Chapter 396: The Keeper of Security

Chapter 396: The Keeper of Security

At noon, the students of Hogwarts gathered in Clock Square, led by Professor Flitwick, and headed towards the direction of the competition grounds.

"Madam Maxime has taken the champions to the temporary tents," Professor Flitwick exclaimed with excitement.

Felix walked alongside him, moving at a steady pace in the lead. Behind him, students chattered and discussed with excitement. A wizard shouted, "I heard the roar of a dragon last night—"

Turning back, he saw a sea of people flowing like a twisting black river. They exited the castle, crossed the long bridge, and followed a sloping path downhill.

As they passed by the edge of the Black Lake, Durmstrang students descended from boats, cloaked figures joining the procession. Near Hagrid's hut, the massive doors of a carriage swung open, revealing seven or eight Beauxbatons students in blue silk uniforms, along with students from the Institute for Magical Education who emerged from their temporary residence at the Quidditch pitch. They stood beside the Forbidden Forest, waiting for their fellow wizards and witches from the Wugadug Tribe.Diiscover new stories at novelhall.com

The uniforms of these four schools added vibrancy to the otherwise monotonous sea of black, like colorful fish in water.

The group walked along the edge of the Forbidden Forest for about twenty minutes. The castle and the lake disappeared from sight, and they had ventured beyond the school's grounds. The thick growth of trees and bushes on the right grew sparser, revealing the lush and impenetrable heart of the Forbidden Forest.

Felix heard the sound of hooves. "Is it thestrals?" Felix squinted his eyes at the dense forest, and a peculiar-looking horse head poked out — a Thestral. It disappeared as soon as he looked.

After passing another protruding grove, the landscape suddenly opened up. Before them lay an amphitheater constructed for the occasion, with tall wooden stakes supporting rudimentary walkways that undulated with the terrain.

On the western side stood a massive silver tent, and Felix caught a glimpse of Ludo Bagman hurrying inside.

"Everyone, orderly ascend to the stands, no pushing," Professor Flitwick stood on a wooden step, instructing the gathering crowd. Felix mumbled an apology and turned toward the tent.

As he reached the entrance, he sensed a solemn and subdued atmosphere. Ludo Bagman's cheerful voice seemed utterly out of place.

"Alright then, it's quite simple really. You need to pick out the models inside. Yes, you should know, dragons come in different breeds. You must select on behalf of your teams—ladies first."

Upon entering, Felix saw Bagman standing among the champions with an amiable smile, dressed in an old Falmouth Falcons robe he had worn in his youth. He held a purple silk bag in his hand.

Around him were the captains of the six teams — Viktor Krum, Fleur, Krum, Cedric, Nona Levbert, and Harry. Among these six, Harry was the shortest, especially when standing next to the tall Wugadug witch; he looked like a lost child. Yet today, he and his companions would face the threat of dragons together.

Other team members were scattered within the tent, fixated on their captains. Breathing seemed to vanish within the tent.

Fleur trembled as she pulled a small, intricately detailed model of a Welsh Green dragon from the bag, her complexion turning somewhat pale.

However, Felix's expression darkened. That was the "Fire Dragon Magic Lamp" from the "Future World"! Was the Ministry of Magic cutting corners like this?

"Ah, Mademoiselle, you're quite lucky," Bagman said. At that moment, he heard a low voice by his ear, "Can't you make your own set of models..."

"Alright, everyone has drawn their dragons!" Bagman said. "You've all got the dragons you'll be facing. I need to step away for a moment to provide commentary for the audience. When the match starts, others will escort you into the arena. When you hear the whistle, that's your signal to go out. Understood?"

Others fell somewhat silent. Cedric raised a question, "What's our task? And the order of the match?"

"Task?" Bagman hesitated. "Oh, uh... did I not mention it?" He looked slightly confused, casting a glance at the others. Everyone in the tent turned their predatory gazes toward him. He pulled a handkerchief to wipe the sweat off his forehead, "Alright, my mistake. I should have clarified from the beginning... You see, the objective is to get past the dragon and retrieve an egg, then make a successful escape. As for the order... there's no order. All of you will compete together."

Harry, Ron, and Hermione exchanged glances. Looking up, they noticed Cedric looking meaningfully at his two teammates. It gave them a bit of assurance, as they had practiced this strategy back in Classroom Seven.

Harry looked to Professor Harp, who was gazing at the carved patterns in the tent, showing no other reaction.

"Why compete together? What if other teams interfere?" a Beauxbatons girl asked in a shrill voice.

"This is also part of the test," Bagman cautiously answered. "You need to learn to have eyes on all sides and ears open to every direction. There will be gaps between each dragon's placement. In theory... you'll have enough space. You'll understand when the time comes. Well... Harry... can I have a word with you alone? Outside?"

Harry stared at him puzzled. They left for a while, and Harry returned with a gloomy expression.

"What happened?" Ron asked.

"I don't know. He seemed like he wanted to help me," Harry said, quite perplexed. "But I declined. We've prepared so much..."

At this point, only Felix Harp remained in the tent. The others gazed at him curiously, expecting him to leave with Bagman.

"Allow me to introduce myself. Felix Harp, the Arithmancy professor at Hogwarts," he said calmly. "You need not remember my name, just my duty — I'm one of the Keepers of Safety, and indeed, the last line of defense."

"During your match, dragon trainers from the Reserve and Ministry personnel will be scattered around. They're ready to provide protection at all times. As for me, throughout the entire match, I'll be hovering above your heads and will intervene only in the most dangerous moments — when you can't call for help in time."

"So, best of luck."

Felix stepped out of the tent, the buzz of voices surrounding him.

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