Chapter 267: Know What You're Up Against
Chapter 267: Know What You're Up Against
Despite gaining Dumbledore's support, Vold chose not to act immediately.
He patiently waited until all the students had finished their exams and then for the Gryffindor and Ravenclaw Quidditch match.
Although Vold wasn't particularly interested in Quidditch, this was the final battle of the school year, and everyone with free time came to watch.
The Ravenclaw team played with great effort, but several players were injured due to their excessive speed and inability to react in time. Unfortunately...
One can disguise their weaknesses, but strength cannot be feigned.
Many of last year's skilled players had already graduated, and the new team members, despite their best efforts, lost the match.
The Gryffindors cheered loudly, while the Ravenclaws managed to maintain their composure and congratulated them on their victory.
"Thank you, you played brilliantly as well!"
Gryffindor's Wood gave a thumbs-up, his smile wide enough to show both rows of teeth.
Ravenclaw's captain, Roger, scoffed and forced a smile.
Apart from the Gryffindors still celebrating on the pitch, students from other houses began returning to the castle, especially the Slytherins, who were the first to leave.
When the crowd returned to the castle, they found the entrance hall blocked once more, with many Slytherin students gathered, looking up at a new announcement—
June Challenge
Not long ago, the Hogwarts Champions defeated a giant python, proving their strength and courage.
But—
Is that really true?
We all know that pythons are docile creatures, and the professors were always by their side. Battling a python is as safe as cutting a cake under a mother's watchful eye.
Do you dare to challenge truly dangerous creatures?
Can you face death without flinching?
Do you want to know the true extent of your magical abilities?
This is a challenge for truly exceptional and fearless challengers, with even the risk of death! Warning: The faint of heart should not enter!!!
Those interested in participating, please gather in the empty classroom on the third floor at 10 p.m. tonight. Teams can be formed freely, and there is no limit on the number of participants.
In this activity, all challengers are considered collaborators.
Note: Challengers must meet the following conditions.
First, they must have reached the finals of the May Challenge.
Second, they must have mastered the Iron Armor Charm, Obstacle Charm, Petrificus Totalus...
Following this was a list of spell names.
The word 'Warning' was highlighted and enlarged several times for emphasis.
Who would admit to being a coward? All those who met the requirements loudly declared their intention to participate, and even a student or two who hadn't mastered a few spells rushed off to study without even eating dinner.
When the Gryffindors returned, they discovered that the entire school seemed to have moved on from discussing their victory.
Whether it was the despised Slytherins or students from their own house, everyone was talking about something else.
They rushed to the entrance hall to see the notice, and by the time they returned to the long table, everyone except Wood, who was still preoccupied with his Quidditch Cup, had changed the topic.
"Hogwarts is getting cooler and cooler. I thought we'd just be waiting for our grades and going home after the Quidditch match!" Fred exclaimed happily.
"Although getting our grades is also an adventure, I prefer this kind of excitement," George said, resting his chin on his crossed arms. "I wonder what dangerous creatures they're talking about?"
"Maybe a centipede as big as a snake?" Harry guessed.
"Or a whole bunch of spiders as big as houses! Right, Ron?" Fred winked at his brother.
"Spiders?!?!"
Ron, who had just arrived, screamed, his face turning pale with fear.
Due to a prank the twins had played when they were younger, Ron had developed a deep fear of spiders.
"Yes," Fred said, his face darkening like a ghost's. "They'll suddenly pounce from the corners, and you, my brother, will find yourself embraced by a spider..."
George, who had stealthily slid down from his seat, suddenly reached out and grabbed Ron's shoulders.
"Ahhhhhh!"
A terrified scream echoed through the hall, accompanied by the loud laughter of the Weasley twins.
The Weasley brothers were teasing their younger brother, but the students who overheard snippets of their conversation spread the rumor.
"Did you hear that...it's spiders..."
"We've dealt with them in the maze so many times...the school really underestimates us..."
"The entry requirements are probably just a bluff; I can handle those spiders too..."
The young wizards clenched their fists and rubbed their palms, eager to prove themselves.
So, when it was past nine o'clock in the evening, Harry and the others arrived on the third floor, only to find it packed with people, surprisingly without much noise.
They pushed their way through the crowd with difficulty, and Harry followed Fred and the others with his head down. Suddenly, the crowd ahead loosened, and he almost stumbled.
Someone caught him, and Harry quickly thanked them, "Thank you—"
"It seems that Mr. Potter, fresh from his victory, still longs for the feeling of being on a broomstick, to the point of forgetting how to use his legs."
A cold, sarcastic voice came from above, causing Harry to stiffen. He slowly raised his head and, as expected, saw the professor he disliked the most.
Snape, who had been forced to work overtime, held a list, his cold and empty gaze sweeping over the bustling crowd of students. Suddenly, there was a shuffling, and half a meter of space was cleared.
Only Harry was left standing in front of Professor Snape, enduring the cold stare.
Beside him, the twin brothers were winking and gesturing, encouraging him to be brave.
Harry finally understood why there were so many people here, yet it was so quiet.
He took a deep breath, prepared for trouble, and said, "Professor, I'm here to take the challenge."
Snape's expression was as unpleasant as ever. He lifted his eyelids and glanced at Harry, and although he didn't say a word, Harry felt like he had been looked down upon from head to toe.
Unconsciously, Harry clenched his fists, and then he heard the professor in front of him say, "Iron Armor Charm."
"What...Oh, oh! Armor Shield!"
Harry fumbled with his wand, but fortunately, he was already familiar with this spell and performed it smoothly.
Snape said nothing more and allowed him to enter the empty classroom.
Upon entering, Harry found a strange professor with disabilities waiting for him.
He tried not to look at the professor's missing legs and arms and asked softly, "Professor?"
"Oh, Harry Potter!"
Professor Ketterborn, excited, patted him with his only intact palm.
"I'm about to retire, and I never thought I'd get to see you in my class! I didn't expect there would be such an opportunity."
"Er...hello, Professor," Harry said awkwardly. "What do I need to do?"
"You should know what you're up against first. If you feel afraid, you still have a chance to back out," Professor Ketterborn said.
"Face...what?" Harry didn't understand.
"Well, a millennium companion. I can't believe Hogwarts has been hiding such a big guy...I submitted my retirement report too early."
Professor Caterborne spoke regretfully, pointing to the wall with his wand.
Harry turned to look, and suddenly, he felt like all the blood in his body had frozen.
A pair of yellowish-brown eyes stared at him, exuding an overwhelming sense of crisis!
(End of Chapter)
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