The noise and cries of the entire crowd were instantly cut off by Dumbledore's voice, which boomed like winter thunder as he shouted, "Alastor!"
The "Moody" who was about to support Harry froze like a stone, his madly spinning magical eye locked dead on Dumbledore, filled with shock and confusion.
He wanted to move, but found he couldn't even lift a finger.
Dumbledore didn't even give him a second glance.
"Severus!"
His voice was loud and clear, echoing across the edge of the Quidditch Pitch.
Snape stepped out from the chaotic crowd, his black robes billowing in the night wind. There was no surprise on his face, only a somber expression that suggested he had anticipated everything.
In his hand, he held a small crystal vial containing a colorless, transparent liquid.
Veritaserum.
"Minerva," Dumbledore turned to Professor McGonagall, who had hurried over, "please bring that big black dog from my office. I'm sure he would very much like to witness this moment personally."
Professor McGonagall's lips twitched, but in the end, she simply nodded firmly and turned to walk away quickly.
The Minister for magic, Cornelius Fudge, finally recovered from his shock. His face flushed red as he stammered, "Dumbledore! What are you doing? Alastor is my friend! You can't..."
Dumbledore finally turned his gaze toward him, but quickly looked away.
"Alright, children, leave this place. What follows is a matter for adults."
A mere fake Moody couldn't cause even the slightest ripple in front of Dumbledore and Snape.
Hermione and Lia returned to the dormitory together.
Having known the outcome for a long time, they weren't worried at all.
They would leave things to Dumbledore. With the greatest Wizard of the century, the White Wizard Dumbledore, taking action, the matter was settled before the young Wizards even got wind of it.
The closing feast of the Triwizard Tournament was held in an unprecedentedly oppressive atmosphere.
The Great Hall was devoid of the usual banners representing the various houses; instead, pitch-black drapes hung from the ceiling to the floor, like a grand funeral.
Students whispered among themselves, every face etched with fear and sorrow.
Cedric Diggory was dead, and Lord Voldemort had returned.
These two pieces of news weighed on everyone's hearts like two great mountains.
The Hufflepuff table was empty; their students could not accept the reality and refused to attend the feast.
Harry sat at the Gryffindor table, his face bloodless, unable to eat a single bite.
Hermione and Ron stayed by his side, while Lia, as usual, pressed close to Hermione, quietly sensing for any abnormal magic fluctuations.
Dumbledore stood before the podium, the golden owl-shaped lectern looking exceptionally solemn behind him.
The Great Hall fell silent instantly.
"Tonight, we have experienced a terrible tragedy."
Dumbledore's voice, amplified by magic, reached every corner of the Great Hall, heavy and clear.
"Cedric Diggory, an outstanding, brave, and upright Hogwarts Champion, was attacked by Lord Voldemort."
He used no euphemisms, speaking the name directly.
A wave of suppressed gasps and sobs rippled through the students.
"The Ministry of Magic does not wish for me to tell you this," Dumbledore continued, his gaze sweeping across the room. "However, I believe I have a responsibility to tell you the truth. Hiding the truth will only make us more vulnerable in the darkness to come."
His words were like a hammer striking everyone's hearts. The atmosphere in the Great Hall was oppressive to the extreme, with sorrow and fear lingering like a thick fog.
Just then—
"Creeeeak—"
The heavy oak doors of the Great Hall were slowly pushed open.
A figure stood at the entrance, silhouetted against the light from the corridor, looking somewhat frail. He was wearing Hogwarts hospital pajamas, his face pale, and his eyes filled with the daze of a survivor.
Everyone's eyes were drawn to him.
Time stood still for a second.
Then, at the Gryffindor table, Harry stood up, his chair knocking over with a sharp, loud crash.
His lips trembled, and his eyes were filled with unbelievable ecstasy.
"Cedric!"
That single shout was like a massive stone thrown into stagnant water, instantly detonating the entire Great Hall!
The Hufflepuff students, those who had been waiting outside the Great Hall unwilling to enter, were the first to let out a thunderous scream as they rushed in like mad, heading for that figure.
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