Joanne Rowling

"Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. Summary."

Chapter One: The Enigma of the Riddle House

Perched atop a hill in Little Hangleton, the Riddle House emanates an aura of intrigue. Its dark past has shrouded it in mystery for decades. Fifty years ago, the Riddle family, its inhabitants, met their demise in a perplexing manner, leaving behind no visible signs of harm. It was as if they had been gripped by an unfathomable terror, their lives extinguished without warning. The blame initially fell on Frank Bryce, the Riddles' rigid and reclusive gardener. Even though he was interrogated and proven innocent, the villagers continued to harbor suspicions, causing the local boys to frequently harass him.



One fateful night, half a century later, an elderly Frank refills his hot water bottle to alleviate the ache in his joints. As he does so, a brilliant light emanates from within the Riddle House, signaling that the boys have ignited a fire. Frank, with a limp, makes his way to the house, utilizing his spare key to gain entry. He ascends the dusty staircase and stands in the hallway, adjacent to a room where he overhears a conversation between two voices. One voice carries an air of dominance, while the other exudes nervous submissiveness. Listening intently, Frank learns that the commanding voice belongs to none other than Lord Voldemort, who reveals his sinister plans to his subordinate, Wormtail. Voldemort instructs Wormtail to await the conclusion of the Quidditch World Cup before capturing a boy named Harry Potter.

Wormtail tentatively proposes an alternative candidate, but Lord Voldemort adamantly refuses. To affirm his loyalty, Wormtail reminds his master that he provided crucial information through the unfortunate demise of Bertha Jorkins, whom they had to eliminate to safeguard their secrets. Frank is horrified by this revelation, but his terror amplifies when a massive, twelve-foot-long snake slithers past him and into the room, engaging in a chilling conversation with Lord Voldemort. In that moment, Voldemort calls upon Frank, who reluctantly enters the room, only to be swiftly struck down by a blinding flash of green light. Simultaneously, miles away, Harry Potter awakens from his slumber.

Chapter Two: The Mark of Pain

Harry Potter, a fourteen-year-old wizard, awakens to the throbbing agony of the scar on his forehead. In the darkness of his room, alarm washes over him as he recalls that this pain always heralds the presence of Lord Voldemort. The book delves into the background, explaining that Voldemort is themalevolent leader of the dark forces in the wizarding world, responsible for the murder of Harry's parents and the origin of his scar. After slaying Harry's parents, Voldemort attempted to kill Harry with the same curse. Miraculously, the curse rebounded, stripping Voldemort of his power while imprinting a permanent scar on Harry's forehead, orphaning him in the process.



Anxious and uncertain, Harry paces the room, contemplating his next course of action. Sharing his concerns with the Dursleys, his resentful relatives with whom he resides, is out of the question. They despise his presence as well as the existence of magic itself. Informing his best friend Hermione would only cause unnecessary alarm, leading her to insist on involving Dumbledore. As for his other loyal companion, Ron, Harry anticipates his dismissal of the situation as a false alarm. After careful consideration, Harry resolves to write a letter to Sirius Black, his godfather, whom he helped escape in the events chronicled in "Harry

Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban." Wrongly accused of heinous crimes, including the murder of thirteen individuals and betrayal of Harry's parents to Voldemort, Black's innocence was later revealed. Harry swiftly composes a concise letter before descending to join his friends for breakfast.

Chapter Three: The Invitation

As Harry descends the stairs for breakfast, the usual indifference greets him. Uncle Vernon hides behind his newspaper, while Dudley sulks indignantly over the sliced grapefruit Aunt Petunia is preparing. Dudley's school has informed the Dursleys that they don't have pants large enough to accommodate his considerable size, prompting Dursley to embark on a diet. Aunt Petunia has imposed the same dietary restrictions on the entire family, a challenge that Harry has managed to overcome by requesting his friends to send him food via owl.



The tranquility of breakfast is disrupted by the arrival of the postman, who delivers a letter that catches Uncle Vernon's attention. In a fit of anger, he summons Harry to a separate room. The letter is from Molly Weasley, Ron's mother, inviting Harry to join their family for the Quidditch World Cup and spend the rest of the summer with them. Uncle Vernon's ire intensifies when he notices the envelope adorned with numerous stamps. He vehemently expresses his displeasure at the idea of Harry being away for the summer, but he also doesn't want Harry to think he has won by leaving. In a casual remark, Harry mentions his need to finisha letter to Sirius Black, which visibly terrifies Uncle Vernon. Grudgingly, he allows Harry to leave, not wanting a convicted murderer to believe Harry is being mistreated.



Harry happily bounds upstairs, elated to find his snowy owl, Hedwig,

back from a nightly flight. Another smaller owl, named Pig, is zipping around the room. It's Ron Weasley's new owl, delivering a note instructing Harry to be ready for their departure to the Quidditch Cup the following night at five. Harry promptly responds to Ron's message and sends his letter to Sirius, feeling optimistic about the upcoming end of summer.

Chapter Four: Return to the Burrow

By noon the next day, Harry has packed his trunks and is prepared to leave. The Dursleys remain eerily quiet and filled with trepidation. Uncle Vernon sneers, making snide remarks about his hopes that the Weasleys will dress appropriately. As five o'clock approaches, the Weasleys have yet to arrive. Finally, at a quarter past five, loud banging noises emanate from the boarded-up fireplace, signaling the Weasleys' attempt to travel via Floo Powder. Arthur Weasley's voice advises Harry to stand back just before the fireplace erupts, revealing Ron, the mischievous twins Fred and George, and their father, Arthur. They politely greet the Dursleys, who stare in bewildered silence. Meanwhile, Dudley retreats in a panic, clutching his posterior, which sprouted a pig's tail during his previous encounter with a grown wizard.



Fred and George make their way upstairs to retrieve Harry's trunk from his room, while Mr. Weasley valiantly attempts conversation with the unresponsive Dursleys. When the twins return with Harry's trunk, a pocketful of sweets accidentally spills from one of their pockets on the way back to the fireplace. Harry and Mr. Weasley remain as the sole wizards in the living room. To their surprise, Dudley seizes one of the sweets and his tongue promptly swells. Aunt Petunia shrieks and desperately tries to remove his enlarged tongue, while Uncle Vernon hurls ornaments at Mr. Weasley. Mr. Weasley endeavors to restore Dudley's tongue to its normal size.

Chapter Five: Weasleys' Wizarding Wonders

Arriving at The Burrow, the Weasley family home, Harry feels disoriented after his Floo powder journey. The kitchen table is occupied by two older Weasley siblings: Charlie, who works with dragons in Romania, and Bill, employed at Gringotts bank in Egypt. The fireplace erupts, and Mr. Weasley emerges, infuriated with the twins for giving Dudley Ton-Tongue Toffee. Molly Weasley, the matriarch, entersthe room, and Harry, Ron, Ron's sister Ginny, and Hermione retreat upstairs to evade her wrath. Along the way, they encounter Percy, the hardworking brother who recently graduated from Hogwarts and now serves at the Ministry of Magic. While Ron admires his older siblings, he holds disdain for Percy.



In Ron's room, they discuss Percy's job and Weasleys' Wizarding Wonders, a line of magical pranks that Fred and George have been perfecting. Molly disapproves of their antics. Eventually, they descend to find Mrs. Weasley cooking dinner and expressing her frustration with the twins. Outside, Bill and Charlie entertain themselves by levitating and colliding tables with magic. Percy shouts from his window, demanding quiet. As twilight sets in, they gather for a cozy meal filled with typical family disputes. Percy complains about Ludo Bagman, a friend of Mr. Weasley's and the head of Magical Games and Sports at the Ministry of Magic, who lost an employee named Bertha Jorkins. Mrs. Weasley instructs Bill to cut his hair and remove his earring. The twins and Charlie discuss their predictions for the upcoming Quidditch World Cup. Harry finds solace in the warm atmosphere of the Weasley household and eagerly anticipates the World Cup.

Chapter Six: The Portkey

The next morning, Mr. Weasley wakes Harry, dressed inconspicuously in Muggle attire instead of his usual wizarding robes. He aims to blend in and avoid drawing attention as they venture outside the magical world for the World Cup. Ron, Ginny, Hermione, Fred, George, and Harry must depart early to reach the Cup on time. The eldest three Weasley siblings are able to Apparate, vanishing from one place and reappearing almost instantaneously elsewhere. Fatigue and irritability accompany the early morning hours. Tensions rise when Mrs. Weasley casts the "Accio!" spell, summoning numerous Ton-Tongue Toffees from the twins' pockets. Except for Mrs. Weasley, everyone leaves the house and braves the chilly morning air to reach Stoatshead Hill. Mr. Weasley explains that since it would be impossible to accommodate thousands of wizards on the Hogwarts Express or in Diagon Alley, alternative transportation methods are employed for events like the World Cup. In this instance, they will be using a Portkey.



Upon reaching the hilltop, they encounter Cedric Diggory, a handsome Hogwarts student and the Seeker for the Hufflepuff Quidditch team, along with his father, Amos Diggory. Amos notices Harry and proceeds to embarrass everyone by boasting about Cedric's victory over the renowned HarryPotter in last year's Quidditch match between the Hogwarts houses. The Diggorys have located the Portkey, an old boot, and at five o'clock in the morning, they all touch it. The Portkey jolts them from their navels and propels them through the air in a disorienting spin. They eventually arrive at the campground, though only Mr. Diggory, Mr. Weasley, and Cedric manage to land gracefully on their feet.

Chapter Seven: Bagman and Crouch

At the Quidditch World Cup site, Harry, Hermione, and the Weasleys are

directed to their designated campgrounds. Mr. Weasley, struggling with Muggle currency, interacts with the site manager, Mr. Roberts. The task of concealing the presence of a hundred thousand wizards proves challenging, with Ministry officials repeatedly modifying Mr. Roberts' memory to prevent him from recalling the magical happenings. Tents, designed to resemble Muggle camping, dot the area, some even equipped with chimneys and purple fires.



After setting up their spacious tents, Ron, Harry, and Hermione venture to fetch water from the tap. Along the way, they pass wizard children on miniature broomsticks, a banner from the Salem Witches' Institute, and tents adorned with shamrocks - supporters of the Irish national team. They then traverse the Bulgaria tents, covered in posters of Viktor Krum, the team's young and impressive Seeker, known for his stern expression. This experience highlights the vastness of the wizarding world to Harry.



Returning to their tent, they find Mr. Weasley enthusiastically attempting to light a fire with matches. Percy, Bill, and Charlie appear after Apparating. The group is soon visited by Ludo Bagman, the charismatic Head of Magical Games and Sports and a retired Quidditch Beater. Ludo engages in a spirited wager with Fred and George, betting on the outcome of the upcoming match. The twins wager their entire fortune that Ireland will win, with Krum catching the Snitch. Ludo complains about the Bulgarian Minister of Magic, who doesn't speak English, just as Barty Crouch, Percy's rigid and humorless boss who is fluent in over two hundred languages, Apparates. Percy bows and offers tea, but to everyone's amusement, Crouch mistakes him for Weatherby. They hint at an enigmatic event at Hogwarts before departing. Harry purchases expensive omnioculars for himself, Ron, and Hermione from a vendor, and they head to the field to watch the match.

Chapter Eight: The Quidditch World Cup

The Weasleys settle into their seats in the top box. Harry notices a solitary, bat-eared creature whom herecognizes as a house-elf named Winky. She reveals that she is saving a seat for her master and mentions her acquaintance with Dobby, the house-elf Harry freed two years earlier. Winky explains the subservient nature of house-elves and Dobby's unusual request for payment. Soon, Cornelius Fudge, the Minister of Magic, joins them in the top box, accompanied by the Malfoys, a wealthy and arrogant family associated with Harry's Hogwarts nemesis.



Ludo Bagman serves as the game commentator, and as he begins his commentary, the teams release their mascots. First, Bulgarian Veela, captivating Sirens with platinum hair, entrance the male audience members. Then, Irish Leprechauns form shapes in the sky and shower gold pieces onto the bleachers, which Ron eagerly collects to repay Harry for the omnioculars. The players take the field, and the exhilarating game commences. Harry is astounded by the speed of the match. The players zoom through the air, and Ireland takes an early lead. Harry uses his new omnioculars to watch the action in slow motion, capturing the intricate moves displayed on the screen. The mascots become increasingly animated, with the Veela, displeased by Bulgaria's performance, shedding their beautiful exterior to reveal their true, demonic bird-like heads. Krum astounds the audience with a remarkable move called the "Wronski Feint," a breathtaking dive for the Snitch that tricks the opposing Seeker, resulting in a crash. When Ireland secures a one hundred and sixty-point lead, Krum catches the Snitch, concluding the game in Ireland's favor. The crowd erupts in wild excitement, and Fred and George eagerly approach Ludo Bagman to collect their winnings.

Chapter Nine: The Dark Mark

After hours of discussing the Quidditch match, the Weasley tents eventually settle into silence as sleep takes hold. Suddenly, Mr. Weasley wakes Harry, urgently instructing him to step outside the tent. Harry obeys and witnesses a horrifying sight - a horde of masked and hooded wizards marching through the camp. They see Mr. Roberts, his family levitating above the crowd, and a wave of fear washes over them. Harry, Ron, and Hermione flee to the safety of the woods, where they encounter Draco Malfoy leaning against a tree, looking smug. Malfoy reveals that the mob is targeting Muggles and Mudbloods(a derogatory term for wizards of non-magical parentage, like Hermione). Disregarding Malfoy, the trio realizes that Harry's wand is missing. Amidst the chaos, they spot Winky the house-elf hobbling along, visibly distressed. Ludo Bagman appearsbriefly, his expression filled with alarm, before vanishing. Moments later, they hear a muttered incantation and witness a green smoky skull with a snake emerging high in the sky. Screams erupt from the surrounding woods. Suddenly, multiple wands are aimed at Harry, Ron, and Hermione, but they manage to dodge the Stupefy spells in the nick of time.



Mr. Weasley arrives to rescue them, only to be confronted by Mr. Crouch, who demands to know who conjured the Dark Mark. The trio explains that they heard a voice summoning it, but Mr. Crouch suspects them. Mr. Diggory ventures into the trees and returns carrying an unconscious Winky, holding a wand he found in her possession. Mr. Crouch reacts with horror and defensiveness. When Winky regains consciousness, Mr. Diggory questions her about the events. She vehemently denies involvement, and Harry notices that the wand she held is actually his own. This revelation sparks further suspicion, especially when Mr. Diggory reveals that this wand did indeed summon the Dark Mark. With Harry Potter and Mr. Crouch's house-elf being unlikely culprits, the fearful group disperses. Hermione becomes deeply upset witnessing Mr. Crouch threaten to dismiss Winky, and she passionately speaks about slavery and elf rights. As they return to their tents, Mr. Weasley reassures everyone that things are under control. He later explains to his children and Harry that the Death Eaters, followers of Voldemort, always conjure the Dark Mark after committing a murder. The Death Eaters, who were levitating the Muggles, would have been terrified by the Dark Mark,

fearing that Voldemort had returned to seek retribution for their perceived betrayal. They managed to escape Azkaban Prison. This knowledge shakes Harry, and he ponders if it relates to the recent pain in his scar.

Chapter Ten: Chaos at the Ministry

The Weasley family departs early the next morning, with Mrs. Weasley tearfully relieved to see them all alive after reading about the Dark Mark in the wizarding news. Mr. Weasley heads to the Ministry to address the rumors spread by reporter Rita Skeeter's article. Harry confides in Ron and Hermione about the pain in his scar, and their reactions align with his expectations. Over the following week, Percy and Mr. Weasley spend most of their time at the Ministry of Magic, while Harry, Hermione, and the Weasley children prepare for their return to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Bill enlightens them about Rita Skeeter'snotorious reputation for tarnishing the image of wizards in her news articles. The night before their departure, Mrs. Weasley presents the children with a bundle of freshly laundered dress robes. Ron throws a fit upon discovering his robes are second-hand and lacy, leaving Mrs. Weasley defeated as she exits the room. Harry sympathizes deeply with Ron's financial struggles, knowing that his own parents left him a small fortune while the Weasleys are constantly striving to make ends meet.

Chapter Eleven: Aboard the Hogwarts Express

The next morning, rain pours heavily, and the Weasleys, Harry, and Hermione awaken to Amos Diggory's head appearing in the fireplace. Amos informs them that Mad-Eye Moody mistakenly set his dustbins to attack what he believed was an intruder, resulting in his capture by

Muggle policemen. Despite his past as a renowned Auror, Moody has become old and suspicious. Mr. Weasley rushes off to the Ministry to address the situation, while the rest of the group boards three Muggle taxicabs that will take them to King's Cross Station. They enter Platform Nine and Three-Quarters and board the Hogwarts Express. Charlie hints that he may see them sooner than expected.



On the train, Harry, Ron, and Hermione overhear Draco Malfoy boasting to his friends about his father considering sending him to Durmstrang, a Dark Arts-focused wizarding school in Northern Europe. This leads to a discussion among the three friends about various European wizarding schools. They reunite with fellow students like Dean Thomas, Seamus Finnigan, and Neville Longbottom, who lives with his grandmother and didn't attend the World Cup. Ron carelessly drapes his new dress robe over Pig's owl cage, catching Malfoy's attention. Malfoy taunts Ron and cryptically mentions an upcoming event at Hogwarts. Eventually, they arrive at Hogwarts and are transported to the castle in horseless carriages, while the first-year students cross the lake in boats accompanied by Hagrid.

Chapter Twelve: The Triwizard Tournament

Upon entering the castle, the students are greeted by a barrage of water balloons thrown by Peeves, the mischievous poltergeist of Hogwarts. Soaked, they proceed to the Great Hall for dinner, where they sit at their respective House tables. Harry exchanges greetings with Nearly-Headless Nick, the friendly Gryffindor ghost, and contemplates who the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher will be. As the first-year students enter the hall, Professor McGonagall places the aged Sorting Hat on a stool. The hat sings a song and, as each first-yearwears it, proclaims their appropriate House. Dennis Creevey, Colin Creevey's younger brother, is sorted into Gryffindor and gazes in awe at the scar on Harry's forehead.

Dinner is served, and as the students eat, Nearly-Headless Nick mentions Peeves causing trouble with the house-elves in the kitchen. Hermione stares at him, expressing her concerns about the alleged exploitation of house-elves and refusing to finish her meal. Headmaster Dumbledore rises to address the school, announcing that the annual Quidditch Cup will not take place that year. Before he can reveal the alternative, a grumpy-looking man with a large, swiveling eye enters the hall: Mad-Eye Moody, the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. The students fall into silence as Dumbledore introduces him and listens attentively as Dumbledore explains the Triwizard Tournament. The tournament is a competition among representatives from Hogwarts, Beauxbatons, and Durmstrang, the three largest European wizarding schools. It had been discontinued for centuries due to high casualty rates, but the Ministry of Magic has implemented enough precautions to reinstate it. Dumbledore announces that the winner will receive a thousand galleons and clarifies that only those aged seventeen or older can enter. The Weasley twins scoff at the idea, and as Harry drifts off to sleep in his dormitory, he envisions himself participating in and winning the Triwizard Tournament, with his crush Cho Chang cheering him on.

Chapter Thirteen: Mad-Eye Moody

Classes begin at Hogwarts, starting with Herbology where Professor Sprout teaches the students how to collect Bubotuber pus. In Care of Magical Creatures with Hagrid, they encounter Blast-Ended Skrewts, peculiar creatures that bite, sting, and propel themselves explosively. Hagrid struggles to explain their nature and care requirements. Draco Malfoy complains as usual, and Harry tries his best to show interest to boost Hagrid's confidence. After lunch, Hermione rushes off to the library while Harry and Ron attend Divination class with Professor Trelawney, who predicts an impending fear for Harry and gives a lesson on reading planetary alignments. The class is assigned a month's worth of personal

predictions.



Later, during dinner in the Great Hall, Malfoy reads aloud from an article by Rita Skeeter, mocking Mr. Weasley for assisting Mad-Eye Moody during his encounter with the police. Malfoy insults Ron's parents, leading to a confrontation with Harry. Just as Malfoy attempts to attack him, Moody intervenes, turning Malfoy into a ferret as punishment. Professor McGonagall transforms Malfoy back and warns Moody about transfiguring students. Atdinner, the Weasley twins speak highly of Moody's teaching skills in Defense Against the Dark Arts.

Chapter Fourteen: The Unforgivable Curses

In the following days, Harry notices Professor Snape acting unusually meek around Professor Moody, whereas Snape is usually harsh with everyone. Neville is subjected to a harsh punishment by Snape, forcing him to dissect horned frogs. The Gryffindors eagerly anticipate Moody's class, and when the day arrives, they gather in his classroom. Moody, appearing grizzled and stern, announces that they will focus on curses rather than counter-curses, demonstrating the three unforgivable curses. He uses spiders to showcase the Imperius Curse, which grants control over the cursed, the Cruciatus Curse, which inflicts excruciating pain, and the killing curse Avada Kedavra, which only Harry has survived. Harry is disturbed by the final curse, as it killed his parents without leaving a mark. Moody warns them to remain vigilant and dismisses the class. Afterward, Moody approaches Neville, giving him a book on water plants and acknowledging his skill in Herbology.



Later that night, Harry and Ron work on Divination homework, inventing dreadful scenarios related to planetary alignments. The Weasley twins quietly study a mysterious parchment, while Hermione enters with

badges for the Society for the Protection of Elfish Welfare(S.P.E.W.), a group she has started. Hedwig delivers a letter from Sirius, advising Harry to seek Dumbledore's help if his scar causes pain and informing him of his return. Harry worries that he has endangered Sirius by sharing information about the scar. Feeling uneasy, he heads to his dormitory, unaware that Neville is also awake and restless.

Chapter Fifteen: Beauxbatons and Durmstrang

After sending a letter to Sirius disclaiming his scar pain, Harry anxiously waits for a response. Days pass with no word, and in Defense Against the Dark Arts class, Professor Moody teaches the students how to resist the Imperius Curse. Under Moody's control, the students exhibit strange behaviors, and when it's Harry's turn, he resists the curse and crashes into a table, impressing Moody.



As classes continue, a poster announces the arrival of the Beauxbatons and Durmstrang delegations on October 30. Hermione and Ron argue about Cedric Diggory's intelligence, and Hermione remains dedicated to S.P.E.W., despite it being viewed as a joke. Harry receives confirmation from Sirius that he will be coming and staying hidden.



On the 30th, the Hogwarts students gather to welcome the visiting schools. Beauxbatons arrives in a flying carriage, led by the oversized and attractiveHeadmistress, Madame Maxime. The Durmstrang students emerge from a ghostly ship, led by the shifty Karkaroff. Ron is amazed to see Viktor Krum, the Bulgarian Seeker, among them.

Chapter Sixteen: The Goblet of Fire

The students enter the Great Hall, excitedly seeking Viktor Krum's autograph. Ron hopes to offer Krum a place to sleep in his and Harry's room, while Hermione is annoyed by Ron's infatuation. Harry is more interested in Cho Chang, a pretty Ravenclaw girl. Ludo Bagman and Barty Crouch join as judges at the head table.



Dumbledore introduces the Goblet of Fire, explaining that those interested in participating in the Triwizard Tournament must place their name in the goblet. An age line prevents those under seventeen from approaching. Dinner concludes, and as Karkaroff leads the Durmstrang students back to their ship, he notices Harry and is met with Moody's anger.



The next day, Fred and George attempt to enter the Tournament by aging themselves, but the age line throws them out, resulting in sprouting beards. The students eagerly await the selection of the champions. Harry, Ron, and Hermione visit Hagrid, who surprises them with his new appearance and awful-smelling cologne. They discuss the Tournament and the Skrewts, which have become dangerous. Hermione's attempt to recruit Hagrid to S.P.E.W. fails, and as they head back to the castle, Hagrid is distracted by Madame Maxime.

Chapter Seventeen: The Four Champions

After being chosen as a champion, Harry is in a state of shock and confusion. He enters a room where Cedric, Krum, and Fleur are waiting, and the teachers and judges follow him, speaking all at once. The commotion includes accusations of the contest being rigged and suspicion towards Harry. Moody joins the discussion and speculates

about foul play, suggesting that someone entered Harry's name knowing he would have to compete. Karkaroff accuses Moody of being responsible, but Dumbledore intervenes and ends the argument. Mr. Crouch explains that there will be three tasks, and the first one will test the students' daring. Harry and Cedric return to their respective houses, but Cedric doesn't believe Harry's denial of submitting his name. In the Gryffindor common room, everyone celebrates Harry's selection as the Hogwarts champion, but Harry is not in the mood to celebrate. He finds Ron in their dorm room, who is upset that Harry entered without telling him, and Harry is shocked that Ron doesn't believe him.

Chapter Eighteen: The Weighing of the Wands

The next day,Hermione brings Harry toast and supports his claim of not entering his name in the goblet. She explains that Ron is jealous of the attention Harry receives. Harry writes a letter to Sirius to update him on the situation. Classes resume, but Harry faces hostility from students outside of Gryffindor who believe he entered for attention. He feels stressed, lonely without Ron, and struggles academically. In Potions class, the Slytherins wear badges supporting Cedric and insulting Harry, leading to a confrontation where Harry accidentally curses Hermione and another student. Snape dismisses Hermione's injury but gives detentions to Harry and Ron. During the weighing of the champions' wands, Rita Skeeter, a reporter, tries to interview Harry, but he refuses to answer. The wands are examined, revealing the unique properties of each champion's wand. Later, Harry receives a mysterious request to meet someone alone in the Gryffindor Common room on November 22, two days before the first task.

Chapter Nineteen: The Hungarian Horntail

Harry's life becomes increasingly difficult as the first task approaches. Ron is still not speaking to him, and Rita Skeeter's article about the Triwizard Champions, filled with false information and sensationalized details about Harry, makes him a target of taunting and ridicule. He spends most of his time in the library with Hermione, who is annoyed by Viktor Krum's presence there, surrounded by admirers. During a visit to Hogsmeade, Harry wears his Invisibility Cloak in the hopes of avoiding attention, but Moody sees through it and alerts Hagrid, who instructs Harry to meet him at midnight. Harry follows Hagrid and witnesses a group of men, including Charlie Weasley, attempting to subdue four nesting dragons in the Forbidden Forest. Harry learns that the champions' first task is to get past these dragons, with the Hungarian Horntail being the most dangerous of them all.



In the evening, Harry meets Sirius in the Gryffindor common room through the fireplace. He shares all the details with Sirius, including the dragons and Karkaroff's suspicious behavior. Sirius warns Harry about Karkaroff's past as a Death Eater and emphasizes Moody's expertise as an Auror. He suggests that the incident with the dustbins might have been an attempt to prevent Moody from coming to Hogwarts. Sirius also mentions that Bertha Jorkins, who disappeared in Albania, might have been used by Voldemort for information. Before he can give Harry advice on facing the dragon, Ron enters the common room, and Siriusdisappears. Harry, angered by the interruption, throws a "Potter Stinks" badge at Ron before storming off to bed.

Chapter Twenty: The First Task

As the first task approaches, Harry and Hermione search for ways to overcome dragons but find no useful information. Harry considers leaving Hogwarts out of fear but decides against it, realizing that returning to the Dursleys would be worse. The day before the task, Harry warns Cedric about the dragons, and Moody praises Harry's fairness.

Moody advises Harry to play to his strengths, and Harry realizes that he should use his flying skills. He spends the day and night practicing the summoning charm, "Accio," in order to retrieve his Firebolt broomstick.



On the morning of the task, the four champions are led into a tent in the forest. They each draw a model of the dragon they will face and are told to retrieve the golden egg. Harry is the fourth to compete and faces the Hungarian Horntail. He summons his Firebolt and flies around the dragon, feeling a sense of ease and confidence. He retrieves the golden egg, impressing Ron with his performance. While all the champions eventually retrieve their eggs, Cedric and Fleur suffer burns, and Krum unintentionally damages some of the dragon's eggs. Ron and Harry reunite after the task, and the champions are informed that the golden eggs will provide clues for the second task, which will take place in three months. Harry is relieved and walks back to the castle with Ron, feeling happy and content.

Chapter Twenty-one: The House-Elf Liberation Front

After his victorious encounter with the dragon, Harry eagerly writes a letter to Sirius, recounting his triumph. The Gryffindor common room is filled with joyous celebration as everyone revels in Harry's success. Amidst the cheerful atmosphere, Harry is convinced to open the golden egg, but all he hears is a jumbled shrieking sound. Laughter and merriment fill the air, especially from Fred and George, who use their Canary Creams to transform Neville into a temporary giant yellow canary. Harry goes to bed that night feeling elated.



In the following days, while assisting Hagrid in handling the fierce Skrewts, Harry encounters Rita Skeeter, who insists on interviewing

Hagrid. Ignoring her, Harry focuses on his renewed friendship with Ron, finding solace in their restored bond. After a Divination class, Hermione insists on dragging the boys to the kitchens, where they are greeted by a multitude of house-elves offeringfood and tea. Dobby appears among them, delighted by his newfound freedom and the opportunity to earn wages for his work. However, Winky, who also works at Hogwarts, is unhappy and pines for Mr. Crouch, feeling ashamed of her current situation. Dobby confides in Harry, revealing that the Malfoys are dark wizards, while Winky tearfully refuses to speak ill of Mr. Crouch but mentions Ludo Bagman's questionable character. As the students leave the kitchens, Dobby promises to visit Harry, and Hermione is hopeful that other house-elves will be inspired by Dobby's liberation and strive for better treatment.

Chapter Twenty-two: The Unexpected Task

During a Transformation class, Professor McGonagall announces the upcoming Yule Ball, where the Champions and their dates will open the dance floor. Realizing he needs a date, Harry contemplates asking Cho Chang but hesitates due to her constant company of giggling girls. In class, Harry learns that Rita Skeeter's interview with Hagrid mainly revolved around questions about him. As the holiday spirit takes hold, most classes become more relaxed, with teachers embracing the festive atmosphere. However, Hermione remains focused on her studies and urges Harry to work on deciphering his egg clue. Harry, feeling unconcerned, assures her that he has plenty of time. Meanwhile, everyone around them secures dates for the ball, and Ron jokingly remarks that if they wait any longer, they will end up going with trolls. Hermione takes offense and leaves the common room in frustration.



With Christmas decorations adorning the castle, including singing suits of armor, icicles hanging from the staircase, and twelve majestic trees in the Great Hall, everything is ready for the Yule Ball except for Harry and

Ron's dates. Harry musters the courage to ask Cho, but she regretfully informs him that she has already agreed to go with Cedric. Ron's attempt to ask Fleur is met with indifference. Defeated, the boys sit in the Gryffindor common room, brainstorming for potential dates. Hermione enters the room, prompting Ron to blurt out, "You're a girl...you can come with one of us!" Hermione curtly responds that she already has a partner, teasingly reminding Ron that others noticed her gender well before he did. She keeps her date a secret, as does Ginny, who has agreed to accompany Neville. Finally, Parvati Patil, an attractive albeit irritating Gryffindor girl, enters the common room and agrees to be Harry's date, while setting up her twin sister as Ron's companion.



ChapterTwenty-three: The Yule Ball



As the Yule Ball draws near, the students become increasingly restless. One evening, after Malfoy mocks Hermione's teeth, Harry notices that her teeth appear smaller. Hermione reveals that she allowed Madame Pomfrey to make them slightly smaller while fixing the cursed teeth in the hospital wing.



On Christmas day, Dobby startles Harry awake, sneaking into his room to present him with a gift of homemade socks. The students open their presents, lazily spend the morning, and engage in a lively snowball fight. Hermione departs early to prepare for the ball. At the ball, Harry accompanies Parvati and sits at the head table with the other champions, including Cedric and Cho, as well as Krum and a stunning girl who turns out to be Hermione. Ron's glum stares at Hermione throughout the night infuriate his date, leading to accusations of Hermione consorting with the enemy.



Percy Weasley attends the ball in place of the ailing Mr. Crouch. Harry

and Ron, irritated with their dates, abandon them and escape outside to avoid listening to Percy. While walking, they accidentally overhear Snape and Karkaroff engaged in a mysterious conversation. Later, they stumble upon Fleur and her date, passionately entwined in a rosebush. Finally, they inadvertently overhear Hagrid confiding in Madame Maxime about being a half-giant, similar to her. Offended, Madame Maxime abruptly departs. Amidst this, Harry tries to focus on a small black beetle flying around them. The dance proves to be less enjoyable, and as they leave, Cedric discreetly advises Harry to listen to his egg while taking a bath, offering the Prefect's bathroom for this purpose. Upon returning to the Gryffindor common room, Harry finds Ron and Hermione engaged in a heated argument that culminates in Hermione exclaiming, "Next time there's a ball, ask me before someone else does, and not as a last resort!"

Chapter Twenty-four: Rita Skeeter's Scoop

When Harry reveals to Hermione that Hagrid is half-giant, she dismisses it as baseless prejudice, downplaying the significance. Tension persists in Hermione and Ron's relationship. In Care of Magical Creatures, Hagrid is absent, replaced by Professor Grubbly-Plank, who introduces the girls to a unicorn. The boys struggle to find purpose during the lesson. Malfoy seizes the opportunity to show Harry and Ron the latest article by Rita Skeeter, which exposes Hagrid's heritage as a half-giant and portrays him as a dangerous and irresponsible teacher. Harry, Ron, and eventually Hermione are outraged. Theypound on Hagrid's door, but he doesn't answer.



During the next visit to Hogsmeade, Ludo Bagman, surrounded by menacing-looking goblins, offers Harry help with his egg, which Harry declines. Bagman informs Harry that Mr. Crouch has ceased his work completely. Soon after, Rita Skeeter arrives at the pub, discussing an article she plans to publish that will ruin Bagman's reputation. Hermione,

Harry, and Ron unleash their anger on her for her article about Hagrid, but Rita snaps back at Hermione, telling her to stay out of it. She departs, leaving Harry with a sinking feeling that Hermione may be Rita's next target. The three friends rush to Hagrid's house, where they find Dumbledore comforting him. They implore Hagrid to return to teaching, and after tearful consideration, he agrees. Hagrid then inquires about Harry's progress with the egg, prompting Harry to realize that it's time to heed Cedric's advice, despite his wariness of Cedric after seeing him with Cho.

Chapter Twenty-five: The Egg and the Eye

That night, Harry sneaks into the prefects' bathroom under his Invisibility cloak, carrying the golden egg and the Marauder's Map. The bathroom is a luxurious sight, with fluffy towels, white marble walls adorned with a painting of a sleeping mermaid, and a massive tub with jeweled taps that release various types of bubbles. While immersed in the water, Moaning Myrtle joins Harry and suggests that he listen to the egg underwater. He follows her advice and hears a song instructing him to find something he has lost underwater. Harry realizes that he needs to retrieve an item from the merpeople in the lake. Expressing his gratitude to Myrtle, he invisibly returns to his room but accidentally steps on a trick stair, causing him to drop both the egg and the map.



Filch suddenly appears and snatches the open, singing egg, assuming it to be the mischief of Peeves. Snape arrives and accuses someone of trespassing in his office. Before the situation escalates, Moody enters and uses his magical eye to see through Harry's cloak. Moody understands what has happened and confiscates the map and the egg, dismissing the others to bed. He questions Harry, who has removed his cloak, about the person the map showed in Snape's office. Harry reveals that it was Mr. Crouch. Moody expresses concern, mentioning recent unusual events, and asks if he can borrow the map, to which Harry

agrees. As they head to bed,Moody compliments Harry's perceptiveness and suggests he consider a career as an Auror.

Chapter Twenty-six: The Second Task

The next day, Harry shares everything with Ron and Hermione. They speculate on whether Moody or Mr. Crouch has been assigned to monitor Karkaroff and Snape. Harry sends a letter to Sirius, providing an update, and Sirius inquires about the date of the next Hogsmeade visit. Harry responds with the information. Unsure of how he will survive underwater for an hour, Harry, Ron, and Hermione ponder the challenge. Hagrid returns to teaching and exudes confidence in Harry's ability to win the tournament.



On the eve of the second task, Harry spends the night in the library, searching for helpful books. Ron and Hermione are called away by Professor McGonagall for unknown reasons. Harry dozes off and is awakened ten minutes before the task by Dobby, who offers him a ball of gillyweed. Desperate, Harry rushes to the lake, consumes the gillyweed, and plunges into the water alongside the other champions.



Underwater, Harry develops gills and easily navigates the depths. He discovers a village of merpeople where Ron, Hermione, Cho, and Fleur's sister are all unconscious and tied up. Using a rock, Harry frees Ron and waits to see if the other hostages will be rescued. Cedric eventually arrives for Cho, and Krum for Hermione, but Fleur's sister is left behind. Harry fends off aggressive merpeople with his wand and carries both Ron and Fleur's sister to the surface. He is the last to emerge and feels foolish for waiting instead of coming up earlier. A mermaid informs Dumbledore that Harry was the first to arrive but stayed to ensure the rescue of all four hostages. The judges highly praise Harry for

completing the task. Fleur shows gratitude by kissing both Ron and Harry. Hermione, consumed with concern for Harry, ignores Krum as he removes a water-beetle from her hair. Harry expresses immense gratitude to Dobby and plans to reward him with numerous pairs of socks.

Chapter Twenty-seven: Padfoot Returns

Following the second task, Ron becomes a celebrated hero, and Harry receives an invitation from Sirius to meet in Hogsmeade over the weekend. In Potions class, the Slytherins gossip about Rita Skeeter's scandalous "Witch Weekly" article, claiming that Hermione is toying with the affections of both Harry Potter and Viktor Krum. Hermione finds it amusing but wonders how Rita obtained certain details, like Krum's invitation for Hermione to visithim in Bulgaria. As a punishment for talking in class, Snape separates the trio, and from his new seat at the front, Harry overhears a conversation between Snape and Karkaroff, who interrupts the class. Karkaroff appears frightened by something on his arm, but Snape shoos Harry away before he can learn more.



In Hogsmeade, Sirius disguises himself as Padfoot, his dog form, and meets the students. They venture to a nearby cave where Sirius has been hiding, surviving on rats. After discussing whether Winky or Bagman may have conjured the Dark Mark at the World Cup, Sirius reveals that Mr. Crouch was relentless in his fight against Voldemort and was set to become the next Minister of Magic. However, Crouch's own son was discovered as a Death Eater, given a brief trial, and sent to Azkaban, where he eventually died. Sirius suggests that Crouch may have hoped to redeem himself by apprehending another Dark wizard. Sirius is puzzled by Crouch's absence at the World Cup despite saving him a seat. He advises Ron to contact Percy for more information about his boss and bids the students farewell.

Chapter Twenty-eight: The Madness of Mr. Crouch

The next morning, Harry, Ron, and Hermione send an owl message to Percy inquiring about Mr. Crouch. They then visit the kitchens to express their gratitude to Dobby with new pairs of socks. Dobby and the other house-elves are overjoyed to see and serve them, except for Winky, who sits in a corner, dirty, miserable, and intoxicated on Butterbeer. Incoherently, Winky mentions that her master needs her to protect a deep secret. The other elves are embarrassed by her behavior. Hermione is concerned and believes Winky's suffering should be addressed, not ignored. Before leaving, they gather some food from the elves to send to Sirius.



Hermione receives hate mail for supposedly breaking Harry's heart, while Hagrid teaches the students about nifflers, creatures that search for gold. Ron collects the most Leprechaun gold, which vanishes, prompting him to ask why Harry didn't remind him about the Omnioculars. Ron feels embarrassed about his lack of wealth, and Hermione is upset about being targeted due to Rita's article. They discuss how Rita could have overheard their conversations, and Harry suggests that she may have bugged someone. However, bugging is unlikely within Hogwarts, so Hermione continues to ponder the mystery.



One evening after Easter, the champions are summoned to the fields to learn about theirnext task - a maze and obstacle course with the Triwizard Cup at the center. On their way back to the castle, Krum pulls Harry aside into the Forbidden Forest and asks about his relationship with Hermione. Harry assures him that they are not romantically involved, and Krum appears relieved. At that moment, a disheveled and ill-looking Mr. Crouch emerges in the forest, muttering to himself, trees,

and Harry with a desperate and deranged tone. He hints that Bertha Jorkins's fate was his fault, the Dark Lord is growing stronger, and he must see Dumbledore. Harry leaves Crouch with Krum and rushes to fetch Dumbledore. When they return to the forest, Crouch has vanished, and Krum is stunned. Hagrid and Moody arrive, followed by an enraged Karkaroff, who accuses Dumbledore of treachery. Harry is escorted back to his dorm by Hagrid and instructed to remain there for the night. Hagrid gravely warns him about associating with foreigners like Krum.

Chapter Twenty-nine: The Dream

The morning after Mr. Crouch's attack on Krum, Harry, Ron, and Hermione find themselves at the Owlery, sending an update to Sirius and discussing the strange events of the previous evening. Fred and George enter the Owlery, engaged in a secretive conversation about blackmail, but none of the five students disclose their respective plans. Later, they visit Professor Moody, who informs them that Mr. Crouch did not appear on the Marauder's Map, raising suspicions about his disappearance. Moody advises Harry to remain vigilant, echoing Sirius' warning that a dangerous individual may be targeting him at Hogwarts. Sirius emphasizes the need for Harry to prepare well for the third task, and with the support of his friends, Harry heeds their advice.



Days pass, and in Divination class, Harry falls asleep due to the heat and the monotonous sound of an insect. He dreams of flying on an owl to a house where Voldemort reprimands Wormtail for a mistake, speaking of someone's demise and threatening Harry's life, intending to feed him to his pet snake. Harry awakens in a panic, clutching his scar, and rushes towards Dumbledore's office. He hears Cornelius Fudge and Moody engaged in a heated argument with Dumbledore, and when Moody spots Harry at the door, he announces his arrival.

Chapter Thirty: The Pensieve

In Dumbledore's office, Harry waits as the three adults investigate the grounds for clues. While waiting, he observes Fawkes, Dumbledore's phoenix, and notices a partially open cupboardcontaining a swirling, silvery basin. Curiosity gets the better of him, and Harry pokes the basin with his wand, peering closer and eventually touching it with his nose. Suddenly, he is transported to a courtroom where he becomes an unseen observer amidst a solemn audience, including a younger Dumbledore and Moody. Karkaroff is strapped to a chair in the center, interrogated by Mr. Crouch. In exchange for freedom from Azkaban, Karkaroff reveals the names of numerous Death Eaters, including Snape. However, Dumbledore vouches for Snape, testifying that he had defected from Voldemort and become a spy for the side of good. The scene shifts, and Ludo Bagman now sits in the chair, pleading ignorance of his involvement with Voldemort's supporters. The audience pardons him due to his popularity as a Quidditch player. The scene changes once more, revealing Mr. Crouch's son, who begs for release while his father accuses him of heinous acts, including torturing the Longbottoms with the Cruciatus curse. Mr. Crouch's wife weeps in the audience as her son is sentenced to a lifetime in Azkaban.



Dumbledore retrieves Harry from the memory and brings him back to his office. He explains that the swirling basin is a Pensieve, used to store excess thoughts and memories. Unbothered by Harry's snooping, Dumbledore listens as Harry recounts his dream. Dumbledore believes the dream to be true, indicating Voldemort's proximity and danger. He suggests that the recent disappearances of Bertha Jorkins, Mr. Crouch, and a Muggle named Frank Bryce may be linked to Voldemort. Harry inquires about the Longbottoms mentioned in the memory and learns that they are Neville's parents, highly respected Aurors who went mad after being subjected to the Cruciatus curse. Dumbledore confirms that neither Bagman nor Snape have been implicated in any Dark activities since that time. With heartfelt wishes for luck in the third task,

Dumbledore bids Harry goodbye.

Chapter Thirty-one: The Third Task

Harry confides in Ron and Hermione about his experience in the Pensieve, omitting the details concerning Neville's parents. They engage in lengthy discussions, analyzing the information. Additionally, they dedicate significant time to practicing hexes in empty classrooms. On the morning of the third task, Rita Skeeter publishes an article insinuating that Harry's fainting episode in class indicates potential disturbance and danger. The students read the article during breakfast, leaving Harry curious about how Rita obtained the information from Divination. Suddenly, Hermione leaps up and rushes to thelibrary, claiming to have discovered something. After breakfast, the families of the champions arrive at Hogwarts to witness the final task. Bill and Mrs. Weasley come to support Harry, and they spend the afternoon strolling the grounds. At dusk, the champions are positioned at the entrances of a massive hedge maze, with the trophy awaiting the winner at its center.



Harry and Cedric, currently tied for first place, enter the maze first, followed by Krum and Fleur. Harry's journey through the maze is eerily quiet. He encounters a boggart disguised as a dementor, easily overcoming it. At one point, he passes through a mist that momentarily distorts the world upside down. Upon hearing Fleur's scream, he hurries forward and faces a formidable ten-foot-long Skrewt from Hagrid's care. Harry manages to bypass the Skrewt. He overhears Krum uttering "Crucio" and Cedric's subsequent scream. Acting swiftly, Harry burns a hole in the hedge and saves Cedric by stunning Krum. Shaken by the ordeal, the two Hogwarts students continue their journey. Harry encounters a sphinx, answers her riddle, and catches sight of the Triwizard Cup ahead. Both he and Cedric make a dash for it. They confront a giant spider, defeating it together. However, Harry breaks his leg in the process. Unable to determine who should claim the trophy, as

they have assisted each other multiple times throughout the tournament, they decide to touch it simultaneously, resulting in a shared victory. To their surprise, the Cup turns out to be a portkey.

Chapter Thirty-two: Flesh, Blood, and Bone

Harry and Cedric find themselves in a chilling graveyard far from Hogwarts. Approaching them is a hooded figure carrying what appears to be a baby. Suddenly, Harry's scar sears with pain as a cold voice commands, "Kill the spare." The voice is followed by a second voice uttering, "Avada Kedavra." Cedric is instantly killed. Horrified, Harry watches as the hooded figure, revealed to be Wormtail, tightly binds him to a tombstone bearing the name Tom Riddle. Recognizing Wormtail's true identity, Harry observes him boiling water in a massive cauldron and unwrapping a scaly, red object with a flat snakelike face, which he drops into the cauldron. Harry silently hopes it will drown.



Wormtail begins an incantation, summoning dust from Tom Riddle's grave to rejuvenate his son. He states, "Flesh of the servant," and proceeds to sever his right hand, placing it in the cauldron. Finally, he draws blood fromHarry's upper arm, adding "Blood of the enemy" to the cauldron's contents. From the simmering depths of the cauldron emerges a tall, gaunt man. Harry knows that Lord Voldemort has been reborn.

Chapter Thirty-three: The Death Eaters

Harry observes as Voldemort examines his newly restored body and brands the weeping Wormtail with the Dark Mark tattoo on his arm. Voldemort paces the graveyard, recounting to Harry the tale of his

Muggle father abandoning his witch mother, leaving him in an orphanage after her death. As he speaks, hooded and masked wizards Apparate into a circle around him. Voldemort addresses his Death Eaters, expressing disappointment in their collective betrayal when he needed them. One Death Eater throws himself at Voldemort's feet, begging for forgiveness. Voldemort cruelly subjects him to the Cruciatus curse. In a public display, he rewards Wormtail for his loyalty by granting him a new right hand. Among the Death Eaters, Harry recognizes Lucius Malfoy, Draco's father. Voldemort promises to call upon the dementors of Azkaban, his natural allies, as well as the prisoners once loyal to him. He acknowledges that several Death Eaters are missing, either dead, imprisoned, or in hiding out of fear. Voldemort reveals that his most faithful servant, now at Hogwarts, was instrumental in bringing Harry Potter to him that night.



Voldemort proceeds to share his history since his last encounter with the Death Eaters. His attempt to kill Harry failed due to the ancient magic of sacrifice. Harry's mother sacrificed herself, causing the curse to rebound. This resulted in Voldemort's disembodiment and his subsequent survival by inhabiting snakes' bodies in a distant forest. Four years ago, he possessed Quirrell's body to gain access to Hogwarts and pursue the Philosopher's Stone, but was thwarted by Harry. Left alone and weakened, Voldemort was reunited with Wormtail, who brought Bertha Jorkins to him. Jorkins provided information about a loyal Death Eater who could aid Voldemort. After killing Jorkins, Voldemort, with Wormtail's assistance, used her intel to locate the faithful servant and orchestrate Harry's rebirth. Voldemort emphasizes that Harry's blood holds significant power, as his mother's protective enchantment now courses through Voldemort's veins. Turning to Harry, he utters "Crucio!" inflicting the most intense pain Harry has ever experienced. Voldemort commands Wormtail to untie Harry and return his wand.

Chapter Thirty-four: Priori Incantatem

Harry struggles to rise to his feet, wand in hand, despite his injured leg. Voldemort challenges him to a duel, leavingHarry anxious as his only known dueling spell is "Expelliarmus," which disarms opponents. Voldemort subjects Harry to the Cruciatus curse once more, causing excruciating pain. When Voldemort asks if Harry wants him to repeat the torture, Harry defiantly refuses to give in by answering "No." Voldemort resorts to the Imperius curse, commanding Harry to say "no." However, Harry has learned to resist the curse and remains steadfast in his refusal. Voldemort grows furious. After evading the Cruciatus curse by taking cover behind a gravestone, Harry stands tall, ready to fight to the death, reminiscent of his parents and Cedric. As Voldemort shouts "Avada Kedavra," Harry counters with "Expelliarmus," resulting in the wands' beams colliding in midair, forming a golden dome-shaped web of light. Amidst the enchanting melodies of phoenix music, Harry hears the voices of his loved ones urging him not to sever the connection. With weakened and trembling hands, Harry watches as a bead of light travels along the thread linking him to Voldemort. Concentrating, he directs the bead toward Voldemort's wand, away from his own.



The moment the bead touches the tip of Voldemort's wand, something extraordinary occurs. A shadowy hand emerges from the wand, followed by the shades of Cedric, an elderly Muggle named Frank Bryce, Bertha Jorkins, and Harry's parents. They surround him, urging him to hold on, while his mother softly assures him that they will remain long enough for him to touch the portkey and return to Hogwarts. Cedric requests that Harry bring his body back to his parents, and Harry nods, disengaging his wand from the connection. The dome of light and phoenix song disappear, leaving the shadowy figures of the victims closing in on Voldemort. Harry rushes to retrieve Cedric, just as Voldemort approaches, ready to strike. Using the summoning charm "Accio!" he calls the Triwizard Cup to him, tightly gripping Cedric's body. They begin to spin away, and in the distance, Harry hears Voldemort's furious cry.

Chapter Thirty-five: Veritaserum

As Harry collapses onto the grass at Hogwarts, still tightly clutching Cedric's lifeless body, Dumbledore gently urges him to release his grip. The air resounds with the cries of "Diggory's dead!" as Dumbledore departs to console Cedric's devastated parents. Before leaving, he instructs Harry to stay put. Suddenly, a pair of hands seize Harry and drag him towards the castle. It is only upon reaching the destination that Harry recognizes his captor as Moody. Moodysettles Harry in his office and demands an explanation of what happened. In a state of panic, Harry recounts the return of Voldemort, and Moody displays a keen interest in whether Voldemort forgave the Death Eaters who deserted him. In a burst of urgency, Harry reveals the presence of a Death Eater at Hogwarts. Moody assures him that it is not Karkaroff, who fled upon feeling the Dark Mark burn on his arm. Instead, Moody confesses that he himself is the supporter, claiming unwavering loyalty to Voldemort while others abandoned him. He admits to rigging the Triwizard Tournament so that Harry would be led to the portkey Cup.



Moody proceeds to explain his manipulations: how he coerced Hagrid into showing Harry the dragons, how he provided Neville with a book on Mediterranean plants, including gillyweed, hoping Harry would seek his assistance. He also reveals how he strategically discussed gillyweed within earshot of Dobby. Moody confesses to stunning Fleur and placing the Imperius Curse on Krum, instructing him to eliminate Cedric. Raising his wand, Moody menacingly declares his intention to finish off Harry, deliriously proclaiming that Voldemort will cherish him as a surrogate son. Abruptly, the door bursts open, and Dumbledore, Snape, and McGonagall storm into the room, stunning Moody.



Dumbledore's countenance, filled with anger and power, leaves Harry in awe, instantly realizing why Voldemort feared him above all others. Dumbledore insists that Harry must not sleep until he comprehends the entire chain of events. He instructs Snape to fetch Veritaserum, a potent

truth potion, and summon Winky from the kitchens. He asks McGonagall to send a large black dog to wait in his office. Taking a key-ring from the subdued Moody, Dumbledore begins unlocking the seven locks on a trunk within the room. As the locks click open one by one, he and Harry discover a slumbering, disheveled man - the true Alastor Moody. Dumbledore reveals that the imposter Moody had been brewing Polyjuice Potion using the real Moody's hair(now missing in patches) and consuming it from his flask, thus assuming Moody's appearance. Over time, the imposter transforms from Moody into a pale young man whom Harry recognizes as Mr. Crouch's son from memories in the Pensieve.



Suddenly, Snape returns with Winky, who throws herself upon the slumbering man, sobbing, "Master Barty!" Dumbledore administers some Veritaserum into the man's mouth, awakening him, and asks him to speak the truth. Young Barty Crouch explainsthat while he was imprisoned in Azkaban, his dying mother convinced his father to switch bodies with him, using Polyjuice Potion. His mother, disguised as a young Barty, died shortly afterward and was buried, while Barty himself lived under an invisibility cloak, under the watchful eye of Winky. Except for Bertha Jorkins, who stumbled upon their secret during a visit to their home, no one knew he was alive. Barty's father modified Jorkins' memory, but Voldemort undid the charm when he encountered her in Albania.



During the Quidditch World Cup, Barty, concealed beneath his invisibility cloak, noticed a wand protruding from the pocket of the boy sitting in front of him - Harry - and he took it. Witnessing the Death Eaters' brutal actions towards Muggles, Barty grew enraged and conjured the Dark Mark in the sky, reminding them of their betrayal. Later, after Mr. Crouch dismissed Winky from his service, Voldemort paid a visit, revealing what he learned from Bertha Jorkins, and advising Barty to assume Moody's identity and manipulate the Triwizard Tournament at Hogwarts. Barty kidnapped Moody on the first day of the school term and had been impersonating him ever since, keeping the real Moody alive to harvest his hair for the potion and study his mannerisms. Meanwhile, Wormtail

and Voldemort occupied Mr. Crouch's house, with Mr. Crouch under the Imperius Curse, conducting his regular affairs. Somehow, Mr. Crouch escaped and sought out Dumbledore at Hogwarts. In the Forbidden Forest, Barty, disguised as Moody, found Mr. Crouch on the Marauder's Map, stunned Krum while Harry was away, killed his father, transfigured the body into a bone, and buried it. Barty concludes his deranged account with a maniacal grin, proclaiming that now his master has returned, he will be honored beyond his wildest dreams.

Chapter Thirty-six: The Farewell

Disgusted by Barty Crouch's actions, Dumbledore restrains him and sends the real Alastor Moody to the hospital wing. He takes Harry to his office, where Sirius awaits. Although Harry is reluctant to relive the recent events, he agrees to share everything with Dumbledore and Sirius while the memories are still vivid. Dumbledore elucidates the significance of the wands' connection, explaining "Priori Incantatem," revealing that the wands, crafted from feathers of the same phoenix, Fawkes, were unable to engage in a proper battle. During their conversation, Fawkes settles on Harry's knee. When the twin wands connect, one compels the other to release its spellsin reverse order. As Harry recounts the shadowy figures emerging from Voldemort's wand, Fawkes sheds phoenix tears, which heal Harry's wounds. Finally, Dumbledore commends Harry's bravery in revisiting the harrowing events and sends him to the hospital wing to rest, accompanied by Sirius in his dog form.



In the hospital wing, the Weasley family awaits Harry's arrival. Dumbledore instructs them not to interrogate Harry. Madame Pomfrey administers a potion for dreamless sleep, and Harry drifts off. However, he is awakened in the middle of the night by a heated argument between Cornelius Fudge and Professor McGonagall. McGonagall vehemently berates Fudge for bringing a dementor to administer the

fatal Dementor's Kiss to Barty Crouch, depriving him of the ability to testify. Dumbledore joins the reprimand, but Fudge remains skeptical of Voldemort's return. He accuses Barty Crouch of madness and dismisses Harry's visions as hallucinations. Dumbledore urges Fudge to take necessary precautions against Voldemort's resurgence, such as reclaiming control of Azkaban from the dementors, as they are natural allies of Voldemort. He also suggests renewing contact with the giants, who could serve as valuable allies against Voldemort unless he reaches them first. Fudge adamantly refuses these suggestions, prompting Dumbledore to accuse him of turning a blind eye to the situation and acting out of cowardice. Finally, Dumbledore declares that if Fudge refuses to align with him in the fight against Voldemort, they must part ways.



Despite Snape presenting his own Dark Mark as evidence and explaining its burning significance that night, Fudge remains incredulous. In a huff, Fudge storms out of the room, leaving Harry's Triwizard winnings of a thousand galleons on his hospital bed. Dumbledore then asks Mrs. Weasley to summon her husband and join him in the impending battle. He persuades Sirius and Snape to reconcile, which they reluctantly do. Dumbledore also instructs Sirius to gather old allies, including Lupin. Addressing Snape with seriousness, Dumbledore urges him to fulfill his duty. Everyone departs, leaving only Harry and the Weasleys behind. Harry tries to give away his winnings, but the Weasleys refuse to accept them. Mrs. Weasley embraces him, and Harry feels overwhelmed with emotions, teetering on the edge of tears. He drinks the remaining sleep potion, bidding the night farewell as he drifts into slumber.

Chapter Thirty-seven: Moving Forward

The following morning, Harry musters the courage to meet with Cedric's grief-stricken parents. He offers them the prize money, but they refuse, overwhelmed by theirloss. A few days later, Harry, Ron, and Hermione

pay a visit to Hagrid, who has reconciled with Madame Maxime and plans to spend the summer with her, undertaking a mysterious task assigned by Dumbledore. Hagrid imparts his wisdom, acknowledging that one must face whatever is to come and rise to the challenge. On the eve of their departure from Hogwarts, the Great Hall is adorned in black to mourn Cedric. During the final dinner, Dumbledore announces to the entire school that Cedric was murdered by Voldemort, and he praises Harry for risking his life to bring back Cedric's body. He emphasizes the true purpose of the Triwizard Tournament: to foster magical unity and understanding. Dumbledore depicts Cedric as a good, brave, and honest person who met an unnecessary demise at Voldemort's hands. He implores everyone to view this tragedy as a cautionary tale on the perils of succumbing to Dark Magic.



As the students bid each other farewell and prepare to board the Hogwarts Express, Ron requests an autograph from Krum. Inside the train compartment, Hermione reveals a captured beetle in a jar - Rita Skeeter, an unregistered animagus who had been buzzing around Hogwarts, gathering information for her deceitful articles. Just then, Malfoy and his cronies enter, taunting Harry about being on the losing side, asserting Voldemort's imminent triumph. In response, Harry, Hermione, Ron, Fred, and George unleash various minor curses, rendering Malfoy and his companions unconscious. The Weasley twins explain the situation regarding Ludo Bagman's deception, sharing that he paid them their winnings in worthless Leprechaun gold, while being heavily indebted to goblins and others. Before the train ride concludes, Harry pulls the twins aside and hands them his gold, urging them to use it for Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes and to purchase new dress robes for Ron. Grateful, the twins accept the gift, and Harry departs to spend the summer living with the Dursleys.