A Professor of Magic at Hogwarts

Chapter 540: Mafalda

Harry and Ron trudged up the marble steps toward the castle, their bodies speckled with mud after just finishing practice. Their hair was tousled by the wind, and Harry futilely attempted to smooth out the chaos.

"Angelina is the second Wood, I should've realized that earlier," Ron grumbled, though he was already looking forward to the first match. "I really hope we face Slytherin first so I can teach Malfoy a lesson. He won't get a single goal past me!"

"He's a Seeker, not a Chaser," Ginny reminded him.

"I know that," Ron quickly amended. "I'll stop him from getting the Snitch, and you guard the goal. Perfect teamwork between us."

Ginny rolled her eyes.

Harry perked up a bit, addressing Ginny. "You fly really well, could easily make the team this year. Why not give it a shot?"

"Next year works too," Ginny ran her fingers through her hair. "I want to wait until Fred and George graduate."

"Did they bother you?" Ron asked keenly. "I can sort them out for you."

"That doesn't sound very convincing," Ginny deadpanned.

"Well, I meant—" Ron trailed off, realizing. "You could write to Mum and complain." A peculiar glint shone in his eyes. "She hasn't received a howler in ages, quite nostalgic..."

"Pass," Ginny said. "I just don't want more gossip. You know, adding me to the team would mean four Weasleys. Quite a lot."

Harry noticed her subtle side, and to be fair, the comment sounded almost dismissive, as if she was certain of making the team.

Ron seemed to register this just then, counting on his fingers. "Fred, George, me... yeah, if you join, over half the players would be Weasleys. Ha, not a bad thought!" He chuckled, but neither Harry nor Ginny paid him any mind.

"What position are you aiming for?" Harry asked.

"Chaser," Ginny replied.

Harry cocked his head, giving her a sidelong glance. Ginny pursed her lips, smiling. "Okay, I was kidding. I think I'll go for Beater. I like the feeling of smacking Bludgers at people's faces."

Harry suddenly felt a chill run down his spine, perhaps from too much wind... he better visit Madam Pomfrey for a cold remedy.

"You'll help me, right?" Ginny stared at him.

"What?" Harry looked puzzled.

"Train with me."

"Oh, uh, sure," Harry said, trying hard not to show his confusion.

Lately, he'd felt a strange sensation—Quidditch's allure didn't seem as strong as before. Ever since Angelina asked him at the beginning of term, a faint feeling had been growing. It had been over a month, and he couldn't pretend it was just a passing feeling.

What was the reason?

Harry contemplated seriously. Firstly, occasional Quidditch games wouldn't be turned down—after all, it was one of the few things that relaxed him. But spending a lot of time on it felt less worthwhile; he might as well organize another Dueling Club meeting.

Susan Bones' suggestion about informing the Student Alliance of the Dueling Club seemed sensible. The club now comprised not only Gryffindor students but initially Luna, later joined by students from other houses like Susan Bones, Ernie, Justin, among others. Of course, Harry wasn't sure how long they'd persist; to him, these people were more interested in the magical adventures of him, Ron, and Hermione—whether it was the youngest Triwizard champion or the events at the graveyard after the third task.

Though Ron had recounted his story several times, it underwent several versions; from "Weasley's Wizard Wheezes laughed at the Heart-Piercing Curse" to "Ron bravely fought Death Eaters", sidelining the roles of the other three in his narration.

"You came up with the idea of using the snake ring to alert Professor Snape?"

"Uh, Harry did."

"Do you carry the ring with you?"

"Not really, Hermione does."

"Did you fight the mysterious person?"

"Um..."

"So, you were just hit by the curse?"

"Definitely not! Mate, I took down at least four Death Eaters! Let's chat about that, hey, don't go!"

The crowd dispersed uninterestedly. For a while, Ron became unusually sharp, expressing discontent with the conventional nature of magical history textbooks (although he'd never read one in full). He believed they omitted many crucial events. When pressed, he'd regale anyone with tales of how he used the Bright Fire Curse against a Death Eater. In his words, "That was the first time it was used in combat! Such an important moment should be in the magical history textbooks, it's just not fair…"

Harry pondered what name would suitably fit an official club. He recalled names of various clubs he knew—some established by professors, straightforwardly named like the Charms Club or humorously referred to as the Charisma Club, or the Transfiguration Club, and the Ancient Runes Society.

Not all were conventionally named. Harry knew Professor Slughorn, during his time teaching at Hogwarts, had whimsically named a club after a pun involving his own name and a group of insects.

There were also student-initiated clubs, which was what Harry desired. The first name that came to mind was the Stone Club, but it lacked significance. The next one that reluctantly popped into his mind—Harry grimaced at the memory—was the 'Harry Potter Worshipper Club' founded by the Davies brothers. He fervently hoped it was a less-than-funny jest, but it seemed real. He had seen recruitment flyers in a secluded corner of the common room...

The Anti-Voldemort Club? Harry entertained naming the dueling practice group this way, but it might scare off a lot of people.

Ron suggested "Phoenix Society Branch," which got vetoed. Hermione proposed simply naming it the Defense Association, abbreviated as D.A., which could be seen as Dumbledore's Army—a good name indeed. However, Sirius cautioned them, "Don't stir trouble with Dumbledore, we're in good terms with the Ministry now. Wouldn't want them to misunderstand, would you?"

So, that name was scrapped.

Finally, Ginny put forth a suggestion, altering the Weasley twins' joke of "Potter Watchtower" to "Frontline Watchtower," and everyone liked it. Barring any surprises, that was the chosen name.

Once the name was settled, the club's purpose took a rough shape—to aid students preparing to become Aurors or opposing Voldemort's dark reign. Harry also intended to regularly share the latest war updates from outside school—Sirius was well-informed in this regard. When Harry announced "All's quiet," the members of the Frontline Watchtower would cheer together; when he revealed the name of a captured dark wizard, they'd applaud fervently; when he mentioned the sacrifice of an Auror or combatant, they'd collectively raise their wands in silent tribute.

…

"Where's Luna?"

"She's off near the Forbidden Forest again, looking for the King of Nightmares," Ginny said, resigned.

Ron grumbled something that sounded like "loony."

As they passed through the hallway, they spotted Hermione hiding behind a suit of armor, discreetly waving at them.

Harry curiously glanced in the direction she was concealing. A glimpse of red hair flashed by. But when they approached, there was only Hermione. "Huh? Where'd they go? Oh well, come with me." She led them into an abandoned classroom.

"Just in case," Hermione said.

Harry grew even more curious, scanning the abandoned classroom with Ron and Ginny. A girl stood there, not very tall—half a head shorter than Ginny—but with reddish-brown hair. And when she turned around, Harry was surprised to find that this girl bore a striking resemblance to Ginny.

"Who's she?" Ginny felt threatened, standing in front of Harry, asking.

Hermione, wearing an odd expression, stepped aside. "I thought you knew her? Let her introduce herself." The girl approached them, openly examining them, completely ignoring Ginny. "The youngest Order of Merlin recipient?" She totally disregarded Ginny.

"So what?" Ron bluntly asked. "Are you a new Slytherin student?"

"Clearly." The girl smirked, shifting her intense gaze from Harry's forehead and scrutinizing Ron, "Ronald Weasley?"

A forceful girl, Harry thought. He had a strong sense of familiarity.

The girl paused on Ron's face for a few seconds, extended her hand, and formally introduced herself, "Mafalda, Mafalda Prewett."

Ron gaped in surprise, "M-mom?"

The girl's face faltered, Hermione covered her face in disbelief.

Ginny slapped the back of Ron's head with a palm, sounding irritated, "Stop talking nonsense." Then she looked at Mafalda with a critical eye, "What's your relationship with my mom?"

Harry suddenly realized; he vaguely remembered Mrs. Weasley's maiden name being Prewett.

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