Diana

In just one day, OWL made many people realize how terrifying the fifth year at Hogwarts is.

The lights in the common rooms of the four colleges stayed on all night, remaining lit until the next day.

This day also marks the start of the final competition.

The breakfast table was bustling with activity, and the mail owl almost covered the ceiling.

Some were celebrating the upcoming holiday and looking forward to the game that evening, but the fifth graders were just as nervous as they had been the day before.

Just as Kyle was hesitating about whether to stay in the common room or go to the library, Professor McGonagall happened to walk by along Hufflepuff's dining table.

"After breakfast, the Champion will gather in the classroom next to the Great Hall," she said.

"Is it about to start?" Susan Bones asked hurriedly, "But Professor, I remember the competition doesn't start until tonight! We have exams this morning."

"I know, Miss Bones," Professor McGonagall glanced at her. "This is the Champion ' private matter and has nothing to do with the competition."

"Okay, sorry Professor..." Susan nodded.

Professor McGonagall said nothing more and turned to leave.

After a while, once everyone had finished breakfast, Kanna and Cedric went to the greenhouse to take their Herbology Class exam.

Kyle got up and went to the room where he had previously tested the wands, and Phoebe followed him.

When they pushed open the door and went inside, Krum had already arrived. He was speaking rapidly in Bulgaria with two dark-haired men, who appeared to be his parents.

The man, like Krum, had a prominent hooked nose.

Phoebe's mother also arrived. She was holding Gabrielle's hand and walked quickly toward them. Phoebe hurried over to greet her.

Diana stood quietly by the fireplace, smiling at Kyle.

"Your father is a referee; it's not appropriate for him to be here," she explained softly.

"I understand." Kyle nodded.

Although Chris's rating of him was perfectly correct, it would still cause some trouble if other Champion or their parents found out.

After all, no one can guarantee that they won't overthink things.

"Are you sure you're okay coming to school?" Kyle asked quietly. "I mean, there are quite a lot of people here."

"Of course, no problem," Diana said with a smile. "My job doesn't mean I can't contact other people at all. It's just that we try to avoid contact with others as much as possible when we have a mission that requires strict confidentiality."

"So you don't have any missions now?"

"Yes, but it's not that important... Besides, this is the final match of the Triwizard Tournament, so I have to come and watch."

Diana said with a smile.

The two talked for a while in front of the fireplace. Kyle noticed that Diana kept glancing at the portrait on the wall, with a hint of nostalgia in her eyes, so he suggested taking her for a walk around the castle.

Diana agreed.

Then they left the classroom and headed towards the door leading to the Great Hall.

"I haven't been back for over a decade," Diana said, looking at the portraits and statues on the surrounding walls. "It's still exactly the same as when I was in school, nothing has changed."

"Didn't you come here once when I received the Order of Merlin, Second Class?" Kyle asked, recalling seeing Diana there.

"That time was different; I didn't have time to leisurely stroll around the castle like I do now."

Then, Kyle took her to the Hufflepuff common room.

There was no one here because it was exam time.

Diana looked at the barrel-shaped room and the sun-drenched lounge, and nodded with satisfaction.

"It's really nice," she said. "Back in Slytherin, all I could see from my window was the Black Lake. It's a completely different scene from here."

"We're very close to the kitchen," Kyle said with a smile. "It's right next door, just outside the door."

"I know..." Diana said with a smile, "Your father used to always bring me cookies and snacks. By the time I graduated, I could barely fit into my dress."

Kyle's eyes lit up; he wanted to hear more details, but Diana refused to say.

Then they went for a walk in the warm area.

Kyle showed her Beauxbatons ' carriages and Durmstrang's large ship, but Diana showed little interest.

It was the Whomping Willow that made her stop; according to Diana, the Whomping Willow was much smaller when she was in school.

"Hey, Kyle."

Hagrid's voice came from not far away, "I'm taking an exam right now, what are you doing outside... Oh, Merlin, are you Diana?"

"Hello, Hagrid ..." Diana greeted him familiarly.

This surprised Kyle. "You two know each other?"

"Long before I even met you." Hagrid strode over and said with a smile, "Back then, only Chris and Diana would come to see me in the Forbidden Forest. I remember Chris really liked the Rock Cake I made."

"Excuse my bluntness, Hagrid," Diana said with a laugh, "He just thinks it will save him time to study those Fantastic Beasts, since a Rock Cake can keep him from eating all day."

"I thought he liked the taste." Hagrid looked a little disappointed, but only for a moment.

That all happened more than a decade ago, and now it's just a memory. Whatever the reason, Chris did "like" Rock Cake, and that's fine.

At noon, Kyle suggested going back to the castle for lunch. He thought Diana would refuse, but to his surprise, she agreed.

When the two arrived at the castle Great Hall, it was already full of students.

Everyone cast curious glances at Diana, but no one was particularly surprised, because they had already met Phoebe and Krum's parents before they even noticed.

"She's so beautiful, isn't she?" Susan and Hannah whispered to each other. "No wonder Kyle is so good-looking too..."

"Yes." Hannah nodded in strong agreement.

By lunchtime, Kanna looked even more nervous than yesterday.

She stopped reading and sat there seriously, eating her food in small bites, but several times she poked her fork off the plate.

Fortunately, this situation did not last long.

About five minutes later, Diana stood up.

"I still need to go see your father to discuss when to pick up Molly and the others."

"Going now?" Kyle stood up as well. "Then I'll take you."

"No, no need," Diana shook her head and said, "You eat slowly, don't worry about me."

Then, she left the Great Hall with a cryptic smile.

Only then did Kanna breathe a long sigh of relief. She glanced at the steak that was almost shoved into mincemeat, picked up the Pumpkin Juice on the table, and drank it all in one gulp.

Kyle poured her another glass.

"Why didn't you tell me your mother was coming sooner?" Kanna looked at him, stammering, "I mean... so we could welcome her..."

"Actually, I only found out this morning," Kyle shrugged. "You guys were still taking exams then."

He could understand Kanna's feelings very well.

To be honest, if Snape were sitting across from him eating, he probably wouldn't be able to eat a single bite.