Passing through the darkening portal, they found a familiar wooden platform suspended in midair.
This time, the champions had not fallen into some strange dimension. They had returned to the Forbidden Forest.
Mist drifted through the woods, shrouding the depths of the Forbidden Forest, but above the clouds, the sea of green formed by the treetops swaying in the breeze was still refreshingly beautiful.
Harry gazed at the distant Hogwarts castle, faintly visible through the haze. After a long while, he looked back, his eyes settling on the edge of the platform. His brows rose slightly, and despite being physically and mentally exhausted by the string of challenges, a hint of excitement entered his voice. "So, are we playing a game of Quidditch this time?"
Twelve flying brooms hovered at the edge of the platform.
"Nimbus 2000?"
Viktor walked over and recognized the model at a glance. "These are excellent racing brooms."
"Hmm, twelve brooms—" Fleur counted them. "Does that mean every member of all four teams goes up together to compete for... the key?"
Harry and Cedric immediately looked at Viktor, who naturally understood what they meant.
Spreading his hands, Viktor smiled and stated his position. "I will keep my previous promise and help you obtain this key."
When it came to handling a flying broom, neither Harry nor Cedric could match Viktor. With his promise, both of them relaxed slightly.
"So what do we need to do? Catch the Golden Snitch?"
Harry walked up to the brooms, picked one up, and happily ran his hand over the handle.
His first broom had been a Nimbus 2000. He had a deep fondness for this model.
Whoosh!
The mist filling the forest was suddenly torn apart as a dense swarm of little golden things shot into the sunset-lit sky.
The