The Bard of Hogwarts

Chapter 419 The Goblet of Fire Rekindled

2003 October.

Nine years after the hasty conclusion of the Goblet of Fire in 1994, Hogwarts once again welcomed guests from afar.

……

At 5 p.m., led by Professor McGonagall, all the teachers and students lined up again on the lawn outside the castle.

In the sky, Beauxbatons' carriage once again flew above Hogwarts, and the enormous rune horse also drew gasps of amazement from the young wizards.

As always, Professor Rupert Hagrid, the professor of the Magical Creatures Protection Class, immediately stepped to the front, holding up a huge red warning sign to guide the Spellhorse to land.

Behind the students, Ino quietly watched the scene unfold before her.

History seems to be repeating itself once again.

……

With a loud bang, Beauxbatons' carriage landed safely.

The door opened, and out stepped Mrs. Maxim, who was still over twelve feet tall.

This time, she was not greeted by Dumbledore.

At this moment, the two female principals of the three magic schools in Europe meet.

At the same time, Ino also noticed that many students had silently raised their video cameras.

Seven years later, the magazine that Draco founded is still well-established. The editor-in-chief of the magazine is like the Quidditch captain. Each editor-in-chief always chooses the next successor before graduating.

Looking at the enthusiastic little wizards, Ino smiled contentedly.

Unbeknownst to them, their generation had already set a new trend for castles.

……

At the same time.

After exchanging pleasantries with Professor McGonagall, Mrs. Maxim walked toward the Hogwarts faculty.

"Long time no see, Principal Maxim!" Ino greeted first.

"Yes! It's been a long time." Madam Maxim sighed softly. "You still rejected Beauxbatons and ultimately chose Hogwarts."

The young man before her was the one she felt most resentful about.

She had offered him a position before he became famous, even directly offering him the position of professor of alchemy, but in the end he became a professor at Hogwarts.

"It wasn't me who chose Hogwarts; it chose me a long time ago."

Ino also held Mrs. Maxim in high esteem, not only because of Nicole, but also because of her style of doing things.

Beside her, Mrs. Maxim nodded thoughtfully, then changed the subject:

"I won't be in the principal's position for many more years, and besides, Beauxbatons is currently short of a vice principal..."

"Ahem!" Professor McGonagall couldn't help but cough softly.

"I've already arranged a seat for Beauxbatons in the auditorium. After your journey, I'm sure you won't refuse a hot cup of tea!"

This was a polite tone and phrase, but Professor McGonagall showed no smile.

They dared to poach a Hogwarts professor right in front of the Headmaster. If the occasion hadn't been so inappropriate, she would have been furious.

Mrs. Maxim, standing nearby, also took the opportunity to stop the conversation, saying that the Goblet of Fire would last for the entire school year, and there was still plenty of time; there was no need to rush.

"Thank you very much, Principal McGonagall."

After Mrs. Maxim finished speaking, she walked towards the auditorium with practiced ease.

This casual reply made Professor McGonagall unconsciously purse her lips.

She regretted agreeing to host the Goblet of Fire. She thought it would bring her glory, but who would have thought that after so many years, the other party still hadn't given up.

Watching the tall figure gradually disappear into the distance, Professor McGonagall turned her gaze to another party involved.

"I didn't intend to resign, and as you know, the Magic Mechanics class has only just begun," Ino said, spreading her hands with an innocent expression.

"Hmm." Professor McGonagall nodded slightly, seemingly agreeing with the answer.

half an hour.

"Hogwarts also needs a vice-principal."

After saying that, Professor McGonagall proudly turned around and looked at the Black Lake in the distance.

The lake, which had been calm just moments before, suddenly developed a huge whirlpool.

……

8 PM.

The auditorium was brightly lit.

The banquet proceeded as scheduled, and the Goblet of Fire was lit. But this time, Professor McGonagall explicitly forbade students under the age of 17 from attending.

"...Therefore, I would like to reiterate the age limit one last time, and I hope you will consciously abide by it."

Professor McGonagall's booming voice echoed throughout the auditorium from the main guest seat.

Although this decision displeased 99% of the young wizards, this is not the Goblet of Fire from nine years ago, and the headmaster is not Dumbledore from nine years ago.

Strict, fair, rigid... At this time of year, no one dares to challenge Professor McGonagall's authority.

"Professor Svenburn!" In the main seat, as Professor McGonagall called out his name, Ino also stood up.

"Ahem... I hope everyone will follow Principal McGonagall's instructions. After the banquet, I will set up a cordon, and any student who tries to challenge it will be given an unforgettable experience."

As he spoke, Ino waved his hand, and a seven-colored halo enveloped the ignited Goblet of Fire.

The faint, colorful halo resembled a cloud magnified countless times, shimmering and beautiful.

Faced with such a beautiful thing, many young wizards sighed from the depths of their souls, and the voices of the Gryffindors were the loudest and the most emotional, with many even hanging their heads in despair.

All the young wizards at Hogwarts knew that the most frightening person in the entire castle was not the strict Professor McGonagall, but rather Professor Svenburn, the Magical Mechanics Professor who always had a calm and collected demeanor.

Many of them grew up listening to the professor's legends. Similarly, with the popularization of video cameras, although a long time has passed, the footage of the battles has been well preserved.

Therefore, after seeing that colorful ball of light, many people completely gave up hope.

……

The banquet ended amidst much noise.

As the professors left, a few furtive little heads peeked out and quietly approached the Goblet of Fire, which was shrouded in a seven-colored halo.

This courageous act naturally attracted a large crowd of onlookers.

Because everyone wants to know what an unforgettable experience is, and nowadays it's rare to find someone brave enough to try it, which just happens to satisfy people's curiosity.

The person who started this whole thing, Ino, was completely unaware of it, and he had already returned to the valley.

……

The valley remained quiet at night.

The sky, adorned with jewels, is dazzling and beautiful.

But compared to the twinkling stars, a small hill rising from the ground seems even more cozy.

Below the hill is a flattened right-angled plane with a small door about 1.5 meters wide and two delicate window frames.

At this moment, the originally dark window was now emitting a faint orange light.

"Bilbo..."

Seeing the light on in the window, Ino walked over with a happy expression.

Over the past seven years, he has hosted many guests and witnessed many stories.

And Middle-earth is always indispensable, so Bilbo, a former friend, also received the same treatment as the Brothers Grimm, and was allowed to stay in the valley for a while.

……

However, times have changed, things have changed, and many things in the Central Plains have changed.

The most important thing was that his contact with Lina was broken.

This is a good thing, as he had already suspected it after the path leading to Middle-earth disappeared from the sanctuary.

This was further confirmed after they entered the Middle-earth.

Freed from the original constraints, Ino felt genuinely relaxed, though she didn't know how Lina felt.

Therefore, after discovering that Lina was not in Ciel, he did not take the initiative to look for her.

Rather than a sentimental farewell, it's better to leave quietly; it's better for both of us.

There's also an explanation for Lina.

Now free from constraints, this tragic white witch can begin her story.

(End of this chapter)