https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-689-Harry-s-Tournament-Experience/13685909/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-691-The-Application-of-the-Explosion-Spell/13685914/
Chapter 690: Lizard and Hope
“Merlin’s beard!” Hermione clapped a hand over her mouth. “It’s been following Harry all along!”
Ron’s face darkened. “So Wade doesn’t even spare Harry?”
“Don’t say that,” Hermione whispered, her knuckles white, her lips trembling. “Competing… defeating each other… that’s just how it’s supposed to be…”
“That’s not just defeating,” Neville muttered from the other side. “Look at the others—half-dead before they even get to quit.”
As Harry pressed deeper into the Thorn Wall, the Blue Bird followed him in. The Lizard’s painting flickered—just once—but the sight sent a chill through every Gryffindor heart.
Yet at that moment, the camera cut to Clementine.
…
The girl was sprinting through the gloom of the Forbidden Forest, her robe torn open by branches and thorns. She gasped for air, the metallic tang of blood rising in her throat.
“Grrr—”
A growl echoed from the dense trees ahead. The Cheetah’s eyes glowed with an eerie light, flickering like embers in the dark.
Clementine swerved sharply, hurling a spell in desperation:
“Blazing Flame Spell!”
Boom!
A pile of rotting leaves ignited, billowing gray smoke—but before the fire could spread, the Cheetah stepped on it, crushing it into ash. Then, rolling in the mud, it coated its body in thick, filthy sludge. Filthy, yes—but now immune to ordinary flames.
It stood atop a dry branch, its eyes fixed on the girl’s retreating back, as if amused, as if playing.
Clementine ran for a while, then collapsed against a tree, legs shaking uncontrollably. She turned—nothing. The bushes behind her were silent. The Cheetah hadn’t followed.
This had happened three or four times already. Even if she were slow to grasp it, she now sensed the truth:
The Leopard wasn’t hunting her. It was herding her—like a house cat toying with a mouse, pushing her toward some unseen destination.
What does it want?
She clenched her teeth, thoughts racing. But when the faint rustle of branches and leaves approached again, she forced herself to rise, one trembling leg at a time.
The predator was closing in.
She wanted to test it—what if she ran away from the Cheetah’s path? But every time the thought crossed her mind, Jabari’s broken body flashed in her mind’s eye.
These cold, mechanical creatures didn’t fear death.
She didn’t want to give them what they wanted—but she had no choice.
Then, a low growl sounded from the side.
She turned, adjusting her course, too exhausted to run properly. But the Cheetah didn’t appear.
“Hah,” she laughed bitterly. A sudden, fierce resolve flared in her chest.
—Then let’s see what’s waiting for me ahead!
…
The screen flickered again—back to the entrance of the Thorn Wall. The spikes were monstrous: some thick and rusted, like broken nails; others slender and sharp, like serpent fangs. They jutted out in jagged, interlocking patterns—terrifying, impenetrable.
But after staring too long, it became boring.
In the stands, someone muttered, “Why keep showing this empty shot?”
Only those with sharp eyes noticed the unnatural shadows dancing across the wall. Look closer, and you’d see it—the faint, hulking outline of a massive Lizard.
A few viewers excitedly shared their discovery, hearts pounding with anticipation.
Then—silently, like a shadow—another figure slipped through the trees. Small. Light-footed. Her presence was almost invisible. Only when the camera focused on her did the audience notice her.
“What’s her name?”
“Hope. Hope Cruz from Salem.”
“Hah! Look at this fool—she has no idea how dangerous that Thorn Wall is! I’ll bet five Galleons she doesn’t make ten seconds!”
“Unexpected. She looks weak, yet she’s already made it here safely.”
“Can she even dodge the ambush Lizard?”
“Even if she does, there’s still Wade Gray ahead!”
Spectators chatted casually, unimpressed. Most didn’t believe Hope would survive. Only the Salem students sat frozen, faces pale with dread.
“What do we do?” A freckled boy stammered. “Is there any way to warn her?”
“Calm,” Abby snapped, the older red-haired girl. “Stay composed. No matter the result, we accept it.”
She said it with conviction—but her eyes never left the screen. Her hands, clasped tightly, trembled.
“She’ll be okay, right?” A little girl’s voice cracked with tears. She was Hope’s younger sister.
Her mother patted her back, but offered no reassurance.
Then—just as Hope stepped out of the forest—the girl suddenly froze. Her legs stiffened. Then, with a soft shimmer, she cast a Disguise Charm.
A murmur rippled through the stands. Those who saw her vanish into the environment smiled in relief.
…
On the Thorn Wall, the Lizard stirred slightly.
It watched Harry enter. Waited.
No one came after.
But the Lizard was patient. It hung motionless above the entrance, its body shifting to match the wall’s color—perfectly camouflaged.
Among the magical puppets, only it possessed a natural Disguise Charm—just like the Color-Changing Dragon.
Spikes pierced its belly, some even through its body—but the Lizard felt no pain. Only annoyance at the obstruction.
Then—its eyes twitched.
Fixed on one point.
A Blue Bird burst from the forest, circling once before landing on a branch, facing the empty meadow ahead.
But the Lizard knew better. These “cameras” had no interest in empty wind-swept scenery.
Something was here.
The Lizard’s excitement surged. It flicked out a thin tongue, quivering in the air, its gaze locked on the meadow just beyond the bird.
Most wizards using Disguise Charm could only stand still. Move, and the illusion shattered.
But Hope’s charm was flawless. Even as she stepped lightly toward the wall, the environment around her remained seamless.
Yet the Lizard sensed it.
The faint snap of a crushed grass stem. The unnatural slump of leaves. The whisper of breath, almost imperceptible.
It waited—motionless—until the moment she drew near.
Then—
Hope’s foot caught in the entrance. Her form wavered, translucent and tense. She sensed a threat. Her wand rose silently, shoulders coiled.
But her eyes were fixed on the darkness of the tunnel ahead.
She didn’t see the danger above.
Zzzzip!
The Lizard’s tongue shot out like a dart—straight for her throat.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
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