Chapter 256: A Centipede? Blame Vold
Chapter 256: A Centipede? Blame Vold
Coliver, the host of the live broadcast, had a keen news sense. When his camera captured the boy with the lightning-shaped scar on his forehead, he immediately realized the true secret to attracting viewers.
Regardless of the success or failure of the other teams, and regardless of the outstanding or amusing performances of the other young wizards, none could compare to the weight of the young savior in the eyes of the public.
In the audience, some had seen Harry Potter at Sirius Black's trial, but most were seeing him for the first time. A commotion erupted among the crowd.
The vast majority of the audience focused on Harry's performance, while only a few, like the Weasley and Diggory families, searched for their children in the cameras on either side.
...
Due to the large number of participating teams, they had to draw lots to determine their entry point and order into the maze.
The first teams would have a time advantage but would also face more traps, so it couldn't be considered entirely fair.
The Umbrella House team had to wait nearly half an hour before it was their turn to enter.
By then, only a few teams remained outside the maze, while many students who had failed were being escorted out.
The injured were sent for treatment, the frightened were given hot chocolate to calm their nerves, and those with minor issues joined the audience to watch.
Harry and his team stood at the open entrance, their faces tense, speaking in hushed tones.
"I never thought Vold's secret weapon would be this," Neville said, touching the broomstick Harry held in his hand.
Just a few minutes ago, they had heard strange noises coming from behind the bushes near the maze and turned to see a house-elf waving at them.
Knowing Vold's close relationship with several house-elves, Michael approached and asked a few questions before returning with the broomstick.
It was Harry's familiar Firebolt 2000.
Hermione's face clouded with annoyance—
"No wonder he couldn't tell us in advance! If other teams had seen it, they would have brought their brooms too!"
"In that case—" Michael said, "The school might have prohibited the use of brooms in the maze area."
"So, can Harry use it?" Theo asked.
"Since it's not prohibited, he can," Michael replied.
Michael's standards were flexible; he handed the broomstick to Harry and patted him on the shoulder.
"Fly well!"
Michael offered advice like an elder:
"Even if we're all thrown out, you must fly ahead of the Python, even if it's just to cast a Renewal Charm on it! Then we can claim that we were a team that challenged the final boss!"
Leon was speechless. "Michael, can you please stop being so pessimistic?"
He made it sound like he was about to sacrifice himself.
Michael sighed and was about to speak when the bell suddenly rang.
As it was their turn to enter, the wall in front of them began to wriggle and formed an archway.
Professor McGonagall nodded slightly at them, a faint smile on her face.
"Don't be nervous, good luck!" she said in a gentle voice, watching her students enter the maze.
She gave Neville, who was trembling but standing tall, an encouraging look.
"Believe in yourself, Lombard! Chest out!"
"Yes... yes!"
Neville hurriedly agreed, his nervousness evident as he walked awkwardly, his arms and legs moving in sync.
Under normal circumstances, Michael would have already corrected him with a hint of disdain.
But at this moment, he was just as tense, too focused on his own nerves to notice his friend's clumsiness.
Only after they all entered the maze and the bushes closed behind them did they relax a little.
The maze had undergone some changes, but it was still a familiar environment for them.
They had trained here numerous times in recent days.
While others might treat this challenge as a game, arriving without proper team coordination and with a carefree attitude, Hermione did not.
Hermione treated every competition as an important assessment and forced her teammates to take it seriously as well.
Harry sometimes felt relieved—relieved that Hermione wasn't interested in Quidditch.
Otherwise, he suspected that after Wood's graduation, Hermione would become the new team captain, carrying on Wood's training style and surpassing him.
The group quickly formed a line, wands in hand, and proceeded along the left path.
"Look, there's a centipede over there," Leon whispered.
In the middle of the path, a giant, charred centipede was tied to vines, its legs still twitching on both sides.
"Oh, damn it!" Hermione exclaimed, unable to hold back, "It's all Vold's fault."
The others nodded, still shaken.
Before Vold, no one had ever thought of using the Engorgement Charm in such a way. But after Vold created the 'Insect Squad,' these creatures became permanent NPCs in the maze.
Every person present had experienced being knocked over by insects, entangled in spider webs, and splattered with the insects' green slime more than once.
Hermione vigorously rubbed her arm, and they all quickened their pace, heading forward.
After a few steps, they heard another sharp sound, like a swarm of mosquitoes buzzing.
"Iron Shield!" Harry shouted, instinctively casting the spell, and an invisible armor immediately blocked the first wave of attacks.
The others hastily cast Halt Spells, and only after the buzzing stopped did they realize that the 'monsters' attacking them were dozens of paper airplanes.
"No wonder an Iron Armor Charm could block them all," Harry muttered.
"Let's keep moving," Michael said. "There are more dangers ahead!"
Rustling sounds came from all directions within the maze.
Various enlarged 'monsters' were searching for prey, and a giant lizard, after swatting away a few students, hissed at Professor Flitwick.
Seemingly harmless plants quietly extended their branches, their tips blooming with beautiful flowers that emitted a gentle fragrance.
A group of ant-like creatures, the size of small dogs, passed by, and one of them, curious, approached to sip some liquid from the flowers. It paused for a moment, then suddenly turned and bit off a companion's leg.
The towering figure of Hagrid picked up a student who had fallen into danger and fainted, using just two fingers, and placed him on the back of a nearby Thestral to be carried out.
Cedric watched as his second teammate was taken away by a House-Elf due to injuries. He took a deep breath, gripped his wand tightly, and faced the giant eight-eyed spider, which was the size of a small car.
The path to the core was more challenging than anyone had imagined.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
