The end of one event often means the beginning of another.
The berserk Hungarian Horntail has been tamed, but some people's anger will not be easily appeased.
For example, Lucius, thanks to Moody's timely treatment, Draco was finally out of danger.
Quite by chance, Fudge arrived with high-ranking officials from the Ministry of Magic.
Lucius sneered and strode up to them. "Cornelius, I must commend your 'innovative management.' This year's Triwizard Tournament has been exceptionally well-organized!"
Fudge frowned. "Lucius, this is a tragedy. Nobody wanted this to happen."
"Really? Some people might want that."
The high-ranking officials of the Ministry of Magic looked at each other, none of them daring to step forward and say anything.
Umbridge, at the very back, dared to do so and believed it was a golden opportunity.
If she can help Fudge deal with Lucius, she has a high chance of returning to the core of power.
"Old friend, I understand how you feel. Draco will receive the best treatment, and he will definitely get better."
"Of course, my son will definitely get better, but I think his scars will make headlines all over the world, and I wonder if they'll be used as evidence at the Wizengamot hearing. What do you think, old friend?"
Fudge's attempt to comfort him had no effect whatsoever; instead, it gave Lucius an excuse to escalate the situation.
This dragon's rampage was unlike any other, because the entire event was broadcast live, and the Ministry of Magic simply couldn't cover it up.
France and Germany will definitely cause trouble, and given the Malfoy Family's influence in the country, Minister Fudge will likely need a hearing in Wizengamot.
Although he may not necessarily be investigated, this would significantly reduce his influence.
Just as Fudge was trying to figure out how to quell Lucius's anger, a voice that sounded like a little girl's yet was unusually shrill suddenly rang out:
"Mr. Malfoy, we will give you an explanation!"
Fudge turned around and looked in the direction of the familiar voice. Umbridge's short, stout figure squeezed out from among the higher-ups.
She didn't look embarrassed at all, standing straight between him and Lucius.
"Under Minister Fudge's wise leadership, we will soon be able to find the mastermind behind this!"
Lucius sneered without any attempt to hide it, "Ha—you said the same thing when the Goblet of Fire was tampered with last time, and during the World Cup before that—"
"Stop." Umbridge's voice was high-pitched and shrill. "Mr. Malfoy, let's talk about something practical."
What should we talk about?
"Compensation—no, it's restitution."
Fudge's eyes lit up. "Old friend, what's done is done. In that case, let's talk about the future, like the news about Draco's heroic fight against the raging fire dragon, or the new round of advertising for the Nobili brand."
What truly moves people is never reasoning, but rather offering benefits.
Besides, Draco was out of danger, so Lucius had no reason to refuse the compensation he offered.
As for specific solutions, we can discuss them later. Right now, the most important thing is to appease the victims at the scene.
After dealing with Lucius, Umbridge finally earned Fudge's admiring glance.
Perhaps it won't be long before she returns to the heart of power.
There are quite a few injured people in the stands, all with varying degrees of injuries due to crowding and shoving.
The students who were successfully evacuated under McGonagall's command were also in particularly bad condition; psychological trauma is harder to heal than physical trauma.
The heartwarming scene of high-ranking officials from the Ministry of Magic extending their greetings and care to the audience was once again broadcast live to the global Wizarding World.
Vincent, as an observer, watched all of this with a detached eye.
What kind of time is this to be putting on a show?
"Sigh—" he sighed softly, looking at Draco being carefully lifted onto a stretcher by a professional doctor.
Exploiting loopholes in the rules is wrong, but it doesn't warrant such retribution.
"Let's go downstairs." Vincent tightened his grip on the little hand he was holding.
Hermione's lips remained pursed.
Perhaps they were utterly disappointed with the Ministry of Magic's actions. Not only did they fail to take precautions against such a serious incident, but they also hypocritically came over to put on a show after the incident was over.
When the Goblet of Fire was tampered with, the Ministry of Magic should have taken it seriously instead of selectively ignoring it.
Now that this has escalated into a major incident, they bear an unshirkable responsibility.
Thinking of responsibility, Hermione recalled that night.
If she Vincent had chosen to capture the black-cloaked figure who tampered with the Goblet of Fire, would today's tragedy have been averted?
Vincent, who was following the students back to the castle, sensed her unusual behavior and tightened his grip on her small hand again.
"Don't feel guilty. We can't control everything. Even Professor Dumbledore couldn't have predicted what would happen today."
Hermione could clearly feel the power he brought.
She gave a bitter smile. "But I can't help but try to avoid these things from happening. Don't you think I'm being too nosy?"
Vincent turned around and quickly glanced behind him.
They had already left the Forbidden Forest, but they could still see the magical aura, which seemed almost tangible, lingering over the arena.
"I think it's good. It proves that you are a kind person, but you need to figure out who is the one who should be most responsible for the whole thing."
Vincent took her little finger and pointed at her, then pointed at himself. "That person isn't you, nor am I. We don't need to confuse ourselves with antisocial terrorists."
Hermione's mood had improved considerably. She grasped his large hand in return. "Have you figured out why the dragon went berserk? When we left the stands, Professor Dumbledore seemed to still be studying that plume of black smoke."
"A little." Vincent raised his left index finger, which was adorned with the Flamel Ring. "They are very similar to some of the forbidden magic in my teacher's books. If it really is this kind of evil magic, then there is probably a shocking conspiracy brewing behind this series of events."
Hermione knew what he was implying.
No matter what kind of magic it is, it's evil enough to drive a fire dragon into an abnormal frenzy.
Only Voldemort and his Death Eaters could use this kind of magic without restraint.
The answer was soon revealed.
Upon returning to the castle, the two sat down in the Great Hall.
Grindelwald's Spellbook contains almost all the Dark Magic in the world. Under the taboo magic section, the two found a curse called "Devouring Feast".
By burning one's life force and soul, one gains destructive power.
The crimson glow on the Hungarian Horntail Armor symbolizes the life force that has been consumed, while its scarlet eyes and its berserk, out-of-control appearance symbolize the pain and madness that comes when the soul is shattered.
The brief description alone is enough to confirm that it was done by that group of madmen who have lost their minds. As for what their purpose is, that is something that cannot be figured out by normal thinking.