Chapter 613: Slug Club

“First, if you have any questions in class, raise your hand and ask immediately.”

"Second, if you encounter a question that you don't know, admit frankly that you don't know it, and don't hesitate and delay."

"Third, don't plagiarize your homework after class, otherwise I will refuse to review it."

"..."

A bit beyond the expectations of the little wizards, the rules set by this majestic professor were not so strict, just like an ordinary Defense Against the Dark Arts professor.

Perhaps the long-term claustrophobic life has caused the deterioration of the vocal cords. Grindelwald's voice is a little hoarse, but it can be clearly transmitted to the ears of every student:

"I asked your Principal Dumbledore about your studies in the past few years. I also looked through the exam papers from previous years and the homework left by Professor Lupine two years ago, and found some problems...

"Because professors are frequently changed, and each professor's teaching standards are different, and the teaching level is uneven, your basic knowledge is also very confusing. You have a good grasp of some knowledge about dark magical creatures, but you have a good grasp of the knowledge about some dark magical creatures, but you are not familiar with the knowledge of the dark magic creatures. Dark wizards are very weak in how to protect themselves..."

“The O.W.L.s exam is about to begin in four months, and your study tasks are very arduous.

"For your special situation, I have developed a review plan. Yes, a review plan. This means that in the next few months, you will not learn any new knowledge, but will completely review the previous content to prepare for what is to come. The exam..."

The slightly hoarse voice stated the next teaching plan in a leisurely manner, clearly showing the considerations and purposes when formulating the plan in front of the students. This feeling of equal respect between teachers and students made the little wizards present slightly smile. Shine.

“One last question here, do you have any questions about this?”

"No!" everyone replied in unison.

"Then let's officially start class."

A slight smile appeared on Grindelwald's lips. He didn't know whether he felt the vitality of the young wizards or was happy for their knowledge. He turned the wand in his hand and began to preach:

"In this lesson we will learn about a variety of dark magic creatures including resurrected zombies, howling banshees, and inferi. The above creatures all have one thing in common. They are basically transformed from dead corpses and are afraid of fire-like demons. Curse. As early as 1,700 years ago, there were records of resurrected zombies in ancient Egypt, but it was not until the 17th century that British wizards discovered their true nature, which was that they were inhabited by a disembodied ghostly black magic creature. Enter the wizard’s undecomposed corpse and control the dead body to carry out activities..."

The little witch's quill beside him rustled on the parchment. Loren listened quietly. He vaguely remembered that Li Fire was Grindelwald's specialty spell.

"Mr. Longbottom, please tell me how to take the correct protective measures if you encounter a large group of Howling Banshees?"

"Uh...concentrate the fire spell!" Neville replied in a panic.

"It's a good choice, but it's not entirely correct. Please remember that no matter what group of black magic creatures you encounter, the best way is to evacuate as soon as possible and return to a safe place to seek help..."

Grindelwald's tone fluctuated slightly, giving him a sense of immersion: "I once encountered a group of howling banshees in the Teutonic Forest in the mountains of Baden-Württemberg in southwest Germany. There were about two to three hundred of them. When I After releasing the powerful fire spell, their simultaneous roars formed a certain resonance, which almost instantly extinguished the fire spell that I was proud of..."

Grindelwald spoke unhurriedly, his eyes slightly hollow, as if he were seeing those old and yellowed memories through the thick stone walls.

That was seventy years ago.

The knowledge in this class is not new, and it might be boring for any other professor, but the old man used those amazing adventure stories to pour knowledge points into every student's head.

If there is any dissatisfaction, it is probably because a certain little witch did not have a chance to answer questions throughout the class and was complaining silently in her heart.

…

"It's really confusing, isn't it? I want this professor to stay, but that job is cursed. No one can last more than a year, let alone Quirrell's life... "

Ron muttered as they walked through the corridor on the first floor and headed to the auditorium for dinner.

Harry was a little speechless: "If you don't speak, no one will think you are mute."

Hermione's mind was filled with the new knowledge from the class just now. She was so confused that she didn't even look at the road. She grabbed Loren's hand and followed behind, muttering something in a low voice from time to time, looking stupid.

"Hey there!"

A rough but eager voice sounded behind them. Several people turned around and saw that it was Hagrid who was waving to greet them: "How do you feel about the first day of the new semester?"

Loren and others stood aside and responded: "Very good, how about you?"

"I'm fine. By the way, Grawp asked me to say hello to you..." Hagrid smiled happily, "He has a new home in the mountains. Dumbledore arranged a beautiful big cave for him. He is better than I’m much happier staying in the Forbidden Forest cabin.”

"Well……"

As if sensing their hesitation, Hagrid puffed up his chest proudly: "I know what you are thinking, but I want to tell you that he has made great progress now. I am even considering training him to be my assistant on weekends." Come to my place and see how it goes, you’ll be surprised!”

Harry stammered, "I'm sorry, Hagrid, I'm afraid it won't work this week. The new Professor Slughorn invited us to his activities this weekend."

Ron frowned slightly and fell into deep thought.

"Professor Slughorn, I know him... Oh, okay."

Hagrid sighed depressedly: "Then we'll see you tomorrow, the first class after lunch, come early, you can play with Fang for a while!"

Harry seemed to think of something, looked up at Loren and Hermione, and sighed imperceptibly.

When he and Ron talked about the advanced class for the next semester at the Black mansion, they were not very willing to continue to take Hagrid's Care of Magical Creatures class.

How to tell them, Hagrid is very good, and magical creatures are also very good.

It's just a little bit uncomfortable.

Ron, who had been frowning from the beginning, suddenly looked up and said indignantly: "I remember now! Professor Slughorn invited the three of you, but only left me! He really doesn't know what's good, it's too much..."

Then there was a series of complaints, such as "The Weasley family has a long history", "The Quidditch captain has a bright future", "The old professor has been closed for too long and the information is backward", which made others laugh, and the air was full of joy.

Lavender Brown seemed to think Ron's words were particularly funny. When she passed by them, she turned her head and looked at Ron a few times.

Ron seemed very proud.

...

Saturday night.

Loren handed Hermione a box of mail-order strawberry magic wands, a new product improved from the licorice magic wand, strawberry flavor, sour and sweet, and it is said that the taste completely simulates the strawberry pulp. Loren didn't taste it, but seeing Hermione eating happily, he also felt happy.

"If something tastes like strawberries and tastes like strawberries, why don't we just eat strawberries?"

"I don't want to bother with you."

"Tsk, bad girl, how long have we been together and you don't want to bother with me?"

"..."

Hermione rolled her eyes and said nothing. She knew that the more she argued with this person, the more proud he would be. If she left him alone, he would return to normal after a while.

Loren muttered a few words in a weird way, grabbed the last strawberry magic wand, threw it into his mouth and chewed it crunchingly: "Do you like this flavor? Let's stock up more when we go to Hogsmeade next month."

"No." Hermione ate the remaining half of the candy, "Delicious food should be limited. If you don't control yourself, you will soon get tired of it, especially candy."

"Leave it here, I'll give you a limited amount."

"No."

"Why?"

"Hum..." Hermione put the last piece of candy into her mouth and licked the remaining candy on her lips. The syrup left behind left a faint luster on her pink little tongue. "You have no principles. I just beg you a little bit and you give up your bottom line."

Loren silently retracted his gaze and retorted with a weak voice: "Slander, slander, and rumor!"

"..."

The two chatted about everything from last year's movies to the June exams, from chocolate to the thawing Black Lake. Those ordinary things became inexplicably vivid at this moment, as if there were countless topics worth discussing in any aspect, just like Socrates' philosophy.

Walking through the empty and quiet corridor on the third floor, turning two corners, not far ahead was the classroom where the Slug Club met.

At this moment, Ron, who had been walking in front, suddenly turned his head and asked nervously: "Loren, can I really go to the event? I mean, I was not invited by him. What if he kicks me out in front of everyone... Oh, Merlin..."

"Don't worry, if it doesn't work, you can go in as Harry's partner. Professor Slughorn will understand."

Neville and Harry next to him couldn't help laughing.

Only Ron looked resentful. He always felt that this "understanding" had a deeper meaning.

"..."

In the middle of a row of abandoned classrooms with closed doors and windows, the clean, brightly lit, and open classroom was particularly conspicuous, not to mention Slughorn's hearty laughter in the room.

Several people walked into the classroom and saw that some students from various colleges were already sitting next to the round table, and Slughorn was sitting in the main seat.

He jumped up when he saw them. His shiny head reflected the light. The remaining hair and silver beard on his temples were meticulously groomed. His velvet clothes were bulging because of his big belly, and the gold buttons on his waistcoat were stretched tight.

"You are finally here, my dear children! Harry, Loren, Hermione, Neville and..."

He looked at Ron with red hair and frowned slightly.

Just as Ron looked away and wanted to leave, Loren smiled gently and said, "This is Ron, the Weasley kid. I heard that the professor has connections in many fields, so I came to see what's going on."

"This..."

"Because their family also has connections in many fields, such as the Weasley's eldest son Bill, who works at Gringotts, the second son is a senior dragon trainer in Romania, and the third son works at the Ministry of Magic and has a close relationship with the Minister's Assistant Bertha Jorkins who is in the limelight..."

As Loren introduced, Slughorn's eyes became brighter and brighter, and in the end he stared at Ron with shining eyes and smiled warmly, "Oh, welcome, little guy, I think we will have a lot of common topics!"

He held Harry in one hand and Ron in the other, and pulled them to sit down next to the main seat. Loren and Hermione looked at each other and silently found an inconspicuous empty seat to sit down.

Loren glanced around the other invited people and found many familiar faces: Draco, Nott, Rolf, McLaggen, Shabini, Sybil...

"Okay, you guys should know each other, right? Maybe I should introduce each other to you."

Slughorn smiled broadly: "This is Rolf Scamander. I was lucky enough to meet his grandfather Newt, who was the editor of your textbook "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them". Unfortunately, he was very young. Left Hogwarts, otherwise we might get along for a while... Don't think he was expelled from school, that's how talented people act, free and easy."

"I will pass on your compliments, sir." Rolf's smile was full of helplessness.

"That couldn't be better!"

Slughorn said in surprise, and then told the story of several accidental encounters between him and Newt. After a few minutes, he said to another person with unfinished content:

"Marcus Belby, you may have passed each other countless times in the auditorium and corridors, but from now on you have a reason to say hello, because you are both members of the Slug Club... I had the honor to teach him back then. Uncle Damocles, a very good wizard, very worthy of his Order of Merlin. Do you see your uncle often, Marcus?"

"No...I don't see him that often."

"Yes, of course. I dare say he must be very busy. He must have put in a lot of effort to invent the wolfsbane potion, right?"

"I think... it's... that's it. He doesn't have a good relationship with my dad, so I don't actually know."

"..."

Slughorn immediately stopped smiling and turned to the next person: "Look, this is Cormac, a sixth-year Gryffindor."

"Cormac, maybe you think we didn't know each other before, but you must not have thought that I knew your uncle Tiberus. What a coincidence is that he has a picture of you two in... Let me think about it, in Norfolk Great photo of a giant-tailed beast being hunted, isn’t it?”

"Oh, yes, that was fun. We had Betty Higgins and Rufus Scrimgeour with us. Of course, that was before he became Minister."

"Ah, do you still know Betty and Rufus? Then tell me..."

Another five minutes passed, and Slughorn was satisfied and introduced the next person:

Blaise Chabini, his mother is a well-known "legendary witch" in the magical world. She has been married seven times. Each of her husbands died in mysterious circumstances and left her a large inheritance.

Just like a trial, Judge Slughorn pronounced the sentences one by one.

Neville from the Auror family, Susan Bones whose aunt is a high-ranking official in the Ministry of Magic, and Marietta Exmo whose mother is in the Department of Transportation...