"Wouldn't that be more beneficial for you?" Michael asked indifferently.
"That's true—but I'm sure Cedric and the others would rather have a fair match too," Ryan said seriously.
"Hmm... truly Hufflepuff," Michael remarked.
Ryan said irritably, "Don't think I don't know you're actually calling me stupid."
"Hahaha, how could I?" Michael said with a dry laugh.
If it had been Ravenclaw, he knew his House would never have let such a good opportunity slip away.
"Actually—Wade—I wanted to ask..." Hermione said with some difficulty, almost pleadingly, "Could Harry join SSC too?"
The air suddenly fell still.
Ryan felt a little uneasy.
He saw the smile vanish from Michael's face. Michael simply looked at the brown-haired girl, then turned to Wade.
Wade's expression did not change. He even agreed without hesitation. "Of course. Harry Potter isn't difficult to get along with. The question is you, Hermione."
"—Me?" Hermione looked over anxiously.
"Have you forgotten how Ron Weasley made you cry? Potter is inseparable from Weasley. If he joins, he probably won't keep it from Weasley—are you ready to forgive him?" Wade asked gently.
It seemed that he had no objections at all; all his considerations stemmed from concern for Hermione's feelings.
"Oh, that!" Hermione relaxed and smiled in relief. "That was long ago. Besides, he did try to warn his friends afterward, didn't he? Even though it didn't do much good—after spending this time together, I don't think Weasley is quite so annoying anymore. It's not like I can hold a grudge for the rest of my life over one argument, right?"
"Turning enemies into friends sounds pretty good to me," Ryan said proactively, easing the tense atmosphere. "And Ron Weasley's brothers are all excellent. He must have some outstanding qualities too, right?"
Hermione probably did not agree with that point.