The Club Proposal: Seeking Support at Hogwarts

The cultivation of Mandrake plants is a science, but it has nothing to do with Jon for now. Professor Sprout may have wanted Jon to learn about it, but Jon himself has no interest in it. What's the purpose of cultivating Mandrake plants? To kill people? Professor Sprout quickly tidied up the greenhouse and then took Jon back to her office.

"Mr. Smith, why didn't you attend the Halloween feast?" she asked.

"Professor, you can just call me Jon," Jon replied. He wasn't used to being called Mr. Smith; it felt like being in class.

"Alright, Jon," Professor Sprout smiled gently. "What brings you here to see me?"

Jon nodded and said nervously, "Professor, I wanted to ask you about something."

"What is it? Just tell me."

"Well, Professor, I feel that the academic atmosphere in our school is not strong enough, so I want to establish a club."

"A club?"

"What is a club?"

"It's an organization for students to communicate with each other. We can use this club to discuss the problems we encounter in our studies."

Professor Sprout seemed interested. "Like an association, you mean?"

"Something like that..." Jon wasn't sure about the specific difference between the two, but they were both interest-based organizations, so they shouldn't be too different, right?

"This would be a club that students from all grades can join. We can exchange knowledge, learn unfamiliar spells or other subjects," Jon explained.

"Of course, it's a good suggestion. If you were an older student, I would be happy with your idea. But Jon, you're still too young. I know you're talented in Transfiguration and spellcraft, but I think you should consolidate your existing knowledge. Advanced spells will be learned eventually. There's no need to rush, right?" Professor Sprout smiled and looked at Jon. 

"Professor Flitwick mentioned this to me. He said you're talented in spellcraft."

"Is that so? Well, that's good to hear." Jon should have taken the compliment and stopped there, but the problem was, he needed a reason for his exceptionally powerful spells that he had mastered. Otherwise, even if he was careful, there would come a day when he would be discovered. With so many formidable teachers in Hogwarts Castle, he wouldn't be able to explain why he could improve so many spells. These were the modifications of legendary wizards, and with Jon's level of magic, it would take him more than a decade of study to achieve this.

"Well, Professor, you've misunderstood me. I don't intend to learn advanced magic ahead of time. As you know, if I wanted to learn those spells, I can naturally study at home. But other students in our school don't have that convenience. And I often hear the older students talking about the House Cup in the common room."

"Oh, the House Cup?" Professor Sprout's expression finally changed, which relieved Jon.

He wasn't good at lying.

"Of course, and when I mentioned starting this club, it's not in my name."

To prevent further interruptions, Jon quickly continued, "I hope you, as the Head of Hufflepuff, can establish this club for the students of your own house. It shouldn't violate any school rules, right?"

"But there's no precedent for this kind of thing in the school," Professor Sprout hesitated. "Our house already has the most students. If we were to help our house win the House Cup this way, it wouldn't seem fair to students from other houses..."

"But the other three houses have had similar things all along," Jon innocently said. "Ravenclaw's common room has many notes and insights left by previous students, available for all Ravenclaws to read."

"Oh? Is that so?" Professor Sprout finally showed some change on her face, which made Jon secretly breathe a sigh of relief.

He wasn't good at lying.

"Well, if that's the case, I can approve this proposal. You can go and attend today's feast. Before Christmas, I will find a suitable opportunity to establish this... club," Professor Sprout said.

"Alright, in that case, I'll leave now." Jon stood up from the chair and prepared to leave. He had confidence in Professor Sprout's commitment.

"Oh, wait. Since this club proposal was your idea, do you have any suggestions for the name?" Professor Sprout asked.

"Well, I did think about that in the beginning. Take a look at this name. What do you think?" Jon took out a piece of paper from his pocket, placed it on Professor Sprout's desk, and then left the office.

The conversation with Professor Sprout took quite some time, and when he returned to the Great Hall, it was already dark outside. Before reaching the Great Hall, Jon caught the scent of delicious food, just like on his first day at school. Thinking back now, it seemed like it was just yesterday.

Jon entered the Great Hall, and beneath the ceiling transformed into a starry sky, countless candles floated in the air. A large number of bats flew around the ceiling, occasionally hovering and dancing above the dining tables. Giant pumpkins had been carved into lanterns and were scattered around the hall.

The band brought in to entertain played an unfamiliar symphony, and Jon saw someone waving a wand like a conductor in front of the band—his baton.

Similar to the feast on the first day of school, students from each house sat at their respective tables.

"Jon, over here!" Stephen, who had been searching for Jon, called out to him from the corner of the Hufflepuff table. His voice wasn't loud and was quickly drowned out by the laughter in the Great Hall.

Jon ran over to where the voice came from and sat down. Just as he did, he saw Professor Sprout, who was seated at the Head Table, wearing a new robe. She had arrived much faster than Jon.

When Jon looked over, Professor Sprout was also looking at him. Despite the long distance between them, they nodded at each other.

While they were exchanging greetings, plates in front of them were filled with freshly served food.

Flynn, who had witnessed Jon's greeting the professor, grabbed a chicken leg, ate it, and leaned toward Jon.

"So, Jon, did you resolve the club matter?"