Chapter 233: First Training Session

When John got back to the Great Hall, it was about lunchtime.

He happened to run into Titus and a few others at the entrance, as well as Harry, Ron, and Hermione.

"Hey, John, you came at the right time—are you free this Sunday?"

Harry was the first to wave at John when he saw him.

John was daydreaming, but the call snapped him back to his thoughts.

"Ah, why are you all here?"

John looked at them and asked oddly.

After all, the two groups rarely appeared together.

"The seniors are asking if we're free on Sunday, to pick a time when everyone can attend the Training Session together."

Titus, standing nearby, began to explain.

"Oh, I see. I'm free; I'll be there."

John finally nodded in understanding.

At that moment, Hermione walked up to his side.

She looked at John oddly, because he seemed a bit out of it.

So she whispered, "...

"What's wrong, John?"

"You went to see Dumbledore, right? Did something come up during the health check?"

Because Dumbledore still doesn't want Harry to know about the Horcrux, she had to ask secretly in front of Harry.

"It's fine, Hermione, the Headmaster just forced me to test my soul."

John realized his condition worried Hermione, so he waved his hand, smiled, and replied softly.

Hermione frowned, but seeing John like that, she didn't press further.

"Alright, I've asked everyone else too; our first Training Session is set for Sunday."

Over there, Harry spoke while pulling out a small notebook and writing something.

Managing over twenty people from different houses and years all at once must be quite a task for Harry.

If he keeps questioning everyone like this, each Training Session will probably wear him out.

"Alright, alright, let's go eat; we can discuss anything after the meal."

Seeing the questions finally done, a hungry Titus waved his hand, dragging Ryan and Ethan toward the Great Hall.

The others laughed and followed.

"Hm? Senior, why did you come over here?"

John made his way to the Eagle Dean's Table, and Hermione naturally followed to join the meal.

But Harry also came along, which was unexpected.

Harry came over, and Ron naturally followed.

Not to mention Titus, who practically eats on their side every meal.

It made the Eagle Dean's Table quite lively all at once.

"Oh, I just wanted to chat with you a bit more, to bond."

Harry sat right next to John, smiling at him naturally.

Hermione:?

On the other side, Hermione's forehead instantly displayed a question mark as she poked her head out, staring at Harry.

"You say that right in front of me?"

John also flinched, instinctively stepping back from Harry.

"Senior, I have a girlfriend, so that's... not okay."

Harry:?

"No, you misunderstood!... uh, Hermione, calm down..."

Harry realized his words were ambiguous and hurried forward to explain.

But he was immediately pushed back by Hermione, who was holding a knife and fork.

"Ha!"

Hermione huffed at Harry like a food‑guarding kitten.

"I just wanted to discuss with John how to teach..."

"After all, it's not just the two of us teaching everyone..."

Harry retreated repeatedly under Hermione's pressure, raising his hands to explain quickly.

"... Oh, then you two go ahead."

After a moment of silence, Hermione put down her knife and fork, sparing Harry.

Titus and the others across the table exchanged glances.

"The senior girl is such a food‑guard?"

"If the senior finds out about the ridiculous things we did with John before, she'll have to strip a layer off us?"

Time quickly reached Sunday.

Since it was the first Training Session, everyone took it seriously and arrived on time.

However, because of the Wish‑Granting House's special nature, a first‑time visitor needs a guide.

So Harry first gathered everyone at the th Floor stairwell.

Then he led everyone into the Wish‑Granting House.

Huh? Why does this place feel different from last time?

After entering the Wish-Granting House, Harry, Ron, and Neville—those who had been here once before—were all startled.

The first time they came in, it was just an empty gray‑walled room, with a few floor cushions in the middle and some cabinets around the edges.

But this time, although the walls were still gray, there were many more things.

For example, a high‑quality wool carpet covered the floor, extravagant ceiling lamps hung across the ceiling, and a large blackboard on the left wall was used to record lesson points and schedule.

On the right side was a neat row of shelves; half held various Magic textbooks and practice scrolls, the other half displayed items such as peeping mirrors, probing devices, and demon‑revealing mirrors—tools against Dark Magic—and some tables and chairs for resting.

In the very center was an open training field, spacious enough to play football inside.

Wow, did I lose my memory? It didn't look like this last time.

Seeing this, Ron was the first to exclaim in surprise.

"No, you didn't lose your memory; it really was different last time," Harry said, shaking his head, stepping in and looking around.

"Actually, John and I came here before, and John said… uh, it was a bit lacking, so he tweaked it…"

At that moment Hermione spoke, glanced at John, and explained.

"Um… so, what are these over‑the‑top ceiling lamps for?"

Harry looked at the dozen or so crystal chandeliers on the ceiling and asked hesitantly.

"Of course they're just for looks."

John, hands on his hips, said confidently.

"Otherwise, relying only on a few torches for light, we'll eventually end up like you… wearing glasses."

Harry:......

We didn't even use profanity, yet why does it sound so harsh?

A while ago, after he and Hermione went to the Wish-Granting House to retrieve the Horcrux, they came back again to see how the training room had changed.

It turned out to be pitch‑black inside, lit only by a few torches, with a bare open space, some mats, and a jumble of books and items.

So he renovated the room, defining it as a training room; thereafter, whenever they returned, it looked just like that.

"Ahem, alright."

At that moment Hermione cleared her throat and slapped a stack of parchment onto the nearest Wooden Table.

"Since everyone's here and the venue's ready, we can start the first Training Session."

"Harry."

Saying that, Hermione called out to Harry, signaling him to ignore the fuss and get started.

Harry finally scratched the back of his head, looked at the twenty‑something people behind him, and began the first Training Session.