#347 - Chapter 347 Club Recruitment
Saturday afternoon, Hogwarts Great Hall.
The long dining tables had disappeared, replaced by a variety of signs and banners. Today was the big day for the establishment and recruitment of various clubs.
Young wizards enthusiastically surrounded the various club stalls, filled with laughter.
When Harry arrived, Hermione was already waiting for him in the hall.
“Sorry, Hermione, the dueling in the canyon was too intense just now, and I couldn't get away for a while.”
Harry glanced at the lively hall and the long line of applicants in front of Sebastian and said to Hermione apologetically, “I hope I'm not too late.”
“By the way, where's Ron?”
“He's over there!” Hermione pointed to the front of the line, where Ron was chatting and laughing with several students.
Harry looked over and saw that they were all Wizard's Chess enthusiasts.
“Speaking of which, Ron is so carefree. He doesn't have to do anything to become the leader of the Wizard's Chess Club.”
Hearing this, Hermione almost shed tears of envy.
As the bronze medalist of this year's International Wizard's Chess Competition, her good friend Ron was chosen as the leader by the Wizard's Chess enthusiasts in the school without saying a word.
After hearing that Ron was preparing to participate in the Triwizard Tournament selection, the group members took the initiative to take on all the trivial matters of the club emblem, flag design, and club application.
Ron only needed to attend today and submit the application to Professor Slughorn as the leader of the Wizard's Chess Club.
On the other hand, she had to do everything herself, and no classmates understood her.
If it weren't for Harry and Ron's help, she wouldn't even be able to meet the basic requirement of forming a group of three.
How could a single word of bitterness describe it!
However, this bit of bitterness could not defeat Hermione at all.
As long as she thought about how many house-elves were suffering inhumane treatment every day, Hermione was filled with fighting spirit and energy.
She took out a badge and handed it to Harry, “Harry, this is our club badge.”
Harry picked up the badge and saw four letters written on it: S.P.E.W.
“Spew?” Harry asked doubtfully, “By the way, Hermione, what is the full name of our club?”
“Not 'Spew,'” Hermione corrected seriously, “it's S-P-E-W, which stands for the Society for the Promotion of Elfish Welfare. Don't get it wrong.”
“I think this abbreviation is great. Anyone who sees this badge will have questions, and when they ask, we can actively promote the idea of protecting the rights of house-elves.”
“What are you still holding it for? Put it on.”
Ah?
Still have to wear it?
Harry's brow furrowed slightly. Just thinking about walking around with a badge that said 'Spew' made every pore on his body resist.
He was, after all, a somewhat famous person. Wearing this kind of badge was a bit embarrassing.
Just as Harry was struggling, Ron came to the two of them and said in a loud voice.
“The club application was quite simple. Professor Slughorn just checked our club emblem and flag, and then asked a few questions and passed it.”
“By the way, Professor Slughorn also told us to show off Hogwarts' prestige.”
Show off our prestige?
Wizard's Chess?
Seeing the confused expressions of his two friends, Ron quickly explained, “The professor said that dozens of students from each school will come, and there must be many Wizard's Chess enthusiasts among them.”
“The professor's task for us is to give those international friends enough face while also winning beautifully.”
“How do you give enough face?” Harry asked curiously.
“It's just subtly letting the other person have a few pieces,” Ron said, “To be honest, I really have to hone my acting skills, otherwise it will be easy to look unnatural.”
Looking at Ron's smugness, Hermione smiled slightly, but when she shifted her gaze to his chest, she found that he was only wearing a Wizard's Chess Club badge.
Instantly, Hermione's brow furrowed. “Ron, where's the badge I just gave you? Why aren't you wearing it?”
Hearing this, Ron's smile froze on his face.
Oh no!
He had completely forgotten about it.
“The badge... this badge...”
Ron stammered, his face full of embarrassment, with none of his usual cleverness.
Seeing Ron's performance, Hermione immediately became a little angry.
But before she could say anything, she was interrupted by cheers from the front of the line.
“Harry, Harry, I love you, like a mouse loves rice!”
“Mars colliding with Earth, Harry, you're the best!”
“We are the Harry Potter Fan Support Group!”
Hearing this exaggerated slogan, the surrounding students instantly turned their attention to Harry, making his scalp tingle.
What's going on?
What exactly is going on?!
When did I get a fan support group?
“Harry,” Ron quickly avoided Hermione's gaze, “I forgot to tell you, Colin and his brother helped you establish a fan support group and were just behind us in line.”
“By the way, they're also planning to ask you for a group photo and autographs.”
Autographs...
Harry didn't know where to start complaining.
Just then, he heard a burst of silvery laughter not far away. He looked up and saw Cho Chang and her companions pointing at him and saying something.
Harry's face instantly turned red, as if a flame was dancing under his skin, and a burning heat continued to spread, rushing straight to the roots of his ears.
He lowered his head, trying to hide his embarrassment, but the heat on his face did not weaken at all, but became more and more intense, as if his entire face was about to burn.
Merlin!
Why make me endure this? My image.
Harry stared intently at his toes, not wanting to look up at other people's mocking gazes at all.
If possible, he would rather wear a full set of 'Spew' badges and stroll around the campus than have any fan support group.
Seeing Harry's embarrassed look, Hermione and Ron exchanged glances and all fell silent, no longer saying anything more.
After a while, Hermione and the others finally came to Sebastian's side.
“Professor Slughorn, I would like to establish a Society for the Promotion of Elfish Welfare.” Hermione placed the prepared materials on the table in front of Sebastian.
“This is the application material I prepared. Please check it.”
Whoa —
There really is a 'Spew' badge. I've seen the real thing that appeared in the original work.
I have to say, Hermione designed the badge quite generously, and it looks quite beautiful.
Sebastian smiled warmly at Hermione, read her application materials, and then asked.
“Miss Granger, I would like to ask, why do you want to liberate house-elves?”
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