Hufflepuff Magic Research Society (Thanks to Fuleilan for the Tip)

After resting against the wall for a while, Jon picked up a roll of bandages and wrapped the bruised parts of his arm, then drank the small bottle of pain-relieving potion.

Luckily, they were only flesh wounds. Otherwise, he would have had to go to the Hospital Wing.

As the pain gradually faded, Jon got to his feet, had the Room of Requirement produce a new set of Hufflepuff robes, changed into them, and left.

Jon was someone with a strong ability to handle pressure.

He had known that about himself for a long time, and he knew exactly what kind of person he was.

Whether it was quick thinking or an ability to adapt to new environments, Jon did not deny that he was that sort of person.

Except now.

The pain-relieving potion was indeed useful, but once its effects wore off, the dull ache in Jon's arm and chest began spreading uncontrollably.

Especially when those areas were touched, the pain made it impossible for him to concentrate.

Although no bones had been injured, there was definitely bruising... The injury was not exactly minor, and Jon could not go to the Hospital Wing and explain where he had gotten hurt. Even the clothes he had been wearing when the unicorn hit him had already been destroyed in the Room of Requirement.

A growing body recovered quickly. As long as he did not engage in strenuous activity, he would heal soon enough.

Having figured that out, Jon became very quiet over the following days, so much so that Stephen and the other two were surprised by the change in him.

As time passed, Hogwarts saw several more snowfalls, and the entire school was soon completely blanketed in white.

The Scottish Highlands had rather harsh weather. Jon knew that, so he stayed indoors whenever possible. Remaining in a warm dormitory was far better than standing in the freezing wind.

Only reckless fools whose minds were filled with adventure would go out to challenge the cold in weather like this.

Sitting in his chair and taking a sip of warm tea, Jon contentedly narrowed his eyes as he mentally worked through the Magic array Helga had taught him.

The term was about to end, and the Hufflepuff House students had finally remembered what Professor Sprout, their head of house, had said. Recently, everyone in the Common Room had been guessing what that "help" would actually be.

Jon was the least anxious of them all.

He believed Professor Sprout would not deceive him, and she had indeed been rather busy lately.

Many upper-year students had been helping the professor tend to the herbs, ensuring that they could grow properly without dying during the cold winter days.

This was a Hufflepuff tradition. After all, students from their House always had a certain talent for such things.

After recovering for nearly half a month, the bruising on Jon's arm finally faded completely, and his chest no longer ached faintly. His physical condition returned to what it had been before.

All that food he had eaten lately had not gone to waste.

Jon's mood improved, and the atmosphere around him became much lighter. Stephen and the other two also began to relax.

Jon had spent every day with a stern face, being excessively careful about everything he did. They did not say anything, but they had been a little uneasy inside.

Fortunately, Professor Sprout finally fulfilled her promise before Christmas, and they attributed Jon's change in mood to this matter.

It happened ten days before Christmas. That morning, as they ate breakfast in the dining hall, an owl dropped a frost-covered envelope in front of Jon.

The letter was from Professor Sprout. She had informed Jon in advance of her arrangements for the Club, since he was the one who had proposed it. Along with the letter, Professor Sprout had also enclosed a few of her own ideas.

Jon thought those ideas were excellent, far more rigorous than the plan he had given Professor Sprout.

Carefully tucking the letter into his pocket, Jon shared the news with his three roommates.

"Then doesn't that mean the Club has nothing to do with us? We just need to participate properly, right?"

Fren bit into his pie and looked at Jon.

"That should be right. Professor said she would put the notice board in the Common Room this Saturday, then hold a meeting for everyone in the empty classroom beside the Common Room."

"There's an empty classroom beside the Common Room?"

Jon nodded. "There are plenty of empty classrooms in the school, all hidden behind portraits. The classroom Professor chose is between the kitchens and the Common Room. I remember it being quite large, enough to fit students from all five years at least."

After all, the Club was intended for students from the entire House, so it needed a fairly large space.

"If you put it that way, I'm really looking forward to it. But can this Club really get going? Will everyone find it unfamiliar and hesitate to join right away?"

Jon felt Scaly's concern was reasonable, but Professor Sprout had said she would handle those matters well.

"If Professor says so, then there's probably no need to worry too much. Saturday is the day after tomorrow anyway. Let's wait and see how it turns out."

Jon's words made sense, so the three of them stopped raising new questions and continued eating.

By Saturday morning, when Stephen dragged Jon from the dormitory to the Common Room, the Club's promotion was already underway.

Many upper-year students were explaining the purpose of the Club to the Hufflepuff students. Jon swept his gaze over them and found that they were the senior students who had been helping Professor Sprout tend the herbs over the past few days.

The notice board stood in front of the Hufflepuff portrait. When Jon looked over, Helga in the portrait even winked at him.

She was clearly very pleased by the appearance of this Club.

Jon gave Helga a slight nod, then turned toward the notice board.

This notice board was very large, and it was covered in promotional slogans.

"This Club was founded by Professor Sprout.

Its sole purpose is to improve students' academic abilities.

Learn the knowledge you have not yet mastered.

Learn the knowledge you wish to learn.

Improve your magical abilities.

Satisfy your wildest ideas.

Become an outstanding wizard.

Magic discussion, spell improvement, spell-casting training.

Outstanding Hufflepuff students from every year will guide you.

Help you achieve excellent results at the end of the school year.

The House Cup is beckoning to you.

This Club has no restrictions on joining and is open to every student in the House.

No one is born ordinary. You should have your own place to shine.

Hufflepuff represents honesty and kindness, and I also hope you learn to face things head-on.

Magic represents mystery. You should learn to use it, analyze it, and change it.

I sincerely hope that my students will be fearless on the path of magical research.

Everyone is sincerely welcome to join.

—Hufflepuff Magic Research Society, Pomona Sprout."