Even during the brief years of peace, Voldemort's name alone had been enough to stop a child from crying, let alone now.
The moment Hermione spoke, she caused an uproar. Everyone reacted instinctively. After all, those terrifying days when people died every day were not really all that far behind them.
Still, thanks to Dumbledore and Fudge's war of words in the Daily Prophet, not everyone unquestioningly believed the Ministry of Magic's account.
Since not everyone firmly believed Dumbledore's warning, someone was bound to question it.
Zacharias Smith-Su Er recognized him. He was a Hufflepuff student, and a leading advocate of giving up on trying in the Hufflepuff Quidditch Team.
The moment he opened his mouth, he demanded evidence-definite, genuine evidence.
"That isn't actually what we're here to discuss," Hermione said. "We all believe Dumbledore, especially me. Su Er, he... well..."
"Hermione." Harry shook his head and stood to face Zacharias, who had voiced his doubts. "If you want evidence, I can give it to you. I saw it with my own eyes. None of it is false."
"Someone among us even paid for it with his life!"
Su Er looked up. Huh? Is he talking about me?
Visible sorrow appeared on many faces. Su Er had actually been quite well liked.
Then Harry looked Zacharias straight in the eye and recounted everything that had happened that night in an even voice.
His words were neither as inflammatory nor as compelling as those in the Daily Prophet, but it was precisely that straightforward delivery that gave them a convincing power.
"That's why Hermione said You-Know-Who has returned." Having finished recounting his experience, Harry continued before Zacharias could speak again.
"I've said everything I should and everything I can. Some of it you already heard from Headmaster Dumbledore at the end