Chapter 1041 - 432: Harry’s Scheme (2)

Chapter 1041: Chapter 432: Harry’s Scheme (2)

"Wh-what’s up, Professor?" Hagrid asked with a thick tongue.

"Nothing, just thinking about one of my students." Professor Slughorn stared fixedly at the ground, "She was so outstanding, so kind. I remember that during her fifth year, she even gave me a little fish."

"Really?" Hagrid asked with his thick tongue, "And what happened to her later?"

"I put that little fish in a beautiful fish tank," Professor Slughorn still had that same fixed gaze, "But one morning when I got up... the little fish suddenly vanished, ’poof’~ just like..."

At this point, he found it difficult to go on, and took a swig of his drink.

He looked sincerely at Harry, saying, "Harry Potter... honestly, inviting you to the Snot Club wasn’t entirely because of your fame, but also because of your mother... she was the student who gave me the little fish."

At this, Professor Slughorn’s eyes grew misty.

"Honestly, she was one of my favorite students ever."

"Yes, Lily!" Hagrid raised his glass and said mournfully, "Lily and James, two good people, pity, pity... it was all that bastard Peter Pettigrew’s fault!"

As he spoke, he slammed the table hard, nearly breaking it.

For a while, Hagrid and Slughorn sat together, arms around each other, singing a gentle, sorrowful song.

They sang about a dying wizard named Odo.

"Ah, good people seldom live long."

Hagrid mumbled as he slumped onto the table, his eyes more crossed than Cross-eyed Bodrick’s, while Slughorn continued singing with trembling voice.

"My dad was so young and gone... your mum and dad as well, Harry..."

Huge tears flowed from the wrinkles at the corners of Hagrid’s eyes as he grabbed Harry’s arm and shook it.

"...Among the wizards of their era, they were the best couple I ever saw...tragic...tragic..."

Harry was just like a rag doll, letting himself be shaken by Hagrid’s grasp on his shoulder.

He felt like his brain was about to be shaken into a pulp...

Beside him, Professor Slughorn was still singing sorrowfully:

Hero Odo is carried back home,

To the place familiar from childhood,

Hat turned over, laid to rest,

Magic wand broken in two, so sad...

"...tragic," Hagrid hummed, his shaggy head rolling into the crook of his arm, snoring deeply.

"Sorry," Slughorn hiccuped, "I can never sing in tune."

"Hagrid’s not talking about your singing," Harry said softly, "He’s talking about my parents’ deaths."

"Ah..." Professor Slughorn sighed long and deeply, "It’s all Tom’s... You-Know-Who’s fault..."

He asked with his thick tongue again, "By the way, you mentioned before that your Duel... Dueling House wants to host an event in the Forbidden Forest?"

"Yes, Professor."

Harry finally remembered the real reason he stayed here—partly to keep Hagrid company, and partly to recruit a consultant for the Dueling House.

"Since first year, I’ve been running this organization called the Dueling House," he said, his tone persuasive, "I gather those students in our year who have great potential and give them special training..."

Professor Slughorn indeed showed a very interested expression.

"You know, Professor," Harry continued, "Generally speaking, it’s quite rare for fourth-year graduates to handle 5X level magical creatures, isn’t it?"

"Yes, Harry, indeed." Professor Slughorn nodded, "That’s no exaggeration; actually, even seventh-year students might not be able to..."

"But the students at the Dueling House can do it," Harry said with a smile, "During their fourth-year summer vacation, they can independently defeat a Giant—even take on a Chimera Beast in groups of three..."

"What?" Professor Slughorn suddenly stood up, truly shocked.

I mean, handling Giants is understandable, but Chimera Beasts being dealt with by fourth-year students?

Having lived for so many years, Professor Slughorn obviously knew what Chimeras were—they originated from Greece, incredibly bloodthirsty and violent magical creatures with a lion’s head, a goat’s body, and a fire dragon’s tail, their temperament also very explosive.

History records only one wizard successfully killing a Chimera Beast, and this wizard later fell exhausted from his Pegasus and died.

"Dangerous" Day Luelin, a famous Cafelli Flying Crossbow Team Quidditch player, was killed by a Chimera Beast while vacationing in Greece.

And now Harry said the students in the Dueling House can join forces to kill a Chimera Beast?

This is just damn...

Professor Slughorn felt he really drank too much.

"Just during the fourth-year summer vacation, I even have video recordings," Harry said, taking out his phone and sitting beside Professor Slughorn, showing him the students’ elegant form dealing with the Chimera Beast.

Professor Slughorn squinted, looking at the students from groups of three facing the Chimera from the phone.

Their magic spells were perfectly coordinated, their timing exceptionally precise...

"Really excellent, truly excellent!" Professor Slughorn suddenly sobered up, patting Harry’s shoulder, "Indeed very good, Harry, really remarkable... this Dueling House..."

"Of course, Professor." Harry showed his trump card, "There’s a saying, ’Traveling a thousand miles is better than reading thousands of books, but traveling a thousand miles is incomplete without the guidance of a wise teacher... Professor, if you have spare time, could you spare some moments to guide them?"

"Absolutely no problem!" Professor Slughorn assured, patting his chest, "By the way, who do you have in your Dueling House? I’d like to invite them to my club... you know, Harry, I love excellent students..."

"No problem." Harry gestured an OK.

See, wasn’t Professor Slughorn hooked?

"Oh, Professor," Harry said again, "We’re planning to hold an event next Saturday, going to the Forbidden Forest for a trial... what do you think?"

"Certainly, that’s fine." Professor Slughorn hadn’t realized anything amiss yet.

Harry secretly made a victory sign in his heart.

Isn’t it great to have someone to help babysit and look after everyone?

Besides Professor Slughorn, Harry planned to pull in others.

Apart from Professor Slughorn, he could also rope in Professor Dumbledore... Oh right, Professor Snape seemed to have some leisure time too, might as well invite him along as well...

Eh?

That’s right!

Isn’t the rise of video platforms happening now?

Why don’t I make this Dueling House trial into a video and upload it to a video site?

Firstly, to showcase the strength of Hogwarts students, and secondly to gain sponsorship for the Dueling House, while also boosting its reputation on the video site...

That’s what I’ll do!

With this in mind, Harry discussed the matter with Professor Slughorn, who was still engrossed in watching Ron, Seamus, and Neville battle the Chimera.

"You mentioned video sites?" Professor Slughorn’s interest grew more intense, "Can you explain to me what video sites are? You know, Harry, I’m not quite familiar with new things due to my age..."

Hearing this, Harry felt confident this matter was within reach.

It’s well-known that this professor actually has few other hobbies, except for a seemingly incomprehensible pursuit of fame...

And video sites, specifically offer a platform where reputation can be established.