HP: Azkaban's Outstanding Graduate

Terrified screams suddenly erupted from the stands, and time seemed to stretch out and stand still.

Just as the destructive cursed light was about to engulf him, all the hesitation and fear in Cedric's eyes were suddenly replaced by a resolute determination.

He abandoned all thoughts of evasion and defense.

All his will, all his magic, even his survival instinct, were frantically compressed and concentrated into a single point; in his mind, there was only one incredibly clear thought—

Apparition!

Just before the cursed light struck his body, his figure vanished from his spot! The next second, he reappeared out of thin air at the other end of the arena!

The audience erupted in chaos!

"Merlin! What is that?"

"Phantom Transformation! He's only in fourth grade!"

Even Percy Weasley was stunned, his mouth agape—Apparition was a subject taught in the sixth-year advanced class, and could only be legally used by those who were seventeen years of age or older and passed a rigorous test.

This spell is not only extremely difficult, but the risk of splitting the caster is also terrifying. Cedric actually dared to forcibly cast it in such a fierce battle!

Karpov seemed stunned as well, his sinister smile frozen on his face, probably not expecting the other party to use such magic.

But Cedric did not hesitate for a moment. The moment he escaped the shadows, his will to fight back erupted like a volcano.

His wand, brimming with unstoppable force, was swung out with all his might before he had even fully regained his footing:

"He collapsed to the ground, completely unconscious!"

A dazzling red light, like a cannonball, erupted from the tip of his staff. The cursed light, accompanied by a sharp whistling sound, slammed into Karpov's broad chest.

"boom--!"

Karpov's burly body flew backward, the enormous impact sending him flying nearly five meters before he crashed to the ground with a thud.

The entire dueling arena fell into a frozen, deathly silence.

Everyone stared in disbelief at the stage—the fourth-year Hufflepuff boy. He remained in the casting pose, his chest heaving, breathing slightly heavily.

Opposite him, the once arrogant seventh-year Durmstrang student was now lying in the distance like a tattered sack, a white light representing defeat emanating from his body.

Red Falcon was the first to react, her voice cracking with excitement: "Unbelievable! Cedric Diggory defeated Paro Karpov! Hogwarts wins—!!!"

"yeah--!!!"

After a brief silence, Hogwarts erupted in deafening applause, with even the Slytherin students cheering for this unexpected comeback.

Cedric slowly straightened up, looking at the wand he was clutching tightly in his hand, then at Karpov who was struggling to get up, and finally at the boiling sea of ​​people below the stage.

He really...did it? He used that spell, which he had only practiced in private and was far from mastering, to defeat a powerful opponent?

It seems his earlier guess was correct; the arena was indeed shrouded in powerful protective magic.

It not only protects them from attacks, but also provides an invisible safety net when casting unstable and powerful spells.

Most importantly, with so many professors watching, even if something unexpected happens, it won't be a big deal, because he now feels that winning or losing isn't that important at all.

Cedric stepped off the dueling platform, his steps still a little unsteady. He looked up, his gaze inadvertently sweeping in Durmstrang's direction.

Victor Krum stood there with his arms crossed, his eyes fixed on him, and finally nodded slowly.

Cedric smiled nonchalantly and then turned his gaze back to the professors' table.

There, Professor Sprout was waving at him with a big smile, Professor Lumina was whistling, and the other professors were clapping with smiles.

Thus, the top three in the three-school joint duel have been determined. However, the final rankings will not be revealed until the next round.

Fleur Delacour of Beauxbatons, Viktor Krum of Durmstrang, and Cedric Diggory of Hogwarts—each of the three magic schools has a place.

Interestingly, none of them were seventh graders who were about to graduate.

At noon, Dumbledore announced that the game was suspended and all the students rushed to the Great Hall for lunch.

The young wizards crowded together as they stepped onto the suspension bridge woven from green vines. A few of the bolder ones deliberately swayed and jumped on it, causing the students who were afraid of heights to scream in terror.

Before the professors could reprimand them, the suspension bridge itself extended several supple green vines, which "slap! slap!" struck the troublemaker's legs and back with precision, eliciting a burst of laughter and exaggerated wails.

Surprisingly, the students from all three schools were in a very harmonious atmosphere. Even the usually serious Durmstrang students were smiling and chatting with each other, a rare sight for them.

“But seriously,” Justin Finley of Hufflepuff said to a Durmstrang student beside him as they walked, “that big guy of yours is really cunning. Not only did he sneak up on us, but he also cheated. Cedric almost got himself killed!”

“That’s a legitimate dueling strategy,” a muscular Durmstrang boy with a short haircut replied frankly, his accent thick. “It’s not a sneak attack, it’s a preemptive strike—the fight begins the moment you nod.”

"Are you serious?" Justin's eyes widened as he incredulously scanned the Durmstrang students around him. "You... all think that?"

Several Durmstrang men nodded naturally, their expressions unhurried.

“This is simply… simply…” Justin was speechless for a moment, unable to find the right words to express his shock.

"We must always remain vigilant!"

A clear voice broke through; it was Susan Bornes. She adjusted her glasses, her expression serious.

"What?" Justin looked at her in confusion.

“‘Stay alert,’” Susan explained, “that was the catchphrase of the legendary Auror, Mad-Eye Moody. I’ve seen him a few times at my aunt’s house.”

"Who is your aunt?..." someone asked curiously.

“Amelia Borns, Director of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement.” Susan’s tone carried a hint of barely perceptible pride. “The Auror Command is under her jurisdiction.”

The surrounding students—especially the Hufflepuff and Gryffindor students—immediately stood in awe.

Although they weren't entirely clear on the specific positions within the Ministry of Magic, the Director sounded like a very important person. It was certainly much more prestigious than Filch's title of Castle Warden.

“Speaking of which, that Cedric from your school is really amazing,” a girl from Beauxbatons joined the conversation. She had beautiful curly hair and bright eyes. “Is he really only a fourth-grader? I mean, he looks at least a sixth-grader.”

"And she's also very good-looking..."

Cho Chang from Ravenclaw and her friend Marietta Eckmore happened to pass by. Cho Chang whispered something, then she and Marietta covered their mouths and giggled.

Chapter 142 The Unexpected Downpour

Dumbledore received a notice from the Ministry of Magic and made an emergency trip to London, entrusting Professor McGonagall with the task of presiding over the duel before he left.

The lunch in the auditorium ended in a mixed atmosphere of excitement and anticipation.

The aroma of honey-roasted ham and the sweetness of pumpkin juice had not yet completely dissipated when the young wizards eagerly surged back into the dueling arena, filling the air with a festive excitement.

The stands were quickly filled, and the atmosphere was even more enthusiastic than in the morning.

After the exciting matches in the morning and the inter-school exchange during lunch, the students seemed more relaxed.

Many people were clutching cream pies and chocolate puddings that they had taken from the Great Hall, or butterbeers that they had just "amicably negotiated" with the Hogwarts kitchen elves.

Just then, two figures dressed in wizard robes and with fiery red hair darted nimbly through the aisles of the stands like fish.

Ladies and gentlemen! Don't miss this opportunity!

Fred Weasley shouted at the top of his lungs, his voice loud enough to cut through the cacophony of voices.

"The Weasley Twins generously sponsor snacks for the game!"

George Weasley then picked up a tray filled with colorful little bottles and oddly shaped snacks.

"The 'Dragon's Breath Mint Candy' is so invigorating, it's guaranteed to give you sharper eyes than Krum, all for just three scoops!"

"Waterproof, moisture-proof, and even boredom-proof 'rainbow popcorn,' perfect for watching the game rain or shine, and you can have a big bag of it!"

"Also available is our exclusive 'Quick-Acting Skip-Class Candy - Spectator Limited Edition'! Guaranteed to let you escape unimpeded when you're bored... uh, I mean, when you need to briefly leave your seat! Only 7 Xike available, limited stock, so buy now!"

The twins' shouts drew laughter, and their business was booming.

Many students couldn't resist the temptation and took out their money to buy them, filling the stands with all sorts of strange candy smells.

The limited-edition skip-class candy for watching the game didn't sell a single piece, because watching the game wasn't like attending class. And as long as it wasn't class, the little wizards were enthusiastic about everything.

Just as the top three contestants were about to enter the arena, and the audience was munching on snacks and eagerly waiting, the sky suddenly darkened without warning.

Several thick, dark clouds seemed to be forcibly pulled from elsewhere by an invisible hand, quickly gathering above the dueling arena. Immediately afterwards, cold raindrops pelted the roof of the stands and the faces of the spectators in the front rows.

"Oh no!" someone cried out.

"My new robe!" some of the girls exclaimed.

"Damn it, 'Rainbow Popcorn' can't really protect against heavy rain!" George's face changed as he looked at the packaging that was starting to get wet.

“Don’t worry, buddy,” Fred said with his signature sly grin as he frantically applied a waterproofing spell to the tray, “the instructions don’t say it’s rainproof. We just verbally claim it’s ‘rain or shine’…that’s just ‘artistic exaggeration,’ you know? Legally, it’s not counterfeit!”

"May Merlin bless you so that your twisted logic can convince Mrs. Pomfrey—if anyone gets diarrhea from eating wet popcorn," George muttered as he began to cast a spell.

Complaints were constant.

The rain gradually intensified, turning from sparse raindrops into a torrential downpour. The icy rain poured down, pounding against the protective shield and the roof of the stands with a loud crashing sound.

A small puddle instantly formed in the center of the field. Hibiscus frowned slightly and reached out to wipe the water droplets off her shoulder. Krum remained expressionless, but there was a hint of displeasure in his eyes. Cedric was the one who got the wettest. He wiped the rain off his face vigorously, and water droplets dripped down his chin.

The audience was in complete chaos, with everyone hunching their shoulders, using their robes to shield themselves from the rain, or trying to squeeze further inside. Snack packaging was soaked by the rain and looked disheveled.

The twins cursed the awful weather for ruining their business as they frantically applied waterproofing spells to their precious merchandise.

At this time of year, the thick ice on the surface of Black Lake had only recently melted, and a chill still lingered in the air. As the wind howled through the dueling arena, many of the drenched young wizards couldn't help but hug their arms and shiver.

"Quiet! Quiet!"

Professor McGonagall's stern voice rang out through an amplification spell as she attempted to maintain order, but it sounded somewhat powerless amidst the clamor of the downpour and the chaotic crowd.

Amidst the chaos and widespread complaints, Sagres finally put down his teacup.

He's about to start showing off!

Of course, this was by no means his intention.

He didn't stand up, but simply pulled his wand from the inner pocket of his robe and casually pointed it in the air towards the noisy audience.

"Quiet!"

A clear and steady voice instantly filled the entire venue, freezing all the noise.

The audience fell into dead silence. Some students were still talking with their mouths open, but those opposite them could only see their mouths opening and closing silently, without making a sound.

The only sound in the entire dueling arena was the deafening roar of the rain as it violently washed everything away, a monotonous and oppressive sound.

Sagres slightly raised his head, his deep gaze piercing through the thick rain curtain, staring directly at the center of the churning, surging dark clouds.