The atmosphere of the dinner reached its peak after the two Principals took their seats. The students from Durmstrang were arranged at the Slytherin long table, and their arrival made the gloomy atmosphere at that table even more solid, filled with a cold, iron-blooded scent.
After Krum sat down, he never looked toward Gryffindor again, as if that brief gaze just now had been an illusion. He silently cut the steak on his plate with precise and powerful movements, as if executing some kind of military mission.
Hermione doted on Lia, rubbing her head and enjoying the dependence of the Cat-girl in her arms. Lia's metaphors were always so unique and accurate that she couldn't help but laugh.
Just then, the Great Hall's doors were pushed open again with a loud "bang," accompanied by a rolling sound of thunder.
A bolt of lightning streaked across the enchanted ceiling, illuminating a figure standing at the doorway.
It was a man, soaked to the bone, wearing a tattered black traveling cloak.
He leaned on a long staff, walking with a limp, each step making a dull "clack" sound—the sound of a wooden prosthetic leg striking the stone floor.
He pulled back his hood, revealing a scarred face, as if every inch of skin recorded a brutal battle.
A large chunk of his nose seemed to have been sliced off, and his mouth was a hideous gash. But the most startling thing was one of his eyes.
A massive, round magical eye was spinning wildly in its socket, completely independent of his normal eye.
It moved up, down, left, right, and could even turn to the back of his head, scanning the entire Great Hall without pause.
Mad-Eye Alastor Moody.
Ron and Harry provided some background information nearby.
It was said that half of the prisoners in Azkaban had been captured by him.
However, as soon as the man appeared, Lia smelled a "fake" scent permeating the air.
"Hermione..." Lia gently poked Hermione's arm.
"What's wrong?"
"That man... isn't right." Lia's voice was extremely low. "His scent... is very strange."
Hermione's gaze followed Lia's line of sight to the man limping toward the staff table.
Dumbledore stood up to greet him and patted him on the shoulder.
"Scent?" Hermione pressed.
"Yeah," Lia frowned as she organized her words. "He smells like... two people. One on the outside, and one on the inside. The outside scent is very faint, but the inside scent... is very dirty."
Hermione's heart sank.
She completely trusted Lia's judgment. Lia's Eye of Truth and her beast-like intuition could see through disguises that many Wizards could not perceive.
Two people? One on the outside, one on the inside?
This immediately made her think of Polyjuice Potion.
She had even used it herself.
Hermione didn't say anything out loud. She turned Lia's head back, preventing her from continuing to stare at Moody.
"I understand, Lia. Let's pretend we don't know anything for now. We'll go find Dumbledore after the dinner is over."
Lia nodded and took a bite of fish that Hermione handed her.
Moody sat down at the staff table, pulled out a small flask, and took a swig.
That magical eye of his was still spinning frantically, scanning the young faces. When it passed over Harry, it paused for a moment.
The dinner continued in an eerie and excited atmosphere.
Dumbledore stood up, and the Great Hall fell silent once again.
"Now, since we have all had our fill," Dumbledore's voice was loud and clear, "I must explain the rules of the upcoming Triwizard Tournament in detail."
His blue eyes sparkled behind his spectacles as he scanned the expectant faces.
"Our three champions will be selected from the three schools of Hogwarts, Beauxbatons, and Durmstrang. They will represent their respective schools in three tasks. These three tasks are extremely dangerous, testing magical ability, courage, and logical reasoning skills."
"Therefore," Dumbledore's tone became serious, "after joint consultation between the Ministry of Magic and the three schools, we have decided to implement a safety measure. Only students who are seventeen years of age or older will be eligible to enter the selection."
As soon as he finished speaking, a loud groan of disappointment and protest erupted in the Great Hall.
Fred and George Weasley's faces instantly fell, and they complained loudly.
Dumbledore raised his hand, gesturing for everyone to be quiet.
"This is a rule we have unanimously agreed upon and cannot be changed. We believe that underage Wizards do not possess the ability to cope with these challenges. I personally strongly urge any student under the age of seventeen not to attempt to deceive our judge."
His gaze lingered on the Weasley Twins for a second; it was obvious that these words were directed at them.
"Now, Mr. Barty Crouch and Mr. Ludo Bagman, please bring in the goblet of fire."
Two officials from the Ministry of Magic stepped out from the door next to the staff table. Together, they carried a quaintly carved wooden chest. The chest was inlaid with jewels but looked ancient, filled with a sense of historical weight.
They carefully placed the wooden chest on the table in front of Dumbledore.
Dumbledore tapped the chest lightly with his magic wand, and the lid slowly opened.
He reached inside and pulled out a large, roughly carved wooden goblet.
The cup itself was unremarkable, without any decoration.
But in the next second, blue-white flames suddenly erupted from the rim, dancing and twisting playfully in the air, illuminating the entire Great Hall.
The flames carried a strange magic—neither hot nor cold, just burning purely.
"Any student wishing to enter the selection must drop a piece of parchment with their name and school written on it into the goblet of fire," Dumbledore announced. "You have twenty-four hours to make your decision. Tomorrow night, after the Halloween feast, the goblet of fire will select the three champions."
He held the goblet of fire high and then placed it steadily in the center of the entrance hall.
Then, he drew his magic wand and drew a large, complete circle on the floor around the goblet of fire.
A golden light flowed from the tip of his magic wand, leaving a shimmering line on the stone floor.
"This is the Age Line." Dumbledore withdrew his magic wand, his voice echoing in the empty entrance hall. "Anyone under the age of seventeen will be unable to cross this line."
Fred and George's eyes lit up immediately.
They winked and nudged each other, huddling together to discuss possible methods in low voices.
Lia stared curiously at the golden line.
The dinner was over.
Students left the Great Hall in small groups, many older students discussing excitedly, their eyes gleaming with a desire for glory.
As the crowd gradually dispersed, Hermione took Lia's hand.
"Let's go find Dumbledore," she said in a low voice, her gaze incredibly determined.
Lia nodded and followed obediently by her side.
They did not return to Gryffindor Tower, but instead detoured to the Gargoyle leading to the Headmasters Office.
"Sherbet Lemon," Hermione whispered the password.
The Gargoyle rotated, clearing the way.
They walked up the spiral staircase and arrived at the door of the Headmasters Office.
Hermione took a deep breath and knocked on the door.
"Come in," Dumbledore's gentle voice came from inside.
The office was warm and bright, with various strange silver instruments spinning and puffing out smoke.
Fawkes the Phoenix stood on his perch, tilting his head to look at them.
Dumbledore sat behind his desk, without the slightest hint of surprise on his face.
"Miss Granger, Miss Lia, good evening." He smiled. "I assume you've come to see me about Professor Moody?"
Both Hermione and Lia were stunned.
"You... you know?" Hermione asked in surprise.
"I had my suspicions." Dumbledore pointed to the chairs opposite him. "Sit down and let's talk."
Hermione pulled Lia down to sit, and then told Dumbledore everything Lia had discovered at the dinner.
"She said Professor Moody smells like two people—one on the outside and one on the inside. The one inside smells very dirty."
The smile on Dumbledore's face vanished. He looked at Lia, his azure eyes full of praise.
He said gently, "You did very well, Hermione, and you too, Lia. Your alertness and composure exceeded my expectations."
"Then... what should we do?" Hermione asked nervously. "Should we expose him?"
"No." Dumbledore shook his head, interlacing his fingers and placing them on the desk. "Now is not the time."
His gaze became profound, as if he could see through the mists of time.
"Our enemy has sent a spy to our side. This is certainly dangerous, but it is also an opportunity. An opportunity for him to expose his own plans."
"Professor Snape and I, as well as the other Professors, will keep a close eye on him. What you need to do is pretend you know nothing and attend classes and live your lives as usual." Dumbledore looked at the two girls, his tone gentle. "Do not let him realize that you have seen through his disguise. Can you do that?"
Hermione glanced at Lia beside her and nodded heavily.
"We can do it, Professor."
Dumbledore smiled with relief.
"Very well. Now, go back and rest. Remember, stay alert, but do not be afraid."
As they left the Headmasters Office, Lia looked back.
Dumbledore was standing by the window, gazing at the night sky over Hogwarts.
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