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Chapter 362: Another Attempt
Chapter 362: Another Attempt
" Ced, " Cho Chang whispered, "Why don't we wait a bit longer?"
"No, I'm afraid if we wait any longer, it might get worse", Cedric said with a smile. "Professor Hup wouldn't set a challenge that can't be passed. He's selecting candidates for the brave, not powerful wizards. The key lies in what he said earlier."
Cho Chang looked at him thoughtfully. "Courage, wisdom, resilience, and calm?"
Cedric nodded and strode out confidently. Jordan Lee was still encouraging others to step forward. The previous examples had made the young wizards hesitant, and many were considering waiting to see if someone else would be the first to get an invitation card.
Harry couldn't stand it anymore. He moved a few steps forward, catching a glimpse of Cedric walking over.
"Is there anyone else who wants to try?" Jordan Lee continued to persuade them. "The professors might be back after a cup of tea. What will they think if they see three zeros? Oh, a fourth volunteer has appeared! Let's cheer for him, Cedric Diggory from Hufflepuff!"
Cedric walked up the smooth, black steps, touching the black door, and was instantly sucked in.
The students involuntarily held their breath, afraid he would be thrown out the next second. But ten seconds passed, then thirty seconds, one minute, two minutes, and finally, after five minutes, the suspended black door opened silently. Cedric descended the steps, holding a golden card high.
"Look! Cedric succeeded! He got the invitation card! He's the first!" Jordan Lee shouted excitedly, and the Hufflepuff students erupted in a wave of cheers.
Jordan Lee grabbed Cedric, "Mate, you did it! Do you have anything to say to us?"
Cedric smiled shyly, looking noticeably relieved. "I only have four words to say—courage, wisdom, resilience, and calm. That's enough. Oh, by the way", he thought for a moment, "Professor Hup cast a spell on the card. I think that was my biggest takeaway today."
He returned to the Hufflepuff crowd, surrounded by his peers.
"Cedric, how did you pass the test?"
" Yeah, how did you escape from the Runed Serpent?"
"What was that big-mouthed thing? Was it a Giant?"
Cedric shook his head. "I didn't encounter any of those things, not one. I think Professor Hup isn't testing how we defeat them. The key is what I already mentioned."
He found Cho Chang. "Qiu, I suggest you give it a try."
"Because of the spell on the card?" Cho Chang asked.
"Yes, and also because I hope you can join me in the training", Cedric said, scratching his head.
...
With a successful example and a key hint, more people were willing to give it a try, even forming a long queue. Jordan Lee reminded them, "The test can be taken simultaneously. Fred and George Weasley did it that way—"
One by one, young wizards entered, but many were thrown out even faster, getting up from the ground dejectedly.
Harry was followed by Ron and Hermione. "You don't have to stay with me. You can wait—"
"Don't be silly. I want to try it myself", Hermione said impatiently.
"Yeah, who wouldn't want an invitation card?" Ron said with a grin, but Harry could see the fear in his eyes, even in his tone, which was different from usual.
Harry took a deep breath, walked up the steps, and touched the patterns on the door. In the next second, the patterns began to move, forming a shallow vortex that sucked him in.
'Let's see what's inside!' Harry said to himself.
His feet touched solid ground. Before he could take in his surroundings, a blinding green light filled his vision, accompanied by a hoarse, terrifying voice, as cold as a winter wind—
"Avada Kedavra!"
Harry's heart almost stopped, his vision went dark, and he felt as if he were falling through emptiness. In the next second, his body tensed—
"Harry! Harry!"
"Harry, are you okay?"
Ron and Hermione looked at him with concern. Harry realized he wasn't dead; the black gate had thrown him out, and they had caught him.
'What kind of test is this, not even giving me time to react?' Harry felt bewildered.
Ron, seeing Harry's pale face, tried to reassure him, "It's not a big deal if you fail. At least we get to see the show." Harry followed Ron's gaze and saw a row of students lying on the ground, including several familiar faces from Gryffindor.
Angelina Johnson, covered in dirt, climbed to her feet. When she saw Harry staring at her, she gave a bitter smile, "I thought, since there are no Quidditch matches this year, I might as well find something to do. Being a school champion sounded good, but I couldn't even make it past the selection process. I guess I'm not cut out for it..."
She shook her head in disappointment and prepared to leave.
"No, you can do it!" Harry said.
"What?"
"You can—” Harry struggled to his feet, “I'll prove it to you."
Under her puzzled gaze, Harry walked up the steps again. Even the commentator, Jordan Lee, was taken aback, murmuring, "Looks like Potter wants to try again. This... I don't know if it will work..."
Harry ignored the others' thoughts, placing his hand on the black gate and silently praying.
The slight sense of weightlessness returned, bringing a surge of joy to his heart. It worked; he knew the professor wouldn't kill anyone outright. Everyone could try again!
Hermione watched his back with worry, "Harry is too impulsive. I can guess that the professor used a technique similar to the Mind Room, maybe combined with Legilimency, or a boggart or Dementor's ability, to make everyone face their greatest fears. And in the process, they are supposed to display the qualities of a champion..."
She shook her head, "But each failure is a significant blow. Just look at those people." She paused, then focused on the black gate, suddenly chuckling.
"What's so funny?" Ron asked, puzzled.
"Oh", Hermione tried to suppress her laughter but her shoulders shook violently, "Look... on the gate, Harry... Harry's handprint!"
Ron and Angelina stared at the gate and saw a dirty handprint, undoubtedly left by Harry. The others had only tried once, but Harry had attempted it twice, without even cleaning the mud from his hands.
Angelina smiled softly, about to say something, when Harry was thrown out of the black gate for the second time.
His face was even paler than before, but his eyes were particularly bright. Before they could ask any questions, Harry hastily said, "I found a trick!" and rushed back, climbing the steps in a whirlwind and slapping his hand on the black gate, leaving another fresh mud handprint.
Jordan Lee leaned over, putting down his wand, and whispered, "Is he possessed or something?"
"I don't think so", Angelina said, "This is the Harry Potter I know—stubborn and single-minded, just like when he trains."
Hermione stood up and pulled Ron to his feet.
"What are you doing?" Ron asked, examining the handprint on the gate and commenting, "The second handprint is clearer. Harry's hand must have really hurt!"
But Hermione dragged him up the steps, her tone firm, "It's our turn."
"I knew I couldn't avoid it", Ron muttered, looking around before placing his hand on the mud handprint Harry had left.
(End of Chapter)
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