HP: Wizardry’s a Hassle, Wand in the Right Hand, Gun in the Left

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"Dueling Club?" Hermione asked curiously. The term seemed vaguely familiar.

This was Professors Flitwick and Snape's initial plan to learn secretly - restart the Dueling Club at school.

Professor Flitwick's reasoning was that they would inevitably incorporate fighting techniques into magical duels. As the club's referee observing from the sidelines, he could smoothly and legitimately learn by watching. Since Glenn was Neville and Draco's combat instructor despite being only a first-year, if Glenn were to challenge upper-year students, he would likely demonstrate even more fighting techniques that Flitwick could incorporate into his dueling style.

Hah, Filius, you're too naive, Snape scoffed internally. He had already seen through Professor Flitwick's scheme.

But what you haven't considered is that Glenn's current level already surpasses Hogwarts students. Counting on him would be a grave miscalculation!

Snape was different - he could study Glenn's movements during their private training sessions. He had no worries about learning these techniques. He just needed to watch Hermione, Draco and Longbottom at the Dueling Club to complete his understanding of the basic fighting moves. Then he could integrate them with his spellcasting!

Looks like I'm still one step ahead, eh Filius!

At this thought, Snape couldn't help but smirk. If Flitwick thought he was playing 3D chess, Snape was playing 5D chess!

Though his mind raced with thoughts, this didn't stop Professor Flitwick from patiently explaining to Hermione: "The Dueling Club, as the name suggests, provides a place for wizards to demonstrate their abilities and practice dueling with others. Members will be ranked based on their win-loss records.

The Club's history dates back to the time of Hogwarts' four founders and was popular here for a long time. However, it was discontinued after someone died due to referee negligence, and has remained dormant until now."

Professor Flitwick was slightly out of breath after this long explanation, but his enthusiasm remained undiminished as he continued: "After watching Mr. Longbottom and Mr. Malfoy's excellent match today, though they didn't decide it with spells, we professors felt that old thrill again. Considering that students generally lack practical combat experience nowadays, we decided to revive this activity."

"Thrill?" Hermione tilted her head, looking at Professor McGonagall who had awkwardly turned away.

The old cat lady blushed slightly under the girl's gaze. She knew exactly what Filius and Severus were plotting, yet here she was, reluctantly going along with their plan.

Why not refuse?

Well, Professor McGonagall was also quite interested in combining fighting techniques with spellcasting, so she had no choice but to join Snape and Flitwick in their scheme.

Dumbledore had already witnessed Glenn's fighting techniques in the Forbidden Forest and memorized the movements, but his age made it difficult to replicate them easily.

However, his reasons for approving the Dueling Club's revival differed from Snape and the others. He believed that in these dangerous times with Voldemort's imminent return, it could only benefit students to learn more practical combat skills. Moreover, Glenn would undoubtedly rank first in the club. While Slytherin house had already been physically and magically convinced by Glenn, the other houses wouldn't stand for a first-year Slytherin holding the top rank. Even if they couldn't win, it would spark their fighting spirit and motivation to work harder - an arrangement with all benefits and no drawbacks.

Everyone! Time to step up your game!

Ahem Though this would be tough on Glenn, surely this battle maniac probably wouldn't refuse to participate?

Glenn suspected Dumbledore had some ulterior motive, but he had no proof, though he had his suspicions.

Ranking by ability? It reminded him somewhat of the assassin rankings from his previous life.

This piqued Glenn's interest, but he wasn't sure why they were consulting him about it.

He gave Dumbledore a questioning look. Understanding, Dumbledore nodded slightly to McGonagall, Flitwick, and Snape, who stepped back. Dumbledore cast a Silencing Charm around himself and Glenn - what came next wasn't for others' ears.

Glenn frowned and pulled Hermione into the silenced area.

The young girl was bewildered at being pulled in, then seemed to realize something. Her face gradually reddened as she quietly held Glenn's hand, lowering her head to avoid seeing Dumbledore's reaction.

Far from displeased, Dumbledore's smile only grew wider.

Ship sailed!

He got straight to the point.

"Glenn, I need you to create protective badges using Alchemy that can cast Shield Charms automatically when wizards are in mortal danger. These will be used in the Dueling Club. As you just heard, the club was suspended due to an accidental death..." Here he looked awkwardly at Glenn's expressionless face.

The latter's meaning was very clear.

Are you joking, Dumbledore? Do you know how difficult Alchemical items are to make?

Though they wouldn't need one for everyone, just several sets of two, it would still take considerable time, not to mention the drain on energy and alchemical materials.

Moreover, such badges would need regular magical recharging or maintenance - just thinking about these tedious tasks made Glenn feel troubled.

Glenn maintained his blank expression toward Dumbledore, who could only continue reluctantly.

"Of course, you'll be compensated - twenty-five Galleons per badge."

"Sixty," Glenn said firmly.

"Have some sympathy for this old man! We can't use Hogwarts funds for this activity - the governors and Ministry would never approve. I can only use my pension for these necessary items. Thirty-five at most."

"My free time is limited," Glenn remained unmoved.

Dumbledore probed further: "My pension isn't much either, I can't afford higher costs. Forty-five is my absolute limit."

"Deal." Glenn's expression remained neutral as he quickly sealed the transaction.

?

Dumbledore clenched his fist.

"I can also create a matching ranking board showing the top ten names in the Dueling Club, and provide ten special badges for those ranked in the top ten," Glenn offered, seeing Dumbledore's change in demeanor. This had been his plan all along.

Dumbledore sighed, "Very well then. Let me know the total amount once you've made everything."

"Agreed." Glenn nodded.

With that, their transaction was complete.

Dumbledore waved his hand, dispelling the Silencing Charm, and shooed away this money-focused little creature with a wave.

Glenn and Hermione said goodbye to the professors and walked back toward Hogwarts together.

Once they were gone, Dumbledore turned around, a smile appearing on his face.

You're still too young, Glenn. You think you've profited, but I'm the real winner here. Once I have these Alchemical badges and the Dueling Club starts, several generations of Hogwarts students will benefit. How can mere Galleons compare to that?

Meanwhile, on the other side...

As they walked away, Glenn held Hermione's hand, his expression calm while his mind carefully considered the Dueling Club situation.

Dumbledore was getting senile. Never mind that creating these auto-Shield Charm badges would be easy with Glenn's current Alchemical skill level - after deducting material and labor costs, he'd net about 35 Galleons per badge.

As for the ranking board, once Glenn created it along with the special badges, the school's top talents would be clearly visible. This would make it convenient to either guard against or persuade them later.

More importantly, with Hermione's abilities, she would definitely make the top ten. Once she grew older and her magical reserves increased, taking first place would be practically guaranteed. This would perfectly satisfy Hermione's desire for recognition and pride. How could mere Galleons compare to Hermione's happiness?

The so-called Dueling Club was actually a stage Glenn was preparing for Hermione.

At this thought, Glenn's lips curved unconsciously into a smile.

Seeing Glenn's slight smile, Hermione's worries about him being troubled by this task disappeared. Glenn would never let himself be taken advantage of. She had been concerned about him having to make those badges while keeping up with his studies, but now it seemed he wasn't too stressed about making them.

"What do you think about this Dueling Club?" Now that her worries were gone, Hermione casually asked Glenn's opinion. She was quite interested - always training against Glenn was rather discouraging. No matter how hard she studied new knowledge and practiced casting spells, she still lost their duels by small margins.

Every time it seemed like she was just a tiny bit away from beating Glenn...

The problem was that "tiny bit" every time.

Why was it always just a tiny bit??

Thinking of this, she pouted and shot Glenn a resentful glance. She knew very well that Glenn was holding back, going easy on her just to avoid hurting her self-esteem.

For others, such restraint in serious duels would be most disrespectful, but Glenn clearly didn't understand this - he simply wanted to be considerate of Hermione's feelings.

Hermione didn't mind at all, rather feeling sweet inside. This was just how Glenn was.

But she wasn't a child anymore - she wouldn't get upset over something like this!

Well, maybe just a tiny bit upset.

She would get upset, but just a tiny bit (universe between fingertips).

At this thought, Hermione felt both shy and dissatisfied. She looked at Glenn, hesitated for a moment, then lightly smacked him.

Glenn: ?

Girls' thoughts are really hard to understand, he shook his head.