Cheating Has Always Been a Triwizard Tournament Tradition
Headmaster's Office
Moody picked up a curved bottle and took a big gulp.
"Albus, so... the You-Know-Who has already returned from Albania?"
"That's right." Dumbledore picked up his teacup and blew on it to cool it. "William and Hermione saw him."
"I find it hard to believe two little wizards," Moody said grimly. "Are you sure...?"
"I'm certain I trust them, just as much as I trust you."
Dumbledore, "I have a feeling that Voldemort's return this time will be different from the past."
With the help of Wormtail, he will be more cautious. He must have also obtained information from Bertha about the Triwizard Tournament.
"Since that's the case, I'll be frank. Your little wizards are really too weak." Moody's blue eyes darted around.
"Since this You-Know-Who might make a comeback, I'm definitely going to teach him something different, to let him know what true... cruelty is!"
"For example?" Dumbledore asked calmly.
"Let them experience the Unforgivable Curses," Moody said with a smirk. "And some evil Dark Magic."
Dumbledore put down his cup, crossed his arms, and squinted as he pondered.
"Albus, you're way behind in this course. Lupin might have helped a little, but I don't think it's nearly enough," Moody said with a very serious expression.
"We need to let them know what real danger is."
Dumbledore did not answer immediately.
Moody glanced at the hesitant principal and snorted coldly in dissatisfaction:
"You can't let these children come into contact with these things when war comes, can you? By then it will be too late!"
Dumbledore sighed and nodded almost imperceptibly.
Moody smiled with satisfaction and took another sip from the small flask.
"I also want to talk to Stark about the details, regarding Albania."
To be honest, I don't really believe in his abilities. I've heard a lot of those rumors.
Lockhart was also awarded the Order of Merlin, but he was just a fraud.
It's always good to stay vigilant...
Moody suddenly shut up, and the magic eye that had been moving up and down suddenly rolled its blue pupils and disappeared into his head.
He stood up, picked up his wand, and strode toward the wooden door.
Dumbledore smiled, did not stop him, but instead picked up his tea, took a sip, and looked on with an expression of anticipation.
The stairs slowly rose automatically, leading William to a Winky oak door with a brass knocker.
After finishing his duties Prefect, he stayed in the common room for a while, then quietly left to find Dumbledore.
William was about to knock when the talking inside stopped, and someone hurried in, seemingly preparing to open the door.
William took a step back, and just as the right door opened a crack, he saw Moody raising his wand.
His body reacted almost instinctively, dodging towards the door on the left. The instant his wand rose, a longsword in his left hand was driven deep into the wooden door.
Moody suddenly crouched down, his blue eyes turning upwards, staring intently at the silver sword that had pierced through.
She dodged in time, but a streak of blood still appeared on her cheek, and a strand of hair fell to the ground from her temple.
Moody didn't even bother to wipe it; he just yelled:
"Not bad. Your reaction time is amazing, much better than that little girl Tonks! At least your reputation isn't unfounded!"
William drew his silver sword, pushed open the door, and frowned as he looked at Moody.
He then realized that the other person had only raised their wand and had no intention of casting a spell.
William glanced at Dumbledore again, puzzled.
The principal smiled and nodded.
"Put down your sword, boy, lest you blind someone," Moody said in a deep, gruff voice.
However, William ignored him.
"That's right, that's how it should be... Don't listen to others easily, Stark, you're very suitable to be Auror."
At least they'll live a little longer than others.
Moody dragged his wooden leg around the room.
"Can you guarantee this is him, Albus?" he roared again. "In the middle of the night, instead of staying in the dormitory, the young wizard is in the Headmaster's Office?"
It would be best to ask him something only Stark himself would know.
"Alastor... I allowed William to come to me at any time; I trust him completely," Dumbledore explained softly.
"William, put down your wand too."
William waved his wand, and the wooden door Reparo. With a flick of his right hand, the wand vanished, and no one knew where he had hidden it.
"Since you two have something to talk about, I'll be going now," Moody muttered, dragging his legs as he walked outside.
William watched Moody slowly leave without saying a word.
"Don't worry about it." Dumbledore gestured for William to sit down.
"That's how Alastor is. He experienced the Wizarding Wars, fought against countless Death Eaters, captured many dark wizards, and doesn't really trust anyone."
In Muggle terms, he has severe post-traumatic stress disorder.
William sat down in the chair, shrugged, and said, "It would be very interesting to have a wizard like that teaching Defence Against Dark Magic."
"The content might be interesting... but for most people, the first lesson will definitely not be an interesting experience." Dumbledore shook his head.
"It will be terrible."
William raised an eyebrow. Could Defence Against Dark Magic class still cause discomfort to students?
Okay, it really is. Quirrell's garlicky smell and Lockhart's flamboyant smell... both caused serious discomfort among students, making you want to kill them both.
After the casual conversation ended, William began to talk about the Quidditch World Cup.
Dumbledore had been in Venice the whole time and wasn't very familiar with the situation there.
After William finished speaking, the principal remained silent, head bowed, tapping his fingers together lightly.
"It's still unclear who released those mascots and allowed them to attack the camp."
Dumbledore finally spoke slowly, "The International Confederation of Wizards is already cooperating with the United Kingdom Auror to begin the investigation."
Actually, there's nothing to investigate. The Dark Mark that appeared on the field indicates that the Death Eaters are responsible for this incident.
But the Death Eaters only carried out the parade and kidnapping plans.
Malfoy and his men were marching through the camp, but when they saw William charging at the marching animals, they immediately backed down and ran away.
It's even more impossible to spare manpower to release those mascots.
Little Tom didn't do that either; he just had Professor Babbling release the Dark Mark.
The wizard who escaped from Crouch's tent is even less likely.
Releasing these mascots is something one person can't do alone; it requires a team effort. He's already at his limit with kidnapping wizards; he can't do anything more.
So, after searching high and low, although there was no evidence, it was more likely that Arya, who was far away in Egypt, was directing her troops to do this kind of thing.
So what was her purpose?
Judging solely from their actions, Arya and Little Tom both seem to be framing someone and buying themselves time.
Their goal was to divert everyone's attention to the Death Eaters and focus their attacks on Voldemort.
This prevents people from having the energy to deal with the issues in the United States and Egypt.
In other words... Voldemort is the only designated scapegoat.
In fact, it succeeded; international opinion was demanding that the United Kingdom Ministry of Magic severely punish the Death Eaters!
"Speaking of Tom, did Professor Babbling tell you about his strange behavior?" William asked softly.
Dumbledore nodded slightly.
"But I've checked the map and haven't found anything unusual," William said.
"There's actually an orphanage nearby called Wool's Orphanage, where Tom lived as a child," Dumbledore replied.
But that orphanage isn't on the map.
"The orphanage couldn't make a profit, so it was rebuilt and turned into a department store."
Dumbledore pulled out an old map, gently unfolded it with both hands, and pointed to a certain place.
There is indeed a Wool's Orphanage marked on it.
William squinted, thought carefully for a moment, and then said:
"Little Tom didn't come here for no reason; he's not a wizard who likes to reminisce."
This means... he suspects Voldemort hid the Horcrux nearby?"
"That's right," Dumbledore agreed. "We might need to make a trip there this semester."
William nodded slightly.
"You still have the Goblet of Fire, don't you?" Dumbledore suddenly asked.
William grunted in response, seemingly puzzled.
Dumbledore stared at William.
"Madame Maxime and Karkaroff forbade you from participating, so a rule was set up that minors are not allowed to participate."
"Then I won't participate," William said indifferently. "It's pointless anyway."
"But traditionally, there is no age limit for the Triwizard Tournament... Theoretically, minors may also participate," Dumbledore a smile.
"If the rules didn't prohibit it, I would even like to completely liberalize the number of participants."
Yes, many students have indeed died, and professors have been injured.
But this time, I'm not worried... William, you know what I mean, right?
William paused, raised his hand to grasp the glass, and said, "I think I understand, but... the other two principals..."
Dumbledore of tea, caught his breath, and then said leisurely:
Cheating has always been a tradition in the Triwizard Tournament.
The two foxes, one big and one small, smiled knowingly.
William left.
Dumbledore leaned back in his chair, his eyes unfocused, as if he were remembering something.
A century ago, Hogwarts also proposed holding the Triwizard Tournament.
But nothing came of it.
Otherwise, he might have met that person earlier than expected.
The old man slowly walked back to his room.
The pothos plant in the room was still thriving, but the old man stood alone, utterly isolated.
But he wasn't sad; he just missed that summer, and those he lost that summer.
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