Cedric Diggory

The first name written on the parchment was Dumbledore. When Eli finished writing, the ink seemed to be sucked straight into the paper and vanished.

"I've arranged someone for you. He has already set up a shop for you in Diagon Alley. You can find him if you need anything. Although he looks a bit unreliable, he can indeed pull off quite a few things that others can't."

"Who?"

"Mundungus Fletcher."

After settling the matters concerning the potion factory, the two returned to school.

They certainly couldn't make it to the welcome feast, and the students had long since returned to their respective common rooms.

"What's going on? Could it be that Dumbledore is going to expel you? I can contact my father to put pressure on them!"

Eli quickly stopped Draco. "Dumbledore doesn't want to expel me. He just called me in to recount everything that happened today so as not to omit anything. The Ministry of Magic is extremely neurotic about these things."

Draco nodded in deep agreement. Hailing from a prominent wizarding family, he naturally understood what kind of virtue the Ministry of Magic possessed.

"Now Scarhead and the others are all famous. You didn't see Weasley's smug look!"

The mere thought of Ron's cocky expression made Draco furious. Why wasn't he the one hogging the spotlight?

Ron would ask anyone he met, "How did you get back to school?"

Then he would say with a smug look, "I came by car!"

They were all at an age of youthful vigor, and naturally flocked to such thrilling things.

Many people on the train at the time had seen that car, especially the little lions of Gryffindor, who were green with envy toward Ron.

Although the students of the other houses weren't as excited as the Gryffindors, they were also extremely interested.

Even the little snakes of Slytherin occasionally fantasized about what it would be like to drive a flying car and show off in front of the train.

The first class of the second year was Herbology.

Inside the Greenhouse Three, a group of little lions and little snakes were chattering away endlessly.

"Quiet down, children."

Professor Sprout arrived fashionably late, dressed as if she had just finished tending to her plants and flowers.

Little wizards who hadn't seen each other all summer had endless things to talk about; it was a child's nature.

They acted as though they hadn't heard Professor Sprout at all.

Looking somewhat helpless, the professor tapped a flowerpot with her wand. "Quiet down quickly, children."

Only then did the little wizards quiet down.

Before them were small potted plants, all of the exact same variety.

At a single glance, Eli recognized what kind of herb this was—Mandrake.

He had spent the entire summer with a leaf held in his mouth for a full month, which had put him through the wringer. How could he possibly not recognize it?

"Right, today we are going to learn to identify Mandrakes. Can anyone tell me what a Mandrake is?"

Usually, in such classroom Q&A sessions, the most enthusiastic person was always Hermione, and this time was no exception.

Throughout the entire greenhouse, Hermione was the only one who raised her hand first.

The professor gladly called out Hermione's name.

A little thrilled that she had successfully spoken up, Hermione took a deep breath.

"Mandrakes can be used to treat those who have been petrified, but they are also very dangerous, and their cries can be fatal."

The professor was extremely satisfied. "Splendid! Ten points to Gryffindor!"

"Today our task is to repot these Mandrakes. Ours are still only seedlings, so their cries won't be fatal, but they are entirely capable of knocking someone out for several hours."

Professor Sprout picked up a pair of earmuffs. "I've distributed a pair of earmuffs to each of you. Remember to wear them properly!"

Everyone picked up the earmuffs in front of them. After all of them had put them on, Professor Sprout lifted one of the pots and grasped the base of the Mandrake.

"Watch closely, grab them by the base, and pull firmly!"

With a strong yank from the professor, the roots of the Mandrake were exposed.

Its roots looked for all the world like a little baby, just rather freshly ugly.

The very moment it was pulled from the earth, the little baby burst into a piercing cry.

Waaah...

Everyone knitted their brows tightly. This wretched thing packed quite an impactful punch.

Eli could clearly feel the magic contained within its cries, but they were blocked out by the earmuffs.

Inside his Undetectable Extension Bag, he had quite a few live Mandrakes.

By now, his Undetectable Extension Bag had almost become a Fourth-Dimensional Pocket, and the space inside was bizarrely vast.

At noon, everyone was dining in the Great Hall when a gray owl suddenly flew in.

Everyone's attention was drawn to it. This was hardly the time for mail delivery.

"Errol?"

At a single glance, Ron recognized that this owl was his family's stupid bird.

Eli saw clearly that the owl was clutching a crimson envelope in its talons.

"A Howler?"

The owl dove headfirst into the plate in front of Ron, and sounds of ridicule echoed from all around.

Eli silently mourned for Ron.

Ron was still holding his wand, which was on the verge of snapping into two pieces, and looked blankly at Harry.

"I'm done for."

Harry couldn't think of any comforting words either. "Yes, you are done for."

"You'd better open it. I ignored my grandmother's Howler back then, and the consequences were severe."

Neville still wore a lingering trace of lingering fear on his face.

Trembling, Ron prepared to open the envelope.

Finding it truly unbearable to watch, Eli pointed his wand, and a barrier enveloped Ron so that no sound could escape outward anymore.

Everyone looked at Eli in astonishment; they had never witnessed a trick like this.

Yet, having lost the chance to watch a good show, they still felt a tiny bit of regret.

Even though they couldn't hear the sound, just looking at Ron's ashen complexion told them the consequences were rather severe.

This was merely a small interlude, as today's true main event was yet to come.

The Dueling Club was about to host its very first gathering of the term!

Following last semester's operations, aside from the fifth- through seventh-years who were busy with exams, the vast majority of the remaining grades had joined the Dueling Club.

Initially, many people still held a wait-and-see attitude or simply weren't interested.

Yet later on, amid the craze for learning sparked by the Dueling Club, many people still joined in fear of falling behind.

"I am extremely pleased to see you all in this new term."

Eli stood upon the high platform, facing a crowd that filled the room below.

Because the number of attendees far exceeded their imagination, Professor McGonagall had no choice but to relocate the venue to a larger classroom.

Professor Flitwick was not in attendance; in fact, having witnessed Eli's abilities last semester, he had simply and confidently handed the club entirely over to Eli.

The wizards below were raring to go. Having gone through a whole vacation, they certainly hadn't forgotten about defeating their opponents.

Look, Draco and Ron had already locked eyes.

"Now then, the old routine—is there anyone who wants to challenge me?"

The crowd below instantly fell silent.

Last semester, quite a few people refused to accept reality and had challenged Eli.

Yet without exception, they were easily defeated without the slightest ability to fight back.

"I'd like to give it a try."

All eyes converged in that direction to see just which champion it was.

The person being watched felt a bit uncomfortable under so many gazes, but quickly composed himself.

Eli nodded. At least he was steady.

"I am Cedric Diggory, fourth year. I ask the Head Boy for your guidance."