In the following days, as Grindelwald performed in Defense Against the Dark Arts class, most of the previously uneasy Little Wizards gradually lowered their guard.
Whenever they didn't have class, they would gather in the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom on the second floor to audit.
The somewhat bizarre and terrifying classroom atmosphere and teaching content constantly stimulated the Little Wizards, as if there was an inexplicable attraction.
At the same time, on Thursday evening, a new announcement ignited the entire school.
The Duelling Tournament, hosted by the Duelling Club, was officially set to begin this Saturday.
It would be divided by year group.
On Saturday, after a brief opening ceremony in the morning, the sixth-year students would kick off the tournament.
The matches would be drawn by lot.
Then, on Sunday, it would be the first-year group's elimination rounds.
This was clearly the result of discussions between Howl and Flitwick.
Flitwick had extensive experience with tournament procedures.
As for Howl, he copied many event formats from the Muggle world.
After all, to make a competition successful, the audience's emotions are indispensable, and a Duelling Tournament, which is inherently not as exciting as Quidditch, needs some sufficiently attention-grabbing tricks.
For example, alternating the matches of higher and lower year groups each weekend ensures that there won't be a weekend without any highlights.
Merchants from Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley were invited to provide drinks, magic candies, and other services to the Little Wizards.
This made the first and second-year Little Wizards grin from ear to ear, as no one didn't look forward to relaxing in Hogsmeade on the weekend.
Now, Hogsmeade itself had come.
"It's over," George said, looking at Fred with disappointment amidst the crowded people.
"The on-site drawing system is troublesome; how can we even set up a betting pool now?! We don't even know who signed up," Fred muttered.
"No, we need to go discuss this with Jordan quickly."
"Jordan is still in the Professor's office!" George reminded him.
"Why is he in the office?" Fred was a little surprised.
"He's the host. Didn't you hear what he said last night? The Professor plans to assign a lot of work to students.
Event planning, merchant communication, and even performing at the opening ceremony—anyone who feels they need these opportunities for experience can volunteer to take on the corresponding tasks."
"Hmm."
"Sounds a bit like an excuse for the Professor to find free labor, like the student council..."
"No, no, no." A voice suddenly appeared behind the two.
"This is a rare opportunity for social practice." Percy looked at his two brothers, who were not much shorter than him, with his head held high.
"I have successfully arranged for the Three Broomsticks Pub and Honeydukes Sweetshop to set up in Hogwarts during the tournament period."
As he spoke, he smoothed his hair, a very exaggerated slicked-back style.
"Oh, I bet you wore a suit and tie to negotiate this big deal," George chuckled.
"Of course, this is a real business negotiation, involving booth fees, access times, and the scope of permissible goods to sell, so it must be formal," Percy said.
Then he patted George's shoulder: "Forget it, I can't explain it to you kids."
George and Fred exchanged glances.
A moment later, Fred smacked his lips: "He's definitely gloating about completing an 'adult business negotiation'."
"Unless Madam Rosmerta has lost her mind, she wouldn't refuse.
I'm really worried now whether Professor Jones has clarified the booth price with Percy, otherwise Percy would absolutely not understand supply and demand and would be severely undercut."
"He'll be successful if he's not so charmed by Madam Rosmerta that he can't even move," Fred chuckled.
They didn't really think much of Percy's so-called business activities.
A year ago, the two had already begun corresponding with several joke shops, discussing many existing design issues with joke shop products.
They provided design problems, thereby gaining many joke item design ideas from those designers.
At the same time, they also rejected many offers.
After all, their idea was to open their own shop with unique joke products.
As they were talking, the two suddenly saw Harry and Draco walking towards them.
"Hello," Draco nodded.
He had never been particularly fond of the Weasley family, but now there was something he had to ask them.
In all of Hogwarts, there were no better candidates than the two of them.
"Uh-huh," George nodded, Draco was quite polite: "Is there something you need?"
"I want to discuss a small collaboration with you," Draco said, recalling his father's demeanor when discussing business: "Is there somewhere convenient to talk?"
George and Fred exchanged glances: "Of course, come on."
Soon, amid widespread anticipation, Saturday officially arrived.
Around eight or nine in the morning, the Little Wizards, who had just finished breakfast, excitedly walked towards the grounds. The winter chill of January was still quite strong.
But the enthusiasm of the Little Wizards was unstoppable, like a long black snake clinging to the grassland, heading towards the Quidditch Pitch.
No, to be precise, it was no longer the Quidditch Pitch.
The originally towering stands had been cut down to ground level, surrounding the pitch like a bowl.
And in the center of the field, there was a half-person-high platform with artificial rockeries and strange stones, looking very out of place.
"What is this? Will they fight on this then?" someone asked curiously.
"Probably... I don't know either. Are there environmental restrictions? If it's the Professor, he might really be able to do it."
As they were talking, they saw carriages arriving from outside the school.
"Is that...?"
Ron strained his eyes to look, and clearly saw a graceful woman walking towards them.
"Oh, who is that?" Ron's face was a little red.
Suddenly, he was hugged by a broad hand.
"I told you it's entirely possible Percy is charmed by Madam Rosmerta, just look at Little Ronny's face, it turns red like that just seeing her," Fred's voice rang out.
"Alright, let's go quickly," George urged, then realized: "Oh, right, Little Ronny, want to place a bet? Percy is a very popular candidate in the sixth year, after all, the whole school knows he got 12 OWLs."
"No way." Ron quickly broke free from Fred's arm.
"What about Ginny? There's a first-year match this week too. Trust your good sister, if I weren't the one running the betting, I'd definitely bet on Ginny," he continued to tempt.
Soon, they left with Ron's only few Sickles.
A bit stuck, more tonight, going through this section in one go.
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