Loss and Alarm

The small room behind the Great Hall was usually kept locked. The last time Harry had seen it opened was the night Hermione had been chosen as Hogwarts' champion.

Curious, Harry stepped inside.

A fire burned in the fireplace directly opposite, making the room much warmer than outside. The furnishings were simple: several sofas and a long table. A few sleeping portraits hung on the side wall, while several cramped, cubicle-like changing rooms had been abruptly built against the innermost wall, clearly as a temporary measure.

"You may choose competition uniforms in your sizes."

Amosta pointed at the pile of athletic uniforms on the table and spoke gently to Harry and Ron, who had entered first.

"Professor Breen,"

Before Cho Chang could enter, Harry urgently asked,

"What's going on, Professor? Ron and I... does this mean Hermione has two people she needs to rescue?"

After receiving an affirmative answer, Ron cried out as well,

"That's not fair!"

"When selecting rescue targets for Hermione, we unanimously agreed that both of you met the definition of 'the person they would miss most'—that is, the treasure. Professor Karkaroff seemed to think that forcing a choice between the two of you might embarrass the one left out and damage your friendship, so he suggested that you participate together."

Amosta smiled.

The explanation left both Harry and Ron speechless for several seconds. They looked at each other, and Ron sucked in a breath, shuddering.

"If I have to go down into the Black Lake, I'd rather stay on shore and watch the match!"

Harry grinned, but the furrow between his brows did not ease.

"But doesn't that make things harder for Hermione?"

"You mustn't look at it so superficially, Harry," Amosta said calmly. "Having two friends in danger at once may stir up her fighting