Madam Pomfrey had originally been waiting at the Quidditch Pitch, but rushed back the moment she got the news.
As soon as she entered, she immediately ran over to Harry.
The main reason was that Harry looked far too miserable right now—his entire body was covered in dust, his perfectly good robes were now tattered like rags, as if he'd wrapped himself in a mop, and his legs were still bleeding nonstop.
In contrast, Kael's clothes were cleaner even than some professors', like Black and Moody.
Madam Pomfrey even thought for a moment that Harry was the Champion fighting through the maze, and Kael had just come to watch the show.
But out of a sense of duty, Madam Pomfrey still checked Kael's body and handed him a bottle of potion to restore his spirits.
Hmm… just as nasty as ever.
Ten minutes later, in the Hospital Wing.
Harry was lying in bed; the wound on his leg had already healed, and he now wore a new pair of glasses that Professor McGonagall had just gotten for him.
As soon as Madam Pomfrey left, Sirius couldn't help asking, "What on earth happened!"
Harry put down his hot cocoa and proceeded to tell him everything that had happened after he'd been taken away, leaving nothing out.
When they heard about Voldemort's peculiar method of resurrection, everyone gasped in shock—there was actually a Magic like that?
"I think I've heard of it."
Professor Moody's blue Magic Eye rotated restlessly.
"In the Middle Ages, someone invented an unspeakably evil ritual in order to resurrect the vile Herpo—it must have been this."
"So, did Voldemort really come back?" Sirius asked.
"I don't know." Professor Moody shook his head. "We'll have to ask Dumbledore when he gets back… oh, he's already here."
As he spoke, the door to the Hospital Wing opened again, and Dumbledore walked in from outside.
But the moment they saw him, everyone's heart sank.
Dumbledore looked like he'd just been through a war—his face was drawn, his robe was gone, and his left hand was charred black.
There were very few people in the entire Magic Realm who could leave him in such a state.
Professor Moody's Magic Eye swiveled. "Fiendfyre?"
"Yes, I was careless for a moment." Dumbledore raised his left hand and tapped it with his Wand.
The blackened area on his hand began to fade, soon returning to normal.
But no one present felt like celebrating.
"So, it's really… You-Know-Who?" Sirius asked in a dry voice.
"It may be hard for you to accept…" Dumbledore looked up, "But yes, he's back."
The Hospital Wing fell into silence.
Dumbledore's words completely confirmed the news as true.
"Professor, didn't you kill him?" Harry asked anxiously.
"I'm very sorry." Dumbledore shook his head. "Tom had no intention of fighting me to the death there—he ran away, just as he did more than ten years ago.
"And I have to admit, his escape methods are even stronger than before."
Dumbledore seemed to be trying to ease the tense atmosphere in the Hospital Wing, but it didn't really work—everyone still looked as burdened as ever.
"Professor."
At that moment, Kael said, "Should I be heading to the Quidditch Pitch now? The Triwizard Tournament isn't over yet, is it?"
"Yes, I was just about to mention that."
Dumbledore said, "Minerva, Alastor, you two should hurry back as well. No matter what, the competition has to go on."
Professor McGonagall and Professor Moody nodded and left the Hospital Wing in turn.
Sirius and Snape didn't really care, but they were the security supervisors for the third task—if it hadn't been for Dumbledore's Guardian God telling them something had happened, neither would have left the maze.
Now that Kael and Harry had returned, naturally they had to go back too.
Leaving the Hospital Wing, Professor McGonagall immediately transformed into a tabby cat and darted off toward the Quidditch Pitch, while Professor Moody's figure also faded away.
"Oh, and this."
After the two left, Dumbledore pulled out a trophy.
"You forgot it on the mountaintop. Without the trophy, you're not official Champion."
"Should I bring it with me?" Kael asked.
"You could, but I have a better way—one that'll make the ending look more plausible."
Dumbledore tapped it with his Wand. "Portus!"
He continued, "I need to go, too. The time is five minutes—just put your hand on it when it's time… See you soon."
With that, Dumbledore left as well.
Now in the Hospital Wing, only Kael, Harry, and the archenemies Sirius and Snape were left.
Clearly, even the news of Voldemort's return couldn't quite resolve the animosity the two held for each other.
"Snivellus, aren't you off to snitch to your master?" Sirius sneered, "Tell him Harry is right here, at Hogwarts!"
For once, Snape didn't reply. He glared coldly at Sirius, then his gaze lingered on Kael for a moment. He stood and left, following Dumbledore.
"I just don't get it—why does Headmaster Dumbledore insist on letting you stick around!" Sirius said loudly on purpose.
Snape heard him, but didn't stop.
Only after Snape had completely vanished around the corridor's corner did Sirius turn to Harry.
"Remember—keep away from Snape from now on. Never be alone with him."
Harry wasn't quite sure why, but still nodded, since that's what he'd always done anyway.
He then looked to Kael and the Triwizard Cup set on the floor.
"Congratulations—Champion of the Triwizard Tournament," he said. "I knew it'd be you."
Harry had long since witnessed Kael's abilities—especially ten minutes ago, when he saw that fire-breathing dragon made of flames.
He didn't know what kind of Charm that was, but just thinking about that terrifying pressure still made his heart race.
"Thanks, see you in a bit," Kael said. "I bet Professor Dumbledore will want to ask us a few more questions."
"I know," said Harry.
If he guessed right, he'd have to repeat to Professor McGonagall everything he'd just said all over again.
Once the time was about right, Kael walked up to the Triwizard Cup and grabbed its handle.
The scene before his eyes changed instantly.
Kael felt himself swallowed up by a tidal wave of sound—cheering and fireworks exploding all around him.
He was back on the edge of the maze, and everyone nearby was shouting his name at the top of their lungs.
"Ladies and gentlemen, the Triwizard Tournament has its Champion!" Ludo Bagman's voice boomed from the commentary box.
His voice was a little quiet and distracted… but no one minded—everyone was too busy cheering their hearts out.
Kael raised the Triwizard Cup in his hand, and the noise around him rose to a fever pitch.
He glanced at the stands—Dumbledore had already changed into fresh new robes and was smiling and applauding, though now he stood in front of where Karkaroff had been; his original seat was now occupied by Cornelius Fudge.
The Minister of Magic came, too? He really does love joining the fun.
Kael looked away and quickly spotted Conna up in the stands.
She was waving, yelling and jumping with excitement; Fred and George were busy setting off fireworks, and next to them, Cedric was waving a flag emblazoned with the Hufflepuff badger.