Later that evening, the Dueling Club gathered once again in the familiar hall beneath the castle.
The hall buzzed with excitement as students kept coming in.
With the introduction of the ranking system. The club had become more popular. Many new members started showing up, hoping to improve their dueling skills and climb the ranks.
Standing confidently on the main dueling stage, Alexander looked across the crowd.
The torches flickered softly along the stone walls as murmurs spread through the room.
Alexander raised his hand, and the entire hall quickly went silent.
"Welcome, everyone," Alexander said clearly. "And a special welcome to all the new members joining the club tonight."
Students started to cheer and clap.
Alexander clapped along with them until stopping after a few seconds.
He looked around the stage and found Hermione.
"Hermione, please come onto the stage."
Without hesitation, Hermione gracefully levitated herself upward using a spell. Her robes fluttered slightly as she landed beside Alexander on the platform.
Many students were confused and waited for Alexander to explain.
Alexander introduced her.
"This will be the Dueling Club Secretary," he announced. "Treat her the same way you treat me."
Hermione smiled and waved at everyone.
"Now," Alexander continued, "new members, make sure you come register with me after I finish speaking."
He clasped his hands behind his back and began pacing slowly across the stage.
"First off, we will be picking our judges today. The salary will be twenty galleons a month if they do a good job."
That immediately stirred whispers through the crowd.
"Those who want to sign up, go to Stage One," Alexander said, pointing across the room.
Standing on stage with a cheerful smile was Flitwick.
"Professor Flitwick will be helping me out," Alexander added. "He will determine whether you pass or fail."
He then raised one finger.
"Only second years and up may apply. First years still need more practice."
Groans erupted from the younger students.
"That is all for now. Remember to be safe. If anyone has a question, do not be afraid to ask it to either the professors or me."
As soon as Alexander let them go, the older students rushed eagerly toward stage one.
Alexander chuckled softly before turning to Hermione.
"Watch carefully," he said.
He pulled a bunch of materials for the badges.
Alexander demonstrated how to transfigure the small enchanted badges used by the Dueling Club.
The metal shimmered and reshaped under his wand.
Hermione's eyes lit up with fascination.
After showing her the process, Alexander handed the task over.
"Your turn."
Hermione nodded eagerly and began crafting the badges herself, her wand movements precise and confident.
After a few failures, she succeeded, and then he let the new members register with her.
"Remember, after registering the new members, remind them to go to a professor to help enchant runes on the badge."
Hermione nodded, and he watched her register new members.
After a few minutes, he was satisfied with her work.
Alexander stepped away and walked toward the practice area where the first years gathered.
The younger students immediately straightened when they saw him.
Alexander crossed his arms.
"Listen carefully," he said.
For the next several minutes, he lectured them about magical fundamentals, discipline, and the philosophy behind dueling.
It wasn't just about casting spells faster than your opponent.
It was about control, awareness, and strategy.
Only after finishing his lesson did he leave them to practice.
Alexander then walked around the club floor.
Students were already sparring.
Others challenged each other for fun matches.
Several were watching and cheering loudly whenever someone landed a clever spell.
Alexander laughed quietly to himself.
After making his rounds, he made his way to stage one, where Professor Flitwick was.
"How many so far Professor?" Alexander asked.
Flitwick adjusted his glasses and smiled.
"I have selected twenty," he said. "Would you like more?"
Alexander shook his head.
"No. If we need more later, we can recruit again."
He looked at the new judges and asked.
"Professor, can you help me with something? I want something next to the ranking board."
He started to explain his idea to Flitwick.
Flitwick nodded enthusiastically and said.
"An excellent idea!"
Within minutes, Flitwich finished enchanting a second board beside the main ranking list.
This new board displayed the names of the official judges.
Alexander was satisfied and waved his wand.
Twenty new badges appeared, each one engraved with glowing letters:
HDC Official Judge
Alexander said, "Here you go Professor. Have them put their names on these badges and remember to add runes according to the plan."
Professor Flitwick levitated them and brought them to the new judges.
He watched as Flitwick helped students put their names on the new badges.
Alexander spent the rest of the Dueling Club helping out students and guiding them.
Near the end of the Dueling Club, he gathered all the members.
Alexander announced, gesturing toward the twenty students, "These are your official judges."
They quickly came onto the stage and showed off their new judge badges.
"Only they are allowed to officiate ranking matches," he continued.
Students quickly memorized the official judges and studied the new board carefully.
Alexander pointed at the new board.
"This board will only show the names of the judges when they are available and free. This way, everyone will know when a judge can oversee their duel."
He paused and pointed beneath the dueling board.
"Starting tomorrow, this will be the judge's resting spot in the club. At least five judges will remain on standby for anyone who wants a ranking match."
Excited murmurs spread through the room.
Alexander raised his hand again.
"One more thing."
Everyone quieted instantly.
"The first half-hour of every Dueling Club will now include a short lecture. We will cover new spells, tactics, or discuss dueling strategy."
He smiled slightly.
"After that, you are free to practice however you want."
The students nodded eagerly.
But Alexander still wasn't finished.
"I also noticed everyone has been working very hard."
He gestured toward an open area.
"Starting tomorrow, there will be snacks and drinks available during Dueling Club."
The crowd exploded with cheers.
Alexander quickly added,
"Food and drinks will only be consumed in the resting area."
He then looked around seriously.
"If anyone abuses this privilege or causes trouble, they will be punished. First, by rank deduction, and then they will be removed from the club."
The room instantly became again.
Alexander relaxed slightly.
"Remember," he said calmly, "This is a privilege, and I can always take it away."
He raised his hand in dismissal.
"This concludes tonight's Dueling Club. See everyone tomorrow."
The students cheered as they packed up and began leaving the hall.
Many members were already talking excitedly about the official judges, snacks, and the new system.
Once the room finally emptied, Alexander made the judges' resting area and the food area.
Afterward, he quickly made his way through the castle corridors.
His destination was the kitchen.
As soon as he entered, dozens of house-elves greeted him happily.
"Master Alexander!"
"Good evening!"
"Would you like snacks?"
Alexander smiled warmly.
He explained his plan to provide food and drinks for the Dueling Club students.
The house-elves listened attentively before eagerly agreeing.
Several even volunteered to help clean the Dueling Club hall after each meeting.
Alexander said.
"Thank you."
With everything settled, he hurried out of the kitchen and headed back toward the Room of Requirement.
There was still one thing left to do tonight.
Alexander raised his wand as he entered the room.
Another long night of training had just begun.