#436 - Chapter 436: The School Year Ends and the War Begins

Harry spent a full three days in the hospital wing, cooperating with Mia and Madam Pomfrey for various examinations every day, just like a little white mouse.

Fortunately, the problem with him wasn't significant. Mia was just worried that he might have aftereffects after being tortured by the Cruciatus Curse, so she observed him for two more days before letting him leave the hospital wing before the farewell banquet.

Coming out of the hospital wing, he immediately saw Ron and Hermione waiting outside the door.

"Congratulations on getting discharged, mate!" Ron put his arm around Harry's shoulder. "You have to tell us carefully about what happened that night. Honestly, withstanding the Dark Lord's Cruciatus Curse and being unharmed, you're really amazing."

"Harry," Hermione walked beside them, her words a little hesitant, "you said the news of the Dark Lord's return has spread throughout Hogwarts, but... a lot of people don't believe you. Don't get angry if you hear any rumors."

"Yeah," Harry nodded. "Professor Swann has already discussed it with me in advance. I'm mentally prepared. By the way, Malfoy, he..."

He couldn't help but ask about Malfoy's situation.

"Why mention him?" Ron said indignantly. "You don't know, he's been spreading rumors everywhere that you're lying. All my improved impressions of him this year were for nothing. I thought he had changed for the better."

"Harry," Hermione opened her mouth and took the initiative to explain, "Because of this, Ron even found Malfoy and challenged him to a duel."

A duel?

Harry's heart clenched suddenly. These two were his good friends, and he would be sad no matter who got hurt.

"What was the result?" he quickly asked, "Who won?"

"Ugh, don't even mention it," Ron was extremely depressed. "As soon as the duel formalities were completed, Professor Snape appeared and deducted fifty points from each of us, a whole fifty points! Gryffindor has no chance for the House Cup this year. Of course, neither does Slytherin."

Harry breathed a slight sigh of relief.

Thank goodness, as long as no one was hurt, losing the House Cup was no big deal.

"Enough about him," Ron pursed his lips, then changed to a gossipy tone and said, "You probably don't know how miserable the Durmstrang students have been these past two days while you were in the hospital wing."

Durmstrang?

What happened to them?

Harry looked at Ron blankly, waiting for him to reveal the secret.

"Durmstrang's Headmaster Karkaroff is a Death Eater. He played a part in you being taken out of Hogwarts this time."

Ron didn't keep him in suspense and said with a flourish, "Before the third task, he used the Imperius Curse to control Krum and the others, making them help the Hogwarts team eliminate all obstacles."

So that's how it was...

Harry suddenly understood. No wonder Ilvermorny and Durmstrang fought each other at the time, and when the three of them rushed out of the second level of the maze to attack Krum, the other party basically didn't resist at all.

"Karkaroff is really too stupid," Ron exclaimed. "This is Hogwarts, Headmaster Dumbledore's territory."

"The Durmstrang team's abnormal reaction directly caught Headmaster Dumbledore's attention. After you were taken away, he directly took action and tied up Karkaroff."

So fierce?!

A headmaster just grabbed another headmaster like that?

Harry widened his eyes, completely unable to imagine Dumbledore taking action.

Recalling the scene at the time, Hermione also sighed, "Headmaster Dumbledore's actions startled everyone. Madam Maxime, Aginbard, and Headmaster Egilbert were all on tenterhooks."

"Fortunately, Krum and the other two woke up and proved Karkaroff's actions. Later, after the headmaster returned, he used Veritaserum under everyone's witness to make Karkaroff tell the whole truth, which completely reassured the three headmasters."

Ron clicked his tongue. "This is really the biggest scandal of the year. The Durmstrang students are so ashamed that they can't lift their heads and stay on their ship all day long. Because of this, Hermione even went to comfort Krum."

Harry's heart felt heavy: "Then how will the Durmstrang students go back?"

"Durmstrang lost their headmaster. A new leading professor arrived today, apparently from the Rosier family."

Ron thought for a moment and confirmed: "This is a very famous pure-blood family. It is said that this professor will take over Karkaroff's position as headmaster. Oh, right, Harry, when you see Krum and the others in the Great Hall later, don't mention these things, lest you further stimulate those poor fellows."

As they spoke, the three entered the Great Hall. Harry found that the Great Hall had been redecorated, with the flags of the five magical schools flying everywhere, making it very lively.

On the head table, Karkaroff's seat was empty. The other headmasters were still there, but Madam Maxime wasn't sitting in the headmaster's seat. She and Hagrid were sitting together, quietly discussing something.

On the professors' table, Snape was sitting next to Sebastian. His gaze lingered on Harry for a moment, then quietly shifted away after Harry looked at him.

Harry noticed that the expression on Snape's face was somewhat unfathomable, but visibly, this professor had become much gloomier than before.

This discovery made Harry's heart clench again.

Would Professor Snape return to his old ways and become a spy against Voldemort?

What would he do?

Pretend that he had never truly defected to the headmaster and was just quietly lurking, waiting for an opportunity?

Would Voldemort believe him?

Seeing Harry's figure, the Great Hall gradually quieted down, and everyone stared at him intently. Some younger wizards covered their mouths with their hands and whispered to the people next to them.

Harry vaguely heard words like "liar," but he ignored them and went with Ron and Hermione to sit down at the Gryffindor table.

Instantly, the Gryffindor wizards surrounded them, asking questions from their hearts.

"Harry, were you captured by the Dark Lord? What does he look like?"

"Has that person really returned?"

"Are you mistaken, and you mistook the person who captured you for the Dark Lord?"

Rumors were flying around the school these past two days, and they were very interested in the specific experiences of Harry, the person involved.

Just then, Dumbledore stood up from the head table, cleared his throat, and attracted everyone's attention.

Seeing this scene, the young wizards stopped pestering Harry and returned to their seats.

"This school year," Dumbledore looked at all the young wizards, "ends today."

"Before the dinner begins, I want to announce a message to everyone. After the end of this Triwizard Tournament, a Death Eater kidnapped Harry Potter. According to Mr. Potter's description, Voldemort has been resurrected and returned. Professor Swann has also confirmed the truth of this news."

The young wizards looked terrified and began to discuss it. Dumbledore slightly raised his voice, suppressing the noise in the hall.

"The Ministry of Magic doesn't want you to know this, but I think you have the right to know the truth."

He reiterated the significance of the Triwizard Tournament to everyone and emphasized that trust and unity are more important than ever in this special period.

"I will welcome every guest here to return here when needed."

Harry looked at the Durmstrang students and found that they had relaxed a little. Before, most of them had been hanging their heads, looking a little nervous, as if afraid that Dumbledore would say some harsh words.

"I hope we can open our hearts, unite, and overcome the coming darkness and difficult times together..."

Harry looked at the students around him and thought silently in his heart.

The school year is over, and the war has begun.