"Due to the tragic and unfortunate murder of Mr. Ludo Bagman, we need to make some adjustments to this semester's schedule."
In the great hall of Durmstrang Castle, Headmaster Igor Karkaroff still sat in the center seat at the head table, with Dumbledore and Madame Maxime on either side of him. Beside Dumbledore still sat old Barty Crouch, while the seat beside Madame Maxime—the one that should have belonged to Ludo Bagman—was empty.
The festive round tables that had once filled the hall were now gone as well, replaced only by rows of neatly arranged chairs. The Durmstrang students sat in the middle, with Hogwarts and Beauxbatons on either side, and the three champions who were still under suspicion were also in attendance…
"First, there is the matter of changes to the originally scheduled date of the Triwizard Tournament."
Karkaroff lightly tapped the parchment on the table with his wand, projecting its contents once more.
"The event originally scheduled for November 24 will be postponed, and the specific new date will depend on the progress of the case. However, there is no need to worry. Everything required for that task is already prepared, so there will be no further delay due to any issues of preparation."
"And I must also remind all of you not to direct suspicion or malice toward your champions because of those baseless accusations. Their strength and character have already been recognized by the Goblet of Fire, and their usual conduct has been clear for all to see. Moreover, the latest evidence shows that they are very likely completely unrelated to this murder, and have merely been unfortunate enough to have mud thrown at them—to be framed and scapegoated…"
He paused, then flicked his wand again and produced a new projection.
"And the second matter I wish to address is the latest progress in the murder case, as well as the lodging and work arrangements for the investigation team from Britain."
"Some of you may already have noticed that several tents have appeared beside the Hogwarts train. Those are the quarters for the members of the British investigation team. They arrived here last night and are now working together with Mr. Barty Crouch to solve Mr. Bagman's murder. They will not interfere with your normal studies and daily life. Their area of work is limited to the vicinity of the crime scene on the second floor. However, at noon today, those gentlemen brought me some… hm, rather alarming news."
"This is also the last matter I will speak on today, and the most important one. It concerns the personal safety of every student here, so I ask that you listen very carefully."
Karkaroff suddenly raised his voice, startling a few students who had been zoning out.
"According to the current findings provided by the investigation team, Mr. Ludo Bagman's death is very likely directly related to goblins. And that also means there is a certain possibility that Durmstrang Castle, which has remained secure and stable for a thousand years, has now been secretly infiltrated…"
That statement immediately caused an uproar.
The Durmstrang students fell silent for a brief moment, then cries of shock and tense discussion suddenly burst into the air without end. The Beauxbatons students at the side also began whispering nervously among themselves, while Hogwarts appeared the calmest of all.
It could not be helped. They were used to it.
Over the past few years, being infiltrated had practically become one of Hogwarts's signature traditions: first Voldemort himself, then the Dark magical artifacts he left behind, and last year Sirius Black had shown up too… and this year they happened to be away and did not know what was happening back at their alma mater. For all they knew, someone might be taking advantage of Dumbledore's absence right now to carry out yet another secret infiltration at Hogwarts.
But in the eyes of the Durmstrang students, this incident was on a completely different level.
Unlike Hogwarts, which might as well have been an open backyard anyone could stroll into, Durmstrang had always been famous for its strict secrecy. In fact, most of the school's professors did not even have the right to know its true location. In all of history, there had never been a case of Durmstrang being infiltrated. Even Grindelwald, the Dark Lord who had once come from this very school, had never managed to control Durmstrang. That alone was enough to show just how strict its security and secrecy measures truly were.
"Quiet, everyone, quiet!"
Karkaroff pointed his wand at his throat, and his magically amplified voice instantly drowned out all the noise.
"It seems you have all realized the severity of the current situation, so I assume you will also be willing to sacrifice a little convenience in your daily lives for your own safety. Although there is no direct evidence yet proving that Durmstrang has already been infiltrated, to be safe, I believe it is still necessary for us to adopt a certain degree of precautionary measures…"
"First, the curfew will remain in effect for a while. Starting today, the castle will be closed after eight o'clock every evening, and no one will be permitted to enter or leave. Guests from Hogwarts and Beauxbatons should take note as well. After your final class or after dinner, it would be best for you to return directly to your lodgings."
"Second, the investigation team is uncovering new clues at all times, and the process may involve any of you here. So if you are informed that you need to be questioned, please cooperate as much as possible. Of course, such notices will be delivered to you personally by one of our professors, and the investigation team will also do its best not to disturb you outside of work."
"And during this unusual period, please pay close attention to your personal safety at all times. Try to travel in groups whenever possible, and if you notice anything unusual, be sure to inform a prefect or professor immediately… There are also more detailed safety guidelines, which should already have been posted in your common rooms. You may go and read them yourselves later… all right, that is enough for now. You may return."
"…Do you need us to help?"
Before leaving, Cedric tapped Avada lightly and asked with concern. The others all turned to look at him as well—Avada was now being kept separately inside Durmstrang Castle and could no longer return with them to their rooms on the train.
"Thanks, but there's no need for now."
Avada smiled at them.
"My room was arranged personally by Dumbledore, so there's definitely no need to worry about safety. And didn't Karkaroff say it himself? My suspicion is already very low. Besides, I'm getting somewhat used to life without a wand by now…"
He did his best to reassure his classmates that he was fine, then watched them rise and disappear through the entrance of Durmstrang Castle. Only then did he turn away as well and head toward the underground classroom where he was now staying.
And then… he stopped in front of his own door and waited for something.
Soon enough, another set of footsteps echoed through the corridor. It was Fleur Delacour and Viktor Krum. It seemed they too had stayed behind to talk with their own classmates and had only now returned. And the moment the two champions approached, Avada stepped forward at once and blocked their path.
"The two of you—I need your help."
(End of Chapter)