Draco didn't have much time left. If he really intended to enter the Triwizard Tournament, he had to move quickly.
Dumbledore had set the registration period at only twenty-four hours in total. In other words, the deadline expired at dawn, and only a few hours remained.
If Draco stayed in the library with Hermione any longer, he definitely wouldn't make it.
Yet as time slipped away, Draco still hadn't shown up here, much less submitted his parchment...
"Why isn't he here yet? He's so slow!"
The dining hall, quiet enough to hear a pin drop, was suddenly pierced by an anxious, crisp voice.
If Draco had been here, he would've recognized exactly who it belonged to.
Strangely, despite the voice, not a single person—or even a ghost—was visible. It was as if the sound had been nothing more than a trick of the mind.
But just as one might have dismissed it as an illusion, another whisper rose and shattered that notion...
"Should we go check? I'm getting worried. Don't tell me Granger is slowing him down."
This time, the muttering—almost like someone talking to themselves—was unmistakably clear.
And maybe the speaker was too worked up, because along with the voice came the thud of something bumping a table in the corner of the hall. A closer look showed the edge had been knocked by someone.
There really was a person there—just invisible to the eye.
And judging from what she said, this "invisible person" clearly had some connection to Hermione, and even knew what Hermione was up to at the moment.
Right then, the hall doors suddenly swung open...
...
Thump, thump, thump.
Unlike the rest of the castle, this chamber—where the Goblet of Fire was kept—remained brightly lit. Anyone who walked in could be recognized at a glance.
And the wizard pushing the door open was none other than Viktor Krum of Durmstrang Wizarding School...
'Huh? Why him? Didn't he already come this morning…?'
Seeing an unexpected figure, the invisible girl's breath caught for several seconds. Only when she watched him continue straight toward the Goblet did she manage to steady her breathing.
'Is he helping someone else enter? No, that's impossible!!'
Her assumption was immediately overturned when she saw Viktor Krum's empty hands.
But that only made the situation more confusing.
And just as she tried to make sense of it, the Durmstrang champion did something Draco had once done himself—
He dropped to one knee in front of the magical barrier.
No one knew how long it lasted before Viktor Krum finally left the chamber.
'He's gone at last. Why isn't she here yet? Is there even enough time left?'
Whatever his purpose had been, it was clear from the thoughtful, tense expression on his face that he had discovered something important.
But whatever Viktor Krum was doing, the invisible girl didn't seem to care. Her mind was fixed on someone else entirely.
And in the next moment, the doors of the dining hall opened again...
'He's finally—wait, why is it him?!'
Compared to Viktor Krum, the wizard who appeared now terrified her even more.
Because the instant he stepped inside, his left eye swung directly toward her spot—as if he had seen right through the invisibility.
Faced with that eye glowing blue, anyone would feel a chill run down their spine...
...
Creak~
After parting from Hermione in the library, Draco managed to avoid everyone and headed for the dining hall where the Goblet of Fire stood.
This time, unlike before, he held a parchment in his hand. As he walked, one could clearly see the name Draco Malfoy written on it.
The Goblet of Fire. The parchment.
It was obvious why Draco had come here...
"What took you so long? I almost thought you weren't coming!"
"Pansy?" Draco stopped. As the voice echoed, Pansy's figure slowly emerged as though a bucket of water had been poured over empty air, revealing her.
Draco arched a brow at her small face—half pout, half smile, yet clearly tired.
"How long have you been here?"
Instead of asking why she was here at all, Draco's first question was simply how long she'd been waiting.
From his tone, he didn't seem surprised in the slightest.
Clearly, Draco had already expected Pansy to be waiting for him…
"...Since we split up after dinner. But that's not the point. Did you find a way?"
"Probably."
"What kind of answer is that..." Pansy huffed, cheeks puffing out, but then she suddenly remembered something and looked up at Draco.
"Do you know who I saw?"
"Who? After the Weasley twins' little demonstration, someone else still thinks they can sneak in an entry?"
"No. Not someone trying to register. It was Viktor Krum—and Alastor Moody."
"Oh? Those two?"
Draco showed little interest in the famous Quidditch player. It was the other name that mattered more.
"But... you weren't discovered?"
"I'm not sure, but I think he might have noticed me. Still... forget it. This isn't the time. The sky's about to lighten."
Pansy shook her head, then grabbed Draco's hand anxiously and pulled him toward the Goblet of Fire.
Her eyes fixed on him, full of expectation.
At the moment, she looked even more nervous than Draco.
"So? What are you going to do now? Do you need my help?"
"No. Step back a little."
Only then did Pansy notice the staff now in Draco's hand.
And the moment she recognized the carved patterns on it, her eyes flew wide open.
"Draco... isn't that—"
As Draco slowly drew a wand from within the staff, Pansy stared in disbelief.
Anyone familiar with the Malfoy family would recognize it immediately: the staff designed to conceal its bearer's wand.
But that wasn't what shocked her.
It was what the staff represented.
It had once belonged to Lucius Malfoy himself.
Because this was an object symbolizing the authority of the Head of House Malfoy!
...
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