Vid tapped a nearby pumpkin leaf with his Magic Wand, and the leaf turned into a brass-colored Bell.
He tapped the Bell to draw everyone's attention.
"Now, let me announce the rules."
"Since it's our first time playing this game, the rules can be simple."
"Everyone splits into two teams. Fred, Harry, and I will be the black team, responsible for 'hunting'.
"The rest of you are the white team; you can run, hide, or even fight back."
"Hagrid is the referee."
"The game lasts for thirty minutes. After the whistle blows, you have one minute to hide or prepare. One minute later, the black team begins the 'hunt'."
"After thirty minutes, if anyone from the white team is still alive, the black team fails; if no one from the white team remains, the black team wins!"
"The rules are - no use of Evil Curses, no Magic Items other than the Magic Wand, being hit by a Spell is considered 'dead', and 'corpses' cannot assist teammates in any way."
"Any team violating the rules is immediately considered failed."
"Got it?"
Everyone nodded, and Fred whistled: "Let's get started! I've been waiting!"
Hagrid had brought a large stone beforehand and climbed on top to oversee the entire field.
"Kids, are you ready?"
"Ready!"
The young Wizards, who had already divided into two teams, raised their Magic Wands and shouted loudly, even Hermione and Padma joined in.
"Alright then." Hagrid smiled happily, put the whistle in his mouth, and blew hard!
"Beep——"
The clear, sharp whistle sounded, and a few people from the white team immediately ran in all directions through the gaps between the pumpkins.
They had already thought of how to hide or fight back in those few minutes just now.
Hagrid watched the pocket watch seriously, and after one minute, blew the whistle again.
"Black team, go!"
The three of the black team didn't leave immediately.
Vid and Harry immediately cast the Iron Armor Spell on themselves, and Fred exclaimed: "Wow! Iron Armor Spell... I haven't learned that yet!"
"Need help?" Vid pointed his Magic Wand at him.
"Thanks." Fred said, and after Vid added the Iron Armor Spell for him, he looked down and asked: "Isn't this a bit different from the usual Iron Armor Spell?"
"Vid's Iron Armor Spell lasts around ten minutes." Harry reminded: "Normal Spells block two or three hits."
"Got it." Fred said, looking at the tall pumpkin beside him, and asked: "Can I climb on that?"
Vid said: "If there's no rule against it, then it's fine."
So Fred climbed on top.
"Want to join?" Vid asked Harry.
Harry shook his head: "Only thirty minutes, splitting up will be faster... I don't intend to lose."
"Alright, good luck."
Vid didn't hesitate and immediately walked in one direction. Harry took another narrow path.
It was very quiet around.
The tall pumpkins were like little houses.
The air was filled with the scent of plants, and the vines underfoot interwove as if forming invisible traps.
Harry didn't want to lose, and Vid naturally didn't either. Even if the opponents were just students, he would give it his all.
Vid tapped his head with his Magic Wand, and his body immediately became invisible like a chameleon among the pumpkins.
He pointed downwards, and his footsteps became silent too.
He hadn't searched for long along the winding path before he heard rapid breathing and caught a faint scent.
Padma was hiding behind a pumpkin, her right hand gripping her Magic Wand, occasionally peeking to see if anyone was coming.
She hadn't seen the Magic Wand right next to her until a red light appeared in her sight!
"Bang!"
The thin, invisible armor shattered like a soap bubble, and the girl was hit by a Spell, collapsing directly.
Just before losing consciousness, she thought angrily and puzzled: "Why didn't I see anyone?"
...
"Just half an hour... holding on for half an hour is enough!"
Hermione muttered, quickly moving a few pumpkins together to form a makeshift shield.
Then she pulled several vines together, and peered through the gaps to look outside.
No matter who passes by, she could strike first and gain an advantage!
"Petrificus Totalus!"
When Hermione heard Fred whisper the Spell, the Petrification Spell had already fallen from above!
She turned in shock, and as she fell like a stone statue, she saw Fred crouched on a pumpkin, grinning and saying:
"With all these pumpkins close together, it looks too obvious from above, Hermione!"
"Petrificus Totalus!"
Another Petrification Spell flew out from the side, hitting Fred.
George jumped out and looked at his brother, about to cheer in victory, only to be hit by a Spell himself.
"Good thing I had the Iron Armor Spell."
Fred muttered, plucking two leaves and placing them over George's surprised eyes.
"You're a corpse now, brother."
Fred said proudly, standing up to continue the 'hunt'.
"Stupefy!"
Two or three spells flew from the side simultaneously, breaking the Iron Armor with a "pop," and Fred fell beside his brother in the same position.
The only part of George's body that could move were his eyes, which he happily blinked.
"Sorry, we can't lift the spell for you right now."
Theo apologized and then immediately ran in another direction.
He, Michael, Neville, and Leian had just split up a moment ago and quickly regrouped.
"The black team has fewer people, the white team has more, does Vid underestimate our strength!"
Michael said seriously: "We must teach them a lesson and be the black team next time!"
The remaining three nodded earnestly.
No matter how good their relationships usually are, they are opponents now!
...
Hearing the noises from another direction, Harry knew immediately he went the wrong way.
He carefully discerned the sounds, then crouched and quickly moved in another direction.
Turning around a pumpkin, he unexpectedly came face to face with Leian.
Leian, who was setting traps with Michael, froze for a moment before shouting: "He's here!"
Harry didn't even know he could react so fast.
Before his brain registered anything, his hands and feet were already moving—
"Expelliarmus!"
Leian's Magic Wand flew out.
Two spells crisscrossed towards him, and as Harry dodged, he tripped on a vine, rolled forward, and threw a spell before even getting up!
"Stupefy! Stupefy! Stupefy!"
The light of the Spells shot out, one heading upwards, one rebounding off a pumpkin to hit Theo, and the other hitting Neville.
"Surround him!"
Michael shouted, and he and Leian rushed from either side!