"Besides the Quidditch World Cup, what else?" Sherlock frowned slightly. "And it's happening at Hogwarts?"
The further the plot progressed, the blurrier the memories in Sherlock's mind became.
However, regarding this year, the timeline when Harry entered his fourth year, he knew clearly that this marked a turning point for the entire Wizarding World.
It was at the end of this year that the Dark Lord, who had lost his power for over a decade, would make a comeback.
He didn't know exactly what sordid events occurred in between, but such a change was definitely related to Hogwarts.
Seeing that Sherlock's attention had been successfully captured, Kingsley had no intention of deliberately keeping him in suspense.
"This year, the three magic schools in Europe plan to revive the Triwizard Tournament, which has been stagnant for a century. The Department of International Magical Cooperation and the Department of Magical Games and Sports have already begun preparations. Although it hasn't been officially announced or confirmed yet, it's almost certain."
Sherlock was no stranger to the Triwizard Tournament. While browsing through the history of Hogwarts, he learned that it used to be a regular competition between the three magic schools in Europe.
After all, the entire European continent was only so big, and with three magic schools in total, it was natural to determine which was superior.
Sending the most outstanding students from their respective schools to compete was the most direct way to see who was strong and who was weak.
However, the social order in the Wizarding World wasn't that cruel. While calling it a civilised society with sound morality and the rule of law would make people laugh their heads off, it couldn't be described as the law of the jungle, where the weak were preyed upon by the strong, either.
Wizards with combat strength generally higher than average instead became Aurors, working year-round without rest, to the point where starting a family became a luxury. Wizards with poor strength could live their own stable little lives without fear of dying inexplicably one day.
The emergence of dark forces like Lord Voldemort was a rare occurrence.
Searching through the entire History of Magic, there had only been two, and the first one's original intention had also been to make the Wizarding World a better place; it was just that his philosophy conflicted with that of most people.
In such a wizarding society where peace and stability were the main themes, the Triwizard Tournament was too dangerous, and almost every time the competition was held, participating students would die.
Those who died were the most outstanding students of that year from the entire magic school. Such a painful price made the three Headmasters from a century ago and the Ministries of Magic of several countries unable to accept it, and they finally chose to shut down the competition completely.
By now, almost no one even remembered this competition. Why would it be restarted for no reason?
Regarding this, Kingsley, who had been rooted in the Ministry of Magic for over a decade, had heard some inside information.
"It is said that the revival of the Triwizard Tournament this time was spearheaded by the Minister for Magic, Fudge."
He spoke softly, and with just this one sentence, everything was self-evident.
Cornelius Fudge, this Minister for Magic who had lived in Dumbledore's shadow ever since taking office, had never once relaxed his efforts to establish his own authority in the Wizarding World.
In the first few years after taking office, he was still obedient and followed Dumbledore's lead. Basically, whenever the Ministry of Magic had any major decisions, he would come to Hogwarts to consult Dumbledore.
Until he gradually discovered that the old man hiding in the towering Castle tower, eating cockroach clusters and drinking lemon sherbet, really had no interest in controlling the government affairs of the Wizarding World.
Fudge's courage grew larger and larger.
He wanted to suppress Dumbledore's prestige in the Wizarding World while simultaneously raising his own reputation, thereby extending his time in this position.
Successfully hosting a grand competition that hadn't been held in a century was undoubtedly a brilliant political achievement.
And if any problems arose during this competition, or if Hogwarts, which was pinned with high hopes by the British wizarding public, did not win the championship, he could also conveniently shift the blame onto Dumbledore.
After all, the students were taught by Dumbledore, and the competition was held on Dumbledore's turf.
The good reputation would be taken by him, Fudge, and the blame would be carried by you, Dumbledore.
Those in politics, whether bold or timid, all have equally dirty hearts.
This was also the reason why, even though it was the will of the people, Dumbledore still refused to enter the Ministry of Magic and take the position of Minister back then.
"Ha, if our Minister could put all the effort he spends on these sordid schemes into proper business, I reckon his reputation would have already spread throughout the Wizarding World."
Sherlock sneered.
Fudge's petty little schemes were as obvious in front of Dumbledore as Harry saying he hadn't been wandering at night with shifty eyes.
It's just that the things they care about and their levels of understanding are different; Fudge craves reputation and power, while Dumbledore considers everything he obsesses over as nothing.
Although Kingsley understood matters in the political arena, he didn't want to dwell on them, and he shook his head.
"Regardless of the reason, the revival of the Triwizard Tournament is, after all, a major event."
Casually throwing the bamboo stick in his hand into a nearby rubbish bin, Sherlock stood up and brushed the non-existent dust off his body.
"We keep drifting into these exhausting topics as we chat. Forget it, I won't bother you any more. You continue strolling through Diagon Alley. There's someone waiting for me at the Leaky Cauldron, and if I don't get over there, she might get anxious waiting."
Kingsley also sighed and stood up.
"Try to be careful at Hogwarts this year too."
Sherlock shrugged and spread his hands.
"What do I have to worry about? The Triwizard Tournament is a competition for students; what does it have to do with me, a Defence Against the Dark Arts professor?"
Kingsley's face was as heavy as water.
"After Moody retired, Dumbledore contacted him privately, wanting him to stay at Hogwarts for the coming year. I don't know the specific reason, but something is definitely not right."
Sherlock patted his shoulder.
"Rest assured, I will pay attention."
The two parted ways in Diagon Alley. Kingsley had lost interest in strolling, so he left directly using Apparition.
Sherlock went straight to the Leaky Cauldron. As soon as he entered, he spotted the young girl sitting quietly at a wooden table, silently staring at the teacup in front of her.
He sat down in front of Hilke. Seeing that there was nothing around her, he asked curiously.
"Where are the things you bought?"
"I had the shop assistant send them directly home via Owl post."
While she was speaking, she was still staring blankly at the teacup on the table. Her answer to Sherlock was like an unconscious mutter.
Sherlock noticed her strangeness and leaned over to look at what was in the teacup, but saw nothing except a layer of tea dregs at the bottom.
"What do you see?"
Hilke murmured softly,
"A snake... a venomous snake that is shedding its skin and being reborn."