Harry Potter and the Hidden Treasure (Volume 3)

Chapter 585 The Games Begin

All day long, Evan, Harry, and Hermione had been assisting Ron in practicing the Summoning Charm.

They practiced until 10 o'clock at night. They would have continued for longer, but Peeves showed up and, pretending that Harry wanted things thrown at him, began flinging chairs around the room.

The four hurriedly left before the noise could alert Filch.

They returned to the Gryffindor Common Room, which was now blissfully empty.

After more than three hours, well past midnight, Ron finally mastered the Summoning Charm. Surrounding him, there were piles of objects: books, quills, several overturned chairs, an old Gobstones set, and Neville's toad, Trevor!

"Much improved, Ron. You've truly made great progress," Hermione said, looking exhausted but very pleased.

"I learned the spell!" Ron exclaimed joyfully, raising his wand and pointing it at the book on the round table. In the next moment, the book "Breeding Dragons for Fun and Profit" shot out, flew across the room, and Ron caught it.

"Congratulations, Ron, you have completely mastered this magic," Harry said happily. "Now I know what to do next time we struggle with a spell: let Evan and Hermione threaten us with a dragon! It's a very useful method."

"It's not easy. I learned this spell, but I'm not sure," Ron said, still a bit worried. "You know, the broom will be much farther away than things here, it will be in the castle, and I'll be outside in the courtyard."

"No matter," Hermione said firmly. "As long as you truly focus, with great determination, it will work."

"Now, it's best we go to sleep. Tomorrow, you will learn the Conjunctivitis Curse. This spell is much more challenging than Accio!" Evan remarked.

Ron had been practicing the Conjunctivitis Curse for a long time, but on Monday, they practiced until three in the morning, so that Ron could fully master the curse and not be too nervous or excited when casting it.

Everything was set, and the rest now depended on Ron's performance.

Ron was now somewhat more confident than before and less nervous.

Evan felt as if he had just laid down when Colin awakened him.

He dressed absentmindedly and followed Colin to the Great Hall. The atmosphere in the school was one of great tension and excitement.

Everyone in Gryffindor was cheering for Ron and wishing him luck, while Malfoy was full of cynicism.

Ron seemed extremely nervous and slow to react. He appeared indifferent to everything around him and rarely spoke.

Classes at the school would break at noon, giving all students time to head to the dragon enclosure.

Professor McGonagall arrived and took Ron aside, and Evan, Harry, Hermione, Ginny, Fred, and George hurried to follow.

"Weasley, the champions must go down to the courtyard now. You must prepare for your first task," Professor McGonagall said sternly, looking at Evan and the others. "The six of you, follow us!"

She seemed to think that Ron would feel better with them by his side.

Professor McGonagall also looked nervous. She was almost as anxious as Hermione and Ginny.

As she led them down the stone steps and into the cold November afternoon, she placed her hand on Ron's shoulder.

"Well, don't panic!" she said. "Just keep a cool head. We have wizards ready to step in if things get out of control. If you can't do it, just retreat. It's not shameful. The important thing is not completing the task but doing your best and staying alive. No one will think less of you. Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," Ron murmured.

"Very well," Professor McGonagall said.

She was leading them toward the place where the dragons were, at the edge of the forest.

As they approached the cluster of trees behind which the enclosure would be clearly visible, they saw that a tent had been erected with the entrance facing them, concealing the dragons from view.

"You have to go in here with the other champions, Weasley!" Professor McGonagall said, her voice trembling. "You will wait your turn. Mr. Bagman is inside... he will explain the procedure to you. Good luck!"

She smiled weakly, looked anxiously at Ron, and then guided him towards the tent entrance.

Professor McGonagall did not allow Evan and the others to enter, so they all had to take turns saying goodbye to Ron.

It was as if Ron was being sent to the battlefield. He would perish there, and they would not see him again.

Ginny, in particular, could not help but cry upon learning that Ron was about to face a dragon.

Ron was pale. He gazed at them with sorrow. He had not yet received Evan's Fire Protection Potion, and it would not be wise for him to enter the task in that state.

However, Professor McGonagall was still present, so it was not possible to discuss that.

"You will succeed, Ron!" Evan approached and whispered, "Wait for me inside. I'll be there in a minute."

"I'll wait for you!" Ron said in a voice quite different from his own. Then, he turned around and entered the tent, staggering.

Cedric was sitting on a wooden stool in a corner and did not go to see Ron.

This made Ron feel very upset. This boy clearly had received the news about the dragon from him and Harry, but showed no gratitude, as if nothing had happened.

Ever since Gryffindor won the Quidditch match, Ron had been displeasing this individual for a long time.

Both he and Cedric were champions, but only one of them could represent Hogwarts, and they had to be separated.

Similarly, Fleur disregarded Ron. She didn't seem as composed as usual, appearing rather pale and sweaty, huddled in a chair.

She was the only girl among the champions. While looking at Fleur, Ron couldn't help but wonder how he could defeat the dragon.

As for Krum, he appeared even gloomier than usual and continued pacing back and forth in the tent.

After seeing Ron, he approached and whispered a few words. By now, he had forged a good relationship with Ron.

In Ron's opinion, he was the sole confidant of Krum at Hogwarts, which made him feel honored.

To those enthusiasts, Krum didn't even acknowledge them.

"Do you know how to triumph over dragons?" Ron couldn't resist inquiring.