Chapter 487: The End of the Maze Castle
Harry was about to say something when suddenly he heard Ron's desperate cry. Turning back, he saw Ron emerging from the bushes, clutching his face, followed by two furry hedgehogs – cloak hogs, their feet and noses peeking out, leaping high and landing on Ron's back, eliciting another cry from him.
"Stone them all!"
"Knock them out!"
Harry and Hermione cast spells simultaneously, hitting the two cloak hogs.
"What happened to him?" Cedric asked, puzzled, as Ron groaned in pain.
"He got a slap from the cloak hogs' tails," Hermione explained, fishing in her pocket for quite some time before pulling out a vial of potion.
"You have some small quills on you... need to remove them. I'm not sure if it'll hurt," Hermione said, plucking a tiny quill from Ron's neck.
Ron let out a loud yell.
"Hold on..." Hermione's fingers trembled as she pulled out another quill, causing Ron to scream even louder. She looked to Harry for help, and he approached.
"I'll lend a hand." Cedric picked up his wand and stood.
"The cup," Ron muttered incoherently.
"What?" Harry asked, bewildered.
"I think he means the trophy," Cedric chuckled. "Trophy, come here!" Pointing to a distant trophy, it flew into his hand. He glanced at it with mixed emotions before reluctantly passing it to Harry.
Harry hesitated for a moment.
"Take it, it's rightfully yours," Cedric said.
Harry accepted it and, after a thoughtful pause, said, "You're a great opponent."
Cedric grinned, "As are you, Harry."
Meanwhile, Hermione, impatiently, said, "Could you two help a bit? We're still in the middle of the competition. It's been ages, and others haven't shown up yet."
Cedric felt a bit awkward, rubbing his nose.
"Is this the last bit of bitterness before receiving the award?" Ron asked cheerfully.
Harry grinned too, placed his hand on the trophy, and felt as if a hook had pulled his navel. The seventh level of the maze vanished before his eyes, and he caught one last glimpse of Cedric smiling and waving at them.
The competition ended successfully; they had won the championship. All Harry wanted now was a deep sleep, preferably to wake up and find it was already summer vacation.
...
"At last..." Felix sighed. Clutching his hat, his figure abruptly vanished. When he reappeared, he was standing on a dilapidated path, in a secluded village. Not far from him, a small church stood darkly, its outline visible in the darkness.
There were vague shadows in the distance.
"Is that the graveyard?"
"Yes, Professor," Hermione hidden in the hat confirmed. Felix rested his hand on the hat, bent down, and turned it over. Hermione cautiously jumped out, still adorned with a chain enlarged several times, almost as tall as her.
Under the shrinking spell's effect, Hermione slowly grew back to her original size.
"This is your beaded bag." Felix took out a small bag from his clothing and handed it to Hermione. "Shrinking spells do affect these magical items, as does the Time-Turner... Oh, and the ring." He removed a ring from his hand and gave it to Hermione.
"Keep it for now."
"Professor, do you really think the Ministry would come after you? How dare they?"
"Just being cautious," Felix shrugged. "We're parting ways. Estimate your time, use the Disillusionment Charm and other concealment spells to hide. Go over when the time is right... You're capable of it, Miss Granger."
"Understood!"
Felix smiled slightly, turned, and walked towards the graveyard.
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