they will play even better... How about it, Neville? Convey my evaluation to them for me?"
"But—but I don't know—where the Hufflepuff—co—common room is—"
Before Neville could finish stammering, George put his arm around his shoulder.
"I can lead the way for you, Neville—I plan to go there too, and ask that pale-faced pretty boy from Hufflepuff if he has the guts to join our operation."
"But I'm afraid—my gran..."
Neville closed his eyes in fear.
Going against the school... what would his grandmother say if she knew?!
"Oh, I bet your grandmother would be proud of your unyielding spirit of resistance, Neville," Ares said gently. His words seemed to give Neville considerable encouragement.
Although his face was still very pale, Neville gasped and nodded.
"Finally, Slytherin—"
"I must remind you, Professor Delfino!"
Many older students shouted, with George Weasley's voice being particularly loud.
"They—those slippery snakes are not to be trusted!"
"Of course, of course... I know their nature better than anyone."
Ares nodded thoughtfully.
"Hmm... but how should I put it? Causing trouble for Dumbledore... I mean, since this matter concerns their vital interests, they might be willing to do it... So, Ron and Harry, how about you two go... find Draco Malfoy directly?"
"What?!"
Ron cried out.
"I don't have any friendship with Malfoy, Professor Delfino!"
Harry also shouted emotionally. He was currently immersed in the excitement and high sense of mission brought by this collective resistance!
This was not only fighting for his own rights but also for the rights of every future class of first-years, wasn't it?
"Don't worry, you two. If anyone else goes, they might not be able to move that little slicker from the Malfoy family!"
Ares said with a smile.
"Don't worry, I'll teach you the 'correct way' to communicate with Mr. Malfoy later... Nick, lead the way for these two. They definitely don't know where the Slytherin lair is. After that, go mobilize your kind."
"Guaranteed to complete the mission, sir!"
Nick shouted excitedly.
"Finally... hmm, let me think—"
Ares stared at the chandelier hanging from the ceiling, musing.
"Students from all four houses participating in the operation... plus some ghosts... Yes, this is enough to make the authorities take our action seriously, but... still not enough..."
"Who else would support us, Professor Delfino?"
Angelina Johnson, the dark-skinned girl with the pretty face, blinked her eyes like black gemstones and asked excitedly.
"There's almost no one left to mobilize!"
"Of course there are, Miss Johnson!"
Ares tapped his chest with a finger, a smile on his lips.
"That is my colleagues."
"The teaching staff?!"
"Yes, exactly—at least, I think Professor Flitwick and Professor Kettleburn might support us," Ares said.
"Hmm—I don't rule out Hagrid either. I think we can try to win him over. How about this—"
Ares made up his mind and looked at Harry and Ron.
"I will personally go and persuade Professors Flitwick and Kettleburn. You two go find Malfoy. Afterwards, we'll meet in the Great Hall and go find Hagrid together, try to pull Hagrid into the team—the school management has always valued Hagrid's opinion."
Harry blinked his emerald eyes. He felt this was becoming more and more interesting.
"Attention everyone!"
Ares's eyes shone with spirit as he made the final mobilization in a high-pitched voice.
"Time is tight; we must act quickly. Moreover, to prevent the school authorities from being prepared, secrecy is very important before we invite enough accomplices.
So, be sure not to discuss this loudly in the corridors... If during the process of mobilizing the masses, someone not only refuses to participate but also intends to snitch, then don't show mercy, take them down directly...
Students who haven't been assigned a task, wait in the common room for now. At 8:50, everyone gather in the Great Hall. Understood?"
"Understood, Professor Delfino!"
"No problem, Commander!"
"At your service, sir!"
"Then what are you waiting for?!"
Ares waved his big hand passionately.
"Action!!!"