Chapter 1272: Magic Spell Study Group Meeting Room 2

Professor McGonagall stared at Percy and said, “I’ve taught for forty years, seen countless children walk in dazed and leave as adults. I’ve seen them make mistakes and grow, watched them fall and get back up again.”

Percy maintained a polite smile, his expression seemingly puzzled.

Professor McGonagall took a deep breath, her voice tinged with undeniable sadness:

“But I’ve never relied on ‘monitoring’ and ‘reporting’ to understand my students! Mr. Weasley, not even once!”

“Even when many voices told me that a student was unfit for their position, that they’d make mistakes, cause trouble, I’d still give them a chance to improve bit by bit!”

——Including you, Percy Weasley!

When Percy was a prefect, Professor McGonagall heard more than once the students complaining, truthfully or not, that he was vain, stiflingly rigid, overly self-assured, not like a Gryffindor at all.

But Professor McGonagall insisted on letting Percy serve as prefect and recommended him to Dumbledore for student council president.

Because she knew, compared to the unruly children, Percy had many strengths—he excelled academically, worked very hard, followed rules, had a strong sense of responsibility.

Moreover, he was eager for recognition.

So Professor McGonagall gave him recognition.

She believed that even though Percy’s personality was somewhat rigid, through taking responsibility and handling various tasks, he could learn to be flexible, learn things more important than ‘rules.’

But now, she saw her once promising student heading in a completely different direction.

A myriad of words blocked her throat as she looked at Percy’s mask-like smile, unsure what to say, only managing to emphasize hoarsely:

“Restricting students with regulations, having them report on each other, is not how you teach children!”

Whether or not Percy understood her unsaid words, he nodded earnestly and said:

“Of course, Vice Principal McGonagall, you are an excellent professor. Your experience always remains a valuable asset to us.”

Upon hearing such grand words, Professor McGonagall felt a wave of helplessness.

Percy’s gaze swept over the students in the meeting room, his tone very sincere as he said:

“But times have changed, Professor.”

“Ilvermorny’s incident taught us that danger could come from anywhere. As educators, as officials of the Ministry of Magic, we have a responsibility to establish a safety barrier for students.”

“The safety regulations have been personally reviewed by Minister Sinclaire; all of it is completely legal and compliant.”

“Please rest assured, what we aim for is not to interfere with the school’s normal educational order, but to prevent problems before they happen.”

Professor McGonagall closed her eyes briefly and said wearily, “Who defines it?”

Percy: “What?”

Professor McGonagall: “Who defines those ‘abnormal behaviors,’ ‘extreme remarks,’ ‘high risk’…what else…’serious disruptions’ you mentioned?”

“Ah… The Ministry of Magic will naturally have an objective and precise judgment,” Percy said. “Of course, Vice Principal McGonagall’s experience is something we very much need; you can note your suggestions in the report.”

“Report.” Professor McGonagall repeated the word woodenly.

Percy nodded with a face full of self-assurance.

“Minister Sinclaire will certainly review it personally; he values your opinions very highly—the Ministry of Magic’s concern for Hogwarts education is absolutely genuine.”

“We would never do anything to harm the school or the students.”

“I can guarantee that the execution of all regulations will strictly follow the law and be under rigorous supervision.”

As he spoke, he casually shifted his body, letting the badge on his chest catch the candlelight and shine even brighter.

Professor McGonagall didn’t want to say another word.

Percy took this as agreement; he turned with a smile to Frank Longbottom, his expression showing a smile of respect.

“Mr. Longbottom, it’s so good to see you recovering well.”

Percy slightly bowed and said, “I grew up hearing the stories of you and your wife; your sacrifice for the Magic World is etched in our memories.”

Frank looked at him, his gaze calm as he said, “Thank you.”

Percy asked with concern, “Mr. Longbottom, your purpose for being here today is…”

He glanced at the packed classroom and said with sudden realization, “The existence of the Magic Spell Study Group should have some overlap with Defense Against the Dark Arts classes, right?”

“Not quite,” Frank said cautiously. “I’m simply curious.”

He paused, his gaze tenderly softening as he looked at Neville amidst the crowd.

“When I heard about the study group last year, I thought—teenagers willing to spend their time teaching their learning tricks to others. Not everyone is willing to do that.”

“Indeed…indeed…” Percy, with admiration, looked at Vid who stepped onto the platform and said, “This is a very selfless spirit.”

…

Vid stepped onto the podium, nodded to the professors, and then looked over the entire activity room.

There were more people than expected—Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, Gryffindor, Slytherin…all houses had quite a few attendees, he even saw Malfoy and Pansy.

Vid raised a homemade microphone to his mouth.

“Welcome everyone to the Magic Spell Study Group. After half a year, I’m very happy to see some new faces in the activity room.”

Some students from lower grades smiled shyly.

“The rules here are the same as last year—regardless of house or grade, as long as you are in the activity room, please remove all sorts of labels on you, and remember everyone around is a fellow student.”

“Here, we don’t allow harm, insults, pranks, don’t allow interruptions to the teaching process, or force practice; please respect everyone’s wishes.”

“Lastly, the door is always open, those who want to leave can do so at any time, those who want to join are always welcome.”

He gestured towards the activity room’s door.

Of course, no one chose to leave at this moment.

Vid waited for a couple of seconds, then continued, “I think many of you remember that the first activity of the Magic Spell Study Group was learning the most commonly used spell in defense magic—the Iron Armor Spell.”

“Today’s theme consists of two parts: revisiting the Iron Armor Spell, and learning the Area Defense Spell…”

Percy looked at the boy speaking confidently on the podium.

So young…as young as when he first became a prefect.

But Percy remembered, back then, every time he spoke loudly in front of everyone, his heart was pounding—

He feared the twins would heckle, worried those who didn’t like him would oppose him, worried that the words he’d spoken would be ignored, leaving him without authority.

So he held his head high, spoke loudly, kept his face more serious than Professor McGonagall’s, and punished his own house members without any hesitation.

He successfully established his authority, but also made his already strained relationships even thinner.

And Vid Gray?

His voice wasn’t particularly loud, yet it reached everyone’s ears clearly.

There was no harshness, no softness, no jokes to bridge rapport, no threats of punishment to enhance deterrence.

He just spoke plainly, seemingly not worried whether people listened or not.

Yet the activity room remained quietly attentive, everyone raising their heads to listen to him speak.

No matter which house, no matter the personality.

Percy silently exhaled, telling himself—

It’s nothing to worry about.

Percy Weasley, you have already received the Merlin Third-class Medal, served as the administrative supervisor at the Auror Command Department of the Magic Law Enforcement Department, are the hero of the Ministry of Magic, the confidant of the Minister, and a young talent admired by many!

Once Vid Gray graduates, even if he enters the Ministry, he could only be your subordinate!

Speaking of which, how many of those idle officials in the Ministry of Magic, who cower in front of Supervisor Weasley, were not popular figures with stars around them during their school days?

Some were even more prominent than Vid Gray now!

And yet, what happened? They ended up not being able to match your position, right?

Percy’s hand clenched and then relaxed, suppressing the bitterness in his heart, lowering his head, focusing his attention on his duties.