The Return to Hogwarts

Amosta said gently,

"And the second match will take place underwater in Black Lake."

His gaze swept over the little ones and found that none of them showed any surprise. This was normal, as it was only natural that the most important person to the warriors would know this in advance.

"--The warriors need to descend into the Black Lake and retrieve their most important treasure within an hour, and you are the treasure the warriors need to find."

Splash--

A cool breeze swept by, and the old chandelier above the auditorium creaked and groaned, the jarring sound adding to the eeriness of the already dimly lit hall.

None of the people who were summoned were not stunned, and Ron's eyes widened in horror.

"Of course, you don't need to worry about surviving underwater. Professor Dumbledore and I will ensure your safety underwater. So, are there any other questions, everyone?"

Amosta asked with a smile.

There was complete silence. The people who had been called over were still in shock. The youngest, Gabrielle, gripped Madame Maxim's hand tightly, her frail body trembling slightly. Seeing this, Madame Maxim felt a pang of guilt and knelt down to gently comfort Gabrielle.

Ron asked in a sharp voice, until Amosta repeated whether there was a problem.

"After an hour, all hope will be lost?!"

“Oh, don’t worry, Mr. Weasley—”

Amosta said

"I'm only saying this to make the warriors nervous and to give them the courage to meet the challenge. You yourselves will not suffer any misfortune."

This statement eased Ron's pale face somewhat, while Harry's gaze swept around. Undoubtedly, Cho Chang was there because of Cedric, and Gabrielle was definitely connected to Fleur. But had either he or Ron been chosen by Krum?!

Harry suddenly felt a chill run down his spine, and he quickly asked his question.

“Oh, that’s not it, Mr. Potter—”

Ludo smiled and said,

"After thorough discussion, we believe that Professor Karkaroff is the most important person in Wikdor's life. As for you and Mr. Weasley, you are both elected as Miss Granger's most important people."

Silence descended once more, and Harry and Ron opened their mouths in bewilderment. There were too many things to complain about, and for a moment, they didn't know how to begin.

They were all Hermione's most important people. Harry didn't see anything wrong with that, but did it mean that Hermione would need to...? Harry, keenly aware of this, opened his mouth to ask, but Professor Blaine smiled and spoke first...

"I've ordered several sets of the same game uniforms as the Warriors, which can provide you with some protection. Just in case anything unexpected happens during the game, okay?"

Amosta realized what was happening, and looked at Karkaroff, his tone apologetic.

“I’m sorry, Professor Karkaroff, those competition outfits are all for young wizards, and I’m afraid none of them are your size.”

Karkaroff's lips twitched. He didn't respond to Amostella's apology, but instead looked at Dumbledore, his voice low and deep.

"When shall we begin, Dumbledore?"

“If you would like,” Professor Karkaroff,

Dumbledore gave a polite bow. "I can cast the spell for you right now."

To remain alive underwater while unconscious is no simple magic, but for a great wizard like Dumbledore, it was not difficult. Harry saw Professor Dumbledore's wand, which had slipped off his sleeve, point at Karkaroff, and then the wizard, who was also the headmaster of the magic school, silently fainted and lay flat on his back, floating in mid-air.

A layer of bubbles enveloped Karkaroff and then rapidly contracted until they merged with his pale skin.

Harry stared blankly, while Professor Blaine spoke again.

"Please follow me, everyone. The clothes I have prepared for you are in the room. There is a changing room there. After you have changed, I will perform a spell on you."

With that, Amosta led the way toward a small room at the back of the auditorium.

“Go, Potter, Weasley.”

Professor McGonagall, who had been keeping a straight face, finally pursed her lips at Harry and Ron.

Harry wanted to discuss the current situation and Hermione's predicament with Ron, but Professor McGonagall came over and gave them both a nudge, forcing them to jog over. As they entered the room, Harry glanced back and saw Cho Chang timidly approaching, while Gabrielle, finally encouraged by Madam Maxim, slowly made her way into the room, glancing back every few steps.

Chapter 842 Loss and Fear

2024-04-04

The small room behind the Great Hall is usually locked. The last time Harry saw him open it was the night Hermione was chosen as a Hogwarts champion.

Driven by curiosity, Harry walked in.

The fireplace directly opposite was burning, making the room much warmer than outside. The furnishings inside were not complicated, with a few sofas and a long table. Several portraits of sleeping figures hung on the side walls. Against the innermost wall of the room were several narrow, square-shaped dressing rooms, obviously hastily set up.

"You can choose a racing suit that fits your size."

Amosta pointed to the several sports uniforms piled on the table and spoke gently to Harry and Ron, who had walked in first.

"Professor Blaine,"

Before Cho Chang entered, Harry asked anxiously,

"What's going on, Professor? Ron and I, does this mean that Hermione needs to rescue two people?"

After receiving an affirmative reply, Ron also shouted.

"This is not fair!"

"When choosing a rescuer for Hermione, we all agreed that you two fit the criteria of 'the most important person,' that is, the treasure. However, Professor Karkaroff seemed to think that forcing one of you to choose might embarrass the other and damage your friendship. Therefore, he suggested that you both participate."

Amosta said with a smile.

This explanation left Harry and Ron speechless for a few seconds. They looked at each other, and Ron gasped and shivered a few times.

"They're saying they'd rather go down to Black Lake, but I'd rather stay on the shore and watch the game!"

Harry grinned, but the furrow between his brows didn't disappear.

"But doesn't that make things more difficult for Hermione?"

“We can’t look at things so superficially, Harry,” Amosta said calmly.

"The fact that two close friends are in danger at the same time may ignite her fighting spirit and increase her determination."

this.

Harry and Ron hesitated, but Cho Chang had already pushed the door open and entered. The topic was no longer suitable to continue. Harry walked to the table with his head down, picked out a piece of clothing at random, and went straight to the dressing room at the far end. He turned the handle, but the door did not open.

"That door might be broken, let's change rooms."

Professor Blaine's voice arrived just in time. Harry shrugged, picked up his clothes, and went to the next room.

After Qiu Zhang also entered the dressing room with suitable clothes, Gabrielle finally dawdled in.

It was clear that the blonde, blue-eyed little girl was still very scared. She bit her lower lip, tears welling up in her eyes, but she didn't say a word about backing down. Instead, she clenched her small, white fists tightly, walked to the table, and stood on tiptoe to pick out clothes.

Harry and Ron came out of the dressing room around the same time, and when they came out, Gabrielle, who was the last to enter, was already changed and waiting at the table.

The thought that this lovely little girl would also have to go down to the terrifying and gloomy bottom of the Black Lake with him filled Harry with a pang of sympathy. So, when Gabrielle looked at him, Harry gave her a friendly smile.

To Harry's surprise, Gabrielle seemed to have overcome her fear, and she smiled sweetly at him.

"Ahem-"

Perhaps fearing they might feel nervous, Professor Blaine's voice was even gentler than before, and he smiled as he spoke.

"I'm sorry, everyone, because of the time constraints, we don't have much time to waste on who goes first. I can assure you, there will be no pain. So, Harry?"

Harry mumbled something, his voice indistinct, seemingly reluctant, but he still obeyed the call and stepped forward.

Twenty minutes later, Amosta emerged with a row of young wizards floating in mid-air, and the people waiting outside immediately went to greet them.

Madame Maxim brushed Gabrielle's hair from her sideburns, her eyes filled with a hint of heartache.

"Are you sure there won't be any problems, Blaine?"

“Oh, of course, um… Mrs. Ma… Mrs. Kessim—”

Amosta explained.

"I used it."

“Amosta’s magical skills are trustworthy, Orim,”

Dumbledore interrupted Amosta's explanation with a smile, and waved to everyone.

"Come on, gentlemen, I'm afraid we must get everything sorted out as soon as possible so that we may still have time to have breakfast."

The tension of the competition kept Hermione awake for the first half of the night; she couldn't stop thinking about those terrible hypothetical scenarios.

For example, what if, despite her attempts, her not-yet-perfect magic suddenly fails during the actual competition? Or what if, given the size of the Black Lake, she can't retrieve the 'treasure' within the allotted time?

Furthermore, Hermione is still completely baffled as to the 'treasure' mentioned in the hint.

For some time now, she has been very careful about the things around her, but the competition starts tomorrow, and so far she has not found that she has lost anything important.

This vague unease ended with her reason telling her she needed to rest. Hermione spent the rest of the night in a daze until dawn, when she finally fell asleep from exhaustion. But this didn't last long. The moment the rising sun slanted into the dormitory and shone on Parvati and Lavender's beds, her powerful instincts, ingrained by long-standing habits, made Hermione sit up abruptly in bed.

Rarely, Lavender and Pettier got up earlier than Hermione. After Hermione put on her robes, she suddenly realized that she should wear her match outfit today. While she was hurriedly changing, her two roommates had already washed up and were ready to go downstairs.

Good luck, Hermione!

We'll cheer you on!

Her two friends offered their blessings, and Hermione, panting, thanked them before rushing into the bathroom. After relieving herself faster than usual, she hurried downstairs.

Admittedly, Hermione was somewhat disappointed not to see Harry and Ron in the common room immediately.