After leaving Umbridge's office, Kael quickly walked through the corridor towards the auditorium.
By then, it was already noon, and the auditorium was filled with people having lunch.
Beside the Hufflepuff table, Cedric and other team members were sitting together discussing the new members who joined in the morning.
Upon seeing Kael, Cedric quickly moved aside to make room for him.
"How was your detention with Professor Umbridge? She didn't give you a hard time, did she?"
"What did Umbridge have you do?"
As soon as Kael sat down, everyone around started to ask.
"Not too bad." Kael paused for a moment before saying, "I wrote sentences five hundred times."
"That's not too bad," Cedric said, "It could have been worse."
"Yeah." Kael nodded, "It's just that writing five hundred times is a bit much, ten pieces of parchment, felt like writing a particularly long assignment."
"That's not too bad." Conna comforted him and pushed over a plate of pies: "Want some pie?"
"Thanks, I was hungry an hour ago." Kael cut a piece and put it in his mouth.
The beef pie had onions and pepper, and it tasted pretty good.
"By the way." He looked at Cedric, "How are this year's new team members?"
"A bit average." Cedric said, "We didn't find anyone particularly talented this year. The only decent one is a third-year Keeper.
"Originally, Fro Padway, who's in fifth year, is also quite good at flying, but she doesn't seem too serious about Quidditch. During the tryouts, she clearly stated that team training cannot overlap with her 'Charm Club' activities, or she'd prioritize the club over training."
"Wait, what club did you just say?" Kael looked up and asked.
"Charm Club." Cedric repeated.
"Does Hogwarts have such a club?" Kael asked in confusion.
"Not only that, there are quite a few," Cedric said, "like the Wizard Chess Club, Gorgeous Robe Club, and Afternoon Tea Club, etc."
"These have nothing to do with professors; they are formed by students with common interests, with fixed activity times and places. For example, when I was in fourth year, I joined the Wizard Chess Club."
"How come I've never heard of them?"
"Do you have time to attend these activities?" Cedric retorted.
Kael was speechless for a moment; he had indeed been quite busy before. Just attending the professors' clubs every week was enough to keep him occupied. Plus, he had to squeeze in time for team training and the study of Magic Texts, leaving the rest of any time for homework.
Last school year he had time, but at that time, he represented Hogwarts as a Champion, so no one would bring up such irrelevant things to him.
Now that he thought about it, Kael vaguely recalled that in the common room discussions some were about attending activities, but he hadn't paid much attention back then.
"I see…" Kael nodded and asked Conna curiously, "Did you join that Charm Club?"
"No." Conna said, "This is the first time I've heard of it."
"Me too." Kael laughed, "Looks like this club isn't as authoritative as imagined."
Conna couldn't help but laugh.
"I advise you to be careful, you can't just assume something isn't authoritative because you haven't been invited,"
Cedric said, "'Charm' actually has quite a few members, and joining requires going through a series of trials."
Kael glanced at him, "So Cho is also one of them?"
Cedric was silent for a moment. "Alright, it's not that authoritative indeed."
As soon as he finished speaking, he couldn't help but chuckle.
"But I wasn't wrong about one thing; it does have quite many members." Cedric continued, "Besides Fro, Gryffindor's Wilkie is also a member; she also participated in the tryouts and is equally good at flying.
"However, Captain Angelina didn't pick her, instead choosing Ron Weasley, who performed averagely in every way.
"I think this might be a deliberate ploy… after all, the Weasleys have produced quite a few excellent members."
"Perhaps you're overthinking it." Kael said, "Moreover, perfect coordination can make up for individual skill gaps, and we still have time before the first match; we can have more intensive training sessions."
"That's what I think too." Cedric said.
In the afternoon, a few of them, having nothing to do, went to the lawn outside.
Fred and George wanted to see if Hagrid had returned; their Skiving Snackbox products required some special Poisonous Berries as ingredients, all found in the Forbidden Forest, and collecting them themselves would save a lot of money.
But when they went over, Hagrid's hut was still shut tight, with no sound coming from inside, not at all like anyone was there.
"Looks like Hagrid's still not back." Fred said, "Really want to know what he's up to."
"Let's not think about it." George seemed a bit excited, "Don't you think this is a great opportunity?
"With Hagrid not here, it means there's no one guarding the Forbidden Forest. Why can't we collect the berries ourselves?"
"Hey, wait." Cedric glanced at them, "Is it really okay for you two to discuss this in front of us?"
It was no different amounting to having four Prefects right beside them.
Even though Prefects can disregard the houses, getting caught violating school rules means any Prefect, regardless of house, is free to dock points.
"Can't you pretend you didn't hear anything?" George said with a grin, "After all, it's a rare opportunity, and we just want to pick some berries."
"Are you really just picking berries?" Cho seemed skeptical of their words.
"Of course." Fred said, "We promise."
"Promise to only take berries, but no guarantee on how far you'll go, right." Kael quietly added.
Skiving Snackbox's required Poisonous Berries aren't very rare, they're to be found in the forest periphery and deeper inside.
With their penchant for adventure, they'd definitely opt for those deeper in.
Realizing their intent was exposed, Fred and George didn't feel embarrassed, but before they could retort, a stern voice came from not far away.
"What are you doing here!"
Professor Grubbly-Plank came out carrying two large buckets from the Forbidden Forest, looking at them warily.
"Students are not allowed in the Forbidden Forest, go back, or I'll inform Professor McGonagall."
"No, we're here looking for Professor Hagrid." George quickly said, "Where has he gone?"
"Again with Hagrid." Professor Grubbly-Plank muttered quietly, then shook her head and said, "I don't know, but you'd better return to the castle quickly, students should not be here outside of Care of Magical Creatures class."
"Alright, professor, we're leaving now." Cedric said.
The group then began walking back towards the castle, Fred and George following along.
"She doesn't seem very approachable." Fred muttered softly, "I much prefer Hagrid."
"Yeah." George agreed.
"That's not what you guys said before." Cho looked at them amusingly, "Didn't you often complain that Hagrid kept too close a watch on the Forbidden Forest, making it impossible for you to sneak in?"
"But he at least listened to us finish our sentences."
"Sometimes he'd even go into the forest and bring us what we need."
...