They went about their usual routines, but their focus of observation was entirely on "Mad-Eye" Moody.
Lia's ability, after confirming the truth this time, seemed to have been recalibrated for precision.
She no longer just passively received "danger" alerts; instead, she could more actively distinguish and analyze.
"He's guiding Harry again."
After Defense Against the Dark Arts class, Lia whispered to Hermione.
They saw "Moody" pull Harry aside, gruffly teaching him various jinxes and hexes that could be used in the maze.
"The scent of lies on him is mixed with a fanatical, almost 'preaching' odor."
Lia's descriptions were becoming increasingly precise.
"He's molding Harry into a 'qualified sacrifice' in his mind."
Hermione, meanwhile, was responsible for converting these intuitive insights into rational analysis and records.
Her small notebook was densely filled with notes on Moody (Barty) Jr.'s various abnormal behaviors.
"When he demonstrated the Stupefy in class today, the trajectory of his magic output was completely different from last week, more sinister, more aligned with the path of Dark Arts."
Hermione wrote.
"Lia smelled 'impatience' and 'anticipation'."
The two of them were becoming more and more coordinated.
Lia was a human super-sensing instrument, and Hermione was the top analyst for this instrument.
They were no longer simply a protector and a protected, but a pair of partners fighting side by side.
Harry and Ron also noticed Lia's change.
"She seems… much calmer?" Ron once whispered to Harry in the common room, watching Lia studying a star chart with Hermione.
The old Lia used to cling to Hermione like a fluffy accessory.
Now she was still close to Hermione, but more often, she sat quietly beside her, her eyes focused on contemplating something important.
Her endearing fragility had faded, replaced by a sense of calm strength.
Harry nodded.
He was under a lot of pressure. Although Ron's return meant he was no longer alone, the external doubts and fear of the unknown competition still hung over him like a dark cloud.
And Professor Moody's "extra" tutoring exhausted him even more.
"Maybe Hermione takes too good care of her." Harry said.
June 24th, the day of the final Triwizard Tournament task, finally arrived.
The evening sun painted Hogwarts Castle in a golden hue.
The Quidditch Pitch had been transformed into a giant maze, with towering hedges blocking all sight. The entrance resembled a deep, gaping maw, waiting to swallow the champions.
The stands were bustling with people, flags fluttering.
Before the competition officially began, Dumbledore called the four champions—Harry, Cedric, Fleur, and Krum—into the tent behind the judges' table.
Lia and Hermione stood in the crowd not far away, watching nervously.
"The scent of death has never been so strong."
Lia gripped Hermione's hand, her palm slightly cool.
"That web, it's tightened today. All the threads point to the center of the maze."
Hermione's heart was also in her throat.
Inside the tent, Dumbledore looked at the four young champions before him. His expression was gentle, but his blue eyes held serious solemnity.
"Tonight, you will face immense challenges."
His voice carried clearly.
"Courage and wisdom are equally important. But before you depart, I wish to bestow upon you a small protection."
He extended his magic wand and tapped gently in the air. Four soft white lights flew from the wand tip, landing separately on the chests of the four champions.
Lia's eyes widened suddenly.
In her eyes, they were not simple points of light.
Instead, they were four ancient Runes composed of extremely complex Life Magic.
The Runes, like living things, merged into the champions' clothes and disappeared.
The moment the Runes took effect, Lia clearly "smelled" that the tangible aura of death, which had been tightly clinging to Harry and Cedric, was diluted by a warm and powerful force.
-------------------------------
I've already uploaded 70 chapters of this story on Patreon!
If you enjoy it, come check out the latest chapters in advance.
Here's the link:
[patreon.com/Greyhounds]
Thank you so much for your support!!
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"