Chapter 1265: Request

“Yes.”

Astoria leaned forward slightly, looking directly at Vid, and said frankly:

“I know your group never openly recruits, but since they haven’t explicitly rejected outsiders either, I thought…”

She bit her lip and mustered the courage to say, “I want to give it a try, to see if there’s a chance… If not, that’s fine.”

Behind a wooden wall, Ron let out a soft humph.

He thought angrily to himself—When she was talking to me earlier, her attitude was not like this! But now she’s speaking so nonchalantly…

“But…”

Vid glanced at the others, a hint of a smile in his eyes: “SSC is not really a club, it’s just a few of us friends getting together to learn, and we came up with a name that sounds cool.”

Astoria was momentarily taken aback, then stunned.

—Not a club?

Everything she prepared so diligently to join, carefully thinking about the phrasing, cautiously considering any potential barriers… was all for nothing?

When Ron blocked them earlier, Astoria’s reaction was somewhat extreme because she did not want to be vetoed for “school rivalries” before even entering the door.

But the result?

SSC indeed has no barriers, no assessments, but it’s harder than any assessment.

Because to join, one must first become their friend.

But her sister Daphne talked with Michael for so long, yet didn’t become familiar with the others in SSC, not to mention becoming their friend.

And she was even in a different year and house, just barging in, and boldly asking to join… How presumptuous does that sound?

Astoria’s face turned red, and she awkwardly squeezed her sleeves, planning to get up to leave, when Luna casually said:

“Many clubs and societies start like that! Like-minded people doing interesting things together.”

“I once thought about starting a club called the Unicorn Snoring Beast Investigation Association, but no one joined.”

She shrugged, looking regretful.

“Speaking of, I’m a bit curious.” Theo leaned on a nearby table, his gaze swept over the three, finally resting on Rolf.

He said, “You three—a Ravenclaw, a Slytherin, and a Hufflepuff—how did you end up together?”

Rolf glanced at Luna, his face slightly blushing, and said, “It’s—it’s because of the maze game! Sometimes we form a team… and slowly got familiar…”

He looked up at Vid and said, “Luna is amazing, she can find clues that others can’t; Astoria’s spells are accurate, she’s our commander.”

“What about you?” Michael, just returned to the Umbrella House, heard a little of the earlier conversation, and asked Rolf with interest, “What’s your role in the team?”

“Me?” Rolf was slightly embarrassed: “I suppose… a logistician?”

“How can that be? You know a lot of things we don’t, and you always notice what everyone needs before we even speak.” Luna said earnestly.

Astoria nodded, and Rolf’s face grew even redder.

Vid held his teacup and asked, “Why do you want to join SSC? There are so many interesting places at Hogwarts, and we…”

His gaze swept over the densely packed books and notes on the bookshelf, then turned to say:

“Frankly, studying is a tough and tiring job—at least for most people.”

Astoria opened her mouth but didn’t answer immediately.

“Because of some intriguing rumors,” Luna said earnestly. “Like a diadem, secret treasures, a room of time, and the thousand-year-old rejuvenating wizard.”

Vid: “…What?”

He looked bewildered for the first time, showing the expression other students have when listening to Luna’s opinions.

Meanwhile, those around him were already stifling laughter, shaking uncontrollably.

Vid glanced around, slightly narrowed his eyes, confirming those rumors should be related to him.

And at this moment, after a small laugh, Astoria finally decided to be straightforward.

“I don’t want to be bound by so-called pure-blood stance like my parents; nor do I want to be forced to act like a ‘Slytherin’ as my sister does just because I’m in Slytherin.”

She spoke softly, and the room instantly quieted, everyone’s eyes falling on the blonde girl.

Astoria paused and said, “I want to live by my own ideas, to control my own life… But to do that, first I need strength.”

She looked at her friends next to her, then lifted her eyes to Vid and said:

“I learned a lot during the previous Magic Spell Study Group. But after the championship, the study group stopped…”

“School classes… Professor Longbottom teaches very well.”

“But what’s taught in the study group always starts from practical application, learning it allows one to solve problems.”

“Without the study group, only SSC can provide me with such rapid improvement opportunities.”

“Of course, I know SSC never openly recruits, and I didn’t intend to ask so boldly. But recently I heard…”

Astoria turned her gaze to Ron and Harry, who had come from behind the partition wall.

“I heard SSC recently recruited a new member, so I thought… maybe you have new changes… Like preparing new entries as the Weasley Twins are graduating soon…”

Of course, Ron’s age doesn’t fit the ‘new entries’ concept, but isn’t he close to SSC? And the younger brother of Fred and George.

It’s plausible to make use of proximity.

But if SSC only plans to recruit a few people on a small scale, then after Ron, there won’t be many spots left for others, which is why Astoria came rushing.

—She feared that if she hesitated even slightly, the opportunity would slip away.

Michael’s smile had slightly restrained.

He then realized the purpose of the three being here was to join SSC.

Looking at Astoria’s somewhat apprehensive appearance, he found this kid really adorable—

Even in her speculation, there might only be one spot left to join, she didn’t abandon the more hopeful Rolf and Luna, and come knocking on the Umbrella House door alone.

But on the other hand…

Michael looked at Vid, his gaze inquisitive.

Astoria took a deep breath and said, “Of course, I don’t just want to take benefits from SSC.”

“If possible, I’m willing to offer what I can, like equipment, books, and some ancient alchemy items from home.”

“If needed, I will also try to provide other members with help—my father always said, reciprocal relationships are more beneficial than unilateral taking.”

The room quieted down.

The group seemed to be considering her request, but in reality, they were just waiting for one person to express a stance.