At the Leaving Feast the night before their departure, the real Mad-Eye Moody finally sat upright at the staff table, his wooden leg and blue magical eye both restored to their rightful places.
Madame Maxime was still there, sitting beside Hagrid as they spoke in hushed voices. At the other end of the table, Snape sat next to Professor McGonagall, his eyes fixed on Jerry for some unknown reason.
This year's Leaving Feast felt unusually subdued compared with those of previous years. Just then, Dumbledore slowly rose, his penetrating gaze sweeping over everyone present.
"Another year has passed..." Dumbledore paused briefly, seemingly weighing his next words, then sighed and continued.
"There is something that, as your headmaster, I feel a profound responsibility not to conceal from you. Although the Ministry of Magic opposes this, I must tell you—Voldemort has returned!"
At these words, a tense, oppressive atmosphere immediately settled over the Great Hall. Whispers rose from every corner as everyone stared at Dumbledore in shock and disbelief.
"I know that this news may provoke a strong reaction from some students or parents," Dumbledore said, a hint of resignation in his voice. "They may be unable to accept the fact that Voldemort has returned, or question whether I should have told you, given how young you are. But I believe that, at this critical moment, the truth matters more than any lie."
Every gaze in the Great Hall now converged on Dumbledore, unease and fear etched deeply into every face... well, not every face. At least a small handful in Slytherin House seemed entirely unconcerned.
"The Triwizard Tournament was intended to deepen and promote mutual understanding and respect among wizards from different regions of the wizarding world. Now that Voldemort has returned, these connections and bonds across borders matter more than