Chapter 278: Alaric's Surprise

Due to the tournament, tonight's dinner was more sumptuous than usual, but the champions didn't eat much because they were feeling nervous.

As the magically enchanted ceiling shifted from blue to a dusky purple, Dumbledore stood up beside the staff table and the room quieted down.

"Ladies and gentlemen, in five minutes, I will invite you to the Quidditch pitch to witness the final event of the Triwizard Tournament.

Now, champions, please follow Mr. Bagman to the grounds."

Hermione stood up and the Ravenclaw students applauded her, wishing her luck.

She walked out of the Great Hall alongside Fleur, Viktor, and Harry.

"Feeling alright, Hermione?"

Alaric asked as they descended the stone steps.

"Confident?"

"Not bad," Hermione replied truthfully.

She was indeed nervous, but recalling her experience in the dueling competition over the summer, facing the thrilling finals, she felt that no matter how intense or dangerous the Triwizard Tournament might be, it couldn't compare to confronting a Dark Wizard.

They entered the Quidditch pitch, which now looked entirely unrecognizable.

A twenty-foot-high hedge surrounded the perimeter. In front of them was a gap—the entrance to the massive maze.

Inside, the passages were dark and somewhat intimidating.

Five minutes later, spectators started filling the stands. Hundreds of students filed in, their excitement filling the air with chatter and bustling footsteps.

The sky was now a clear deep blue, stars beginning to appear. Professors Moody, McGonagall, and Flitwick entered the arena, walking towards Bagman and the champions.

Their hats bore flashing large red stars; reluctantly, Alaric put on his own hat with a red star, finding it utterly ridiculous.

"We'll be patrolling outside the maze," Professor McGonagall told the champions.

"If you encounter difficulties and need rescue, send up red sparks into the sky. Understand?"

The champions nodded together.

"Alright, off you go!" Bagman cheerfully dismissed the four patrolling members.

"Good luck, Hermione and Fleur," Alaric whispered quietly before they departed.

The four split off in different directions, dispersing around the maze.

At that moment, Bagman pointed his wand at his throat and uttered "Sonorus," amplifying his voice across the stands.

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

Let me report the current scores! Hermione Granger—111 points, first place, Hogwarts School!"

Applause and cheers startled birds in the Forbidden Forest, fluttering into the darkening sky.

"Fleur Delacour—107 points, second place, Beauxbatons Academy!"

Another round of applause followed.

"Harry Potter—103 points, third place, Hogwarts School; Viktor Krum—fourth place, Durmstrang Institute!"

People politely applauded for Krum, though Karkaroff looked somewhat embarrassed.

Despite his efforts to intentionally mark down other contestants, he only managed to secure fourth place.

"Now... Miss Granger, at the sound of my whistle!" Bagman said, "Three... Two..."

With a short whistle, Hermione hurried into the maze.

The tall hedges cast dark shadows over the path.

Whether due to their height or magical enchantment, the audience's voices faded as soon as she entered the maze.

Hermione felt as though she had plunged underwater. Drawing her wand, she murmured, "Lumos."

After walking about fifty meters, she reached a fork in the path.

She pointed her wand at the ground to her left, marking it with a sign, then proceeded down the path to the right.

Shortly after, she heard Bagman's whistle again; it was Fleur entering the maze.

Hermione quickened her pace. The path she chose seemed to lead nowhere.

Turning right, she hurried forward, wand held high to see further, but still saw nothing.

From a distance came Bagman's third whistle; Harry was now inside the maze too.

Hermione kept glancing behind her, sensing someone was watching in the shadows.

Minute by minute, the maze grew darker; the sky above her turned indigo.

Soon, she reached another fork.

"Guide me," Hermione gently commanded her wand, held flat in her palm.

The wand spun and pointed towards the dense hedge on her right.

North lay there; Hermione knew she needed to head northwest to reach the maze's center.

The best way was to take the left path first and quickly turn right.

She marked the right fork and proceeded left.

The path ahead remained empty until a right turn brought Hermione face to face with... a Dementor slowly approaching her.

Twelve feet tall, its hood covering its face, its rotting, scabbed hands reached straight out.

Step by step, it advanced, groping towards her.

Hermione heard its raspy breath in its throat. A cold, sticky feeling washed over her body, but she knew what to do...

Expertly, she began to think of the happiest thoughts, focusing hard on the Christmas night she and Alaric spent among the rose bushes, while raising her wand and shouting.

"Expecto Patronum!"

A silver dragon flew from her wand tip, soaring towards the Dementor.

The Dementor retreated two steps, tripped over its own robe... Hermione had never seen a Dementor fall before.

"Don't move!" she followed the silver guardian forward.

A blast rang out, blowing up a cloud of smoke.

The Dementor disappeared, and then something appeared in front of her again.

This time it was a conical bottle containing half a bottle of blue liquid, which looked very strange.

Hermione thought for a moment what it was.

Poison?

And then she saw a familiar signature on the label of the flask, as well as a big "MP".

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