Hogwarts, eighth floor, inside Dumbledore's peculiar Headmaster's office.
The room, which should have been relatively spacious, now felt somewhat crowded with several figures standing inside. They were the students who had survived layer after layer of selection over the past week and finally emerged as the ones chosen to participate in Dumbledore's unprecedented experiment.
In other words, they had already written their names into history in advance.
Aside from Avada—whose place had essentially been decided from the start—there were seven or eight sixth- and seventh-year students present. They represented the very best Hogwarts had to offer, both in talent and in mental fortitude.
Among them, Avada only knew three people.
The first was Gryffindor's Percy Weasley.
That one hardly required explanation. As the only student in the entire school capable of achieving twelve O grades in his O.W.L.s, combined with his meticulous and serious personality—not to mention the reputation of Gryffindor House—it would have been far more surprising if he had not appeared here.
It was said that when Percy learned he had been selected by Dumbledore, his younger siblings nearly overturned the Gryffindor common room in celebration.
And for once, Percy himself hadn't objected.
Besides Percy, the others Avada recognized were a senior from his own house, Rolf Scamander, and Ravenclaw's prefect Penelope Clearwater—the one Cedric had introduced to him on the train. According to rumor, she was also Percy's girlfriend.
Speaking of Cedric…
At first, Avada had instinctively assumed Cedric would definitely be involved in this experiment as well. But when he casually asked Cedric about the results, he only realized his mistake after seeing the resentful look in Cedric's eyes.
Cedric was only a fifth-year student this year—just barely below the required threshold.
He now deeply regretted not staying at school during Christmas the previous year to take advantage of Avada's diary incident and secure a special recommendation that might have given him this opportunity.
Unfortunately, Avada didn't really have a good way to comfort him.
He could only hope that next year's possible Triwizard Tournament would go smoothly, allowing Cedric to shine on a much bigger stage.
Then again…
In the original timeline, the Triwizard Tournament during Harry's fourth year had been part of the Death Eaters' plan to deliver Harry Potter to Voldemort.
But now Voldemort had already been completely defeated. The pure-blood families were hiding like frightened turtles. Hidden Death Eaters like Barty Crouch Jr. were being handled by Peter Pettigrew—whom Avada had dispatched personally.
And behind everything lurked the immensely powerful Leach University.
So would the Triwizard Tournament even happen next year?
Surely the officials in the Ministry of Magic wouldn't suddenly decide—without any reason—to revive a dangerous competition that had been discontinued for centuries.
But if that actually happened…
Wouldn't Cedric's résumé lose its brightest highlight entirely?
Well, perhaps it would be better to wait and see whether anything unusual happened during the Quidditch World Cup this summer.
"All right, everyone!"
Behind the wide desk, Dumbledore still wore his usual cheerful smile, looking kindly at the young faces before him.
"I can more or less understand how you're feeling right now. And to be honest, I'm almost even happier than you are. If it weren't for this selection process, I would never have realized that Hogwarts has so many outstanding students capable of perfectly completing the challenges I set."
"This is the greatest recognition of our educational work. I can hardly think of anything more gratifying."
"So I won't say much more."
"When I summoned you here earlier, I reminded you that we would be leaving for quite a long time. I've already informed your professors that they need not worry about your classes or assignments."
"So please make sure you've brought your personal belongings and your wands… Everyone has done so, I hope? Excellent."
"Are we starting the experiment now, Professor?"
Someone asked in a trembling whisper, barely suppressing their excitement.
"Oh, that will have to wait a little longer."
A mysterious smile appeared beneath Dumbledore's beard.
"We are going to conduct a test first—one final test. Don't worry, this has nothing to do with whether you qualify to participate in the experiment."
"But I can reveal one thing: the speed at which you complete this test will determine when our large-scale experiment begins."
"So if you want to leave a good impression on Nicolas, Newt, and Babajide, I suggest you don't take this too lightly."
"…."
Avada understood.
So they were going to deal with the defensive mechanisms left behind by Voldemort.
However, considering the danger and brutality of those traps, Dumbledore probably wouldn't simply send a group of students to face them directly.
There must be additional factors he wasn't aware of.
"So what are we waiting for, Professor?"
Rolf shouted enthusiastically. "We might as well leave right now!"
"Of course."
Dumbledore smiled and summoned a phoenix from a burst of flames.
Fawkes
"Everyone gather in a circle and hold onto each other. Two of you grab my arms."
"This will be the only reliable method of traveling to and from that location for the time being. So please make sure no one gets separated. Otherwise, you'll probably have to spend several days writing to the school for rescue."
"Ready?"
"Then, Fawkes—let's go!"
Boom!
A brilliant burst of flame filled Avada's vision.
He had already traveled by phoenix several times before, but for most of the others here this was probably a completely new experience.
The fire vanished almost instantly.
A cold, damp, salty sea wind swept through the air, making several students shiver unexpectedly.
They had arrived inside a dark and narrow sea cave.
So it really is this place.
Avada's eyes narrowed slightly.
He had already sensed a powerful and dangerous spell hidden within one of the stone walls.
"This is the first location where you will undergo your test."
Dumbledore smiled as Fawkes hopped onto his shoulder and began preening feathers ruffled by the wind.
"The ruins where we will conduct the magical experiment lie behind this stone wall."
"Your task is to permanently dismantle its magic as quickly as possible—without harming yourselves."
"But Professor, you have a phoenix, don't you?"
One student asked in confusion, earning an indignant cry from Fawkes.
"Even phoenixes get tired."
Dumbledore replied calmly.
"And in the coming months—or perhaps even years—we will be entering and leaving this place frequently."
As he spoke, he somehow produced several tents from nowhere and handed them out.
"These will be your accommodations."
"Don't worry—the interiors are quite comfortable. You'll be able to rest well after a long day's work. I've also arranged sufficient protective measures outside the cave."
"Fawkes will deliver food regularly, so you won't need to worry about daily necessities."
"Your only responsibility is to cooperate and break through this stone wall as quickly and safely as possible."
"There are also some items I left inside the tents. They may prove helpful."
"Well then, everyone—good luck!"
Before the students could even react, Dumbledore vanished in another burst of flame, leaving the group staring at each other inside the cave.
(End of Chapter)