Time flew by, and John found himself immensely satisfied with the star-filled dome he had constructed. The secret chamber, intended to be the first generation headquarters of the Stars Society, was nearing completion. It was a testament to the convenience of magic; a project that would have taken muggles months, or even a year, to complete was accomplished in far less time. "The addition of magic is crucial," John mused to himself as he meticulously engraved the magic circuit onto the chamber's structure. Utilizing magic crystals as a power source, he embedded 36 of them into the chamber, each shining like a star in the night sky. He estimated that unless figures of Voldemort or Dumbledore's caliber intervened, no one could tamper with these crystals.
The circuit he inscribed was no ordinary spell but a complex ritual drawing upon ancient magic and runes. Upon completion, the entire chamber was bathed in a magical glow, a sight only John witnessed. The activated circuits and floating runes imbued the space with an ethereal quality.
The interior of the Qunxing Club was breathtaking. Beneath the starry dome sat a round table with nine seats, surrounded by mysterious violet tapestries and silver utensils. The emblems projected from the dome marked each seat, while objects resembling galaxies spun around the room, adding to its mystique.
With the secret chamber complete, John sought a suitable location for it. He recalled the unused room where the Philosopher's Stone had once been kept as an ideal spot. Implementing a teleportation device, he transformed an ordinary wooden door into a gateway to two distinct spaces: the original room and the secret chamber of the Stars Society. Additionally, he cleverly situated the Chamber of Secrets within Slytherin's own, sparing him further visits to the girls' bathroom and achieving a dual purpose.
Upon the chamber's completion, John summoned his chosen members. Cedric's presence was a pleasant surprise. "I'm curious about the community you've created," Cedric admitted, his admiration for John's dueling prowess well-known.
"What do you want from me?" Malfoy asked, unusually without his cronies. Alongside him were Heinrich, shadow-like as ever, and Neville, who seemed unsure of his solo invitation. Percy appeared puzzled by John's intentions, while Daphne, a top student alongside John and Hermione, accepted her invitation with curiosity.
In total, seven individuals, including John, formed the grassroots team of the Qunxing Club. With a proud smile, John welcomed them: "Welcome to the Star Club."
At the mention of the club's name, Malfoy's excitement was palpable, his semester-long struggles finally earning him a place. As the group entered the stunning room beneath the star-filled dome, Daphne gasped at its beauty, and Percy wondered when Hogwarts had acquired such a space.
"The Star Club welcomes all friends," John began, his voice sincere. "We chase glory, help friends, and share strength. We may not be relatives, but we are closer than many. The stars are eternal and unchanging."
"Are you willing to join the Star Club?" he asked.
Without hesitation, Heinrich stepped forward, his voice filled with fervor. "Heinrich Edgar, willing to join."
Following him, Daphne stepped up, her voice serious yet soft. "Daphne Greengrass, willing to join."
One by one, each member expressed their willingness to join, drawn together by a shared pursuit of strength and camaraderie under the eternal stars of the Qunxing Club. Daphne Greengrass stepped forward with determination, declaring, "Greengrass, willing to join." Not to be outshone, Draco Malfoy followed suit, placing his right hand over his heart and stating earnestly, "Draco Malfoy, willing to join!" Among the remaining three—two from Gryffindor and one from Hufflepuff—Percy Weasley finally understood John's intentions. The ambition he witnessed sparked a gleam in his eyes. Treasuring his badge of the student council president, he removed it, mirrored Malfoy's salute, and announced, "Percy Weasley, willing to join."
Cedric Diggory, under his breath, remarked, "I knew you had more up your sleeve." He stepped forward with a smile and added, "Cedric Diggory, willing to join."
Now, all eyes turned to Neville Longbottom. John addressed him gently, "Neville, there's no pressure." After a moment of hesitation, Neville stepped forward, his voice stronger due to his recent growth in both stature and confidence, "Neville Longbottom, willing to join!"
The six of them bowed their heads as John raised his hand towards the dome above. Six stars descended from the celestial expanse, transforming into shining badges adorned with purple crystals that seemed to contain miniature starry skies. John affixed a badge to each of them, marking the official formation of their group.
Gazing at the six individuals before him, John thought to himself, "This is a significant step forward." He envisioned a future where, even if their group, the Stars Club, couldn't rival the Order of the Phoenix, it would still emerge as a formidable force within the wizarding world.
John then conjured seven golden cups on the table, each flying to its respective new member. As he lifted his cup, filled with a sense of camaraderie reminiscent of legendary heroes, he was about to down his drink in one go with a dramatic flourish when Percy interjected, "Students are not allowed to drink alcohol."
Coughing slightly, John corrected, "Ahem...this is pumpkin juice." He added sheepishly, "I couldn't get any wine at school, and the house elves in the kitchen refused to provide any."
The solemn atmosphere dissolved into laughter at this revelation. The seven members then drank their pumpkin juice in unison, officially establishing the Stars Club in their modest gathering spot, marking the beginning of a legacy tied to John. He couldn't help but feel a twinge of regret that Fleur Delacour wasn't there to complete their assembly.
...
In a school where various clubs existed, mostly initiated by professors, the Stars Club, founded by John, remained a secret known only to its seven members. Following his induction, Draco Malfoy's demeanor grew even more haughty, his steps more pronounced, and even Neville Longbottom seemed more agreeable to him. John had emphasized that within the Stars Club, past grievances and family backgrounds were irrelevant; they were to be the closest of allies.
Initially resistant to the idea of associating with Percy Weasley and Neville Longbottom, Malfoy's perspective shifted after John's declaration. "Percy is the president of the student council, and Neville, though he may appear docile, is not someone to be underestimated," John had warned. Malfoy's skepticism was quelled after a near-defeat by Neville, leading him to accept the new hierarchy within the club.
Malfoy had assumed he would rank among the top members, but reality proved otherwise. Even Daphne and Neville outmatched him, not to mention Heinrich and the others. "It's a dangerous world; I'm number seven," Malfoy remarked, only for John to correct him with a sneer, "You're thinking too highly of yourself; you're number eight." This revelation stunned Malfoy, as John explained the existence of another member at Beauxbatons, relegating Malfoy to the eighth position, with the possibility of further demotion if new members were added.
"Work hard, kid," John advised Malfoy, patting him on the shoulder with a meaningful look. He chose not to reveal the closeness of their familial connections, emphasizing the importance of personal effort and growth within the club. How can he feel at ease as a father? When he initially deceived Lucius, he was brimming with pride. Yet now, finding himself unable to take the stage, isn't it akin to a slap in the face? "From now on, you will double your training efforts. Only when you can defeat Neville will you be exempt from training," John declared with a stern tone. Painting grand visions of the future has always been an essential skill for leaders. He added earnestly, "I have great expectations for you."
These words ignited a fire within Malfoy, his veins pulsing with newfound vigor, akin to being infused with an elixir of motivation. However, unbeknownst to him, his fervent reaction had been witnessed by nearly everyone present. Well, everyone except Percy. When John informed Percy that Barty Crouch was on the lookout for an assistant, his joy was so overwhelming it was as if he was ready to soar into the skies right then and there.
_________
If you are tired of reading I also have this converted to an audio novel on my youtube
https://www.youtube.com/@NovelAudioForge/featured
Direct Link to playlist
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_Hg-qsW4rM&list=PLKskshYG-OcPTR4-Nw7IWFEBZm07D8pBV&ab_channel=NovelAudioForge