Harry Potter's sudden reappearance after his disappearance, Dumbledore and Snape never returning to the school, the Ministry of Magic's series of baffling large-scale actions, and Viktor Krum, now bald and lying unconscious in a cupboard in his own home.
All of these became topics of heated discussion and lingering confusion among many wizards.
This was entirely because this year's Triwizard Tournament had gone seriously wrong. No, it could almost be said that it had completely derailed. Nearly everything that could possibly happen had happened, with the sole exception that no one had died.
And yet, it was also because of the Triwizard Tournament that everyone was fortunate enough to witness, up close, the fierce battle between a Thunderbird and a wizard, as well as the formidable allure of dark magic. After that, they even got to spend a special and perfect dance with the girl they admired.
Perhaps, in some sense, it wasn't all bad.
In any case.
This year's Triwizard Tournament held at Hogwarts might not be unmatched in the future, but it could absolutely be called unprecedented in the past….
…
Although much had been gained, many things were also lost because of the Triwizard Tournament.
For example, the Quidditch matches were suspended, and the end-of-term House Cup banquet was canceled as well. Only the final exams were spared.
The first two were certainly enough to make young wizards feel regretful, but the last one was something that made people pound their chests in despair….
In short.
With Dumbledore absent from the school, and Professor McGonagall, as Deputy Headmistress, busy seeing off Beauxbatons and Durmstrang, there was little time for anything else.
So after enduring the long and agonizing final exams, the young wizards, led by Gryffindor, were now rampaging through the school grounds like dogs released from their collars. Almost everywhere you looked, you could see their laughing, noisy figures, as though they were determined to vent all the pressure they had built up during exams in one go.
This situation kept the caretaker, Filch, running himself ragged. He chased those little lions all over the place in a foul temper, hopping and scrambling after them. Under this constant provocation, his already unpleasant and cold expression only grew darker and darker….
In contrast to the Gryffindors' wild revelry, Draco and his group chose to take this time to rest properly.
It had to be said that this decision from Draco made his followers, including Goyle and Crabbe, breathe a huge sigh of relief.
While the increase in strength truly excited the Slytherins down to their bones, filling them with a desire they couldn't easily let go of, even making them willing to give everything for it—
As long as they could become stronger!
That said, when Draco entered instructor mode, he really was terrifying. Even easygoing, thick-skinned gluttons like Goyle and Crabbe felt immense pressure whenever they faced him in that state.
If even Goyle and Crabbe felt like this, there was no need to mention the other followers whose relationship with Draco wasn't nearly as close.
As a result, although they didn't completely let loose like Gryffindor, you could still see that Goyle and the others wore far more smiles than usual….
…
Winter was drawing to an end, giving way to a season filled with new life.
Stepping outside the castle now, one could see that the silvery frost which had once blanketed the ground had receded, revealing clear hints of green just about to break through the soil.
In this pleasantly mild winter, Draco invited Pansy and the other girls, along with Goyle and Crabbe, to the lakeside to enjoy the coming of spring and the gentle, comfortable breeze.
It was the perfect chance to relax after the pressure of final exams…
Outside the castle.
By the lake.
The lake, no longer icy cold, rippled softly. Looking closer, one could see a pale, slender hand lightly stirring the surface of the water.
Unlike Hermione, who sat quietly beneath a tree, Pansy, lively by nature and unable to sit still, crouched at the water's edge. She swirled the lake with one hand while deliberately calling out to interrupt Hermione, who was flipping through a book not far away.
"Granger, didn't you read that book, Fifty Secrets of Hogwarts? Does it say why this lake doesn't freeze in winter?"
"Huh? Why would something that trivial be written in a book? That hardly counts as a Hogwarts secret. And besides… the book is called Hogwarts: A History, not that weird title you just made up."
Without lifting her head, Hermione replied curtly, the sound of pages turning never stopping.
"And don't talk to me right now. I'm not entirely sure whether the answer I wrote on my History of Magic exam was completely correct. Tch! Was it 1685… or 1658? It doesn't quite match what the professor said."
"What do you mean it doesn't match? You must've remembered it wrong."
"My memory couldn't possibly be wrong… no, wait! I told you not to talk to me! I still have several subjects left to double-check."
"...…."
Hermione clearly had no interest in bickering with Pansy. Her mind was still stuck in the exam hall and the test questions. The neatly stacked reference books placed beside her legs, piled so high they nearly reached her height, made it obvious just how seriously she was taking this.
It had to be said, compared to the other young wizards who couldn't wait to burn their books the moment exams ended, Hermione's behavior was downright nerve-wracking for everyone else…
No wonder that even Pansy, whose grades were far from poor, couldn't resist complaining about her.
Glancing at the brick-thick reference books, Pansy suddenly felt a headache coming on and tugged lightly at the corner of her mouth.
"Is this what a top student looks like?"
"No… you might have some misunderstanding about high-achieving wizards…"
Astoria, who was also holding a book, rolled her eyes when she heard that. As the top student of the year herself, she and Draco, who was currently talking with Goyle and Crabbe nearby, weren't nearly as exaggerated or extreme as Hermione.
And so, under the pleasant weather, accompanied by the soft rustle of pages and the girls' occasional idle chatter, the boy they had all been keeping half an eye on seemed to finish his conversation with Goyle and Crabbe.
Yes, the very Draco who had invited them all here had left the group of girls behind and gone off on his own to talk with Goyle and Crabbe.
That alone was enough to make them curious and a little puzzled.
Because they knew Draco well, they were certain he must have something important to say.
Almost at the same moment, their hands paused in unison as they looked toward Draco walking over. Even Hermione set her book aside.
Before long, they would have their answer…