In the mermaid village, chaos ensued as the mermaids lost their balance and fell into the mud. Viktor Krum, having returned to his human form, was injured, with his ankle pierced and blood dripping from the wound. Harry, witnessing the scene, was stunned by the turn of events. Once they were out of the water, the spell that had been cast on the three hostages was lifted, and they began to wake up one after another.
"My God, what's happening?" Ron exclaimed in disbelief as he took in the scene around him. Gabrielle and Hermione, equally confused, spat out water, trying to comprehend their surroundings.
A wave of intimidation swept over the area, causing the mermaids, who seemed poised to attack, to scream and scramble towards the water walls on either side.
"Gabrielle!" Fleur screamed in panic, her voice echoing across the lake that now resembled a cliff face. Gabrielle looked up to see her sister calling out to her from the shore, where John stood holding a long silver sword, his eyes cold and determined.
"They're injured!" someone shouted.
"Dumbledore, what is happening here?" The scene unfolding in the middle of the lake caught everyone's attention, especially Igor Karkaroff's. He noticed the blood on Krum's body and, in a mix of surprise and anger, questioned Dumbledore. He seemed to have forgotten his own role in delaying the rescue.
Harry breathed a sigh of relief as his gills disappeared and his limbs returned to normal. The mermaids were fleeing, but John had witnessed their attack on the hostages. His shoes' pattern lit up, and with wings extended, he charged towards a mermaid. As one of them, laden with bone fragments, attempted to escape, John's silver sword impaled its palm.
Descending from the sky, John landed on the mermaid, pulled out his sword, Silver Wick, and cut the ropes binding Hermione and Gabrielle. He then pressed the blade against the neck of the mermaid leader, his voice icy. "I expect a reasonable explanation."
The mermaid leader looked terrified, but before John could act, Dumbledore intervened. "John!" he called out, stopping him. They exchanged glances, and Dumbledore, shaking his head solemnly, indicated that the situation was under control. It seemed the mermaid leader was also under some form of control.
John, however, was not easily placated. "Professor Dumbledore, it nearly killed four students, including two of my friends."
Dumbledore took a deep breath, his tone serious. "Let it go, John. I will investigate this matter."
Reluctantly, John sheathed his sword, and the tension in the air eased. Ms. Maxim approached, accompanied by Fleur, and they both comforted Gabrielle. "Poor child, thank you, John, for saving her," Ms. Maxim expressed her gratitude.
John nodded, his gaze meeting Fleur's tearful eyes. "Professor Dumbledore, I trust you will handle this appropriately," he said before turning to leave.
The mermaid leader, still in shock, was questioned by Dumbledore. It was revealed that the mermaid had been under a powerful Confusion Charm, manipulated into attacking. The day before, someone had used the mermaid language to lure it out, leading to the chaotic events at the Black Lake.
John was dissatisfied with the outcome, recognizing the pattern of advanced Confusion Charms in recent incidents, including the invasion of the Star Society's secret room and the tampering with the Goblet of Fire. He left the Black Lake, concerned about the implications.
Harry, fortunately, was not seriously injured, but Krum's condition was more severe, with multiple wounds in addition to his ankle injury. Hermione's robe was damaged, revealing a hole, but thankfully, she was not injured. The last two warriors did not emerge victorious, but their noble actions in guarding the hostages underwater were commendable. The final scores were announced with Cedric taking first place, Harry coming in second, and Krum and Fleur tied for third. Krum's underwhelming performance in the first task meant that even a high score in the second couldn't lift him above Fleur. The third task was scheduled for June 6, but the intrigue surrounding the tournament didn't end there. The incident involving the mermaids suggested foul play, prompting Dumbledore to assign Moody the task of investigating. Controlling the mermaid village indicated a perpetrator of considerable power, and Moody, with his extensive experience as an Auror, was deemed the best fit for the job. However, what came as a surprise was Moody's initial suspicion falling on John. By the time John became aware of this, Slytherin House had already been subjected to a thorough search.
Moody, under the guise of searching for suspicious individuals, made a dramatic entrance into the Slytherin common room, demanding everyone's attention. His loud proclamation of intent to search them, citing his history with capturing Death Eaters predominantly from Slytherin, immediately set a tense atmosphere. Malfoy, unable to tolerate the slander against his house and family, confronted Moody, who retorted by insulting Malfoy's father, Lucius, directly. The confrontation escalated quickly, with Moody dismissing Malfoy's protests and proceeding to search the dormitories, claiming Dumbledore's implicit approval given his knowledge of Lucius Malfoy's affiliations.
The search, particularly its invasive nature and the humiliation it brought upon the Slytherins, sparked outrage. When Moody attempted to enter John's room, Malfoy's defiance peaked, resulting in a standoff that ended with Moody leaving but not without threatening to report the incident to Dumbledore. The event left the Slytherins in a state of reflection, recognizing the deep-seated bias against them within the school, a sentiment that had been implicitly understood but now was painfully explicit.
John, upon learning of the incident, shared in the outrage. His reaction underscored the gravity of the situation and the unjust scrutiny Slytherin House was subjected to. The confrontation with Moody not only highlighted the prejudice against Slytherins but also raised questions about the motivations behind such targeted suspicion. Malfoy's bitter acknowledgment of their house's unfavorable standing, especially in comparison to Gryffindor, and his vow to inform his father, underscored the deep divisions within Hogwarts.
This episode, while unsettling, served as a catalyst for Slytherin House to confront the biases against them, uniting them in their frustration and determination to challenge the status quo. John's involvement and reaction to the incident further complicated the dynamics at play, hinting at underlying tensions that extended beyond house rivalries to the very heart of Hogwarts' administration and its handling of justice and fairness. From the beginning to the end, John was determined to confront anyone who crossed his path, be it Potter or Weasley. His expression darkened as he resolved to inform Professor Snape about the situation. He was curious to see how Snape, a staunch supporter of Dumbledore, would react to his complaint.
However, as John made his way to Snape's office, he was intercepted by Professor McGonagall. Her expression was a mix of concern and seriousness as she addressed him. "Wick, I need you to accompany me to the headmaster's office," she said, her tone indicating the gravity of the situation. "There are some matters that require your explanation."
Feeling a sense of foreboding, John's heart sank. Despite his apprehension, he nodded in agreement, understanding the seriousness of being summoned by the headmaster. As he followed Professor McGonagall, the eyes of other students followed them, sparking a flurry of whispers and speculation throughout the corridors.
The walk to the headmaster's office was filled with an uneasy silence. John couldn't help but wonder what awaited him. Was it about his decision to confront Snape, or was there something else he was unaware of? The uncertainty weighed heavily on him, but he knew that soon, all would be revealed.
_________
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https://www.youtube.com/@NovelAudioForge/featured
Direct Link to playlist
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_Hg-qsW4rM&list=PLKskshYG-OcPTR4-Nw7IWFEBZm07D8pBV&ab_channel=NovelAudioForge