The Return to Hogwarts

They accompanied Hagrid as he led Durmstrang and Beauxbatons' students on a tour of the Hogwarts campus.

Hagrid was flustered and completely at a loss after Fleur's injury. In reality, it was Harry, Meghan, and Harry leading the guests on a tour, but they didn't have Professor Blaine's ability to fool people. In order to make Durmstrang and Beauxbatons' students think that Hogwarts had something worth seeing, they racked their brains and even asked Professor Sprout to open the greenhouse where magical plants were cultivated.

But this still didn't satisfy Durmstrang and Beauxbatons' guests. Complaints and ridicule never stopped, and many people dropped out halfway through. The fiery Hermione had several arguments with the nitpicking Beauxbatons witches.

However, Viktor Krum greatly increased the three men's favorability towards him.

Despite his illness, he persisted until the end of the tour, and Ron even managed to get an autograph from him.

They had lunch at Hagrid's, who made them a big pot of steak stew. But perhaps because she was in a bad mood and looking dejected, Hermione dug out a big paw from her stew. After that, she, Harry, and Ron had no appetite.

In the afternoon, Hermione taught Dom and Ron how to play wizard chess. She thought it was necessary for Dom to learn some recreational skills, but every time he lost a game, Dom would jump up in fear, apologize to Hermione with tears in his eyes, and then punish himself by sticking his head into Hagrid's furnace.

“In my opinion, Hermione, it’s simply not suited for this. Even Neville is far superior to it—”

After winning a match against Hermione's angry glare, Ron innocently shrugged and said...

Harry tried to convince Hagrid that Professor Blaine would handle the matter properly and that Blasttail wouldn't be executed by the Ministry of Magic because of it (which wasn't such a bad thing, Harry thought), but to no avail. Hagrid remained depressed, and in the end, even Harry was somewhat exasperated.

"Then go apologize, Hagrid!"

Harry sighed and said,

"I think if Headmaster Beauxbatons forgives you, there's no reason for the Ministry of Magic to be so sentimental as to kill Blasttail—"

"Oh, that's a great idea!"

Hagrid, who had been feeling down all day, immediately perked up. He washed his hair with perfume that smelled more like insect repellent, and then excitedly rushed out the door to Beauxbatons' carriage, leaving the three of them in the house.

"Is Hagrid hoping to overpower Beauxbatons' principal with his stench and then get forgiveness?"

"It's been a terrible day," Ron said, frowning as he stepped onto the last step of the foyer.

"In my opinion, he doesn't need to worry about the Ministry of Magic killing those Blasttails at all. They probably won't find a way to break through their shells. Of course, if Headmistress Beauxbatons were to do it herself, then there wouldn't be a problem. She just needs to take a stroll through Hagrid's pumpkin patch, and none of those Blasttails will survive. You know what I mean?"

"Don't be silly, Ron—"

Hermione giggled; Ron's joke cheered her up a little after a grumbling day.

"Hagrid didn't go to Mrs. Maxime to apologize at all. Didn't you notice Hagrid's suit and hairstyle? He had been planning to ask her out for a while—"

When the three of them entered the foyer, they found that the Goblet of Fire had been moved from the foyer and was now placed in front of Professor Dumbledore.

The Great Hall, bathed in the golden light of thousands of candles suspended in mid-air, was already packed. Hermione quickly pulled a surprised Harry and Ron to find seats. When she noticed Fred and George's chins were once again bald, Hermione raised an eyebrow, tilted her chin, and smiled.

"I suppose you've all learned your lesson by now, haven't you?"

"Oh! I think the real warriors are those who challenge the rules, you meddlesome know-it-all!"

Fred said unhappily.

Harry noticed that there was another person at the staff table. In addition to Ludo Bagman, who had attended the opening ceremony of the Triwizard Tournament the day before, Barty Crouch, whom they had seen on the night of the Quidditch finals in the summer, was also there. However, he looked sickly and listless.

“I think he should realize that without Shan Shan’s help, he simply couldn’t manage to live on his own.”

Regarding Barty Crouch's condition, Hermione said without reservation,

"He should feel remorse for his actions and beg for Flash's forgiveness!"

Hermione's view is entirely wishful thinking. The Director of the International Department of Magical Cooperation, who holds a high position, would not stoop to apologize to a house-elf. If Barty Crouch wanted to, he could easily get a hundred house-elves to take care of his life.

"I wonder who will become the champion of Hogwarts--"

It would be a mistake to discuss house-elves with Hermione at any time, Harry carefully changed the subject.

"I really wish it were Angelina."

Fred said immediately.

Angelina was the only Gryffindor upperclassman they knew of who had put his name in the Goblet of Fire, though of course, she was probably the only one who had signed up in private.

"Me too!"

Hermione's attention was indeed diverted by the topic. She waved to Angelina, whose fists were clenched and whose dark skin was pale with tension, a few seats away.

"May you become a champion of Hogwarts, Angelina!"

Ever since the last time the two of them discussed the topic of 'love' with Professor Blaine in the library, Hermione and Angelina have had a good relationship.

"Oh, thank you!"

Angelina turned her head to look at Hermione, giving her a nervous smile.

The Halloween Eve dinner seemed to last much longer than usual. Perhaps because there were two consecutive days of feasting, the young wizards didn't seem to enjoy the elaborately prepared dishes as much as they usually did.

People in the auditorium craned their necks to look, and every face showed anxiety.

"Who do you think will come back and announce the results?" Neville suddenly asked a question that sparked a heated discussion among everyone.

"It has to be either Professor Dumbledore or Professor Blaine—it has to be one of them—"

Ron stuffed a whole piece of pudding into his mouth, puffed out his cheeks, and uttered a nonsensical remark.

The discussion about this issue had whiled away some agonizing time, and finally, the golden plate was restored to its original spotless state. Suddenly, the noise in the auditorium rose considerably. Then, Professor Blaine stood up.

"Oh"

Hermione sighed with a hint of disappointment. Regarding the question Neville had just raised, she supported Professor Dumbledore, because as the headmaster of Hogwarts, he should reveal the answer to everyone on this solemn occasion.

The auditorium fell silent instantly. Hundreds of eyes were fixed on Professor Blaine, while Professor Karkaroff and Mrs. Maxim at the faculty table looked just as nervous and expectant as everyone else. Ludo Bagman smiled broadly and winked at the students from various schools, while Crouch looked utterly bored, as if he couldn't wait to leave.

"Everyone--"

Professor Blaine walked past Professor Snape and came to the side of the square table with the Goblet of Fire placed between the faculty and student tables. He smiled and addressed everyone.

"The agonizing and unbearable dinner is now over. Now, it's time to reveal the answer, for you and for myself!"

Chapter 568 Four Warriors

2023-11-01

Looking at the faces below, each one brimming with suppressed excitement, Amosta smiled slightly.

"Here, I would like to congratulate in advance the three young wizards who have been chosen as warriors by the Goblet of Fire. This Triwizard Tournament is the first of its kind in centuries. Whether or not the tournament will continue in the future, your names will be remembered and your heroic deeds in the competition will be talked about with great interest."

The allure of being remembered by history has made many people's breath catch in their throats.

"Of course, I also want to say to those young wizards who bravely participated but unfortunately weren't chosen for the Goblet of Fire—"

Amosta's expression became more solemn.

"Our long yet short lives are constantly filled with difficult challenges. Overcoming these challenges is far more glorious than participating in a competition. So, whether you are selected or not, I hope you can maintain an optimistic attitude and face life positively, and not neglect or give up on yourselves because of it."

Dumbledore smiled and led the applause, followed by Professor McGonagall, who wiped her reddened eyes and clapped her hands forcefully.

Below the auditorium, scattered applause also rang out from the four long tables of the academy. However, as time went on, the applause grew louder and louder, to the point that even the candles suspended in mid-air were disturbed and swayed by the strong wind stirred up by the applause.

"What a wise remark!"

Dumbledore sniffed emotionally and said to Professor Snape on his right, who, unsurprisingly, darkened his face upon hearing this.

It must be said that Amosta's words did have an effect, as many anxious young wizards appeared much calmer as a result.

"Alright, the Goblet of Fire needs to make a decision—"

Amosta pressed his hands down in front of him, stopping the thunderous applause.

"I estimate it will take another minute. Listen, after the warriors' names are announced, I want them to walk to the top of the auditorium, then down the faculty tables, and into that room next door—"

Amosta pointed to the room where Batty had been, "The warriors will receive their initial guidance there—"

He pulled out his wand and waved it dramatically. Instantly, all the candles except those in the jack-o'-lantern went out, plunging the Great Hall into a state of half-light and half-darkness. The Goblet of Fire was the most dazzling thing in the Great Hall, and every young wizard's eyes were on it.

Amostah stood beside the Goblet of Fire, quietly watching the young wizards below—they held their breath as still as possible, anxiously awaiting the unveiling of the mystery. Even Fleur, who was confident in becoming a warrior, couldn't help but feel tense at this moment.

"coming!"

Suddenly, one of the young wizards called out. Amostah, who had already sensed it, immediately turned his gaze to the reddening flames. He reached out from mid-air and pulled everyone's eyes away from the crackling sparks flying from the Goblet of Fire a few steps away.

"The warriors of Durmstrang are—"

Unfolding the parchment in his hand, Amosta, who had seen the result before everyone else, smiled slightly, and then shouted in a clear and forceful tone,

“Viktor Krum!”

The suppressed emotions were completely unleashed at this moment. Apart from Durmstrang and the few boys who were not selected, every young wizard was shouting desperately, even though they themselves probably didn't know what they were happy about!

"Not surprising at all!"

Ron shouted, and Hermione stood up right after Harry, cheering a few times. Although she didn't idolize Krum's Quidditch superstar status like Ron and Harry did, she still had a good impression of him. On the night of the Quidditch final, before Professor Blaine arrived, it was Krum who accepted her request to invite Mr. Weasley to the box to help. In that perilous situation, Krum was willing to risk his life for a group of complete strangers, which was enough to prove his kindness and courage.

"That's fantastic, Viktor!"

Professor Karkaroff roared in a booming voice, and despite the loud applause in the auditorium, everyone could still hear him.

"I knew you were destined to be a warrior!"

Viktor Krum was far less excited than his professor. He listlessly rose from Draco's side and slowly walked toward the room Amostella had mentioned earlier, giving him a respectful nod as he passed, to which Amostella returned the smile.

This young man is much more likable than Karkarov.

The applause gradually subsided. Now everyone's attention returned to the Goblet of Fire, and Amosta once again deftly caught the second parchment that spewed out from the red-hot flames.

Without even opening it, Amosta could already tell who the name on the parchment belonged to, because the parchment was torn from his notebook.

"The warriors of Beauxbatons,"