13: Hospital and Training

13: Hospital and Training

**[Ding, challenge task triggered: Continuously earn more points than Hermione Granger for one academic year to gain the "Scholar 2.0" enhancement.]**

**[Acadamic Scholar 2.0: Provides 4 hours of increased learning efficiency daily.]**

"I triggered a task?"

John was lost in thought when a streak of gold caught his eye, and a broomstick whizzed past him. He didn't have time to react as a Bludger hurtled toward him. Instinctively, he raised his hand and caught the Bludger, but his arm made a painful cracking sound, likely dislocating.

"Oh my god, John, are you okay?" Hermione's delayed scream reached his ears.

The Gryffindor Quidditch players, who were still in training, realized something was wrong, and the Weasley twins were the first to fly over.

The Bludger struggled fiercely in John's hand, but despite his seemingly not-so-strong arm, he held it firmly. Even Oliver Wood couldn't help but exclaim, "You caught a Bludger with your bare hand! You'd make a great Beater."

George added, "John Wick, if only you were in Gryffindor—"

Fred chimed in, "—Then we could retire!"

The twins bantered back and forth.

Angelina Johnson, with her long black hair in braids, interrupted their jokes, "Shut up, both of you. His arm looks broken."

Harry quickly got off his broomstick; the Bludger had been chasing him. He had been so focused on the Golden Snitch that he didn't notice the others, and by the time he did, John was already hurt. Feeling guilty, Harry said, "It's all my fault."

John's face was pale, as the dislocation was painful. "Could you guys stop chatting and take this thing away?"

The Bludger had been heading straight for Hermione, and if John had let go, her face would have been in serious trouble.

Wood, fumbling a bit, managed to tie up the Bludger. This thing was known for breaking Beater bats with its speed.

Once the Bludger was restrained, John sighed in relief. His lips were pale as he shifted to a half-kneeling position. With Hermione's worried, pale face watching him, he braced his dislocated arm against the ground and pushed it back into place with a crunch.

"Ouch—"

"Oh my god, that must hurt."

"John, you should go to the hospital wing."

The Gryffindors were all startled, even the Weasley twins looked impressed. How was it that a Slytherin could handle pain so well, while Draco Malfoy would wail for hours over a scratched finger? Madam Pomfrey had tried to kick Malfoy out of the hospital wing more than once.

The Gryffindors surrounded John, making it look like they were ganging up on a Slytherin. Hermione, mixed in with the crowd, couldn't stop worrying and asked, "John, are you really okay?"

"Just not strong enough yet."

With the Scholar enhancement active, he could learn even more.

...

Monday, Transfiguration class.

"Well done, Mr. Wick. Five points to Slytherin!"

Today's lesson was transforming animals into goblets. John's task was with a cute friend, the big-eyed, endearing cat who stuck out his tongue in a friendly manner.

John took out his wand and pointed it at the cat.

"Veraverto."

Under his gaze, The cat transformed into a goblet. Professor McGonagall, impressed, added points to the Slytherin hourglass, which was no longer so sparsely filled.

Hermione felt a bit dejected; it seemed the gap between her and John was widening. Only John knew his secret: he was a relentless grinder. To have enough time for his nocturnal escapades and training, he had pushed himself to a new achievement.

**[Sleepless One: You only need 2 hours of sleep each day to maintain full energy for the entire day.]**

With this enhancement, he finally avoided dozing off under Snape's gloomy gaze. However, he heard Snape had made several trips to the hospital wing. Hopefully, Madam Pomfrey wouldn't continue using cheering charms as stimulants on certain students.

Well, this student certainly wasn't insinuating anything about John.

...

Room of Requirement.

John wielded the greatsword, the candlelight reflecting off the blade as it shattered the target in front of him. His left hand, holding his wand, aimed at a target positioned at seven o'clock.

"Reducto!"

The wand, resembling a thin stick, emitted a white light that hit the target, reducing it to a pile of fragments. Compared to the slight explosion he managed at first, this was a substantial improvement.

After finishing his training, John rested for a while before preparing to leave. Tomorrow was the Halloween feast, and he wanted to be in good condition. The day after, his two-month punishment in the trophy room would end.

The Slytherin common room was underground, so he had to walk from the seventh floor back to the common room. Fortunately, Hogwarts was full of shortcuts.

As he reached the underground corridor, he saw the Bloody Baron.

The usually silent Slytherin ghost seemed to be waiting for him specifically.

_____

A/N: I think I'm a little sick today so if there are any mistakes in the chapter I'll edit them after I wake up! Bye!