A Professor of Magic at Hogwarts

Chapter 560: Changes After Club Activities

The club recruitment event in the auditorium came to an end.

December brought more snow and cold air. One morning, Felix discovered that the Black Lake had frozen over, thick enough to support over a hundred young wizards skating and sledding. Not far from the lake, students were engaged in snowball fights around the stones and willow trees on the shore.

Someone had caused quite a commotion, conjuring a ten-foot-tall snowman with magic. The snowman chased after students, and Felix observed for a while before realizing it was an unfortunate student ensnared by a sticking snow charm.

"Hmm?"

Valen sat perched on his shoulder, marveling at the lively scene on the Black Lake. It turned its gaze to Felix, quite eager.

"Alright, don't forget to eat. I'll be with Severus all day today," Felix said. Valen happily jumped down, rummaging through its belongings from Felix's pocket. As a combat Niffler, Valen had been picking up tricks from Felix and the support of the 'Big Boss,' leading to its reputation spreading.

Now, it adorned itself with a tiny cloak and selected a wand with seven small gemstones embedded in it from a row of exclusive wands. With a flick, it slid down the window from the balcony, the cloak spreading behind it, shimmering with light as Valen flew off into the distance.

Valen excitedly waved the wand in the air. With a specific magical frequency, two gems—one blue and one green—glowed. Snow-Nifflers swiftly formed under the influence of the wand's magic. They darted around in the air alongside Valen, heading toward the Black Lake.

In the distance, there were cries of surprise and laughter from the students. Felix, in a great mood, packed his things and descended the spiral staircase, passing through the entrance hall toward the potions classroom in the dungeons. He suddenly heard a familiar voice—

"Can you imagine? I almost miss Professor Grubbly-Plank. Hagrid actually bought the latest magical projector. I fear our classes might turn into teaching Grubbly how to operate the buttons," Ron walked in, brushing snow off himself.

(Note: Professor Wilhelmina Grubbly-Plank is a substitute Care of Magical Creatures teacher.)

"I advised him, but he believes he's got it all under control," Hermione's voice, slightly altered, replied. She held a Snow-Niffler in her arms.

"Mr. Felix?" Felix called out to them. Harry, Ron, and Hermione stopped. Hermione was startled, dropping the Snow-Niffler, which bounced up and playfully struck her a few times. "Ouch!" Hermione exclaimed, watching the Snow-Niffler dart out of the entrance hall, chasing after the group.

Felix couldn't help but chuckle.

Hermione blushed. "We saw Valen flying by, and there were... others picked them up..." she stuttered.

Felix blinked. So Valen hadn't flown too far, and its Snow-Niffler army had been intercepted by Hogwarts' young wizards? He regretted not witnessing that scene. Harry and Ron grinned, barely holding back their laughter.

Hermione glared at them, stuttering, "Professor? Was there something?"

"Ah, yes," Felix suppressed his smile, taking out a small pouch of coins and a piece of parchment from his ring. "The payment for 'New Interpretations of Magical Texts' has arrived. Please distribute it among the students according to the list..."

"Is it still five Galleons per person?" Ron eagerly asked.

Hermione insisted on not letting the house-elves help. Proudly, she said, "I can do it myself." Ron teased, "Of course, it's just a broom cupboard..." For that comment, he paid the price, spending half an afternoon dealing

with thick dust and stubborn paint.

"But I didn't say anything rude," Harry complained innocently.

There was another change.

Mafalda appeared in the 'Frontline Outlook,' and, in fact, there were a few new faces in the club that he hadn't anticipated, like the Greengrass sisters. He almost thought he'd see Draco Malfoy.

Later, Mafalda told him that Malfoy hadn't joined any clubs.

"He's waiting it out. It's a Malfoy tradition, not to show their cards easily..." Ron pointed out bluntly.

For Harry, Mafalda's change in attitude towards him was a pleasant surprise.

He privately speculated that it might be because he stood up for her that day. Mafalda had finally given up orchestrating her own actions through little essays. In her words, she was just "maturing and doing more meaningful things."

"It's essentially starting a campus gossip paper," Fred, who was also well-connected, said. "She filled it with information from the thirty-seven clubs she's in. It seems to be quite popular."

Harry, Ron, and Hermione exchanged glances.

"Is it well-received?" Hermione asked, with complex emotions.

"Well, quite a few people are submitting articles," George said. "There are even ads and anonymous love letters."

"You guys aren't among them, are you?" Ron asked, squinting.

"We paid, two sickles each," Fred started a bit annoyed, then with admiration, "Honestly, I quite like her. She's doing good business..."

"We all feel a bit left out," George added with a thumbs-up.

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