Ron stared at the stone on the ground in silence for several seconds before he understood what Hermione meant.
"So—"
Ron said with difficulty,
"The fake School Emblem Krum made out of that stone was meant for us?"
Hermione nodded with a gloomy expression.
Harry was also looking at the stone that had rolled onto the ground. His feelings were complicated. He was angry, but he also felt somewhat helpless and amused.
"We've definitely become a laughingstock."
Harry said. He meant that their every move was being broadcast live, so the audience outside must have seen them go through all that effort to defeat the Durmstrang team, only to be toyed with by Viktor.
"He really is clever—"
Ron shook his head with a sigh as well. To his surprise, he was not particularly angry. Maybe he simply had no energy left to lose his temper.
The three of them now understood that they could not continue being so rash and blindly reckless.
The event Professor Breen had devised was not that simple. They had to use their brains properly.
The three of them climbed out of the pit one after another, supporting each other as they staggered away in the direction opposite the Slytherin hunting party.
"This can't go on forever."
Harry's voice was muffled.
"Malfoy will definitely come after us or Neville next. Even if they've lost the ability to move quickly, we've used up a huge amount of stamina. With our positions being exposed every half hour, we can't rest properly at all. Sooner or later, they'll catch up to us."
"I'm more concerned about the conditions for victory, and where the other students from physical education class have gone."
Hermione supported Ron from one side while Harry did so from the other. She spoke expressionlessly.
"If