Chapter Text
At the end of the term, everyone entered the restaurant as it was getting dark, including the exchange students of Beauxbatons and Durmstrang. The headmaster seat at Durmstrang was empty now... Karkaroff fled without a trace on the night of Voldemort's resurrection, much to the embarrassment of his students.
Fudge was also there. His face was ashen, as if he was willing to fight an evil dragon rather then to stay here. Harry saw Milvin sitting at the end of the long Slytherin table as usual, but this time at the long table of Hufflepuff, many seventh graders also chose to sit at the back, and they were whispering with the Slytherin across the aisle.
That being said, Milvin is more of a Hufflepuff. But he being a Slytherin is clearly a generational pass on, and he is proud of it.
Maybe the Snake Academy isn't all that bad... Harry thought so, and then he noticed Malfoy's mocking gaze and dismissed the thought in an instant.
The dinner was a lot richer than the usual in the semester, they ate happily until they couldn't eat any more. The two had been a little uneasy ever since Harry told them about the prophecy. It was only then, perhaps because of the joyous atmosphere in the hall, that they really showed their smiles without shadows.
By the time the last pudding had been wiped out and the plate had regained its golden glittering appearance, Dumbledore stood up and tapped the cup to attract everyone's attention.
"Students, teachers, and friends from fellow schools, please allow me to take a moment." Everyone fell silent, looking up, "This semester is finally coming to an end, and the Triwizard Tournament has officially ended. After many twists and turns, our champion was finally outed a few days ago."
There was a little cheer from the long table of Gryffindor.
"Having that said, I think I still owe you an explanation...about all the chaos this year and what really happened in the last task." The headmaster's solemn tone silenced the hall. "Harry chosen as champion was not an accident. Someone was manipulating from the shadows, casting a spell on the Goblet of Fire, all to make sure he gets the trophy... and I'm here to tell you the truth."
He looked around at everyone before speaking again.
"Through manipulation, the trophy was manipulated and a teleportation spell was cast. Mr. Emrys found this out at the last minute, so he tried to break into the maze to prevent Harry from touching the trophy... I'm sure you all saw Mr. Emrys that day. However, the two touched the trophy at the same time, causing them to be teleported to a cemetery together...not a random cemetery, but the cemetery of Tom Marvolo Riddle's father."
Hearing this name, a few people widened their eyes, while many more looked confused.
"It's not widely known, but with this name, you are usually more familiar with his other identity... Voldemort." said Dumbledore solemnly, glancing at the terrified student, "After a specific procedure, Tom Riddle, the dark wizard who was weaken thirteen years ago, regained his body that night, resurrected...you can say that."
There was a commotion in the auditorium, and many people turned to look at Harry, and then went back to stare at the headmaster.
"It's going to be a tough time, and in this situation, we have a chance to fight only if we are united," he said, nodding in the direction of the other two schools. "The Triwizard Tournament aimed to promote unity, which is even more important now. Voldemort is back... once again the wizarding world will face serious challenges, and to get through it, we must show unbreakable friendship. Every guest in this hall, Hogwarts will always welcome you whenever you want to return."
He paused a little and picked up a glass. Many faculty members followed, and students also grabbed hesitantly their drinks.
"Here I want to pay tribute to Mr. Emrys...for his tact and integrity," said Dumbledore, raising his glass, "While it is unfortunate that Mr. Emrys was disqualified in the third task, we should all remember, he displayed great character and wit."
With that, he saluted Milvin, and almost everyone followed.
"In addition, there is another person who deserves to be commended." After finishing the action, everyone focused their attention on the headmaster again, "Although he did not volunteer and is younger than the other champions, Harry Potter showed extraordinary courage and kindness in every task, and did not back off when facing Voldemort... This is something that even most adult wizards can't do. I think no one will object that he deserves the championship ...Harry, please come to the stage."
Harry hurriedly stood up and stirred in the process. He walked down the aisle between the long tables, feeling his face burn.
"The Triwizard Tournament is not just about magic, it is about courage, wisdom and character." When he came to the stage, Dumbledore said loudly beside him, "Here, I officially announce the champion of Triwizard Tournament...Harry Potter!"
There was a loud cheer in the dining room, and Harry saw all the Gryffindors jumping up, screaming and clapping. Even Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and the students of the two friend schools stood up, in which Slytherin seemed out of place. The Green House long table was not that enthusiastic about the winner.
There were exceptions to this. Harry noticed that Milvin stood up too, as did the few juniors around him. The young man applauded softly and met his gaze from a distance, without the slightest bit of jealousy or resentment.
Fudge stepped forward, forced a very contorted smile, and shoved the small golden trophy and a bag of coins into his hands. Dumbledore motioned them to look forward, and a photographer helped them take a photo. Harry suddenly thought of that tomorrow the Daily Prophet would have a constipated look on Fudge's face, and for some reason he laughed heartily.
By that, the chaotic semester finally came to an end.
◎◎◎
"Can't believe I'm leaving school."
On the train, Cedric murmured as he watched the scenery speeding by.
"Well, I've only been here for a year, and I've had a very chaotic time, so..."
"It's really chaotic." Tina agreed. After the Christmas party, she and Merlin had a good relationship. "Milvin, if you don't mind me asking...what happened that night? You know, after you touched the trophy with Potter... Professor Dumbledore did not give a particularly accurate description."
Hearing this question, Cedric couldn't help turning his head back and focus.
"Well, Voldemort was resurrected, and a few Death Eaters were gathered."
"Did you see it? The whole process?"
"I passed out then." Merlin grinned,what a good excuse. "Stunning spell or something."
"Merlin's beard... How on earth did you come back alive?"
"I woke up and saw Voldemort dueling Potter." Warlock shrugged. "So I sneaked a spell to distract Voldemort, and then Potter summoned the trophy, the portkey brought us back."
"Potter duel with You-Know-Who?" asked Cedric in disbelief. "I mean, Potter isn't weak, but compared to him..."
"It depends on how you think about the word duel." Merlin replied. "If you prefer me to say one-sided play and abuse, that's fine too."
"That's horrible." Tina murmured.
"What about you? What are your plans for the future?"
"I think I'll be an herbalist." Tina replied. "I've always loved herbalism, which is my specialty... If I can, I'd like to do an internship at St Mungo's, if I can get a formal position there, better."
"I've thought about it a lot this year..." Cedric paused and said slowly, "I think, I will become an Auror."
Glancing at the two of them, the young man's tone became firmer, "I think this is the right choice, especially after what happened this year."
"You..." Merlin froze for a moment, then sighed slightly. "Good luck, Cedric."
"How about you, Milvin?"
Hearing the question, the warlock smiled a little.
"Go home."
"That doesn't seem like a life choice, mate." Tina said amusingly.
"It is for me." Merlin couldn't help but look forward to it when he thought of the vibrant greenery of the Druid camp.
He misses the simple life, the kids jumping around, Leon getting younger by ages... Even Ethel's expressionless face is nostalgic.
Somewhere in his heart, he did feel a little sorry...to Potter, to Cedric.
The prophecy on Potter was destined to keep him in the impending chaos in the wizarding world, and Cedric also stepped in without hesitation.
But this is not his war, not something he is willing to intervene in anymore.
Thinking like this, looking in the direction of Hogwarts, which was no longer in sight, Merlin felt some complexity, some melancholy, and an inexplicable calm.
Maybe... just let it all take its course. Isn't there still the old smart-ass Dumbledore worrying about all these?
That sly guy...he was the first person to figure out Merlin's identity for centuries. Undeniable, the current Hogwarts headmaster, despite his flaws, is an interesting man, and not stupid at all (Merlin refused to think about it partly because he himself wasn't particularly careful about his secret identity).
Listening to the other two starting to discuss what kind of snacks to buy from the snack cart, the warlock dropped his thoughts and joined the conversation with a smile.
If may, he wanted to see if he could find a Merlin card from the Chocolate Frogs... He hadn't used the Aging Charm for a while, and he suddenly missed the big white beard.
【Part 1 END】