Chapter 713: The Noisy Great Hall
Chapter 713: The Noisy Great Hall
Under Mrs. Weasley's watchful gaze, Ron was forced to swallow his sarcastic remarks.
Bill stepped forward and patted Harry on the shoulder, whistling. "I have to say, you were incredibly brave today, Harry. Facing off against the Dark Lord in a Duel, surrounded by Death Eaters—most of us would have been petrified!"
Harry shook his head. He didn't think his actions were anything special. Escaping from the graveyard was all thanks to luck, the help of the ghosts, and the rescue by Ivan and Sirius Black.
However, the members of the Order of the Phoenix clearly didn't see it that way. They all agreed with Bill, impressed that Harry had remained composed and even fought back against Voldemort. This level of courage was something that most Wizards in the Wizarding World would find shameful.
"Alright, everyone, if you want more details, you'll have to wait until tomorrow. Harry needs to go to the Hospital Wing for a check-up and get some rest!" Sirius Black pushed through the crowd around Harry, his expression serious.
Although Bill and the others had many more questions, they shut their mouths when they saw Harry's pale face and weary expression.
After consulting with Dumbledore, Sirius Black led Harry away, turning back to glance at Ivan and suggesting he also go to the Hospital Wing.
"No, I'm fine!" Ivan shook his head, declining Sirius Black's offer.
He had studied Healing Magic and knew his own condition well. He wasn't injured; at most, he was just drained from excessive Magic use and feeling a bit fatigued.
...
Meanwhile, in the Great Hall, all the students were gathered around the long tables of the Four Houses, anxiously waiting or whispering about the chaos at the Quidditch pitch in the evening.
The Prefects, tasked with maintaining order, had hoarse voices from shouting, but to no avail. Frustrated, they looked up at the teachers' table for help.
Snape sat alone at the empty teachers' table, his face dark as he clutched his left arm, completely ignoring the commotion below and not even hearing the Prefects' calls.
A few minutes later, the Great Hall doors swung open, and hundreds of young Wizards turned their attention to the entrance. The few missing Professors, along with Dumbledore, were finally entering from the entrance hall.
Ivan and the others followed and took their seats at the Gryffindor long table.
"Ivan, where were you tonight? I heard Harry was kidnapped. Is that true?" Before they could even settle down, George and Fred quickly approached, their curiosity piqued.
"Sort of, I guess. Professor Dumbledore will give you the full details later", Ivan replied vaguely.
On the other side, Hermione and Ron were also surrounded by other Gryffindor young Wizards, bombarded with questions about their whereabouts.
Many had overheard Ivan and the others' conversation during the evening's chaos and were naturally very interested.
"Silence!"
Dumbledore's voice rang out from the stage, his expression unusually stern, unlike his usual warm demeanor.
The young Wizards fell silent immediately, and the previously noisy Great Hall became eerily quiet, as if everyone had been hit with a Silencing Charm.
"Tonight, many things have happened that we did not anticipate, and I understand that you must have many questions. However, before I share this news, I must first tell you something else to avoid spoiling your relatively good mood..."
Dumbledore's half-moon spectacles swept across the Great Hall, finally settling on Ivan. After a moment, he began to speak.
"Firstly, I must congratulate Ivan Halsmaster for winning first place in the Triwizard Tournament, bringing this honor to Hogwarts! His performance in the competition was outstanding, and he is a well-deserved champion..."
As Dumbledore's words echoed, the Great Hall erupted into thunderous applause. Eyes turned to the Gryffindor Table, where Ivan sat, regarded with admiration, reverence, and awe.
After the three trials, even the students from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang had to admit that Ivan's victory was well-earned. The gap in skill was simply too great...
Amidst the praise and applause, Ivan nodded casually to the crowd, but his heart remained unmoved. The news of Voldemort's resurrection had left him with no desire to celebrate his victory.
"Secondly, Harry Potter has successfully secured second place in the tournament!" Dumbledore paused, letting the applause subside before continuing.
Upon hearing this, the crowd shifted their gaze from Ivan to the Gryffindor Table, searching for Harry. However, to their surprise, Harry was nowhere to be found. The young wizards began to murmur, recalling the rumors that had been circulating.
"I imagine some of you have already guessed part of the truth, and this is what I must tell you next!" Dumbledore observed the expressions on their faces, raising his voice to be heard over the growing chatter.
"Following the conclusion of this Triwizard Tournament, the Azkaban escapee Peter Pettigrew, using Polyjuice Potion to disguise himself as Black, took Harry Potter from the Quidditch pitch and brought him before Voldemort..."
"According to Mr. Potter's account, Voldemort needed his blood to complete a dark ritual, brewing a potion to restore his strength!"
Dumbledore's words sent a chill through the Great Hall. Everyone stared at him in shock and disbelief, some even wondering if he was telling a terrible joke.
But Dumbledore's expression was devoid of any hint of jest. "I must regretfully inform you that he succeeded... We attempted to intervene, but we were too late..."
"Now... he has been resurrected. Yes, you heard correctly, his magic has brought him back from the dead!"
Dumbledore's announcement shattered the tense silence. The young wizards began to murmur nervously and fearfully, the volume of their voices growing louder, almost uncontrollable...
Ivan, Ron, and Hermione, who were already in the know, found themselves growing increasingly frustrated. At first, they tried to explain the truth to the curious students who bombarded them with questions.
But as the number of skeptics grew, they grew tired of the endless inquiries and simply stopped explaining, letting people believe what they would...
(End of Chapter)
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