After spending some time at Hogwarts, Karkaroff and Madame Maxime grudgingly accepted that Hogwarts had two champions.
There was nothing they could do about it; the deed was done, and even the Ministry of Magic, which was in charge of the matter, was on Hogwarts' side.
Accepting it was one thing, but it didn't mean they were okay with it. Every time they saw a Hogwarts professor, they would let out a cold snort to protest.
Dumbledore? Hmph!
Snape? Hmph!
McGonagall? Hmph!
They were like a pair of huffing and puffing generals. Especially during meals when all the Hogwarts professors were present, their snorts came one after another, almost like a song.
It was a shame the wizarding world didn't have internet memes; otherwise, there would definitely be a few videos made about it.
However, all of this was just powerless snorting.
It changed nothing.
The headmasters of the two schools were both holding their breath, waiting for the first task of the Triwizard Tournament, determined to get a good result in the first event.
---
In Defence Against the Dark Arts class, Professor Moody was talking at the podium in his unique way.
His magical eye on the left side kept rotating, like a 360-degree surveillance camera, constantly monitoring the students' every move.
Not a single student dared to slack off or do anything unrelated to the class in his lesson.
Of course, his classes were actually very popular. According to the Gryffindors, Moody's teaching style was "wicked." Especially after the students from the other two schools joined, Defence Against the Dark Arts became the most popular course at Durmstrang. This was very similar to the classes taught at their school, as Durmstrang was the most lenient of the three major European schools regarding the Dark Arts.
On a side note, their most hated class was Potions, even more so than Divination, mainly because they couldn't keep up with the learning pace.
Although Moody was a Defence Against the Dark Arts professor, he was often teaching Dark Arts. In his words, to better defend against the Dark Arts, you must first master them.
It sounded reasonable and convincing.
Especially with his identity as a former Auror, it made his argument even more compelling.
Professor Moody's theoretical knowledge of the Dark Arts was extensive; he could answer any question about them.
"You're in your fourth year now and have taken Defence Against the Dark Arts for so long... Have you figured out the difference between the Dark Arts and regular magic?"
Moody stood on the stage, looking down at the students below. "Who can tell me the definition of the Dark Arts?"
Without a doubt, the first to raise her hand was Hermione.
"The Dark Arts are evil magic, primarily aimed at harming others. They are spells used for murder, causing illness, confusion, and enslavement through curses, charms, and direct or indirect spellcasting."
Hermione stood up and gave a quick and precise answer to Moody's question.
"Excellent, Miss Granger, you have perfectly recited the textbook's definition of the Dark Arts."
Moody nodded, acknowledging Hermione's answer, but he didn't look very satisfied. "But that's not comprehensive. Are there any other answers?"
He looked around, but none of the students raised their hands. Just as he was about to answer the question himself, Hermione raised her hand again.
"Miss Granger, do you have something to add?"
Hermione nodded and stood up in a very proper manner.
"Professor, the wizarding world's definition of the Dark Arts isn't particularly clear. It's not as clearly divided as light and dark. There's no definite answer so far, but according to the regulations on evil magic from the Wizards' Council in 1016 (the Ministry of Magic had not yet been established in that era), the following situations will be defined as Dark Arts: first, a derogatory term for immoral magic that harms others; second, magic used to satisfy one's own desires and needs; third, magic that brings great pain to the victim; fourth, magic that is immensely powerful, destructive, difficult to fix, and has irreversible consequences; fifth, magic where the caster has a subjective intent to harm others; sixth, where the caster, based on the fifth point, can recognize the effects of this magic; and seventh, magic used for an improper purpose and without a certain necessity."
"Furthermore, in 1750, on the tenth anniversary of the Ministry of Magic's establishment, the Department of Magical Law Enforcement's Auror Office added relevant regulations that brought death through secret rituals, framing, and mind control into the scope of the Dark Arts..."
"And then there was 1908..."
Don't doubt Hermione's expertise in magical theory. In Dudley's words, she's like a living encyclopedia of magical theory. Any question you want answered, you can get it from her.
Moody looked like he wanted to say something, but he opened his mouth and not a single word came out.
He wanted to refute her, but he didn't know where to start. He really didn't know the historical origins of the term "Dark Arts."
Listening to Granger, it sounded completely plausible, and it seemed to be a real thing.
It was just different from the answer he had prepared.
"A very perfect answer. Five points to the Disciplinary Committee."
He had originally planned to use her answer to explain that there was no connection between the Dark Arts and Dark wizards and to blur people's preconceived notions of the Dark Arts. A fourth-year, at their impressionable age, was the most susceptible to outside influence...
Then he could logically teach some special Dark Arts. Since he was interrupted, he'd have to rethink his approach.
Moody thought glumly.
The Dark Wizards of the Harry Potter world seem to be very enthusiastic about teaching the Dark Arts to others, especially to young wizards.
The Dark Lord whose name cannot be mentioned actually wanted to become the Defence Against the Dark Arts professor at Hogwarts.
With his rhythm broken, Moody could only temporarily change the topic and instead teach them all the techniques for dealing with Dark wizards.
Fortunately, he was very experienced in this area.
Soon, the two Defence Against the Dark Arts classes came to an end.
"Professor Moody, I'd like to ask you about a spell."
Professor Moody was packing up his tools to leave the classroom when he was stopped by a voice behind him.
"Oh, it's Dursley. What would you like to ask about?"
Moody's magical eye looked him up and down, but as usual, he found nothing. He couldn't even make out the concentration of his magical power.
The term 'couldn't make out' might be too gentle. It should be that there was none at all.
It was as if the person standing in front of him wasn't a wizard at all, but a complete Muggle.
Impossible! If he were a Muggle, how could he not even see through his clothes?
It was a very clever concealment technique.
Dudley looked down at Moody, his clear blue eyes seeming to emit a captivating light.
"Professor... I'd like to learn how to deal with that unquenchable Fiendfyre..."