"That's true," Howl agreed with this statement: "After all, someone like Dumbledore is even called an old lunatic by some of the youngsters."
...
Grindelwald's smile twitched for a moment, then his tone became a bit more serious.
"Perhaps, it's time to instill some basic reverence in these young people."
When Howl returned to the Shrieking Shack, Lucifer immediately told Howl that it would be best for him to go back to school.
The Little Wizards were constantly clamoring to sign up for the competition, besieging his office door with all sorts of questions.
Even when they were sure no one was in the office, someone would still tirelessly come to the office, asking again and again: "Is Professor Jones in?" "Has Professor Jones returned?"
This left Sindel, who was in charge of this work, overwhelmed.
Howl sighed helplessly, then washed his face and headed to Hogwarts.
On campus, Wizards coming and going were all discussing matters related to the Duelling Tournament.
Even the rare, quiet Little Wizards who weren't interested in duelling couldn't help but look forward to the future matches!
Even if they weren't competing, their friends would be, and as spectators, this was clearly an unmissable event.
Even—other Professors started to be harassed.
"Enough, don't think you'll get any spells from me for duelling," Professor McGonagall said angrily.
"That's something you need to figure out yourselves. It's useless for teachers to tell you these things; use your own brains!
Don't come to me for such matters anymore; you're wasting other Little Wizards' time for serious consultations."
She quickly scolded some people away, then saw a Gryffindor seventh-year student walking over.
"Lexis, I hope you're here to consult about NEWTs or graduation employment matters."
"Oh, Professor..." Lexis's face was a bit awkward: "Um... no, I don't have anything to consult about, I just happened to be passing by."
Professor McGonagall looked at his awkward expression and quickly understood what the boy's original intention was when he walked over.
Just then, she saw Howl walking over.
"Professor Jones is over there! If you have any questions, go find him," McGonagall sighed helplessly, rubbing her forehead.
"Professor Jones is here?"
"Oh, he's finally here! Quick, quick, quick!"
The Little Wizards immediately became enthusiastic again, seemingly with great momentum.
Professor McGonagall sighed, then smiled wearily, nodded to Howl, and turned back into her office.
Howl looked at the Little Wizards gradually gathering around him, their eyes eager, and could only walk towards his office while answering various questions.
"Professor, why aren't boys and girls in separate groups?"
"Mr. Finn, there's no difference between girls and boys in magic. What I must say is—your concern is reasonable. You might indeed encounter your girlfriend, right, Miss Claire!" Howl replied, finally turning his gaze to the girl beside the fifth-year boy.
The girl, being singled out in such a public manner, immediately blushed to her ears, shot her boyfriend a glare, and then said somewhat shyly: "What's wrong with that? Isn't it better if we meet?"
"How could that be good!" Finn said, puzzled.
"I'll hurt you, my goodness, darling, no exaggeration, my spells are no joke; you'll definitely be seriously injured if you meet me."
"Mr. Finn, that's not what she means," Howl smiled, then waved his hand.
"Alright, you two can talk about your problems quietly in the garden tonight."
"Professor, Harry said there's a Rage Potion that can even take down a Troll? What kind of Potion is it?" Someone else asked.
"Yes, it's just as Harry said, a Potion specifically for combat," Howl nodded.
"Professor, will the Duelling Tournament clash with Quidditch?"
"Of course not, we've made detailed time arrangements. The times for both have been staggered!
The reason for choosing to hold the Duelling Tournament in the spring semester is concern that some Little Wizards might suffer relatively serious injuries, delaying their final exam revision and tests.
So we've scheduled the Quidditch matches for the summer semester! This clearly has a much lower chance of problems."
"Professor, when are the exhibition matches? Are they random? Will there be situations where a first-year fights a seventh-year? If so, there's no way I can beat a seventh-year," a little fellow jumped up and down in the crowd, raising his hand.
Harry quickly noticed him, and couldn't help but chuckle inwardly.
Heh, he hasn't even gotten into the top three for first-years yet, and he's already starting to worry?
"The exhibition matches are after the final exams—they will use a self-challenge method, aiming to produce the most spectacular performances.
Additionally, the exhibition matches also have another reward mechanism, and it's unrelated to pure strength! Everyone can strive for it, even first-year Little Wizards are no exception!"
While answering their questions, Howl quickly arrived on the third floor, surrounded by the crowd.
Indeed, as Lucifer said, a group of Little Wizards was still gathered outside his office.
And on the wall outside the office, Sindel had a stiff smile on her face, looking flustered.
"Alright! Those who are signing up, fill in your names here."
"Your hand was burned by the quill?! Did you fill in someone else's name?! Only your own name can be written here. If you fill in someone else's name, you will be punished."
"The signature handwriting on the assignments you hand in is all recorded here. This booklet will automatically recognize your signatures!"
"Professor Jones isn't here, yes, he hasn't returned yet!"
"I don't know, I'm sorry."
...
"If you don't know anything, then what are you doing here?"
Someone, in the midst of the clamor, blurted out this sentence. Sindel turned her head to look, but only saw a mass of bobbing heads.
"I'm sorry, these things are beyond what I can know," she still wore a smile on her face.
"Do you only say'sorry'? I didn't even know Professor Jones wanted you here—"
Slap—
A hand landed on his shoulder, and Howl's head peered out from beside him.
"What did you just say? I didn't quite catch it. Say it again right into my ear."
With that, he tilted his pointed ear.
"I... Professor, you're here." The Little Wizard's expression was a bit awkward.
"It's your turn to say sorry, child," Howl said no more.
"I... Professor, it's just a painting," he said disdainfully.
"Oh, yes, just a painting," Howl nodded, affirming his words.
Then, he abruptly changed his tone, looking calmly at the Little Wizard.
"However, Miss Sindel is also my friend, my assistant at Hogwarts! Her doing this work is even entirely voluntary.
I think this should not be met with harsh words, no matter what."
"So—apologize!"
"Surely no one is too ashamed to even apologize?"
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