The Return to Hogwarts

"I know what you're thinking!"

Moody said loudly,

"You still suspect that someone from Hogwarts put Hermione Granger's name into the Goblet of Fire, thus giving Hogwarts two chances!"

"Is not it?"

Mrs. Maxim said, tilting her chin up in annoyance.

Perhaps because Mrs. Maxim had responded, Professor Moody showed restraint, but everyone could hear the disdain for the argument in his tone.

"Everyone knows that Hermione Granger is just an underage witch. If the person who did this really intends to give Hogwarts two chances, why didn't he choose someone who seemed to be able to win?"

Moody's two blue eyes, one large and one small, were fixed on Karkaroff, a sinister smile spreading across his face.

"In my opinion, there are only two possibilities: either the person who did this has a deep-seated grudge against Miss Granger and wants her dead on the project, or..."

Moody's tone became more dangerous.

“Miss Granger was just an innocent bystander caught in the crossfire. The person who did it has a grudge against Hogwarts and wants to see them in big trouble. If she loses her life, Hogwarts will be a laughingstock, right? They've created two heroes, and one of them has died—”

Hermione felt a chill run down her spine, and she also felt Professor McGonagall, who had her arm around her shoulder, tighten her grip on her arm at that moment.

"Dumbledore, Amosta, are we—"

The firelight illuminated Professor McGonagall's face, vividly portraying her anxious expression. "Think of another way, about safely removing Granger from his position as a warrior?"

Karkaroff clearly understood what Moody was implying, and he was about to retort loudly, but Professor McGonagall's words silenced him for a moment. If there really was a way to get this annoying little girl, who was obviously a Mudblood, out of the tournament, that would be the best.

There will be a way--

Dumbledore's words shocked everyone. Was there really a way to prevent Granger from becoming a champion without crippling him? What had they been arguing about all this time? Was Dumbledore just watching a joke?

Even Amosta's brow twitched almost imperceptibly.

“If we all agree to destroy the Goblet of Fire, then the backlash of the magical contract will not exist, Miss Granger can safely withdraw from the tournament, and we can continue to recognize the identities of the other three warriors.”

Dumbledore looked calmly at Amostella.

Amosta's eyelids twitched; he understood what Dumbledore meant.

Destroy the Goblet of Fire?!

Even Karkaroff, who had been jumping the loudest, quieted down. He thought Dumbledore was undoubtedly joking. The Goblet of Fire was an extremely valuable magical artifact and historical relic; neither the Ministry of Magic nor the International Wizarding Federation would agree to it. However, if Dumbledore insisted on doing so...

Moody's magic eye almost got stuck because of Dumbledore's unexpected plan; he never expected that his own speculation would lead to this result.

"I absolutely will not allow it—"

For the first time that night, Barty Crouch straightened his hunched back. He didn't look at Dumbledore, but instead stepped out of the firelight and stared at Karkaroff with a frightening gaze.

"The Goblet of Fire is a precious artifact that has been passed down for centuries. I will not allow it to be destroyed just because it has been put to use for the first time in centuries. The Ministry of Magic will absolutely not allow this plan!"

Karkaroff was intimidated by Crouch's gaze. He was filled with grievance, and his lips trembled as if he were trying to argue that he wasn't the one who proposed the solution.

"If you feel this is unfair, Karkaroff, Madam Maxim, then we agree that Hogwarts' final score will be the average of Cedric Diggory's and Hermione Granger's scores. That's the solution, and everyone must participate in the competition!"

"According to your logic, shouldn't Dumbledore be the one complaining now?"

The instant Crouch finished speaking, Moody gave Karkaroff a sinister grin.

"No one thinks that an underage witch can perform well in the competition. Hogwarts now has a lot of people dragging it down!"

dragging down

Even though Hermione was burdened with so many worries, she still managed to take a moment to feel angry at Professor Moody's words.

Dumbledore and Amosta's eyes met for a fleeting moment before looking away.

"Hogwarts has no objection--"

Amosta said calmly.

"So how should we explain this to the public?"

Ludo Bagman asked happily.

“The new rules for the Triwizard Tournament—” Amosta glanced at Bagman, ““allow the host institution to have two warriors.”

Amosta then looked at Professor Karkaroff, whose face had turned red.

"This can be kept as a precedent, Professor Karkaroff. Hopefully, this will keep you highly motivated when the next tournament organizers make their assessments."

Chapter 572 Clues to Snape

2023-11-03

"The first project is to test your courage, so we're not going to tell you what it is. Daring to face the unknown is an important quality of a wizard. You must rely entirely on yourselves, without asking for or accepting any help from your teachers; your only weapon is your own wand. They will only learn about the second project after the first one is completed."

After Buddy Crouch gave the necessary reminders as per the rules, the commotion tonight seemed to have come to an end.

Many felt there was no need to stay any longer. Barty quickly left Hogwarts through the fireplace in his room, while Ludo Bagman chose to stay. Dumbledore then arranged for Snape to take him to his resting place. Karkaroff and Maxim had already left with Viktor and Fleur.

Both warriors clearly had something to say; one looked at Hermione and the other at Amostella before leaving, but they were both hastily led away by their headmaster.

Instead, the two warriors from Hogwarts were left behind.

“If there’s nothing else, I’ll take Miss Granger back to her dormitory. So much has happened tonight, she needs to rest.”

Professor McGonagall told Dumbledore and Amosta that it was clear she was worried and not as happy as others might have imagined.

"etc--"

Amostella suddenly spoke, pausing for a moment before looking at Professor McGonagall.

"If it's convenient, Professor McGonagall, could you please, after escorting Miss Granger back to the lounge, give a limited briefing to the students who are awaiting the conclusions of our discussions tonight?"

Professor McGonagall raised an eyebrow, her gaze softening considerably, while Hermione gratefully pursed her lips, fully understanding Professor Blaine's intention in giving such an instruction.

Now, only Dumbledore, Amostella, Professor Moody, and Cedric, who may or may not have left with them, remained in the room.

To be honest, he was probably the most frustrated person tonight. Everyone's focus was either on the damaged rights of the champions from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang, or on the truth behind Hermione Granger's name being ejected from the Goblet of Fire tonight, completely ignoring him.

“Cedric, I suggest you go back and rest too--”

Dumbledore said, smiling as he looked at the bewildered Cedric.

“I believe Pomona and Hufflepuff’s classmates are waiting to celebrate with you. They finally have an excuse to celebrate, and it would be a shame to take that opportunity away from them.”

Amosta gave Cedric an encouraging and appreciative smile, which finally made Cedric feel a sense of purpose as a warrior. He nodded respectfully to them and then opened the door to leave.

"That despicable scoundrel, Karkarov!"

Moody immediately roared after Cedric left.

“I bet he’s involved—he’s always resented Amostella for beating him in the tournament and has been plotting revenge, trying to cause trouble for Hogwarts. I see right through him. You certainly haven’t forgotten how he escaped punishment back then, framing someone else for his own misdeeds.”

"Alastor--"

Dumbledore called out calmly, his expression revealing nothing unusual.

"If you're willing to let me search that ship, Albus, just wait, I guarantee you'll find something!"

Professor Moody roared angrily.

“I understand your determination to clear Hogwarts of the slander, Professor Moody,”

Amosta walked to a sofa and sat down. He let out a slight sigh of relief, then looked at Moody meaningfully and said...

"But Karkaroff is the headmaster of Durmstrang, not a minor wizard like Draco Malfoy. Without concrete evidence, it would be inappropriate to use unconventional methods against him—"

Moody gave a sneer, seemingly dismissing Amosta's argument.

"I'll keep an eye on him for you!"

Dumbledore and Amosta were bound to have to summarize what had happened that night. Since Albus hadn't invited him, it meant he didn't want to see him stay. And Blaine was even less likely to be honest with him. After angrily throwing out a remark, Professor Moody slammed his cane on the ground and left the room.

Amosta stared silently at the closed door after Moody left, and Dumbledore did the same, remaining silent as he watched Barty Crouch leave the fireplace, letting the flickering flames turn his azure eyes gold.

The two remained silent, like statues, until footsteps sounded outside the door again.

It was Severus Snape. He opened the door, looked inside, and only after seeing that Dumbledore and Amosta were still there did he squeeze in.

"I took Bagman to his place."

Snape stood in the doorway and spoke to the two of them.

"Ah, thank you--"

Dumbledore smiled and nodded at Snape.

“I really have to thank Ludo for his support tonight. I don’t know if you noticed, but Amosta was the only one tonight who didn’t criticize our mistakes—”

"This guy is a compulsive gambler and has no sense of proportion—"

Amosta understood what Dumbledore meant, and he casually replied...

"He would certainly be happy to see an accident happen, because it means he can use it to his advantage and make some money in the illegal betting market—"

Dumbledore nodded thoughtfully, then fell silent again. Snape looked at Dumbledore with a mocking gaze. He too remained silent for a few seconds before lazily speaking.

"I have a question, Dumbledore. I wonder if your age limit can prevent wizards from drinking Polyjuice Potion?"

Amosta's wandering gaze suddenly sharpened. He stared at Professor Snape's nonchalant face, and at the same time, he noticed that Dumbledore also cast a concerned glance at Snape.

"Compound decoction. Why did you bring this up, Severus? Do you have any leads regarding tonight's incident?"