Karkaroff's face instantly turned an ugly shade of purple.
His reasoning had been utterly derailed by Douglas's casual remark.
Was that the point?
Wasn't the point that Hogwarts had cheated by leaking the task to its ally in advance?
But now, that point had been forcibly twisted into sordid gossip about him, a respected headmaster, following another headmistress late at night.
"I... I was only passing by!"
Karkaroff's voice was as dry and grating as two pieces of sandpaper rubbing together.
He opened his mouth, trying to steer the conversation back on track.
But the wall of flesh that was Hagrid and Madame Maxime's icy gaze made him swallow his words.
"Now, now, Headmaster Karkaroff."
He wore a perfectly measured smile, both resigned and amused.
"You're here already. Why argue over something so trivial?"
He looked around, his gaze sliding from the ashen-faced Karkaroff to the intrigued Madame Maxime before finally settling on the nervous Hagrid.
"Now all three schools know what the First Task is."
Douglas spread his hands, his tone as relaxed as though he were discussing tomorrow's weather.
"That's good, isn't it? At least it's absolutely fair now."
"As for whether to tell your respective schools' champions, that's entirely up to your individual consciences."
He adopted an indifferent expression.
Karkaroff's face went from purple to ashen.
He felt as though he had punched a wad of cotton, only for the rebound to leave his wrist aching.
He snorted coldly and asked sharply:
"What else do you intend to discuss, then? The most elegant way to get past a dragon?"
"It's getting late."
Madame Maxime, who had remained silent all this time, suddenly spoke.
"My children are still waiting for me to return. Hagrid, thank you for your hospitality. They... truly are magnificent."
Her voice dispelled the tension