Hogwarts: This professor is too Muggle.

Chapter 402 Meeting
Seventy feet deep in the cave.

The light from the cave entrance couldn't reach this place; only some minerals on the rock walls glowed with phosphorescence. Cedric and Harry led the way, while Hermione kept watch for any possible changes from behind.

The nest is inhabited by the Norwegian Spinosaurus, one of the most aggressive and dangerous fire dragons. There is a high probability that the cave contains golden eggs, or even black and white dragon eggs that will determine the outcome of the competition.

This was the final result after discussion among the three. As Harry said, for three wizards who had not yet graduated, all the dragons were insurmountable, so they might as well give it their all.

"Check the nest carefully later to see if there are any precious dragon eggs. If they are just ordinary colored dragon eggs, we will try to distract the fire dragon and steal them quietly. If they are golden eggs, we will proceed as planned."

Harry lowered his voice and said, "I'll summon a broom to lure the dragon away, and you can take the dragon egg."

"What if it's a black or white dragon egg?"

Cedric asked, "You're the Seeker, so you know very well that it's the Golden Snitch set up by the tournament committee. Anyone who touches the black and white dragon egg will immediately have their score calculated. If you don't have a dragon egg in your hand at that time, you'll get zero points for this event."

He could sense that Harry's attitude towards him was very subtle, with a hint of hostility, but also a willingness to reveal information about dragons, which was the cornerstone of their cooperation.

Harry didn't hesitate much: "Then give me a regular dragon egg first."

Rita Skeeter's article was fabricated, but she did get some things right: Harry wasn't afraid of danger, he trusted Professor Levent, and he believed his parents were protecting him from the shadows.

Winning the Goblet of Fire is very attractive, but the first event does not represent the final result. The purpose of teamwork is to give Hogwarts a more favorable ranking as a whole and gain more points, even if those points are not counted towards his score.

After informing Cedric of the relevant information, he also considered revealing the news about the dragon to the other two warriors, but before he could take action, the other schools had already won over Roger and Perrykin.

They reached the depths of the cave, where the damp darkness was dispelled. A Norwegian Ridgeback was sleeping and snoring, its long breaths spewing out bright flames that dried the damp earth and illuminated its lair.

This Norwegian Spinosaurus is completely different from the juvenile Norberta. It has a black ridge on its back, its sharp teeth are bluish-black and obviously venomous, and its body is covered with many sharp spikes.

Cedric extended his wand and gently tapped it on the rock beneath the dragon. The Transfiguration spell rippled outwards, maintaining the original shape but making the material as clear and transparent as glass.

The dragon eggs hidden among the scales and rocks were revealed: a pure black dragon egg, a gold egg, and three blue dragon eggs.

It was more generous than expected.

The three exchanged a glance, their hearts racing. Cedric was the first to calm down: "The three blue eggs are on the outside. Take them out first. The gold egg is kept close to the body, and the pure black dragon egg is tucked into its claws. Don't touch them yet."

“You guys stay here and get the dragon egg. I’ll retreat to a safe distance so as not to disturb the dragon and summon my fire crossbow.” Harry’s voice was very low.

Hermione nodded: "Be careful, let's begin."

The two outstanding students simultaneously used their shapeshifting magic, and the rock beneath the fire dragon silently changed shape, holding the dragon's scales in place. Holes were then carved out in the middle, and the surface where the colorful dragon eggs were stored became steep and tilted, as if an invisible hand was pushing the dragon eggs, moving them outwards silently.

Harry walked back a dozen feet, closed his eyes, focused his mind on his Firebolt, and silently recited the spell he had practiced a thousand times.

"A broom flies by!" he shouted.

After a long time, something flew in from a distant place, entered the cave, and made a whooshing sound as it passed through the air. Finally, it came to a stop and floated in mid-air in front of him.

……

Piccolo shuffled through the dark, deep cave, raised his lit wand, and used the Illumination Charm to examine the footprints on the ground.

This cave was even deeper and quieter than the one they had chosen, so quiet that only the sound of Krum's footsteps could be heard ahead, his feet slightly turned outwards, equally cautious and steady. Clearly, it was a dragon species far more dangerous than the longhorned dinosaur.

Pickley touched the glass ball in his pocket, feeling a sense of security.

Not long ago, I personally witnessed the entire crew of Beauxbatons floating in mid-air, enveloped in transparent bubbles, and being transferred one by one by the zookeepers. None of them showed any signs of missing limbs or being burned to a crisp. Apart from being somewhat dazed, they showed no other abnormalities.

Those chosen to become warriors were all bright students from their respective schools, and they quickly understood the function of the glass ball.

Krum wanted to maximize his profits from the glass ball, while Pickley wanted to give Harry a heads-up. This was probably due to the difference in teaching philosophies between Durmstrang and Ilfamoni.

"Whoosh..."

The whistling sound of wind breaking through the dark, enclosed cave echoed, growing ever closer, almost startling Pickley so much that he crushed his glass marble. Something had flown in from outside the cave.

The thing quickly swept past, leaving a trail of afterimages in the silvery glow of the Illumination Spell.

A flying broom?
Doesn't the competition committee prohibit bringing props other than wands?
Pickley paused for a few seconds, then immediately sped up and headed deeper into the cave, no longer caring whether Krum would notice.

“Give me the chance to be a hero, Harry. I’ve always wanted to experience the thrill of a firebolt.” Cedric’s voice echoed from the depths of the cave, the handsome and gentle Hufflepuff warrior.

"The fire bolts are too fast; it takes skill to control them."

"Don't forget I'm a Seeker too, Harry."

"What I mean is, it needs a break-in period,"

"..."

On the open ground in front of the dragon's nest, two figures were fighting over a broom. When they heard footsteps approaching, they immediately turned their wands and looked back warily.

A tall, thin figure slowly approached. It was Krum of Durmstrang, walking with a slightly pigeon-toed gait and an expressionless face as he passed by them. Some said Krum was expressionless; no one could fathom his thoughts.

Harry and Cedric were genuinely baffled at this point.

"Stop, Krum! This is the cave we chose!" Hermione shouted, blocking his way.

“Blue, golden eggs…” Krum turned his head, his eyes flashing with surprise, “And pure black dragon eggs!”

It was unclear who Lady Luck was favoring. He missed the first two times, but found the right answer on the third. Whether it was a golden egg or a black egg, it was the result he had been dreaming of. What was most remarkable was that these three warriors did not know the function of the glass ball and were afraid of the fire dragon, so they dared not make a move.

This somewhat dramatic match is about to end. He plans to retrieve both the golden egg and the black egg at the same time, angering the fire dragon, which will then unleash dragonfire that sweeps through the cave, triggering the glass ball and calculating the score.

Krum was overjoyed, but he didn't show it much on his face. There was a witch blocking his way, and he was still some distance away from the two dragon eggs.

Don't let him get past!

Suddenly, footsteps approached again, alerting the three to be on guard.

(End of this chapter)