Both professors gave each other a slight bow before stepping down from the platform.
For several seconds, the hall remained utterly silent.
The students looked almost stunned, as though their minds were still trying to catch up to what they had just witnessed. Even many of the older students seemed frozen in place, replaying fragments of the duel in their heads—silver shields unfolding at impossible angles, curses canceled mid-cast, movement so fast it barely seemed human.
Then the spell broke.
The hall erupted.
Applause thundered through the chamber, joined by cheers, excited voices, and hurried attempts to dissect what they had seen.
"Did you see that redirection?"
"Professor Flitwick never stopped moving—"
"Snape counter-cursed without speaking!"
"That wasn't classroom magic—"
I stepped back onto the platform and raised a hand.
Gradually, the hall settled once more.
"Thank you, Professor Flitwick and Professor Snape," I said clearly, "for such a thrilling duel."
Both professors inclined their heads slightly from opposite sides of the hall.
I continued.
"That concludes our opening ceremony."
A few disappointed groans rose immediately, though they quieted as soon as I spoke again.
"Before everyone leaves, however, I'd like to clarify the Study Club rules and timings."
That regained everyone's attention immediately.
"First," I said, "after discussions with the professors, it has been decided that the Study Club library will remain open throughout the day, every day except during curfew hours."
That announcement alone caused murmurs to spread through the students.
"As for the dueling area," I continued, gesturing lightly toward the restored platform around us, "or more accurately, the practice area—as this hall will not be used solely for duels—it will remain open daily from five o'clock until seven o'clock in the evening, and throughout the day during weekends."
Several students visibly brightened at that.
The older students especially seemed interested now. A few seventh years were already exchanging thoughtful looks, clearly calculating how much practice time that gave them before N.E.W.T.s.
I let the discussion settle before continuing.
"As for representative selection," I said evenly, "it will be based on both academic performance and dueling capability."
That quieted the hall almost instantly.
"Any student wishing to become their year's representative should submit their name to me before Wednesday. During the week, I will gather academic records and arrange duels for the coming Saturday."
The atmosphere sharpened immediately.
Competition.
Real competition.
Not popularity.
Not blood status.
Not politics.
Merit.
"In addition," I said calmly, "I strongly recommend that prefects and Head Boys or Head Girls do not apply."
That caused immediate confusion.
A few prefects frowned outright.
I clarified before anyone could interrupt.
"The role of representative involves helping juniors and classmates with academic work, assisting with club organization, and resolving conflicts between students. Combined with O.W.L. or N.E.W.T. preparation, it would likely place unnecessary strain on students who already carry significant responsibilities."
That softened several expressions immediately.
"Just like the positions of Head Boy and Head Girl," I continued, "there will be two representatives per year—a boy and a girl."
Then I added the final point.
"Until selections are finalized next week, representative duties will temporarily be handled by the Slytherin year representatives."
The reaction was immediate.
Voices rose from multiple sides of the hall at once.
"That's unfair—"
"So Slytherin controls everything for a week?"
"What kind of temporary system is that?"
Even some Ravenclaws looked uneasy now.
I waited.
Didn't interrupt.
Didn't argue.
Then I raised my voice just enough to cut cleanly through the noise.
"Calm down."
The hall quieted gradually.
"This is a temporary solution," I said evenly. "Or would you rather keep the club closed for the week?"
That ended the complaints almost instantly.
Several students exchanged looks.
Because regardless of House politics, everyone understood the truth of it.
Without temporary structure, the Study Club couldn't function at all.
And no one present wanted tonight to be the end of it.
"One last thing," I said before the hall could fully dissolve into conversation again.
The noise quieted almost immediately.
"As you've already seen, the Study Club does not discriminate based on House or blood status. Anyone is allowed to join."
A few students visibly relaxed at that, particularly among the younger Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs.
"But," I continued calmly, "starting next year, member evaluations will be conducted by the year representatives and myself based on academic performance."
That brought the tension back immediately.
"It will not focus solely on scores," I clarified. "It will focus on improvement."
The hall listened carefully now.
"If a student's performance shows no improvement—or worse, regression—they will be removed from the club."
No outrage followed this time.
Only attention.
"Students who show only minimal improvement will receive a warning. If the same trend continues the following year, they will also be expelled."
A few older students exchanged thoughtful looks.
"This club exists for students who genuinely wish to improve themselves," I said evenly. "Not for those looking for status, distractions, or a place to waste time."
The words settled heavily through the chamber.
"Only students who continue improving will remain."
I let the silence linger briefly before concluding.
"That's all I have to say for now. Everyone except first years may return to your dormitories or proceed to your respective year halls for practice. The doors should already be marked by year number."
Immediately, students began moving again.
Excited conversations broke out across the hall as older students split off toward different corridors branching deeper into the dueling complex. Some headed toward the Great Hall for late dinner, while others immediately sought out friends from different Houses to discuss representatives and dueling selections.
The atmosphere felt alive now.
Not chaotic.
Motivated.
Soon, only the first years and the Heads of House remained behind.
The hall grew quieter again as the older students disappeared through various corridors beneath softly glowing rune-marked archways.
I looked toward the gathered first years.
"Alright, everyone," I said. "I won't take much of your time."
The younger students straightened instinctively.
"As club president, I won't be taking the position of first-year representative myself."
That caused several surprised looks immediately.
"Other years will select their representatives through academic performance and dueling results," I continued, "but we first years have only just arrived at Hogwarts. We don't yet possess academic records substantial enough to properly evaluate everyone."
I paused briefly.
"So for now, I would like to recommend two students for the position."
Several students exchanged glances.
I raised my hand slightly toward Cedric and Blake.
"Mr. Diggory and Ms. Black."
The reaction was immediate but far calmer than I expected.
Blake met the attention steadily before giving a composed nod.
"I'd be honored," she said simply.
Cedric looked considerably less comfortable beneath the sudden attention, though after a moment he nodded as well, faint embarrassment visible beneath his polite smile.
Most of the first years showed immediate agreement.
Adrian nodded first.
Nyx followed without hesitation.
Selene looked unsurprised.
Even several Ravenclaws appeared relieved by the choices.
A few students, however, remained uncertain.
Mostly Gryffindors.
And Warrington.
I acknowledged them openly.
"Since most of you agree," I said evenly, "I now appoint both of you as first-year representatives."
I glanced briefly toward the less enthusiastic expressions scattered through the group.
"For those unwilling to accept the decision, you'll be given the opportunity to challenge them after Christmas break."
That instantly eased much of the remaining tension.
A challenge system felt fair.
Blake inclined her head slightly in acknowledgment while Cedric looked as though he still wasn't entirely certain how he'd ended up here.
"Now," I said, "you may all busy yourselves."
The first years gradually dispersed into smaller conversations almost immediately. Some headed curiously toward the practice sections of other years beyond the hall while others gathered around Cedric and Blake to ask questions about schedules and responsibilities.
I turned away from them and walked toward the Heads of House standing some distance away near the edge of the chamber.
They had remained quiet throughout the entire announcement.
__________________________
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