Magical Studies at Hogwarts...

Chapter 172 The Trophy and the Door Key

"It's been a long time, Mrs. Weasley, Bill."

Bending down so Julianne wouldn't have to stand on tiptoe, Ike straightened up again before greeting Mrs. Weasley and Bill, who had been watching him and Julianne with a beaming smile.

"Long time no see, Ike." Mrs. Weasley smiled and hugged Ike. Bill, standing beside him, shook his hand and said, "Fantastic! We've all heard. Did you really kill a dragon?"

Ike nodded somewhat sheepishly and asked, "Are you...representing Harry's family?"

"Yes," Bill glanced at Mrs. Weasley beside him and replied quietly, "You know that family... so, here we are."

After saying that, he shrugged.

"By the way, have you seen Harry?"

"No," Ike shook his head. "He probably doesn't know it's you..."

"That's true," Bill said.

"How about I go take a look? I'll also show Julian around the school." With that, Ike turned around and said to Julian, "Shall we go for a walk? You haven't had breakfast yet, have you? We can try the school's breakfast; the pancakes and waffles are really good."

"OK."

After saying goodbye to Mrs. Weasley and Bill, Ike led Julianne into the adjacent Great Hall. As soon as they entered, they saw Hermione, Harry, and Ron at the Gryffindor long table.

"Harry, why didn't you go to the meeting room next door?" Ike asked.

"I..." Harry looked somewhat dejected and resistant, but Ike smiled and said, "Trust me, you won't be disappointed. And Ron, I think you should go too."

"I?"

"Ron?" Harry paused for a moment, then immediately realized what was going on and grabbed Ron, running out the door.

"This is Julianne, this is..."

After Harry and Ron left, Ike smiled at Hermione and introduced them to each other. But before he could finish, Julianne sat down next to Hermione, took her hand, and said warmly, "You must be Hermione! It's so nice to meet you."

"This...you know me?" Hermione was stunned, somewhat confused about the situation.

"Of course I know. It's just that I only found out recently." Julianne glared at Ike, then smiled broadly at Hermione. "That kid didn't tell me anything."

"Really? Hahaha..." Hermione glared at him and then ignored him, turning to chat enthusiastically with Julianne.

For the rest of the day, Ike had virtually nothing to do. Hermione and Julianne were inexplicably close, always walking together ahead, seemingly talking about something. Ike followed a short distance behind, only quickening his pace to catch up when the two called to him.

They spent the morning touring the castle, had lunch, and then walked around the outside of the castle before returning for dinner.

Julianne was overjoyed, a smile constantly on her face. Ike, however, could see clearly that she was more curious about Hermione than the wonders of the magical world, and was even quite puzzled when she learned that Hermione wouldn't be sitting with her at the dinner party.

"Weren't we sitting together at noon?"

"The dinner is different; we are from two different houses after all," Hermione explained. "Besides, we can sit together after the competition starts."

"Alright." Julianne was a little reluctant to leave, but she understood after hearing Hermione's words. She followed Ike to sit down at the Ravenclaw table and waved to Hermione, who had just returned to the Gryffindor table.

Hermione waved enthusiastically, then looked at Ike, smiled, and nodded slightly. Ike smiled back.

Julie witnessed this scene safely, but said nothing; her smile only deepened.

Dinner was very lavish. Ike kept introducing Julianne to some foods unique to the magical world, and he ate a lot himself, showing no sign of nervousness.

"Ladies and gentlemen, it's almost time. I'd like to invite you all to the Quidditch pitch for the final event of the Triwizard Tournament." As everyone had finished eating, Dumbledore stood up and said, "Warriors, please follow Mr. Bagman ahead."

After bidding farewell to Julianne, Stewart, and the others, and waving goodbye to Hermione from afar, Ike left the Great Hall with Harry, Krum, and Fleur amidst cheers and applause.

Following Ludo to the Quidditch pitch, they found it completely transformed. A massive hedge surrounded the pitch, with only one gap in front of them, through which it was pitch black and they couldn't see anything.

Before long, the others arrived and took their seats in the stands, and the stadium soon became noisy.

Professor McGonagall, Professor Flitwick, Moody, and Hagrid also approached, followed by five or six Aurora. After greeting Ludo, Professor McGonagall addressed the warriors, "We will patrol outside the maze. If you encounter any difficulties and need assistance, fire a red spark into the sky, and we will arrive immediately."

Seeing that the warriors all nodded, Professor McGonagall and the others said a few more words to Ludo and then left, scattering around the maze.

Ludo checked the time, pressed his wand against his throat, and under the effect of the Loudspeaker spell, his voice echoed throughout the stadium.

"Ladies and gentlemen, the final match of the Triwizard Tournament is about to begin!"

"Ike, listen to my whistle!"

"three!"

"two!"

"one!"

As the whistle blew, Ike was the first to run into the maze, but after turning at the first intersection, he slowed down and leisurely looked around at his surroundings.

He wasn't in a hurry at all. For him, the maze and the competition weren't the key issues. If he wanted, the trophy in the center of the maze would be within his grasp.

The key is time—the time to find the trophy.

Not long after, the whistle blew again, and Krum entered. A moment later, after two more whistles, Fleur and Harry also entered, and Ike quickened his pace slightly, walking towards the center.

As if taking a stroll, he raised his left hand, revealing a crack in the hedge in front of him that allowed him to pass through. With another wave, the giant slug was overturned, and at the same time, he waved his wand in his right hand, causing the ground to tumble and trap it inside, leaving only its head sticking out.

"Ike".

After walking a little further in, a person suddenly appeared not far ahead.

"Has it already begun?" Ike placed his hands in front of him, his right hand gripping his wand, and quietly looked at the newcomer. "I suppose you have something to do."

"You have to make sure Harry gets the trophy."

"The trophy? You swapped it for a door key?" Ike said softly. "What a tired old trick, Barty."

"But it works." Barty Jr., still sporting Moody's face, said coldly, "You're just an insurance policy."

"Okay, okay, I understand," Ike replied dismissively.

"Also, when you hear the summons, use this immediately." Little Barty took a broken bowl out of his pocket and tossed it to Ike.

"Another door key? I understand."

Seeing that Ike had put away the key, Little Barty visibly breathed a sigh of relief. Without saying a word, he concealed himself and disappeared into the maze.

Silently watching the spot where Barty disappeared, Ike left the place after a while.

This time, it was much faster; he walked straight towards the center of the maze. After passing through countless hedges, Ike saw the trophy placed on the central platform.

"It's so beautiful..."

He murmured to himself, then gently waved his right hand, and his body slowly faded until he disappeared from the spot.

(End of this chapter)