Hufflepuff's Conditions

Just as Wentworth was whispering beside Coke, Dumbledore, McGonagall, and the others were carefully examining the parchment handed over by Professor Sprout.

After reading the contents of the parchment, Professor McGonagall was the first to speak, her voice filled with indignation:

"This is utter nonsense! Who gave them permission to do this? I shall have them return at once!"

But Dumbledore called out to stop Professor McGonagall just as she was about to turn away. After a moment of silence, Dumbledore asked:

"Where is Professor Snape?"

"I am here."

Only then did Snape emerge from behind the group, walking over at a leisurely pace.

"Professor Snape, was it your instruction that led the Slytherin students to do this?"

Seeing Snape's demeanor, Professor McGonagall could not help but speak with a hint of anger.

Snape, however, stared fixedly into Dumbledore's eyes and said with pointed implication:

"Dumbledore, this is a good opportunity, is it not?"

Upon hearing Snape's words, Dumbledore did not offer a rebuttal; instead, he fell into deep contemplation once more.

What good opportunity? Only Dumbledore and Snape understood that this was a perfect chance to ascertain the true level of Wentworth's spellcasting!

As early as yesterday, when Wentworth displayed what Snape had mistaken for a unique method of potion preparation, Snape had warned Dumbledore that it was clear the Acolytes had begun training Wentworth long before he arrived at Hogwarts.

Since the Acolytes had even trained Wentworth in potion preparation, there was no reason to believe they would neglect his spellcasting. One had to remember that Wentworth was now under Dumbledore's very nose; it was impossible for him to lack some form of self-preservation.

And this current situation was, without a doubt, a prime opportunity to gauge the extent of Wentworth's magical prowess!

Dumbledore understood Snape's meaning. Professor McGonagall stood by, only half-understanding, while Professor Sprout, though she did not grasp the underlying motive, was wise enough not to ask, though her eyes were filled with worry.

Finally, Dumbledore spoke:

"Let us first ask for the students' own opinions."

Dumbledore then walked slowly with the parchment to the space between the Slytherin and Hufflepuff students and asked:

"Hufflepuff students, what is your opinion on this parchment sent by Slytherin?"

Green took one last look at Wentworth, and Wentworth nodded at him. This exchange did not escape the notice of Dumbledore, Snape, and the others; everyone understood clearly that whatever Green said next was likely at Wentworth's behest.

"Headmaster Dumbledore, we in Hufflepuff are willing to accept. Although we Hufflepuffs are the friendliest house, since the students of Slytherin have asked for instruction, we will not be stingy; we are naturally willing to teach them what magic is!"

Green spoke with full confidence.

But upon hearing Green's words, Vane, on the other side, would not have it and retorted with disdain:

"Teach us? What useless things could you possibly teach!"

"I will not allow you to speak of yourself that way!"

Green replied with a straight face.

Vane: ???

Dumbledore laughed heartily upon hearing this, as if lost in a memory, and spoke to Professor Filius, the Head of Ravenclaw, who stood not far away:

"Filius, take a guess—what does this parchment remind me of?"

Professor Filius, standing nearby, smiled and said:

"Headmaster Dumbledore, if I am not mistaken, it is the Dueling Club!"

Dumbledore nodded and continued:

"Indeed, the Dueling Club! Hogwarts' Dueling Club has been suspended for quite some time. Opening it occasionally might be a fine idea! However, it must be done under the supervision of the professors, my young friends."

"Since Slytherin has requested a duel and Hufflepuff has agreed, I declare the dueling invitation officially accepted! Tonight, Hogwarts shall reopen the Dueling Club!"

At Dumbledore's words, a great cheer erupted from the young wizards present—not just from Slytherin and Hufflepuff, but from the nearby Gryffindor and Ravenclaw students as well!

The Dueling Club—the very name was enough to know it was an activity the Gryffindor students would absolutely adore. As for Ravenclaw? Did you not know that the Head of Ravenclaw was a champion of the Dueling Tournament in his youth?

Dumbledore looked at the cheering students and said with a kindly expression:

"How wonderful it is to be young! However, we must set some rules. As for the referees, for the sake of fairness, I propose that Professor McGonagall, Head of Gryffindor, Professor Filius, Head of Ravenclaw, and our Professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts, Professor Ilona, serve together!"

The three professors naturally agreed to Dumbledore's request without hesitation.

"Now, is there anything else you wish to say?"

Originally, this was merely a symbolic question from Dumbledore, but Green stepped forward and said:

"Of course. Since it was Slytherin that proposed the duel, we in Hufflepuff would also like to offer a few suggestions!"

Dumbledore glanced at Wentworth behind Green and said:

"Of course, that is your right."

Without hesitation, Green spoke:

"First, we in Hufflepuff hope that the professors will check both sets of duelists before the start of the match to ensure no one has consumed Felix Felicis or Polyjuice Potion!"

As soon as Green said this, Snape's expression turned instantly sour, while Vane flushed red and shouted:

"Green! Are you questioning the fairness of us Slytherins?"

Green, however, spoke with neither servility nor arrogance:

"I am doing this to uphold fairness!"

Dumbledore nodded and spoke up:

"I believe Mr. Green's proposal is acceptable!"

Dumbledore then looked toward Vane, who replied indignantly:

"No problem, we Slytherins agree to it!"

Green then continued:

"Second, we Hufflepuffs hope that both sides of the duel will finalize their rosters in advance and submit them to Professor Ilona before the start, with no further changes allowed!"

This time, before Dumbledore could even speak, Vane cut in first:

"No problem, we agree to that too! We'll start with our fifth years!"

Seeing this, Green seemed to heave a sigh of relief and continued:

"Third, Vane, as the fifth-year prefects for Slytherin and Hufflepuff, this is both an honor and a responsibility. Shouldn't the two of us take on that responsibility? I propose that whichever house loses this duel, the prefect must voluntarily resign from their position. Do you dare?"

Hearing Green's proposal, Vane was stunned for a moment. After carefully weighing the situation and finding no reason why Slytherin could possibly lose, he sneered coldly:

"Green, it seems you have no intention of remaining a prefect. Since you are so determined to step down, I shall help you out! I accept!"