"Honestly, when I first saw that big guy, I thought we were going to die!" Padma clung to Hermione's arm, sincerely saying, "Hermione, you're really brave."
Hermione blushed and said, "At that time, I didn't think of anything else, my head was full of Levioso. I mean—I was really lucky, the most I'd made float before was a textbook!"
"Dude, that Glisseo spell of yours is amazing!" Michael waved his magic wand, gesturing, "Glisseo! You have to teach me that next time we're in study hall!"
"No problem." Vid turned and said, "—Harry, don't mind Professor Snape's comment, using a bucket was a good idea. Actually, using ordinary spells on the troll is like a mosquito bite to it."
"No wonder Michael's Petrification Spell didn't work earlier—later none of you used direct spells to attack the troll." Harry thought aloud, "But I don't think I've seen the two spells you used in Standard Spells: Junior."
"Vid's already self-studied up to Standard Spells: Level 3." Michael said, proudly, "And he's always in the library and study room, learning more spells than all of us combined—even though it's only been two months since school started."
Harry immediately felt a bit ashamed and inferior—if it were Ron, Michael, or even Malfoy who knew more spells than him, he could comfort himself by saying it's because they learned at home. But he knew Vid and Hermione hadn't been exposed to magic before enrolling, yet they were now the top students among the freshmen.
He couldn't help but doubt—was he being too lazy in his studies?
Watching everyone chatting and laughing, even Harry naturally joined the conversation, Ron wanted to say something but couldn't get a word in and felt very awkward following behind.
Soon they arrived at a fork in the road and parted ways. Harry, Hermione, and Ron walked towards Gryffindor Tower, and without Michael and the others joking around, the atmosphere among the three quickly became tense. None of them looked at each other as they hurried back to the common room.
...
On the way back to Ravenclaw Tower, Padma pretended to casually look at the road ahead and said, "Vid, can I learn that Glisseo spell too? It looks like fun."
"Of course." Vid said, "We don't have classes tomorrow morning, I can teach you then."
"Uh—maybe the common room isn't the best place, I've heard—" Padma quickly glanced at Michael, saying, "You guys have a special place for practicing spells?"
After all, she's only eleven, and despite trying hard to suggest indirectly, the implication was still obvious.
Vid understood. He thought for a moment and said, "I need to consult with the others, but I don't think they'll refuse you joining."
"Of course—you're welcome!" Michael said with a smile.
"Great!" Padma couldn't help but jump, then blushed and tried to act composed as she adjusted her clothes, saying, "I'm honored."
At the entrance of the common room, the eagle-shaped door ring asked, "O, T, T, F, F, S, S, E, N, what is the next letter?"
"Uh..." Michael, who wasn't the best at riddles, scratched his chin as if thinking, and after three seconds he gave up and asked, "What do you think, Vid?"
"It's 'T'." Padma said.
"Correct answer." The door ring replied in a chanting tone, then opened the door.
"Why is it 'T'?" Michael asked as they entered, "Is it 'T' for Troll? Does this door ring know we defeated a troll today?"
He made exaggerated faces, causing Padma to laugh and say, "It stands for the first letters of one to ten—One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, Seven, Eight, Nine, Ten."
The common room was crowded with people, as if all of Ravenclaw was there. A few long tables were added by the fireplace, covered with food and drinks. Students were celebrating Halloween for the second time here, even better than in the hall—because here, no professors were watching and forbidding this or that.
Vid noticed that even some usually solitary students chose to stay in the common room, sitting in the corners. At some point, the room also adopted Halloween decorations, with a huge skeleton wandering around, occasionally causing screams; there were also students wearing skeleton masks, which sometimes emitted ghostly sounds.
"Want a Bloody Lollipop?" Terry enthusiastically offered Lisa.
Vid weaved through the crowd and headed straight back to the dormitory—the troll's stench seemed to still linger at his nose, and he wasn't in the mood for food yet.
Padma watched his retreating figure, a little uneasy, asked Michael, "Vid didn't have dinner, did he? Why isn't he coming to the feast?" She was worried she'd been annoying, causing Vid to rather go hungry in the dormitory than spend time with them.
"Relax, it's not because of you, Vid just doesn't like crowded places." Michael said casually, concentrating on piling food onto his plate.
Padma sighed with relief, feeling hungry herself. After they ate until they were about eighty percent full, they had leisure time to continue chatting.
"By the way, about your study group, when Vid asks for opinions tomorrow, remember to vouch for me!" Padma reminded, unable to help but repeatedly.
"OK! OK! Mission guaranteed!" Michael raised his hand, smiling and assured.
—Consulting opinions?
Michael knew better than anyone, as long as Vid agreed, there wouldn't be any objections from anyone else.
Theo and Leian were easygoing and wouldn't refuse a partner's recommendation; Neville was meek, and Michael thought he had no temper or particular opinion; the only slightly tricky one could be Hermione, but Padma had just established a relatively good friendship with her.
In fact, when Michael proposed "new members must be agreed upon by everyone," what he meant was "if Vid doesn't agree, you can't bring someone over"—the point was to limit the other four.
He was well aware that although SSC appeared to be a mutual help group, in reality, most of the time it was Vid helping them—Vid's organized notes made it easier for them to understand the obscure book expressions, Vid's paper writing style allowed them to complete high-quality assignments quickly, and Vid helped them quickly and accurately master various spells.
Anyone who joins this group will soon feel the benefits.
Gryffindors and Hufflepuffs are all enthusiastic people, and if they felt good here, they might bring more friends over without asking—thinking they're contributing to the group! In reality, this only added trouble for Vid, causing SSC to not last long.
Vid wouldn't refuse openly, but when it becomes too crowded and noisy, he would eventually quietly disappear from the Umbrella House, just like now, staying in a place that's tranquil and alone just for himself.
That's why Michael established this rule, to curb the "enthusiasm" of those two houses, and to politely decline those trying to join through him, with the only exception being Vid—because he's the center, and he can certainly decide who he wants to help.
These calculations, Michael had never told anyone. At this moment, facing Padma's request, he merely nodded smilingly, promising to persuade others.