His gaze swept across the gathering, across the professors and officials with their varied expressions, before finally settling on the Hogwarts students' seats.
"Because, if darkness descends upon the wizarding world again,"
he said softly.
"what we need is not more brutes who can only wave wands, but leaders who know how to think, understand human nature, and possess strong hearts."
"You must understand,"
Douglas's voice echoed over the entire Black Lake.
"the strongest enemy is never out in the world, but inside each of you. It is your arrogance, prejudice, jealousy, and... excessive desire to be moved by your own actions."
Karkaroff's expression could not have been uglier.
He felt as though every word Douglas spoke was viciously lashing Durmstrang's educational philosophy of "power above all."
He wanted to argue, only to find that the other man's theory was so internally consistent that it left no opening.
Madame Maxime, meanwhile, smiled and gently applauded.
She felt sincerely proud that Pheobe could receive such progressive educational guidance.
Scrimgeour, Head of the Auror Office, sank into thought.
For the first time, he realized just how formidable the "soft power" these young champions possessed was-something he had always overlooked besides their steadily growing magical power.
"Congratulations to the three champions."
Douglas turned toward the champions and offered them formal, solemn praise.
"Through their actions, they have proven that they possess not only the power of dragon slaying, but also the wisdom to overcome the heart dragon. That matters more than any score."
Cedric and Pheobe accepted the praise with composure. Without prompting, they both rose and bowed slightly to Douglas.
Krum, after a long internal struggle, finally raised his head slowly, ever so slowly.
The confusion and shame in his eyes were fading, replaced by profound, painful, yet utterly clearheaded self-reflection.
He,