Hogwarts: Even Voldemort Can't Stop Me From Studying

Chapter 852: Chapter 223: Under Everyone’s Gaze

The stands of the Quidditch Pitch at Hogwarts suddenly fell into a dead silence.

In the next second, chaos erupted.

”No, Harry! No—” Hermione suddenly stood up, her face pale, her fingers digging tightly into Ron’s arm.

Ron sat in his seat, looking dumbfounded, his mouth agape, ”What was that just now? Did you see it? Did those two...did they suddenly get smaller?”

Someone screamed in terror; someone gripped their magic wand, eyes burning with fiery anger; others covered their mouths, silently crying.

Some foreign wizards stood up from their seats in panic, saying, ”Oh, I think we should leave...”

Ferdinand held Fiona tightly, his voice trembling, constantly saying, ”Believe in Vid, believe in Vid... Do you remember what he said? He said he would definitely come back safely! Believe him!”

As he spoke, his eyes were fixed on Dumbledore on the referee’s seat.

Albus Dumbledore... rumored to be the most powerful wizard in the world, Vid always admired and trusted him... If Vid were really in danger, perhaps he could only rely on him...

Sirius, like a furious beast, climbed over the railing and rushed out of the stands, realizing halfway through— even if he rushed into the Forbidden Forest, there was no way he could bring those two children back, so he lightning-fast returned to the referee’s seat.

Lupin, along with several concerned wizards, had already rushed over, all saying, ”Dumbledore, what should we do now? The image on the screen isn’t part of the competition, right?”

”Conspiracy! This is an outright conspiracy!” Umbridge shouted, ”If some people think they can make the Ministry of Magic compromise like this, even bringing out someone who should be dead to put on a display, we will surely...”

”Shut up, Umbridge,” a square-jawed, gray-haired witch said impatiently, ”Don’t speculate about the headmaster of Hogwarts with your shallow mind. Dumbledore, the Magic Law Enforcement Department will do everything possible to assist in rescuing those two students.”

”Thank you, Ms. Bones...”

Before Dumbledore could finish speaking, Fudge, who had just realized what happened, asked in horror, ”Dumbledore, what on earth is going on? Don’t tell me you have no idea what that kid said! I need...the Ministry needs an explanation!”

He slumped in his chair, his thick lips trembling uncontrollably, though he said, ”That person is long dead...the whole world knows...right?”

Professor McGonagall said, face pale, ”Albus, we must take action immediately!”

Snape stood in the corner of the field, not looking at anyone, his gaze fixed on the now blank Flow Mirror screen, fingers subconsciously rubbing the location of the Dark Mark on his arm.

In the midst of the chaos, with everyone watching, Dumbledore stood up, and when he raised his hand, the stands quickly quieted down, countless eyes filled with expectation, fear, and dread looking at him.

Dumbledore’s eyes swept across the crowd, his silver-white hair and beard lightly swaying in the wind, his voice steady and grave:

”Everyone, remain calm.”

His magic wand pointed to the sky, and a silver Phoenix Guardian God soared into the air, the silver-white translucent barrier instantly spreading from Dumbledore as the center, filling the stands with a calming power.

”I think the Ministry of Magic should immediately form an investigation team.” Dumbledore looked at Fudge, his tone irrefutable, ”We must seal off the scene, check the magic traces on the trophy, and investigate where the building shown in the last image is located.”

Fudge, disliking his command-like tone, was about to evade or even refuse, but just as he was about to speak, Rita Skeeter, with her dedicated cameraman, rushed to the front, the camera lens and microphone thrust in front of Fudge.

So the words the Minister of the Ministry of Magic was about to say suddenly took a turn, and he nodded repeatedly, saying, ”Yes, yes, seal it off immediately! Where are the Aurors? Where are the Aurors?”

Scrimgeour limped over, saying gravely, ”The Aurors have all been dispatched, and the trophy will soon be brought back.”

Dumbledore nodded, saying to Professor McGonagall, ”Minerva, organize the students to return to the castle and strengthen the Defensive Spells.”

Professor McGonagall nodded, her eyes still full of worry, but she trusted Dumbledore and asked no further questions.

”Filius.” Dumbledore looked at the short professor, almost jumping in anxiety, but holding back from yelling, and sighed silently, ”Take the guests to the castle to rest. If someone wants to leave, do not stop them.”

”Alright.” Professor Flitwick couldn’t help but ask, ”Albus, Vid that child...”

”Filius.” Dumbledore nodded slightly, speaking softly, ”Believe me...and believe in him.”

Professor Flitwick’s expression changed slightly, his tense demeanor slightly relaxing, but he still couldn’t hide his worry.

”Alastor.” Dumbledore turned to the silent till now Professor Moody, the two exchanged a look and nodded slightly. Then the headmaster said, ”Protect them.”

”I understand,” Moody gruffly replied, leaning on his cane, heading towards the Greys.

In the bustling crowd, the couple’s attire was unremarkable, with fewer Muggle traits than most wizards, so as long as they didn’t loudly proclaim themselves as Vid Gray’s parents, they wouldn’t attract attention.

Therefore, Moody didn’t approach them directly, just keeping watch nearby, vigilant of every suspicious character.

Just as the stands were in a chaotic mess, with many people standing up intending to leave, the originally white and blank Flow Mirror screen suddenly flickered a few times and lit up again.

The clamor in the audience came to an abrupt halt, and everyone widened their eyes, those crowding at the exit, and students lining up under the prefects’ orders all turned their heads to the screen.

”Strange!” the FMC person in charge quickly looked at the instrument in their hand, saying, ”This isn’t my operation.”

A hand was placed on his shoulder.

”Sit down,” Machioni said in a deep voice, ”Now...we’re just spectators as well.”

”This...could it be...” the person in charge pointed at the screen, and then at the badge on their chest.

Being a great admirer of the young Vid Gray, his Soft Light Badge bore two simple capital letters— ”VG.”

Machioni nodded.

”He’s really...” The person in charge was tongue-tied for a while, not knowing how to evaluate, finally saying only, ”Is he really an Alchemist?”

It was difficult for Machioni to disagree.

Why can’t an Alchemist, like his teacher Professor Morry, always stay in a safe place, not get involved in any disputes, and enjoy a wealthy, revered, and peaceful life?

Vid was talented enough, but his adventurous nature, where it came from, Machioni could never tell, often caused him great anxiety.

At that moment, the screen, flickering like snowflakes for a few seconds, suddenly became clear, presenting a particularly bizarre scene—

A strange snake-faced baby being surrounded by a massive poisonous snake, holding a magic wand almost as long as his body in his tender red hands.

Barty Crouch Jr., who was supposed to be long dead, stood nearby, his expression fanatical to an almost uncomfortable degree.

His existence almost proclaimed the identity of the baby beside him.

Then, a raspy voice of the baby came out from the Flow Mirror—