### Chapter 267: You Need to Know What You're Up Against First
Though he had Dumbledore's support, Wade didn't act immediately.
He patiently waited for everyone to finish their exams, and then for the Gryffindor versus Ravenclaw Quidditch match.
Despite Wade's lack of interest in Quidditch, this was the final match of the school year, and everyone in the school who had time came to watch.
The Ravenclaw team played very hard, and several players were injured due to moving too fast to react. Unfortunately...
Mediocrity can be faked, but strength cannot.
The few good players from last year had already graduated, and the replacement players, despite their best efforts, still lost the match.
The Gryffindor students cheered loudly, while the Ravenclaws barely maintained their composure, congratulating them on their victory.
"Thanks, you guys played great too!"
Wood, from Gryffindor, gave a thumbs-up, smiling so wide that all his teeth showed.
Roger, the Ravenclaw captain, snorted and gave a fake, forced smile.
Aside from Gryffindor, who were still celebrating on the pitch, students from the other houses began returning to the castle, especially Slytherin, who were the first to leave.
So, when everyone returned to the castle, they found the Entrance Hall blocked once again. Many Slytherin students were gathered there, looking up at a new announcement—
[June Challenge]
[Not long ago, a Hogwarts champion defeated a giant Ball Python, proving their strength and courage.
However—
Was that truly the case?
We all know Ball Pythons are docile creatures, and a professor was always guarding nearby. Fighting a Ball Python is as safe as cutting a cake under a mother's watchful eye.
Do you dare to challenge truly dangerous creatures?
Can you stand firm in the face of death?
Do you want to know the true extent of your magic?
This is an event only for truly exceptional and fearless challengers, and there is even a risk of death!
WARNING: COWARDLY INDIVIDUALS NEED NOT APPLY!!!
Those interested in participating, please gather tonight at 10 PM in the empty classroom on the third floor. You may form your own teams; there are no restrictions on team size.
In this event, all challengers are collaborators.
Note: Challengers must meet the following conditions:
First, have reached the finals in the May Challenge.
Second, be proficient in the Shield Charm, Impediment Jinx, Petrificus Totalus...
Following that was a list of Spell names.
The words "WARNING" were highlighted, emphasized, and several times larger.
Who would admit to being a coward?
Everyone who met the conditions loudly declared they would participate. And students who hadn't yet mastered one or two Spells immediately ran off to learn them, without even stopping for dinner.
So, when the Gryffindors returned, they found that no one in the entire school seemed to be discussing their victory anymore.
Whether it was the annoying Slytherins or students from their own house, everyone was talking about something else.
They all rushed to the Entrance Hall to see the notice. When they returned to the long tables, except for Wood, who was still preoccupied with his Quidditch trophy, everyone else changed the topic.
"Hogwarts is getting cooler and cooler! I thought after the match, we'd just be waiting for our grades and going home!"
Fred said happily.
"Although waiting for grades is also a kind of adventure, I definitely prefer this kind."
George clasped his hands under his chin, asking excitedly, "Dangerous creatures... what could they be?"
"Maybe centipedes as big as snakes?" Harry guessed.
"Or maybe a whole bunch of spiders as big as houses! Right, little Ronnie?" Fred winked at his brother.
"What—spiders?!!!"
Ron, who had just walked over, shrieked, his face turning pale with fright.
Because of a prank by the Weasley Twins when they were children, Ron was terrified of spiders.
"That's right," Fred said, his face as gloomy as a ghost's. "They'll suddenly jump out from a corner, and you, my dear brother, will be caught completely off guard, embraced by a spider..."
George, who had secretly slipped from his seat, cooperated perfectly, suddenly reaching out and grabbing Ron's shoulders.
"Aaaaaahhhhh—"
A terrified scream instantly echoed through the Great Hall, along with the loud laughter of the Weasley Twins.
The Weasley Family brothers were teasing their younger brother, but students who only heard snippets of their conversation spread the rumor.
"Did you hear... it's spiders..."
"We've faced each other in the maze so many times… the school really underestimates us…"
"The entry requirements are probably just for show, I can handle those spiders too…"
The young wizards were practically itching to prove themselves, eager to show what they could do.
So, when Harry and the others arrived on the third floor around nine in the evening, they found it packed with people, though surprisingly not noisy.
They struggled to push their way through the crowd. Harry, disoriented, was following behind Fred and the others when suddenly the pressure ahead eased, and he nearly stumbled.
Someone caught him, and Harry quickly thanked them, "Thanks—"
"It seems Mr. Potter, fresh off his victory, misses the feeling of being on a broom so much that he's forgotten how to use his legs."
A cold, sarcastic voice came from above, and Harry stiffened, slowly looking up to see, as expected, his least favorite professor.
Snape, who had been roped into working overtime, held a list, his cold, vacant gaze sweeping over the bustling crowd of students. Instantly, everyone jostled to create another half-meter of space.
Only Harry remained standing before Professor Snape, subjected to his icy scrutiny.
Beside him, the twin brothers were winking and gesturing, urging him to be brave.
Harry finally understood why it was so crowded yet so quiet.
He took a deep breath, bracing himself for an argument, and said, "Professor, I'm here for the challenge."
Snape's expression was as unpleasant as ever. He raised an eyebrow, glancing at Harry. Though he didn't say a word, Harry felt as though he had been thoroughly scorned from head to toe.
He unconsciously clenched his fists, then heard the professor in front of him say:
"Shield Charm."
"What… Oh, oh! *Protego!*"
Harry fumbled for his Wand. Thankfully, he was already very familiar with this Spell, and he performed it smoothly.
Snape said nothing more, allowing him into the empty classroom.
After Harry entered, he found an unfamiliar professor waiting inside, one with disabled limbs.
He tried not to stare at the other person's missing leg and arm, asking softly, "Professor?"
"Oh, Harry Potter!"
Professor Kettleburn excitedly clapped him on the back with his one good hand.
"I'm about to retire, and I thought I'd never get to see you in my class! I can't believe I get this chance after all."
"Uh… hello, Professor," Harry said a bit awkwardly. "What do I need to do?"
"You need to know what you're up against first. If you're scared, you still have one chance to back out," Professor Kettleburn said.
"Up against… what?" Harry didn't understand.
"Hmm, an old friend, a thousand years old. I can't believe Hogwarts has been hiding such a giant… I submitted my retirement report too early."
Professor Kettleburn said regretfully, pointing his Wand at the wall beside them.
Harry turned to look, and instantly felt as if the blood in his veins had frozen.
A pair of yellowish-brown eyes gazed at him, and a daunting sense of danger washed over him!
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