Potter's Army

"Looks like she's really got guts." Fred shrugged. "She must be out of her mind, otherwise she wouldn't have done something like this—think about it, she attacked Miss Sweeting, she attacked the Scamander family— "

"And the Scamander family has friends all over the British wizarding world," George added. "By doing this, she is putting the entire Scamander family on the opposite side of the Ministry of Magic."

"Since you put it that way—" Hermione thought for a moment and said, "I think if Fudge hadn't gone mad, he would have given her a good scolding, provided that Fudge is still a normal person."

Everyone laughed when they heard Hermione's words.

"Oh, dear Hermione," Ron said in a strange tone, "If Fudge were a normal person, he wouldn't be foolish enough to suspect Dumbledore being a threat to his power!"

Hermione sneered, but didn't say anything.

After breakfast, they splashed through the vegetable garden to go to their Herbology Class, their robes billowing in the wind.

The raindrops pounded against the Greenhouse roof like ice lightning, and Professor Sprout could barely hear what he was saying.

The afternoon Care of Magical Creatures was moved from outdoors to Professor Scamander's tent. However, it wasn't a lecture that followed the textbook. After all, Professor Scamander's tent was quite large, enough to accommodate any Magical Creatures.

Professor Scamander held up a strange-looking Magical Creatures and introduced its habits to everyone, while Hagrid stood beside him, holding its tail, looking extremely comical.

The students below were also thinking that Angelina should tell the team members at lunchtime that Quidditch practice was canceled, and everyone would feel relieved.

As the first Quidditch match of the season—the clash between Gryffindor Quidditch Team and Slytherin team— approached, Harry gradually became busier, as Angelina insisted on training almost every day.

Umbridge seemed to have disappeared during this time, showing no interest in causing trouble for the Gryffindor Quidditch team, which made Angelina secretly relieved.

She hopes to lead Gryffindor to another Quidditch Cup victory in her final year as captain!

Angelina certainly believed in Harry, but the Golden Snitch was elusive, and Harry couldn't possibly pull off a miracle every time.

Moreover, what they need to ensure most is that they don't fall behind 160-0 before Harry catches the Golden Snitch. If they do, it will be too late even if they catch the Golden Snitch.

This isn't the first time something like this has happened. Wasn't it the same thing at last year's Quidditch World Cup? Viktor Krum caught the Golden Snitch, but Ireland team defeated Viktor's Bulgarian team to win the victory.

"Viktor wrote to me the other day," Ron said enthusiastically. "He also talked to me about the Quidditch Cup, and I told him I had become a full-fledged goalkeeper. He congratulated me in his letter!"

Being encouraged by your idol is always an exciting thing, and Ron is no exception.

Hermione was worried about this. She was concerned about whether Ron would perform well in the upcoming Quidditch Cup. She was worried that Ron would be very upset if he was replaced by Cormac.

It was precisely because of this that Hermione would always sit and watch whenever the Quidditch team practiced. She even went to the library to borrow many books about Quidditch goalkeepers and patiently taught Ron about goalkeeper tips every day.

While it's unpleasant to be lectured, it depends on where the lecture takes place.

If Hermione was talking about academics, Ron would definitely let it go in one ear and out the other.

But now Hermione was talking about Quidditch, and even though Ron was happy to do it—because Hermione was finally willing to talk to him about Quidditch.

In return, Ron would sometimes ask Hermione for help with his studies.

Thus, this becomes a cycle of conscience.

"Dude!" Ron lay on the bed, a Nike logo smeared on his lips. "Hermione actually talked to me about Quidditch for the first time ever! I never dreamed a girl like her would be interested in Quidditch —if only she had started paying attention to Quidditch in her first year!"

"Yes, yes, yes." Harry felt like there were a million flies buzzing in his head. It was one thing for Ron to show off his affection for him every day, but the problem was that Ron always said these kinds of clichés.

In the Gryffindor dormitory on the other side, Hermione sat in a corner, talking on the phone with Anne.

"Anne!" Hermione said happily, "Your method really works! Ron has even started asking me for help with his studies lately!"

"So," Anne said with a smile, "It's not that Weasley doesn't like studying, it's just that you haven't found a way to get him to love it. Of course, I also think you two really lack effective communication, couple..." Hermione interrupted Anne, blushing, "Anne!" Ron and I are just friends! Good friends!"

"Yes, yes, friend, good friend." Anne nodded in agreement with Hermione. "But even between good friends, there needs to be a good and effective communication mechanism. I'll call this mechanism—emotional value."

"Emotional value?" Hermione asked, blinking.

"Let me give you an example. It's like when you buy something," Anne thought for a moment and chose an analogy. "When you buy something, the positive emotions you experience when interacting with the product and service significantly influence your brand loyalty and overall evaluation. The same applies to interpersonal relationships. But the problem is that people are not commodities, and emotional value is reciprocal. We can't just take; we have to give back in return. Just like how you studied Quidditch for the Weasley, it was his most beloved pursuit. In return for your emotional value, Weasley chose your favorite method, which is learning."

"So I think," Anne concluded with a smile, "That Weasley would be a great boyfriend for you."

"Boy? What boyfriend?!" Hermione's face flushed again. She understood what Anne meant, but she hadn't expected Anne to slip in her own message at the end. "We're just very good friends!"

"Even good friends need to provide each other with emotional support," Anne replied with a smile, not pointing it out. "I still stand by what I said before: only through mutual effort can a relationship last."

Only then can we achieve long-term success, or even surpass it, right?

"I understand, Anne." Hermione hung up Anne phone with a flushed face, but her mind was racing, filled with all sorts of thoughts about what Anne had just said.

After putting down the Crystal Ball, Anne resumed her writing, wielding a Quill with one hand and another with the other, quickly composing her paper.

One was hers, and the other was Harry's.

As a member of Sallow family, Anne may not be as talented as Sebastian in Charms, but she has a talent that is no less than Sebastian's —she can multitask.

This is why she could always help Harry with his homework without disrupting his normal life.

Writing one copy is still writing, writing two copies is still writing, isn't it?

"Oh my god, Anne!" Pansy, her eyes sparkling as she watched Anne's actions. "If only I could be as good as you, I could help Draco with his homework!"

"Thank you, Pansy." Anne smiled and nodded at her, without any hint of modesty.

If you're humble about your innate talent, it just seems pretentious.

Quidditch was suspended last year because the Triwizard Tournament was to be held at Hogwarts. For nearly a year and a half, no Quidditch tournament was held at school, which increased people's interest and enthusiasm for the game.

Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff are very concerned about the outcome of the match because they will be competing against Gryffindor and Slytherin next year.

Although the deans of the two colleges outwardly feigned nonchalance, they were secretly determined to see their side emerge victorious.

Everyone could see how much Professor McGonagall wanted them to beat Slytherin; she even exempted them from homework a week before the match.

This was quite an unconventional act for a serious and rigid professor like Professor McGonagall.

"I imagine you've all been quite busy lately," she said, head held high and utterly arrogant. No one could believe their ears until she looked at Harry and Ron seriously and said, "My fellow students, I'm used to seeing the Quidditch Cup in my study."

I really don't want to hand it over to Professor Snape, so please use this extra time for training, okay?

As soon as Professor McGonagall spoke, the students cheered loudly.

Professor McGonagall was clearly aware that everyone had been feeling incredibly stifled lately—because of some Pink Toad causing trouble in the academy—she simply watched the students cheer wildly, making no attempt to stop them. Of course, when Seamus tried to throw his book up, Professor McGonagall stopped him with a stern look.

Cheers are fine, but throwing books is the bottom line.

Seamus had no choice but to put down the book.

Snape's bias was also obvious: he always reserved stadiums for the Slytherin team, making it difficult for the Gryffindor Quidditch Team to find a place to practice, and he also turned a blind eye to several reports of Slytherin students trying to use magic to harm Gryffindor players in the corridors.

When Alicia Spinnet's eyebrows grew so long they covered her eyes and mouth and she was taken to the Hospital Wing, Snape insisted that she had used Hair-Growth Charm on herself, refusing to listen to the testimonies of fourteen eyewitnesses—who clearly saw Slytherin team goalkeeper Miles Bletchley cast a spell on her from behind in the library.

"I don't believe this was a planned, organized, or premeditated attack," Snape said expressionlessly, his tone greasy and drawn-out. "If we listen to her this time, and everyone starts using this or that curse to claim an attack on her, what will become of Hogwarts ' reputation?"

Okay, okay, for a moment, Harry really wanted to say to him—So it seems that back at the Black Lake, you were the one who hung yourself up so my parents could see your dirty underwear?

Never mind, never mind—it's not easy for anyone.

"Damn Slytherin!" Hermione muttered through gritted teeth during a Defense Against the Dark Arts.

"Hey, don't include us!" Draco protested from the side. "It wasn't me who used that curse on Spinnet; I tried to stop him too."

"Then why don't you stand up and testify?" Ron retorted.

"I'm already being lenient by not kicking you when you're down, and you want me to testify against you?" Draco sneered. "Even if I were a Malfoy, even if I were Slytherin Prefect, if I had testified against you then, do you believe I would have been ostracized by all of Slytherin the next day?"

"At least I won't, Draco," Pansy said tenderly from the side.

"We're the same, boss," Crabbe and Goyle chimed in.

Draco glanced back at them and smiled.

Although these two guys don't seem to be very smart, they are at least loyal enough.

Of course, Crabbe Sr. and old Goyle were also very loyal to Lucius, especially after they learned that a certain legendary wizard was the husband of the Malfoy family's eldest daughter (great-aunt). They completely abandoned their "magical ways" and instead fawned over the Malfoy family, determined to follow them.

"You know, Mr. Malfoy," the two old men grinned from ear to ear, "We have always been your most loyal subordinates."

The topic then shifts back to Defense Against the Dark Arts.

"So," Hermione suddenly asked, "Isn't our class a kind of club in itself? Think about it, with regular meetings and Professor Potter as our leader, it seems a bit inaccurate to call it 'Fifth Year Defense Against the Dark Arts.' We should give the class a new name—or rather, a new name for our club. This would promote unity and strengthen team spirit, wouldn't it?"

This proposal received widespread approval.

"How about calling it the ' Anti-Umbridge Alliance '?" Angelina asked expectantly.

"Or how about we call it the ' Ministry of Magic is Stupid ' group?" Fred suggested.

"I think," Hermione said, frowning at Fred, "It's best if the name doesn't reveal what we do, so we can mention it safely outside."

"Or, how about calling it the Defense Association?" Cho suggested. "Abbreviated as DA, that way no one will know what we do."

"DA?" Ginny laughed and said, "That's right, it can also be interpreted as Dumbledore's Army. That's what the Ministry of Magic fears most, isn't it?"

"I think—" Anne suddenly raised her hand and suggested, "Let's call it the Proficient's Association, or PA for short. It can also mean that we are the Potter's Army, since we are currently learning advanced Defense Against the Dark Arts under Professor Potter's guidance. Of course, I think this will make the Ministry of Magic even more afraid."