HP: Hogwart's Journey

"Professor Sprout thinks this is a good idea and suggested that I seek your approval. Professor, we are all very eager to hear your guidance. Of course, since it was a spontaneous idea, we've only drafted a few rules that aren't fully refined yet." Robert handed the paper with the rules to the Headmaster.

The paper read as follows:

Rules:

1. Only first-year students are allowed to participate.

2. The only spells that can be used during the match are those listed in "Standard Book of Spells, Grade 1" and those mentioned in the Defense Against the Dark Arts textbook. The spells allowed this year include: Softening Charm, Cutting Charm, Unlocking Charm, Levitation Charm, Binding Charm, Blessing Charm, Fire-Making Charm, Disarming Charm, Repelling Charm, Obstruction Charm, Lumos Charm, and Extinguishing Charm. Combinations of these spells are also permitted.

3. Transfiguration cannot be used on humans.

4. The match lasts for 30 minutes, or until all members of one team are eliminated. Note: Crossing the boundary line results in disqualification.

5. The team with the fewest marks on them wins.

6. No protective magic is allowed, and no one can clear the marks from their bodies during the match.

7. At least one referee is required, and a professor or school staff member may act as the referee.

Gameplay:

1. The playing field is a circular area with a radius of 50 feet. The ground is covered in snow, which is enchanted with a specific dye magic, and all players must wear white robes.

2. Snowballs that hit the body will leave a mark. The third mark results in elimination.

3. Anyone can participate, with each team consisting of three main players and two substitutes. If a main player is eliminated, they can be replaced by a substitute.

4. The only valid offensive methods are the wand and snowballs.

"In short, it's a snowball fight using various magical methods," Robert winked. "The weather this year is perfect for a snowball fight, Professor."

"A good game," Headmaster Dumbledore winked. "You know, when I was young, I loved snowball fights, especially when I could make the snowballs chase after the snow rabbits. The look on their faces when they panicked..." 

"Ahem!" Professor McGonagall cleared her throat, reminding the Headmaster to be mindful of his image.

Dumbledore clicked his tongue, clearly still fond of the memory. "Participants are limited to first-year students… hm." The Headmaster smiled, clearly pleased. "This is a brilliant idea! Why don't we add some rewards? That will make the match even more exciting." He raised his wand and added a new rule. "The winners will receive a mysterious reward from the Headmaster."

After making the addition, he put the parchment away and said, "Alright, Mr. Leslie, this event is quite meaningful. It will help the first-years become more familiar with the spells they've learned. However, regarding the marks, I may have an excellent suggestion."

Standing in the locker room, Robert was a little confused.

Let's take a look at the current situation. First of all, they weren't wearing white robes. While some may not have the tradition of all the strongest wizards wearing white robes, every school had its own Quidditch team uniforms! The older students generously lent their jerseys to the first-years and even offered their blessings. Some of the older girls even made a large, colorful banner filled with spells to make it look more vibrant.

Then, the Headmaster cast a marking spell on each player. The spell created a pattern made of three diamond-shaped crystals. Gryffindor's mark was red, Slytherin's was green, Ravenclaw's was blue, and Hufflepuff's was yellow. These marks were etched onto vests, which the students simply had to put on before the match.

"It's a bit like alchemy products," Robert said happily. "The Headmaster truly is multi-talented!"

A Slytherin student sneered, "As expected, a family with only three generations of tradition can't even tell the difference between alchemical products and regular enchanted items."

Robert ignored him and turned to his teammates and the Gryffindor group. "Hey, Cedric, Stebbins, Lee, Fred, George, some people here seem a little eager to cool things down!"

Cedric and Stebbins immediately became alert. The Gryffindors turned around just in time to see the Slytherin students, whose eyes were bulging in anger.

Fred broke into a big smile. "Oh? I mean, if you really need it…"

"This is the most sincere request I've heard!" George laughed as well.

Lee Jordan, happily talking to Robert, said that Professor McGonagall had her eye on him, and maybe, just maybe, he'd be seen on the field next year, or even in the second semester!

"Well, I might see you from the commentator's booth," Robert thought to himself.

After exchanging a few pleasantries with familiar faces, the young wizards grouped together and walked out of the locker room, heading for the open space in front of the Black Lake. The winter Black Lake seemed even quieter. The vast open space along the shore provided plenty of room for the young wizards to play, and the thickness of the snow gave them plenty of ammunition.

A temporary commentary booth was set up along the path leading to the castle, and someone in a green robe stood there… Wait a minute! Seeing that all-too-familiar, painful figure, the young wizards suddenly felt uneasy!

Why is Professor Stan the referee?!

Naturally, they didn't notice the small figure next to him—Professor Flitwick was truly a trooper!

At this time, the rocks along the shore were filled with people. With the skill of Transfiguration, wizards could easily ignore the cold terrain, turning it into soft, comfortable cushions. But they had to be careful because prolonged Transfiguration required a lot of magical power, which might cause the soft cushions to revert back to cold, slippery rocks halfway through the match.

Since it was a first-year event, the front row was filled with first-year students, while the upper-year students sat at the back. It was rumored that Madam Pomfrey had prepared many special cold medicine potions, just waiting for the first-years to try them out.

Because this was the first time such a competition had been held, the young wizards were a little confused, standing in the center of the field, gazing at the surrounding crowd. 

Since they seemed unsure, Robert took the opportunity to bend down, expertly scoop up a snowball from the ground, and throw it at the Slytherins. With a flick of his wand, the snowball transformed into a copper teapot in mid-air.

*Clang!*

Amid the surprised looks from the other wizards, the Slytherin student was knocked out by the teapot falling from the sky.

"We can see that Mr. Leslie's Transfiguration was very precise! His spell hit the falling snowball, catching Adrian off guard. Well, the teapot may have been a little hard, and I doubt Adrian will be waking up before the match ends." Professor Stan had a hard time continuing. He certainly couldn't say that the Slytherin newcomers had simply stood there and gotten hit!

But Professor Flitwick had something to say!

"You know, in wizard duels, if you can disarm your opponent before they launch an attack, you'll have the upper hand. Of course, the Disarming Charm is a second-year course, but who can blame our Professor Stan for being a little eager?" Professor Flitwick stood at the commentary booth, his eyes sparkling with excitement, as if recalling his younger days... 

(End of Chapter)