Chapter 252
: Wade said I can do it!
Chapter 252: Wade said I can do it!
On the morning of May 5, almost everyone got up early and went to the maze area after breakfast.
No matter how confident he had been before, at this moment, Harry, with his messy hair, felt his stomach full when he thought about competing with many young wizards who were older and better than him.
He forced himself to eat something and then drink some pumpkin juice. He didn't want to eat too much for fear of throwing it up later.
"Let's go."
Hermione, who also looked nervous, came over and patted Harry on the shoulder:
"Everyone is ready."
"Okay... okay."
Harry stood up hastily and glanced at Ron subconsciously, only to see that he was sitting with Percy.
It seemed that Percy was imparting some experience to him, and Ron opened his mouth slightly, looking silly.
This time, they belonged to different teams and were not friends, but competitors.
Harry walked towards the group of people in the Umbrella House.
Michael's smile was strained, and he wordlessly stretched out his hand and high-fived Harry.
"Come on! You can do it!"
Padma said, shaking her fist.
She didn't like fighting and was afraid of getting hurt, so she chose to be a spectator.
When they reached the center of the long table, Neville joined the team. When he stood up, his legs were shaking with nervousness.
The rules require that each participating team can have no more than six people.
Harry, Hermione, Michael, Theo and Ryan, these five people are confirmed to participate.
Padma and Wade withdrew, the Weasley twins formed a team with older students, and finally Neville, who had been shrinking, had to take over.
"I...I can't do this..."
When signing up, Neville said with a trembling voice: "When I get nervous, I forget all the spells..."
"Then take a sword!"
Wade held his shoulders and said firmly: "Believe me, you can do it!"
Then he really made a sword for Neville, which shone with cold light and looked very sharp.
Vader also hesitated for a while before handing it to Neville.
"I think you should know that this thing can't be used on people - and of course, don't accidentally use it on yourself."
Neville took the sword tremblingly and asked:
"No... no, okay?"
"Of course—it's your decision," Vader said.
Michael also asked, “Can the competition bring this thing in?”
Wade said: "If the rules don't say no, then yes."
At this moment in the auditorium, Neville hung the sword as long as his calf beside him. He was wearing clothes that were convenient for movement. If you ignored his face, he was still very handsome.
But Neville's face was pale and he looked like he was about to faint.
"Don't forget to breathe, Neville."
Theo reminded:
"Take a few deep breaths. I think this will help you."
Michael felt bad, but he still encouraged:
"Come on! We don't have to win the championship, but we have to go straight in."
"…Michael, are you so pessimistic?"
Ryan couldn't help but complain.
As they joked around, Neville's tension finally eased a little, and then he heard Theo ask:
"Harry, didn't Vader say you had an advantage? What is it?"
Harry shook his head: "He said I would know when we enter the venue... But I think it should be..." He bit his tongue and made a slight "hissing" sound, and Neville suddenly realized:
"Oh, that..."
"Don't say it!"
Padma stopped him immediately and Neville quickly covered his mouth with his hand.
But Theo shook his head:
"I guessed so...but I don't think so."
Michael followed with affirmation:
"Don't forget that there will be not only other teams on the field, but also people from the Ministry of Magic. If they find us..."
He lowered his voice significantly and swallowed the rest of his words.
Everyone understands what it means - although we don’t know what the result will be, it will definitely be bad.
Then, Michael changed the subject:
"But if the situation is urgent, you can use it secretly. We will cover for you then, just don't let anyone find out."
Harry nodded slightly, but his heart was still heavy.
They walked out of the castle.
The weather was very good that day, neither too hot nor too cold. There was a thin layer of clouds in the sky, blocking the sun which had been getting hotter recently.
The participating teams have begun to gather in front of different entrances to the maze. Filch and Hagrid are checking the lists one by one. Professor McGonagall is staring at the students with a serious face to prevent them from sneaking in.
"Today's maze is different from usual. There are many more dangerous items. If you want to quit, there's still time!"
Harry heard Professor McGonagall say this loudly, and he thought to himself:
"Everyone came here prepared. Who would quit at this point?"
Then, before the echo of the thought disappeared from his mind, he saw a team of first-year girls suddenly raise their hands, and then run out from the contestant line laughing.
There was also a Hufflepuff team pleading with Filch:
"...That guy was too nervous yesterday and drank a little bit of wine. He couldn't get up this morning because he vomited. But even if there are only five of us, we can still participate in the competition, right?"
"no!"
Filch said sternly:
"Even if only one person quits, the entire team will forfeit! That's the rule!"
He crossed out their names mercilessly.
People gradually left the team. Neville was nervous and anxious, and almost wanted to leave the team.
At this time, a group of people came over, led by Malfoy, whom Harry hated the most.
He glanced at their team and laughed:
"I heard you're going to participate in the competition, is that true, Longbottom? Are you planning to perform some clumsy acrobatics to make your enemies laugh so they'll let you go?"
Neville's face was still pale, but the trembling of his body suddenly stopped.
"I can! Vader said I can!"
"Oh?"
Malfoy said coldly:
"Then I have to say that his eyesight has been a little bad recently. It's time for him to take Potter's glasses and wear them."
"Get lost, Malfoy!"
Harry stepped forward with his fists clenched, and said angrily:
"Otherwise we'll have a fight now!"
"What are you doing?"
Professor McGonagall noticed the conflict and immediately strode over and said sternly:
"Malfoy, I remember you're not at this entrance! Get back to your team right now!"
"Got it, Professor."
Malfoy said reluctantly, glared at the two Gryffindors from an angle where the professor couldn't see, and walked towards another entrance next to him.
Professor McGonagall glanced at this mixed team of students from three houses and her tone softened slightly, but still remained serious.
"Please, at least be quiet today! Many people in the Ministry of Magic are watching your performance!"
Following her gaze, Harry and the others saw the Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge, and also saw Wade who was also standing there.
(End of this chapter)