Let the Children Enjoy the Feast

The midsummer sun rises from the east, shining a brilliant golden yellow in the morning, turning into an incandescent white that is too bright to look at at noon, and scattering into an orange-red at dusk. Its brilliance gradually dims and sinks little by little into the Black Lake and into the back of the western hills.

"Albus worry, we've found out." Cornelius Fudge, who had rushed over, was covered in sweat, his shirt soaked and clinging to his back, but his face was beaming with triumphant joy. "Under the leadership of Dolores Umbridge, Senior Deputy Minister of Magic, we interviewed the two main parties involved. As for the parts that were full of doubts, Walden McNair, the Ministry of Magic's Advisor on Fantastic Beasts, spent a whole day conducting interviews and finally uncovered the truth of the matter!"

Dumbledore watched him silently, but his gaze wasn't focused on him; it was as if he were looking through Fudge's body at something else entirely. He already knew Fudge's attitude, so he held no expectations.

"I went to Little Hangleton's Graveyard myself, and also to Crouch family's manor... This has been my busiest weekend since I became Minister for Magic." Fudge took a sip of the honey water in front of him and let out a satisfied sigh. "Fortunately, I've found out everything, Albus. In fact, our trophy-bearer Harry Potter, didn't lie, but what he said wasn't entirely true either..."

Dumbledore's eyes flickered; he seemed to have taken an interest.

"In the Third Task's maze, Harry encountered a weakly toxic Devil's Snare, the hallucinogenic Hinkypunk and Sphinx, the hallucinogenic venomous Acromantula, and the terrifying Boggart... We all know what that kid's greatest fear is..."

Fudge's small eyes gleamed with fake tears as he feigned a sob and said, "Poor Harry, exhausted both physically and mentally, left the maze and fell into a coma. Then, in his sickroom, he met Professor Snape, who prepared Potions cure him. He overheard Snape talking to someone about Crouch father and son, and so he had a strange dream, a dream about terrible, Dark Arts..."

Dumbledore's voice was flat. "So this is your findings, Fudge? Did you see Crouch's body?"

"Oh, speaking of Crouch father and son, it turns out we were both fooled. They were actually both Death Eater. When their true identities were exposed, they decisively abandoned one of them, sending the other out to rescue them. You know what happened next..."

Fudge shrugged indifferently. "To satisfy their perverse pleasures, they orchestrated a series of events related to the Goblet of Goblet of Fire, which were eventually exposed by Deputy Headmaster McGonagall. They then escaped and encountered evil dark creatures, Vampire or something, in Little Hangleton. One died and the other escaped... Professor Snape didn't fight them, so he only saw their corpses."

"..."

Dumbledore lazy to argue with him any longer, coldly reminded him, "Voldemort is back, Fudge. If you can accept this fact immediately and take the necessary measures, we may still be able to turn the tide. The most important first step is to free Azkaban from the Dementor ' control..."

"Remove the Dementor?" Fudge jumped up and yelled. "I'd be fired the moment I suggested that! Half of us can only sleep soundly at night because we know there are Dementor guarding Azkaban!"

He knew it, he knew it, Dolores was right!

The return of Voldemort and the reunion of the Death Eater are all part of Dumbledore's plot to seize power!

This white-bearded old man couldn't be happier than to step down and let those foolish wizards nominate him as Minister for Magic!

"Those guys can't possibly be loyal to you, Fudge. Voldemort can offer them far more power and pleasure than you can! Once Voldemort has the support of Dementor, his former cronies will all come back to him, and then it will be very difficult for you to stop him from regaining the power he had thirteen years ago!"

Dumbledore sighed, "Now that I know you still intend to have Voldemort's most dangerous cronies guard those guys who would do his bidding at a moment's notice, I probably won't be sleeping very well tonight!"

Seeing that Fudge was about to argue further, Dumbledore waved his hand. "If this is your decision, Fudge, I hope you won't regret it... Well, our year-end party and awards ceremony are about to begin, forgive me for not being able to entertain you any longer, goodbye, Fudge."

Fudge hesitated before he could finish speaking, then his face gradually turned red, and he angrily flung his sleeves and strode away.

The dome hangs high, reflecting the stars and moon.

Exquisite crystal chandeliers cast the glow of hundreds of candles into the vast Great Hall, the melting special wax releasing a soothing fragrance, and the dazzling light illuminating every corner of the banquet.

Four Head of House were laden with tempting dishes and fragrant aromas, including Marseille Bouillabaisse, pan-fried Foie Gras gras, boiled lobster, baked pheasant in red wine, and steamed Lomond Cod. On the long table for the High Table, there were bottles of gin, France champagne, California white wine, and whiskey made from the cold, frozen soil of Bulgaria.

The wine was poured into crystal glasses, reflecting and sparkling with an alluring color, making some of the older young wizards eager to try it.

Maxime, dressed in a light blue satin gown, held a crystal glass and elegantly clinked glasses with Hagrid. Perhaps the wine in the Durmstrang's cabin was too strong, because Hagrid, who was only wearing an oversized, ill-fitting suit, had a faint blush on his face.

Professor Trelawney seemed to have found a kindred spirit. She had been drinking with Ludo Bagman since the afternoon banquet preparations began, and they had been drinking ever since. There were bottles of various colors piled up in front of her. Although her pupils were dilated and her eyes were unfocused, the smile on her lips showed that she was very happy.

As for Ludo Bagman? He was completely drunk and passed out under the long table at the High Table.

On the last day of the school year, young wizards from four countries donned their school uniforms and celebrated the end of the Goblet of Goblet of Fire, as many were about to leave school and embark on a broader path of growth.

"Another year has passed!" Dumbledore's voice was as high as ever. "Before you enjoy these delicacies to the fullest, I hope this old man's announcement will make your feast even more enjoyable!"

"Now, I declare!"

"The ultimate winners of the Triwizard Tournament Goblet of Fire are— Harry Potter and Cedric Diggory of Hogwarts!"

For the first time ever, thunderous cheers and stomping erupted simultaneously from both the Gryffindor and Hufflepuff tables, with the Hufflepuff students' voices surpassing those of the Gryffindor.

"You actually kept this from us! You actually lied to us for a whole day!"

The Hufflepuff wizards pounced on Cedric, shaking his shoulders violently until he was dizzy and speechless, until he started foaming at the mouth.

The other school principals and referees already knew about it and had no objections; after all, the trophy belonged to Hogwarts, and they could divide it however they wanted. The two Ministry of Magic referees were in different states: Crouch was speechless, and Bagman was completely drunk, his last vestiges of consciousness being loudly proclaiming his newfound wealth.

"Now, enjoy the feast!"