Hogwarts: Harry Potter’s Return from the Witcher World

Most of the young wizards retired to bed early. Many of them, like Ron, were scheming ways to invite Viktor Krum to their dormitories, and a few overly bold Gryffindor girls even had similar ideas.

Krum, however, didn't get a chance to even consider their invitations. Karkaroff swooped in protectively like a mother hen: "Alright, Viktor, time to return to the ship. Don't interact too much with these girls."

"They're just like your fangirls back home—here to distract you, trying to throw you off your game in the Triwizard Tournament."

Krum nodded blankly, not entirely sure what was happening.

The rest of the Durmstrang students obediently followed their headmaster back to the ship, their enthusiasm effectively doused.

Madame Maxime, in contrast, was much more lenient. She allowed her students to explore the castle and even granted them permission to stay out until midnight. Fleur had intended to rope Harry into giving her a tour of the castle—or at the very least, charm the red-haired boy into helping her—but when she turned around, Harry, Hermione, and Ron had already vanished.

The Next Morning

Harry stuck to his usual routine: morning exercise. The presence of visiting students didn't change much for him.

The only exception was Viktor Krum. The Quidditch star rose early as well but trained differently. He stripped off his outer robes, revealing a lean and fit physique—perfect for a Seeker. Without hesitation, he dove into the cold waters of the Black Lake.

When Harry finished his first lap around the castle grounds, Krum was still in the lake. By the time Harry completed his second lap, Krum had only just emerged to start strength and endurance exercises.

It wasn't until Harry finished practicing with his swords that Krum finally disappeared back onto the Durmstrang ship.

That morning, Hogwarts was unusually lively.

Many students woke up earlier than usual, eager to submit their names to the Goblet of Fire before the crowd grew. However, everyone seemed to have the same idea, leading to a bottleneck near the Goblet. When Harry walked into the Great Hall, he found a cluster of Gryffindors, Hufflepuffs, and Ravenclaws—and even a few Slytherins—standing nervously around the Goblet.

They glanced at one another, their smiles polite but strained.

Hearing approaching footsteps, they turned and saw Harry. Their faces turned pale, panic flashing in their eyes.

It was as if they'd been caught red-handed doing something they shouldn't. The Gryffindors, in particular, reacted poorly. Some tripped over their own feet and landed in a heap, accidentally tossing crumpled slips of parchment into the Goblet.

The Hufflepuffs also looked uneasy, as though worried that Harry might notice their efforts.

Only the Slytherins and Ravenclaws maintained their composure, calmly lining up to deposit their names.

Harry paid them no mind. Without sparing them a glance, he walked to the Gryffindor table, picked up his breakfast, and carried it back to the common room.

There, he found Hermione reading and Ron still asleep, muttering in his dreams about French lamb chops, German sausages, and Swedish meatballs.

Throughout the day, the castle buzzed with excitement, but Harry and Hermione were unaffected.

After breakfast, Harry went to Professor McGonagall's office for his usual lessons, spent part of the afternoon at Hagrid's hut, and then headed to Snape's office for more private instruction.

The Halloween Feast

When it was time for the evening feast, Harry and Snape reluctantly made their way to the Great Hall.

The Hall was decorated with the usual pumpkins and bats, a classic Halloween aesthetic. However, no one cared about the festivities this year. The professors, especially Professor Sprout, seemed slightly disappointed. She had prepared an abundance of candy, but no one had shown any interest in it.

Even Ron grumbled, "Why do we even need a dinner right now? Can't they just announce the champions already?"

The feast dragged on.

"Harry, where were you today?" Fleur Delacour asked as she twirled her fork, her gaze fixed on Harry, who was seated across from her. "I waited for you in the Great Hall."

"Call me Potter," Harry replied, as curtly as ever.

"Does Beauxbatons teach Delacour how to use magic but not proper manners?" Hermione interjected coldly. "Harry's already corrected you three—or is it four?—times now. Why are you still so presumptuous?"

"Miss Granger seems to have quite a low opinion of me," Fleur said as she sipped her pumpkin juice. "As someone who is practically guaranteed to be a champion, I believe it's important to get to know each other better."

Hermione smiled faintly. "Are you so insecure in your abilities, Miss Delacour?"

Fleur returned the smile. "I simply thought you made a fair point last night. I should take the time to recognize the strengths of others."

"Well, you don't need to strain your eyes looking for Harry's strengths. He's brimming with them," Hermione said, tapping her plate lightly with her knife.

"Is Potter really that exceptional in your eyes, Miss Granger?" Fleur teased, a mischievous glint in her eye.

Hermione's cheeks turned crimson as she glared at Fleur, flustered. What was with this woman? Did she always have to make such suggestive comments?

Oddly enough, the banter seemed to soften the tension between the two girls, much to Ron's confusion. Women really are strange creatures, he thought.

Finally, the feast ended.

Dumbledore stood and approached the Goblet of Fire. "Thank you all for waiting. The Goblet is ready to make its decision. In just a moment, we'll know who our champions are."

He raised his wand and extinguished every candle in the Hall. Even the jack-o'-lanterns dimmed, leaving the starry night sky outside as the only source of light.

The students held their breath.

The Goblet's flames flared suddenly, blue-white at first before turning red. With a whoosh, the first slip of parchment shot out. Dumbledore caught it deftly.

"The Durmstrang champion," he announced solemnly. "Viktor Krum!"

Thunderous applause erupted throughout the Hall.

From the Slytherin table, Karkaroff cheered loudly, waving his arms as if his own child had been selected. "Viktor! Fantastic! I knew it would be you!"

Krum stood, his expression modest, and walked through the doors behind the staff table.

The Goblet flared again, and a second slip of parchment emerged.

"The Beauxbatons champion," Dumbledore read, "Fleur Delacour!"

Fleur rose gracefully from the Gryffindor table. She gave Harry a subtle nod. "I'll be waiting for you in the next room," she said before tossing her hair dramatically and walking toward the door.

Hermione glared daggers at her retreating figure, teeth clenched.

The Goblet ignited a third time, and the Hall fell silent.

"The Hogwarts champion," Dumbledore declared with a smile, "Harry Potter!"

The Gryffindor table erupted in cheers. Fireworks, prepared by Fred and George, shot into the air, forming a golden griffin that soared around the Hall.

Harry rose, donning the Sorting Hat, and walked toward the staff table.

"Give us a Patronus, Harry!" Fred called.

Harry raised an eyebrow but obliged.

"Expecto Patronum!"

A massive silver griffin burst forth from his wand, flying alongside the fireworks.

The room roared with excitement. Even the Slytherins clapped politely.

As Harry neared the door, the Goblet flared again, spewing out a fourth slip of parchment.

Dumbledore caught it, his expression growing puzzled. "Harry Potter?"

Harry froze.

Dumbledore clarified, "No, Harry, not you again. The Goblet has produced another slip—also with your name."

The Hall fell into stunned silence.

Before anyone could react further, the Goblet erupted for a fifth time.

Another slip of parchment flew out.

"Harry Potter, Gryffindor," Dumbledore read, his tone growing stranger.

The Hall descended into a bizarre mixture of disbelief and confusion. Even the professors were at a loss for words.

Dumbledore turned to Harry. "Don't worry about this for now. Proceed to the champions' room. We'll handle this."

Harry hesitated but nodded, walking through the door. This can't be a good sign.

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Powerstones?

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