Chapter 282: Facing It Together

"Lastly, the biggest puzzle is Harry Potter becoming the champion—traditionally, the Triwizard Tournament has one champion from each of the three schools.

However, this time, a fourth champion emerged.

Harry clearly isn't on par in terms of prowess to compete as a champion, which suggests a conspiracy.

Adding to that, consider the fake Moody infiltrating Hogwarts—all becomes clear."

After Hermione's analysis, she immediately looked at Alaric with an expectant expression on her face.

"How about that? My analysis is spot on, right?"

Without a word, Alaric roughly ruffled the girl's slightly disheveled hair.

"You really live up to your reputation. Your analysis is completely correct!"

"Hehe."

Praised by Alaric, Hermione smiled brightly.

"However, from the moment I saw Professor Moody as the first patroller, I sensed something was amiss.

It had nothing to do with the evidence we had previously discussed."

Suddenly, Hermione's next words caught Alaric's attention.

"What?" He looked at the girl.

Seemingly emboldened, the girl stared back into his eyes.

"Because the first patroller wasn't you.

If nothing unexpected happened, based on what I know about you, I believe you would have appeared before us as soon as you saw our signal.

After all, isn't one of your roles as judge and patroller to protect me... and Fleur?"

The girl seemed to muster great courage to say such cheesy words, which was understandable.

Although their relationship was already close, she seemed unaccustomed to expressing such affection.

——Can you stop smiling so foolishly? Just a moment ago, I thought you were like Holmes.

Alaric laid the two unconscious professors on the ground and turned to the two girls.

"What do you say? Shall we go see what that guy's up to?"

"Huh? Shouldn't we be arresting him?" Hermione and Fleur both expressed confusion at Alaric's suggestion.

"No, we can't arrest him yet," Alaric said gravely.

"He wants to take Dumbledore's beloved savior from right under his nose.

There must be a bigger conspiracy. I want to see what it is. I suspect..."

"Pfft!"

Hearing that Harry was Dumbledore's beloved savior, both girls burst out laughing.

They found the description fitting, especially considering Dumbledore's frequency of meeting Harry—far more than any other young wizard.

But when Alaric mentioned a bigger conspiracy, both girls perked up.

"Don't keep us in suspense," Fleur urged, playfully pulling Alaric's hand.

"What's the conspiracy?"

"Are you sure you want to hear this?" Alaric teased.

"Yes, yes!" Both girls nodded eagerly.

"The mastermind behind this conspiracy is very dangerous."

"We're okay with that. Please continue."

"Sure you won't regret it?"

"Oh, stop teasing and just tell us!" Fleur was getting impatient.

"Alright, cough, cough," Alaric cleared his throat and then said in a serious tone.

"I believe this conspiracy is related to Voldemort."

"What?!"

"How is that possible?"

As soon as Alaric's words landed, the girls exclaimed in disbelief.

After all, Voldemort had supposedly died fourteen years ago!

No, Hermione suddenly recalled the events of second year.

Back then, she and Alaric had discovered the hidden chamber and uncovered the culprit behind the unleashed serpent—Tom Riddle's diary, harboring a segment of his memory.

Then she remembered Professor Quirrell from first year, with Voldemort's face on the back of his head.

Voldemort had infiltrated Hogwarts to obtain the Philosopher's Stone hidden there.

Looking at it this way, although Voldemort was said to have died fourteen years ago, he clearly hadn't died completely.

He had been causing trouble all along, attempting to return.

So, it wasn't surprising that this semester's conspiracy targeted Harry Potter.

After explaining everything, Fleur finally believed this harsh reality: Voldemort was indeed still alive—or rather, not completely dead.

This realization filled her with fear, and she looked urgently at Alaric.

"What are we waiting for? Let's stop fake Moody and rescue Harry.

Otherwise, if this conspiracy is truly aimed at resurrecting that person whose name can't be spoken, it will be too late!"

"No!" Alaric shook his head.

"We're not rescuing Harry yet. I intend to follow them first and see what they're up to.

After all, Voldemort's resurrection could be a blessing in disguise."

This statement was shocking.

Both girls were stunned. If they didn't know Alaric so well, they might have thought he was siding with Voldemort.

"Because Voldemort can't be killed by ordinary means," Alaric explained.

"Look at the situation now. Why is Potter called the savior?

Voldemort was indeed killed by the rebounded Killing Curse fourteen years ago, but he used dark magic to avoid complete death and continues to cause chaos, attempting to return.

So, to end this once and for all, we need to let him fully return and then use a specific method to kill him again."

This time, the girls somewhat understood and nodded in agreement.

"So, are you interested in joining me to observe? They might be having a boss battle."

"Alright, I'll go with you. We'll face this together," Hermione immediately agreed.

In first and second year, she had experienced facing Voldemort with Alaric.

Back then, despite excelling in all subjects at Hogwarts and holding the top grades, she had tasted failure and bitterness beside Alaric.

Faced with enemies like Professor Quirrell and the serpent, she had understood her own weakness.

She couldn't even fight alongside Alaric; she had to stay far away during battles to avoid being a burden.

"But I'm different now," she silently told herself.

"I've grown stronger. I even won the Dueling Championship. I'm no longer the same person I was before.

Although I can't protect him and fight alongside him, at least I won't hold him back. So, this time, I'll stand with him!"

Fleur opened her mouth, ready to refuse, but immediately heard Hermione's resolute words, which made her swallow her refusal.

Yes, as lovers, shouldn't we face danger together? As lovers, shouldn't I trust him?

If I'm not brave enough to go with him, then what does it mean to love him? Am I inferior even to this little girl?

Thinking this, Fleur felt both excited and ashamed.

She looked at Alaric firmly and said to him, "I want to go with you too."

Seeing the two brave girls before him, who had overcome their fears, Alaric smiled with relief.

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