Chapter 677: Third Tournament Project
“How are you feeling, Harry?” Wade heard Bagman ask with enthusiastic energy as they descended the staircase. “You didn’t forget your Preparation Food, did you?”
“Of course not,” Harry replied simply, relief washing over his face the moment he spotted Wade. He immediately stepped forward to join him.
Cedric soon emerged from the Great Hall and merged with Wade, followed by the other champions from their respective schools.
Natalia glanced at Wade, raising one eyebrow with a sly smile. Her golden hair was braided tightly into a neat plait, coiled neatly at the back of her head. Clementine walked beside Hope from Salem Academy—both girls were slender and delicate in build, their form-fitting protective gear only amplifying their fragile appearance.
Krum wore a grim expression, his face tense, though the look only made him seem more intimidating. Jabari from Wagadoo, by contrast, appeared relaxed. The forest was his natural element, yet even he couldn’t suppress a frown as he recalled the many terrifying legends surrounding the Forbidden Forest.
To prepare for the challenges within the Forbidden Forest, everyone had traded their loose, cumbersome robes for practical, battle-ready gear, each carrying a sturdy backpack on their back.
Wade wore a sleek, dark green Dragonhide Protective Suit. His trouser legs were tightly secured around his boots, sealing off any gap where dangerous insects might crawl in.
Harry adjusted his sleeves as he walked, his clothing—crafted personally by Sirius Black—mirroring the set Remus Lupin had once prepared for Wade. The former Marauders had offered invaluable advice, even providing a crude map showing the general territories of the Forbidden Forest’s creatures.
Seeing the map, Wade understood immediately. Before the Tournament’s location had even been announced, Remus and Sirius had likely already deduced it and sneaked into the forest more than once—though how many times, no one knew.
Of course, similar under-the-table preparations were being made by every school, each trying to gain an edge for their champion. But ultimately, success would still depend on individual skill and ability.
That’s why, the night before, Remus had taken the time to caution Wade once more:
“Make sure you pull away as fast as you can—first. Because if I were a competitor, I’d team up with someone inside to take out the biggest threat before anything else.”
“Look over there!” Cedric suddenly pointed toward the main gate as they approached the stadium. “The audience is coming in.”
The champions turned. Wizards in exotic robes, guided by Hagrid, were streaming into the Quidditch Pitch. Some waved colorful banners; others wore cloaks that shimmered like neon lights in the dim air.
“My god,” Jabari muttered. “Thank Merlin we don’t have to compete right in the center of the field. I might forget how to walk.”
The others stayed silent, but each nodded in quiet agreement.
Soon, the group reached the edge of the Forbidden Forest. A twenty-foot-high hedge surrounded the area, leaving only a single gap open before them.
Professor McGonagall stood at the entrance, dressed in a dark red hunting outfit. Her usual pointed hat had been replaced with a narrow-brimmed soft cap, so much so that Harry nearly failed to recognize her at first.
Professor Flitwick, Professor Moody, and a dozen Aurors lined the sides. As Wade glanced over, Professor Flitwick gave him a quick, almost imperceptible wink. Wade returned a faint smile.
Near the entrance, several specialized Blue Birds had been set up for filming. No one knew which one was currently being broadcast on the large screen. Harry instinctively avoided looking at any of them, while Clementine flashed a bright, cheerful smile directly into the lens.
“Champions,” Professor McGonagall said, her tone serious. “We’ll be patrolling the area surrounding the forest. If you encounter trouble and need rescue, shoot a Red Spark into the air. We’ll come to you. Do you understand?”
They all nodded in unison.
The patrols mounted their broomsticks and fanned out in different directions, vanishing from sight in an instant.
Bagman checked his watch, then announced with a cheerful tone: “Perfect. Looks like everyone’s ready. Let’s begin.”
He pointed his wand at his throat and whispered, “Sonorus.”
His amplified voice echoed across the entire field:
“Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the final showdown of the Magic School League!”
Beaming widely, he executed a dramatic bow. The Quidditch Pitch erupted in thunderous cheers and applause.
“After two intense rounds of competition, the remaining champions will now enter the world’s most dangerous and magical forest! They will face deadly magical plants, bloodthirsty Fantastic Beasts, and—of course—each other!”
“Only one champion will emerge victorious. The rules are simple—”
With a flick of his wand, Bagman sent a streak of red light soaring into the sky, forming a giant golden trophy.
“The first champion to touch the Triwizard Cup will bring eternal glory to their school!”
The stands erupted again in wild cheers—so loud it almost drowned out the champions themselves.
Bagman canceled the enchantment, then smiled at the group.
“According to the rules, the first champion to return with a complete Compass may depart first. Then, every two minutes after that—each champion who has completed their Compass may leave in order. The one with the full Compass goes first.”
“Your entry order is as follows: Wade Gray, Viktor Krum, Natalia Petrova, Harry Potter. Then, those who’ve collected part of the Compass—Clementine Durand, Cedric Digory, Jabari Wiven, and Hope Cruz.”
Harry’s expression flickered with surprise. He’d been the last to return from the shore, yet now he was fourth to enter.
The others, however, visibly tensed the moment they heard Wade’s name first.
Bagman cleared his throat. “But once inside the forest, you must not stop. No attacking each other within the first thirty minutes. Please follow the rules. May Merlin protect you all.”
“Alright, then… Wade Gray—listen for my whistle!”
Bagman pulled out a small whistle. “Three… two… one!”
A sharp, short blast rang out.
Wade stepped through the gap first. Two Blue Birds followed closely behind, their wings flitting through the air.
The moment he crossed the threshold, the outside world vanished. The noise, the light, the movement—all disappeared. Silence fell, heavy and eerie. The air grew dim, as if night had already descended.
The scent of damp earth and strange flora filled the air. But the Forbidden Forest before him was nothing like his memory of it.
No one knew what spell the Ministry of Magic had used, but the trees had grown taller, their roots twisted and gnarled into monstrous shapes. A thick layer of dark purple moss covered the ground, slick underfoot. One misstep could send a leg sliding.
Vines coiled around branches like living serpents, twitching faintly. Faint, rustling whispers echoed through the shadows—soft, almost inhuman murmurs, like the dreams of something ancient and lost.
Between the trees, twisted branches formed natural arched gateways. Wade pulled out his Compass. The red needle trembled for a moment, then settled firmly in one direction.
He looked at the needle’s point. It was aimed at a cluster of massive trees, their trunks so thick they blocked the line of sight entirely.
Wade paused, silent for a breath. With a flick of his wand, he confirmed the trees were real—no illusion. Then, without hesitation, he chose a nearby passage and stepped inside.
(End of Chapter)
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