Harry, Hermione, Cedric, Pheobe, and Krum stepped onto the platform.
Their appearance instantly tightened the atmosphere in the Great Hall again, just after Douglas's joke had eased it.
None of the five smiled. Their faces bore the same solemn gravity, like priests about to perform some ancient, sacred ritual.
That gravity, so at odds with their age, descended like an invisible pressure, instantly silencing all the noise and making everyone instinctively hold their breath.
Hermione stepped forward to the center of the makeshift platform.
She surveyed the hall, her gaze sweeping over countless eyes below-some curious, some skeptical, some gloating, and some worried.
Finally, her gaze briefly met Douglas's smiling eyes on the dais, then calmly moved away.
She spoke in the most academic, composed tone, without a trace of emotion.
"The theoretical foundations of ecological resonance involve cross-dimensional acoustic geometry and frequency resonance in high-energy magical plants."
"Its complexity far exceeds what existing language can describe."
"Therefore, we have decided to forgo verbal explanations and proceed directly to a ritual demonstration."
"Please, feel it with your hearts."
Those few sentences rose like an insurmountable barrier, instantly shutting down every question poised to challenge them.
The reporters and Ravenclaw students bursting with questions felt as though a punch they had put all their strength into had landed squarely on cotton. It was indescribably frustrating.
The frauds actually refused to prove themselves.
They began setting up the stage, their movements meticulous.
Several pots of strange-looking but confirmed harmless magical plants borrowed from the Herbology greenhouses were placed in specific positions.
Several bowls of water taken from different depths of the Black Lake and dyed eerie colors with harmless potions were placed between the plants.
Finally, the parchment covered in incomprehensible scrawls was solemnly spread out at the center of the stage.