"Who do you think will be taking care of me then?" Harry asks, nervously.
"You will be involved in the selection process of course, however we will need to filter candidates before we start introducing you to them. You are very famous Harry, and some people may want to use that fame for nefarious purposes. I will not allow some family to take advantage of you though, I'd take you in myself before that happens!" Flitwick laughs a bit. "Unfortunately, given my heritage, I likely wouldn't be allowed to. Professor McGonagall would certainly be willing as well, she was very close to both of your parents as well. Beyond that, perhaps Andromeda Black, or Amelia Bones would be good candidates, they were very close with your parents."
"Bones? Like Susan Bones?" Harry asks.
"Oh yes, that's her niece. She's a member of your club if I'm not mistaken." Flitwick says.
"Yeah, Susan's a good friend." Harry says.
"I'll keep you updated on what is happening as I know myself. For now, I recommend you not tell anyone else, simply to stop gossip about who you will end up with. Now, I have a much lighter point to speak with you about." Flitwick says, his face brightening a bit.
"What is it sir?" Harry asks.
"Would you like to learn to be a competition duelist? Your reaction time with Madam Hooch last month was exemplary, and your take down of the Troll was inspired. You're a natural, and I'd like to make you even better." Flitwick says.
"What's involved in competitions like this?" Harry asks.
"You and a single opponent aim to incapacitate each other, or become a winner through points or a judge decision. There's a platform and rules so it is not just fighting, but it is effectively a lesser form of combat training. While I sincerely hope that the incident on Thursday with the Troll will be the most dangerous thing to happen, I don't think it would hurt to be prepared for more." Flitwick explains.
"Can I have some time to think on it, Professor? While it sounds interesting, I'm not sure yet. Especially with everything else going on." Harry says, looking exhausted.
"Of course boy, I was merely offering today. If you have any more questions I'll be happy to answer them whenever. For now, go back to your friends and enjoy your weekend. I shall keep you updated." Professor Flitwick says, giving Harry a broad smile.
"Thank you Professor." Harry says, as he gets up from his chair and returns to the Sphinx Club room.
"What did Professor Flitwick want?" Hermione asks as Harry reenters the room. All eyes turn to him, and Harry understands now why Flitwick asked that at the same time, it was a convenient out.
"He asked me if I was interested in learning to duel competitively. Said he was impressed with how I handled the Troll and wants to see that talent grow." Harry says, thankful for the half-truth he can easily say.
"Ooh! Now our Troll-Slayer is going to be a Dueling Master? We might need the sticks sooner than we think!" Lavender says, causing Parvati to laugh next to her. Harry flushes red.
"What did you say?" Padma asks, looking at Harry.
"I said I'd think about it. I'm still adjusting to school here, and if I have to add whatever Dueling practices on top of our study schedule, I might start to burn out a bit." Harry says, and the others nod.
"Well, we're really ahead as it is. We could probably stand to slow down." Hannah says, everyone looks at her. "I know we all want to be the best, but if all we do is study, we miss out on a lot of what we're supposed to be here for. We're supposed to have friends and hobbies outside of studying. We've got friends, but have any of us really done much with our free time besides studying?"
"Parv and I have been making a list of the best boys in the school, but that's really it now that I think about it." Lavender says, looking confused. "When did I become the bookworm? That was never me."
"What's wrong with being a bookworm?" Hermione asks defensively.
"Nothing's wrong with being a bookworm, honestly this club has been great for me, but I also understand where Hannah's coming from. Without something outside of studying for us to do, when we suddenly don't have material to work with anymore, or tests to prepare for we're going to be lost because we let it define us so much." Daphne says, as Tracey nods beside her.
"Alright! New homework this week!" Susan says, speaking up. "No studying this week, we're super ahead of everything anyway. Instead we're going to find something else we enjoy doing. Come back next weekend and we're all going to try each other's things."
"Not a terrible idea to be honest." Neville speaks up.
"Yeah, Susan's got it. We'll all find something, doesn't have to be different, but it can't be studying. Sorry Hermione." Harry says. Hermione is pouting in her seat slightly.
"But I like studying and reading." Hermione says.
"We know, but try and find something else. Sure you had something you did for fun that wasn't a book at some point." Tracey says, looking at Hermione.
"We'll break for the common rooms, hope everyone finds something!" Susan says, grabbing her things and heading off. The group all grabs their items and makes for their common rooms.
In the Ravenclaw common room Harry, Hermione, and Padma sit on a couch away from the general commotion. Hermione pulls out a quill and parchment and begins writing something.
"What are you doing Hermione?" Harry asks.
Enjoying the story? Want to read ahead?
Support the novel and unlock early access to unreleased chapters by joining my patreon!
💧WATER TIER (10$) -- Read 20 chapters ahead of public releases
🔥FIRE TIER (20$) -- Read 40 chapters ahead, get full access to all extras, and vote in exclusive polls for bonus content
🔗 patreon.com/LunaDesire1
Even a small pledge makes a huge difference -- thanks you reading