Harry pushed open the creaking classroom door and saw the scene inside.
The three champions, Cedric, Pheobe, and Krum, stood apart, all wearing grave expressions.
Hermione stood between them, in front of a blackboard covered with guesses about the second task that had just been disproved.
At the sound of the door, all four turned to look at them, anticipation in their eyes.
The arrival of Harry, Ron, and Ginny brought a subtle shift to the atmosphere in the classroom.
Harry could feel the three champions' scrutiny. They studied him curiously, as though weighing something up, or perhaps waiting.
Hermione broke the silence first.
She said to the three of them, "Welcome aboard. We need your help now."
Her voice was calm, yet carried a convincing strength.
Hermione walked to the blackboard, picked up the eraser, and wiped away all their previous analysis and deductions without hesitation.
Chalk dust drifted through the dim light, as though proclaiming the end of an old era.
Then she picked up a fresh piece of chalk, turned, and wrote a line in clear, firm lettering in the very center of the blackboard.
"Triwizard Tournament second task: Contest Strategy Think Tank."
"This is our official name from now on."
Hermione put down the chalk and turned to face everyone as she made the announcement.
"Our goal is to figure out the Marauders Power Company's Black Lake defense works and obtain real intelligence about the second task, without breaking school rules."
Pheobe stepped forward and added in her clear, French-accented voice, "This will be an information war. And that information will come from you. Harry, Ron, Ginny."
Her words jolted the three of them. They realized that the roles they would play were far more important than they had imagined.
Hermione wasted no time. She picked