Chapter 258: Harry Takes Flight
Chapter 258: Harry Takes Flight
The Hogwarts students performed far better than most expected, with many adeptly handling various crises, some even considered challenging for adult witches and wizards.
After nearly eighty percent of the participants were eliminated, a team finally appeared before the Python.
By this point, the Python had grown significantly due to the spell's effect, with its head nearly as tall as a person, and its already plump body appearing even more massive.
The first student who encountered it thought he had run into a wall, only to realize the wall was moving. He was so shocked that he froze in place.
The Python's tail lashed out, sending the student flying.
Although the Thestrals caught him mid-air, he was still eliminated.
Then, one team after another rushed into the central area, charging towards the Python.
The Python, usually docile, was shy and timid by nature.
But at this moment, it seemed to treat everything as an amusing game, not using its signature constriction or its venomous fangs. It merely swung its tail or moved its body to expel the students from its territory.
However, the participants' goal was not to defeat this giant creature but to leave their team's mark on it.
Soon, the clever students devised a strategy—
They divided their team, with some attracting the Python's attention while one or two agile members rushed in to leave their names.
The snake's scales were incredibly smooth, making climbing difficult. Some less ambitious teams opted to sign their names far from the head, satisfied with simply participating.
One student knelt on the ground, desperately shouting, "Why did I have to choose a name like 'Boom Egg Enthusiast, Go to Hell, High Stone'?! How am I supposed to finish writing this?!"
His remaining teammates stood by, their faces blank, as if their souls had left their bodies.
"Hahahaha..."
The Weasley brothers found this hilarious, and the two, in perfect coordination, rushed to the front.
Their team name was "Mischief Managed."
With their teammates' support, the twins not only managed to leave their names but also erased the signatures of their competitors.
As they jumped down from the snake, they were met with a chaotic battle.
This was when Harry and his group charged into the core area.
They were also the last team, as most of the others, stranded halfway or severely depleted, chose to forfeit.
Only a few members of the Umbrella House remained, with Michael, Neville, and Theo having fallen along the way to cover their teammates. In the end, only Harry and Hermione were left.
Voldemort sat on the platform of the Owl Hut, unable to hear the conversation but clearly observing the situation's progress.
Unintentionally, the twins' disruptive actions provided significant assistance to Harry and Hermione—
Teams that had signed their names quickly withdrew from the fray, watching from a safe distance.
If everything had gone according to plan, when Harry and Hermione arrived, they would have faced the Python alone, irritated by these pesky students. They would have had to dodge its attacks, rush to its side, and sign their names.
But now, several Gryffindor and Slytherin students were engaged in a fierce battle with the Python, and it lashed out with its tail, sending them all flying.
These teams, whose names had been erased, had to charge towards the Python a second time, signing their names while defending against the Python, protecting their new signatures, and causing trouble for others.
Fred and George had completely disrupted the original order, making it clear to all students that signing their names was just the first step; protecting their team's name until the end was the most crucial aspect.
"This is my chance! With this big guy's attention distracted, I can fly over."
Harry grabbed his broom and was about to mount it.
"Wait!"
Hermione pulled him back.
The girl glanced at her watch and said, "It'll only take a second to write 'SSC'... You can go up five minutes before the end."
Harry immediately realized—Hermione was right.
He wasn't confident he could protect his signature in such chaos... and the moment he mounted his broom, he would likely become everyone's target.
But waiting on the sidelines wasn't easy either.
The agony of being so close to completing the task yet unable to finish was only part of it; more concerning were the flying spells, the occasional giant tail sweeping by, and the ambushes from other teams.
Fortunately, the other magical creatures in the maze seemed startled by the commotion and didn't suddenly emerge from the bushes to attack them as before.
Vold looked down at the chaotic scene below.
To prevent any real accidents, all the professors, Thestrals, and most of the House-Elves were on standby around the maze, ready to rescue the students at a moment's notice.
From Vold's perspective, Harry and Hermione were like tiny ants on the ground, constantly jumping and moving about.
Suddenly, Hermione's legs stuck together uncontrollably, and she fell towards the ground. Right after, a Python's body slammed down towards her.
Harry contorted his face in a silent scream, his mouth forming the word "Hermione!"
The Python's body paused, and a House-Elf instantly appeared, taking Hermione away.
Before leaving, Hermione took the time to make an "OK" gesture towards Harry.
Harry nodded vigorously, understanding that Hermione was reminding him to wait for three minutes before making his move.
He nimbly dodged two intersecting spells, rolling on the ground and becoming covered in dirt.
Perhaps because Harry was the smallest in both size and age, and he wasn't attacking anyone, the Python didn't pay him any mind, and even the other teams barely noticed him.
This made it easier for Harry to "survive."
Three minutes passed.
A flying broom soared into the sky, agile and light like a swift in the storm.
"Wow!"
A collective gasp rose from the audience.
The other contestants were startled, and in the next second, seven or eight spells flew towards Harry, while the Weasley Brothers clapped and cheered.
The boy flew with ease, as if the strong winds posed no obstacle.
Moments later, a loud cheer and applause erupted from the audience, which Vold could clearly hear from the Owl Hut.
He put down his telescope and then heard Professor Morrow ask him with a smile:
"Do you regret it? If you had joined, you might be the one receiving the applause right now."
"What's the point?"
Vold replied disinterestedly, "People's emotions are fickle, especially the admiration of strangers. It can turn into disdain or even hatred over a small matter."
Professor Morrow laughed.
"That's... not something I'd expect to hear from someone your age."
He shook his head and said, "Children are cuter when they're more lively."
Vold turned to look at him and asked, "Cuter... or easier to deceive?"
He didn't hear the professor's response.
A House-Elf suddenly appeared with a 'bang', trembling slightly, and said, "Mr. Ved Gre... The maze... Something's wrong..."
(End of Chapter)
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