The chaos and commotion in Hogwarts' Great Hall continued. Students shouted, cried, and argued loudly about one thing or another. The scene was gradually spiraling out of control, and even after Hermione and the others had successfully teleported back to Lordaeron City on the screen, there was no sign of it letting up.
At a time like this, even the Prefects, Heads of House, and other professors had stopped trying to deal with the students. They had all been frightened by the terrible news, and many of them were in no better state than the students.
"..."
"This can't be happening. H-how did he get in there? What spell did he use to sneak in? Why didn't we know?"
"This is absurd. I can't believe it's true!"
"Good grief! The Wizarding World is going to be in for another disaster. The Ministry will probably be working overtime again starting today. This is just awful..."
"Director, should we suppress the news?"
"Suppress it? How do you propose we do that? There are accredited reporters broadcasting live here, not to mention all these students and professors. How are we supposed to suppress it?!"
"Well..."
"We have to think of something!"
"But, sir..."
"Stop pestering me! I don't know anything. Just keep quiet!"
"..."
"Merlin's beard..."
"This is terrifying! Professor Dumbledore, can you really be certain that Mr. Potter is the mysterious man whose name must not be spoken? Can you be sure that what we just saw—and what we're seeing now—is real?"
After the Ministry of Magic officials and the members assigned to supervise the Triwizard Tournament at Hogwarts—including Barty Crouch and Ludo Bagman—had discussed the matter among themselves for a while without reaching any conclusions, they hurried over to Dumbledore.
"..."
"I'm sorry, Mr. Crouch, but I can't be certain. I'm