A Certain Magical Hogwarts

Chapter 723 Dumbledore's Speech

The OWL exams are finally over, which also means the end of this semester.

On the night before the holiday, all the students gathered in the auditorium... including Durmstrang and Beauxbatons.

As is customary, the final winner of the Academy Cup will be announced tonight.

Although Hermione won the Triwizard Cup, which boosted Gryffindor's score considerably, it was too little, too late.

After the second project ended, the three academies of Lion, Badger, and Snake, along with Durmstrang, engaged in a chaotic battle.

Dumbledore deducted a lot of points from me.

Ravenclaw didn't exert much effort, yet he remained unchallenged, maintaining his five-peat to date.

Although the Eagles won the championship, the auditorium was not decorated with Ravenclaw decorations; instead, a solemn black curtain was hung.

Dumbledore was sitting at the faculty desk, chatting with Mad-Eye Moody, seemingly discussing a very serious matter.

Snape stared blankly at the black curtain with a gloomy face.

This year, he finally refrained from mentioning a ten-consecutive-championship run.

I don't know if I've resigned myself to my fate or if I feel something is out of place.

Professor Flitwick thought so too, and he put the trophy under the table so that no one could see it.

Mrs. Maxim is talking to Hagrid, and the two seem to have gotten along better again.

Sirius sat in the corner, watching the two of them, eavesdropping on their conversation.

Hagrid glared at him with his large, bell-like eyes.

Sirius quickly turned his gaze back, only then realizing that he was wearing Karkaroff's face.

If you eavesdrop on other people's conversations like that, Hagrid will tear you apart.

Professor Dumbledore suddenly stood up. The Great Hall, which was already much quieter than usual for a farewell banquet, was now completely silent.

"Another year has passed," Dumbledore said, looking at everyone. "It's over!"

Everyone stared at the old man with a white beard.

"It was truly a fantastic year. We hosted the Triwizard Tournament, although there were many twists and turns along the way, such as... an unprecedented twenty-three warriors..."

The students laughed, and many looked at William.

"After a fierce competition, Miss Granger of Gryffindor has won the championship," said Dumbledore.

The Gryffindor students were the first to applaud, and soon all the students joined in.

After Dumbledore raised his hand, the silence returned.

"Winning the championship is certainly important, but the most important thing is..."

He paused and said:

Students from the three schools participated in a year-long exchange program... gaining a deeper understanding of each other, forging strong friendships, and strengthening their bonds.

To our unbreakable friendship... let's raise a glass, everyone!

Dumbledore raised his glass, and everyone stood up, the sound of benches being moved echoing through the hall.

They raised their wine glasses and, in deep, resonant voices, declared in unison, "An unbreakable friendship!"

After Dumbledore finished his drink, he gestured for everyone to sit down.

"I know many students are curious about where I went and what I did during this time."

Why do the teachers also look so rushed?

The students all pricked up their ears and stared at the principal.

Dumbledore's blue eyes swept over each student, and after a long while, he slowly said:

"Voldemort... he's back to life, on the night of the Triwizard Tournament finals!"

A murmur of shock rippled through the hall. Everyone stared at Dumbledore in horror and disbelief.

It was as if he was talking nonsense.

"Some of the students' parents may be shocked by what I've done," Dumbledore continued.

"They don't believe Voldemort has really returned; or they think I shouldn't tell you this."

After all, you are still young.

"In fact, there were objections before I was even about to announce this," Dumbledore said calmly.

He was worried that you were afraid.

He asked me, "Can a person still be brave when they are afraid?"

I said: People can only be brave when they are afraid!

He then asked: You haven't grown up yet, you shouldn't have to bear these things so early.

I said: "You won't stay children forever, and besides... darkness is coming!"

Dumbledore was silent for a moment, then said in a deep voice:

"Gentlemen, darkness is coming!"

In fact, I knew this on that night thirteen years ago, the night Voldemort disappeared.

The Dark Lord will one day return, and darkness will once again descend upon this land.

"Of course, the Ministry of Magic doesn't want me to tell you this. Minister Fudge is unwilling to accept Voldemort's return."

But I don't want to lie. I believe that telling the truth is always better than lying.

The students in the Great Hall all looked at Dumbledore, but many of their faces were filled with fear, and their minds were blank.

Dumbledore took in everyone's expressions and continued:

"I know that some students still can't accept it and are still afraid."

I'm scared too!

The principal said loudly:

"I fear the return of war, the destruction of my homeland, and the death of countless vibrant lives... but I fear not Voldemort, nor his pitiful servants!"

Dumbledore's voice echoed through the Great Hall as he passionately declared:

Voldemort believed that only overwhelming power could intimidate everything.

I don't believe it!

In my opinion, ordinary, mundane things, the love and kindness of ordinary people, can awe everything.

The power of kindness and love is limitless!

Dumbledore's blue eyes gleamed, as if burning:

Why was Harry Potter able to kill Voldemort as a baby?

Because of love!

His mother Lily's love for him killed Voldemort.

Snape stared intently into Harry's eyes, as if he had lost his soul.

"Thirteen years ago, Voldemort failed once. Four years ago, he attempted to seize the Philosopher's Stone, and failed again..."

Dumbledore declared forcefully, "Just recently, on the very night of his resurrection, he failed once more!"

"William Stark rescued Harry from him and nearly defeated him! He fled like a stray dog!"

A commotion arose in the hall, and many people turned to look at William, then quickly turned back to look at Dumbledore.

"Look," Dumbledore said dismissively, "Voldemort has failed so many times, why should I be afraid of him?"

No, I'm not afraid!

I even pity him, pity him for not understanding...love.

"Voldemort is doomed. It's a foregone conclusion for him, just like the Chadley Cannons will finish last in this year's league."

Dumbledore raised his cup again: "William risked his life to bring Harry back to Hogwarts."

He fought Voldemort and saved many lives, though almost no one knows about it.

For this, I express my respect to him.

Almost everyone in the hall did the same, whispering William's name and toasting him.

Dumbledore took a sip of his drink, but didn't put it down, and continued:

"The purpose of the Triwizard Tournament is to enhance and promote mutual understanding within the magical world."

Given what is happening now—given Voldemort's resurrection—this connection is more important than ever before.

Dumbledore looked at Mrs. Maxime and Karkaroff, then at Beauxbatons and Durmstrang's students.

"Every guest in the Great Hall," Dumbledore said resolutely, looking at the students.

"Although Voldemort must die, it is the result of our unity."

Only by uniting can we completely defeat him and reduce casualties; if we are divided, we will be vulnerable.

Only by demonstrating unbreakable friendship and trust can we fight them to the end.

Dumbledore looked around:

"So this last cup is a toast to everyone!"

And a salute to those wizards who are about to take action, or who are already silently dedicating themselves in the darkness.

The entire room was solemn and silent.

Dumbledore shouted:

"I really wish none of this had happened."

Everyone thinks this way when they encounter difficulties, but we cannot control our own destiny.

What we need to decide is how to choose amidst suffering.

Before you make your choice, I just want everyone to remember one thing:

When darkness falls, the lone wolf dies, but the pack survives!

Dumbledore looked up at his students, his eyes filled with tears, and then suddenly finished his drink.

……

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(End of this chapter)