"The first project is intended to test your courage, so we will not tell you what it is. Facing unknown things is an important quality for a wizard. You must rely on yourself entirely, without seeking or accepting any help from your teacher. Your only weapon is your wand. Only after the completion of the first project will they reveal the details of the second project."
After Barty Crouch Jr. had provided the necessary reminders in accordance with the code, it seemed that the troubles of the night had been resolved.
Many felt it was no longer necessary to remain here, and Barty Crouch Jr. quickly left Hogwarts through the fireplace in the room. Ludo Bagman chose to stay, so Dumbledore arranged for Snape to take him to a place of rest. Karkaroff and Maxime had already taken Violet and Victor away.
The two brave warriors clearly had something to say. One looked at Hermione before leaving, and the other looked at Amos, but both were quickly taken away by their principal as they left here.
Instead, the two warriors of Hogwarts were left here.
"If there's nothing else, I'll see Miss Granger back to her quarters. With all that has happened tonight, she needs some rest."
McGonagall addressed Dumbledore and Amos, saying that it was clear that she was filled with worry, and not as happy as others might imagine.
"Wait--"
Amos suddenly said, pondering for a moment, then looking at Professor McGonagall.
"If it's convenient, Professor McGonagall, after you send Miss Granger back to the common room, kindly let the students who are waiting for the results know some of the conclusions we arrived at during our discussion tonight."
Professor McGonagall raised her eyebrows slightly, and her eyes appeared much softer. Hermione, meanwhile, clenched her lips gratefully. She well understood the professor's intentions in issuing this order.
Now, the room was left with only Dumbledore, Amos, Professor Moody, and perhaps Cedric, who might have left with them.
To be honest, he might be the most compressed person tonight. Everyone's focus is either on the rights of the warriors from the two schools of Busby and Demstrang, or on the truth that Hermione Granger's name was spewed out of the cup tonight, completely ignoring him.
"Cedric, I suggest you also go rest--"
Dumbledore said, smiling kindly at the perplexed Cedric.
"I believe that the students of Pomona and Hufflepuff are waiting for you to celebrate with them. It's a rare opportunity for them to rejoice, and it would be a shame to take it away from them."
Amos also sent a smile of encouragement and approval towards Cedric, and this finally allowed Cedric to feel a bit of the sense of being a warrior. After respectfully nodding to them, he opened the door and left the room.
"Karkaroff, the scoundrel!"
After Cedric left, Moody roared immediately.
"I bet it's all his doing – he's always been jealous of Amos winning the bid for the tournament, and has been plotting to get some trouble for Hogwarts ever since. I see right through him. You must remember how he escaped punishment all those years ago – by pinning his own misdeeds on someone else."
"Alastor--"
Dumbledore called out calmly, his expression unreadable.
"If you're willing, Albus, I can search the ship. Wait and see, I promise there will be something found!"
Moody roared angrily.
"I understand your determination to clear the slander against Hogwarts, Professor Moody,"
Amos walked to a sofa and sat down, he breathed out slowly, then looked at Moody with a deep meaning in his eyes and said,
"But Karkaroff is the headmaster of Demstrang, not a young witch like Draco Malfoy. Without concrete evidence, using extra-ordinary means against him is inappropriate--"
Moody let out a snorting laugh, seemingly dismissive of Amos's argument.
"I'll keep an eye on him for you!"
Dumbledore and Amos must have made a summary of what happened tonight. Since Albus had not invited him, that meant he did not want to see him here. And Brian certainly would not be open with him, muttering angrily and then slamming his cane on the floor, Moody also left the room.
Amos stared at the closed door after Moody left without speaking, and Dumbledore showed the same behavior. He remained silent, gazing at the fireplace through which Barty Crouch had vanished, allowing the flickering flames to paint his azure eyes gold.
The silent two were like sculptures until the sound of footsteps echoed outside again.
It was Severus Snape. He opened the door and looked in, discovering that Dumbledore and Amos were still there. Only then did he enter the room.
"I've sent Bagman to his place."
Snape stood at the door and addressed the two of them.
"Ah, thank you--"
Dumbledore smiled and nodded at Snape.
"I really should thank him for his support tonight, Amos. He was the only one who didn't criticize our mistakes tonight——"
"That guy is addicted to gambling and has no boundaries——"
Amos understood Dumbledore's implication and said casually,
"Of course, he enjoys seeing accidents happen. That would mean he could make some money in the illegal gambling markets by exploiting this situation."
Dumbledore nodded thoughtfully, then returned to his silence. Snape watched Dumbledore, his eyes carrying a hint of sarcasm. He remained silent for a few seconds before lazily saying,
"I have a question, Dumbledore. Your age limit. I wonder if it can protect wizards who drink potion ingredients?"
Amos's eyes, which had been wandering, tightened instantly. He stared at Professor Snape's indifferent face, and noticed that Dumbledore was also giving Snape a concerned look.
"Polyjuice potion. Why would you mention that, Severus? Do you have any clues about what happened tonight?"
"You seem to trust Miss Granger from Gryffindor very much——"
Snape said quietly,
"But I found that someone sneaked into my office last night and took a bit of something from my private storeroom—the powder from the unicorn's horn, the scales of the African Kobald snake. The person who didn't accept my invitation was not greedy; they didn't take much, but since I lost these items last time, I've been more careful about keeping track of their quantities."
"Do you think Miss Granger used Polyjuice Potion again, Severus?"
Dumbledore said calmly.
Amos's confusion was also cleared up, just as Dumbledore's was. They both thought that Professor Snape must have discovered something. Indeed, on the night he first returned to Hogwarts since graduation, he did see Hermione at the hospital wing, struggling with the effects of a Polyjuice Potion that had been incorrectly mixed.
"If you are convinced that Granger is innocent, Dumbledore——"
Professor Snape said.
"I can turn a blind eye like I did last time."
Amos was amused by the sarcasm in Snape's tone.
"Very well, then. Ignore it, Professor Snape," Amos said with a smile. "By the way, here's a piece of advice: you'd better keep those materials in an easily accessible place so that thieves don't blow up your office in an attempt to steal them."
Dumbledore's lips twitched, and he did not speak, but their attitudes revealed something. Snape's eyes immediately sharpened, and he didn't look at Dumbledore because he knew nothing would come out of his mouth. Severus fixed his sharp eyes on Amos and whispered softly,
"Do you know who tampered with it? You've known this was going to happen all along, haven't you, Amos? Tell me, who is out to get that self-righteous and foolish girl?"
"Are you trying to challenge me in a duel of the mind-control spell, professor?"
Amos smiled subtly without showing any emotion.
"Please forgive me for my lack of modesty. In this area, I have received your true teachings and may even surpass you——"
Dealing with two crafty people was really tiring, especially when it came to the smiling Amos who really annoyed him. So, Snape angrily left.
"Speak your thoughts, Headmaster Dumbledore--"
Laughing at the departing Snape, Amos finally stopped smiling. Despite staying up most of the night and not getting a chance to take a break today, Amos felt a sense of exhaustion. He spoke straightforwardly.
(Chapter Complete)
