Hogwarts: Harry Returns from Azeroth

Chapter 285, Section 284: The First Match Begins!
The initial explanation was that there were probably many secrets in the world that we had never known. As we continued our search and exploration, we did find some mysterious traces, strange animals that had never been discovered before, and even more, people were waving sticks or something.

Next, we made contact with a real wizard, and then gradually began to film the existence of magic, showcasing its wonders, satisfying people's fantasies, and finally revealing the existence of wizarding society.

Even the revelation that wizards also have an organization like the Ministry of Magic, similar to a Muggle government, and that they've always been with us... well, that's the kind of step Muggle society has been taking.

Currently, they have progressed to delving into the wizarding world and visiting the magical competitions between young wizards.

The first match wasn't even broadcast live but pre-recorded. To ensure there wouldn't be any problems, the top officials of both world governments chose to conduct this phase tentatively first. If nothing unexpected happened during the first match, then these videotapes would be broadcast publicly on television.

Meanwhile, behind-the-scenes reports were already underway throughout the competition.

"Welcome," Harry said to the three people who stepped down from the Thestrals carriage at the entrance to Hogwarts near Hogsmeade. "Uncle, Aunt, and you, Dudley."

"This is... Hogwarts..."

Aunt Penny stared blankly at the enormous castle on the distant cliff and the huge totem beside it, lost in thought.

"Unbelievable, lad!" Uncle Vernon exclaimed, his eyes wide as he stepped down from the carriage, "A castle! You own a castle!!"

In Vernon's eyes, a castle was a complete symbol of money and status, and it had to be a lot of money.

“I only have this while I’m in charge of the principal’s duties,” Harry explained briefly. “I hope you enjoy the trip, and you’re welcome to come watch my matches.”

The Dursleys came to Hogwarts at Harry's invitation, and Harry even sent a Thestral carriage to pick them up.

“Oh, it’s really quite pleasant… at least much better than that damn bus,” Uncle Vernon said, scratching his belly as he came to his senses. “Ha! Everyone’s talking about magic and wizards now. From the company to the neighbors near my house, I haven’t met anyone who doesn’t like discussing these things. They’re all like they’re under a spell.”

“They would never guess that we have actually entered the magical world.” Aunt Penny, who used to scream at the mention of magic, was now beaming with excitement.

"So there really is an animal we can't see pulling our carriage?" Dudley glanced at the castle a few times before turning his attention back to the carriage. He excitedly reached out and touched the empty space in front of the carriage. "My God! I touched it! It really exists! So thin! I think I'm touching its bones! Harry! What does it look like? Can you make it untraceable?!"

“That’s a Thestral! Right? I know that!” Aunt Petunia reached out and carefully touched the empty space in front of the carriage, then excitedly turned to Harry and asked, “I’ve heard about these…magical creatures from Lily, that’s what they’re called, right?”

“Yes, Thestrals,” Harry nodded with a smile. “Only those who have seen death can see them, but to be honest, it’s just one theory—I’m sorry it’s not the start of the school year, so I can’t get you here on the Hogwarts Express. I know you must be really looking forward to it, Aunt.”

“I’ve seen dead people before, but why can’t I see them?” Uncle Vernon immediately said, “My dear, can you?”

“No,” Aunt Penny said with a regretful look, “but why?”

“Perhaps it’s because… there’s still a difference between death and the dead,” Harry said after thinking for a moment. “But I do have another way to let you see it.”

As he spoke, Harry drew his wand and waved it, and in the blink of an eye, white snowflakes began to fall from above their heads. However, these snowflakes did not fall freely, but seemed to have their own consciousness as they kept drifting towards Thestrals' bodies, like scattered stars.

Finally, two Thestrals, made up of intermittent white snowflakes, appeared in the air, but everyone knew they weren't actually hollow.

"Two of them?" Uncle Vernon exclaimed in surprise. "And they even have wings!"

Tiny snowflakes outline the shape of the Thestral with great detail, even revealing its lean and sunken ribs.

“They are pure black creatures,” Harry said softly. “Perhaps it would be easier to imagine if I made the snowflakes black.”

Without hesitation, the white snowflakes instantly turned into black snowflakes, but their shapes remained unchanged.

"Wow!" Dudley couldn't help but exclaim, "They've become even cooler."

Harry's magic allowed Dudley and the others to see the Thestrals' movements, so they watched with some trepidation as the emaciated monsters, seemingly devoid of flesh, bent their enormous heads and appeared to sniff them lightly.

“Go on, Hagrid has prepared your favorite foods. Thanks for your hard work,” Harry said with a smile, patting Thestral’s head.

As his magic dissipated, the two Thestrals pulled the carriage toward Hagrid's cottage. The Thestrals kept at Hogwarts were all Hagrid's prized possessions.

“Come on, you can stay at the Great Totem during the tournament. It’s one of my offices—the huge totem with bull horn decorations next to the castle,” Harry said, leading the way.

“Yes, I already guessed,” Uncle Vernon shrugged and said, “No one but a freak like you who likes to wear bull horns on his head would like this style of architecture.”

Harry hadn't heard the word "freak" from Uncle Vernon in a long time, but this time it didn't carry the same malice.

"You can explore Hogwarts as you please. Hermione's parents will be arriving soon; they are also Muggles, so you can travel together."

Sirius Black was already waiting inside the Great Totem. As Harry's godfather and self-proclaimed guardian, he couldn't possibly miss his godson's brilliant performance.

It's more accurate to say he's already waiting to see Harry beat everyone else.

Sirius Black stood at the entrance to the Great Totem, arms crossed, watching the family.

Having been out of prison for so long, he now knows what kind of life Harry had led in the hands of this family. Although these people later became normal under Harry's methods, it doesn't mean that what they did has simply vanished.

“Don’t just stand there, Sirius,” Harry said calmly. “Bring out the oven. Hermione’s parents will be here soon, and we need to prepare a feast for them.” “…Alright, since you put it that way,” Sirius reluctantly moved aside. “Please come in.”

"Uh, thanks?"

....................................

The first group of Muggles to enter the magical world were mostly wealthy, powerful, or well-connected. The Ministry of Magic specially dispatched a group of people to look after these people and prevent them from touching anything they shouldn't and injuring themselves.

With the addition of wizards who bought tickets to watch, Hogwarts grounds suddenly descended into chaos. The wizards were already used to the chaos, but it was a bit of a disaster for the Muggles.

The first match is about to begin.

The entire arena was packed with people, wizards and Muggles alike holding monoculars, which allowed them to precisely capture every subtle movement of the warriors with remarkable clarity.

Of course, every Muggle viewer got one too.

In one corner of the lowest arena, a huge fire dragon was already lying down. It was a Hehidari Black Dragon, a fire dragon native to the British Isles, more aggressive than the Welsh Green Dragon, and extremely territorial.

The edges of the central arena and the ceiling were protected by magic, so the black dragon could not see the dense crowd of human spectators around it; otherwise, it probably wouldn't be so calm.

During the incubation period, the mother dragon will try her best to eliminate any living creatures around her, even taking a bite out of a passing goat.

The arena was naturally expanded by magic, and it was not simply a flat open space, but a magically created arena with different terrains such as mountains, rivers, forests, and deserts.

"Ladies and gentlemen, what we are seeing now is the competition arena that the wizards have created for their young wizards. Can you imagine that an open space that was originally only 1,000 square meters has expanded more than twice its original size in just a few breaths? The forests, grasslands, and mountains have also appeared in just a few breaths. Our reporter witnessed the wizards waving their wands and doing all this with ease—it's simply a miracle! It's magic!"

"...The Hehidari Black Dragon, that's the species name of the black dragon below. I can't even imagine that these enormous creatures used to live in our world, alongside us, yet we never discovered them..."

"..."

The Muggle TV reporters were waving their hands like madmen, gesturing at the strangely sized arena, the black dragon below, and the densely packed audience all around.

Although it was just a pre-recorded broadcast, they acted as if it were a live broadcast; that's professionalism.

"Welcome to Hogwarts, everyone!!!"

Harry's voice, amplified by magic, resounded like thunder throughout the arena. To be honest, Harry himself didn't know how many cameras were pointed at him at that moment; he only knew that the flashes had been going off non-stop since the beginning.

Niu Niu was almost blinded by the light.

But we still have to pretend nothing happened.

Welcome to the Triwizard Tournament!!!

Harry's every word was met with a tidal wave of enthusiastic cheers. These were sounds that had not been amplified by magic, but when their voices were mixed together, they were as powerful as a tsunami.

Harry gives the opening remarks, followed by the Minister of Magic's speech, and finally the Muggle Prime Minister's speech—this process, though tedious, is essential.

"...The resurgence of elements and the proliferation of magic have made it incredibly difficult for the magical world to remain hidden as it once was. Muggles have even gradually become accustomed to the world where things in their homes suddenly come to life..."

"...The secrecy law has completely failed, and we will find our place in the new world..."

"...We've restarted the Triwizard Tournament...hoping it will serve as a bridge for the two worlds to understand each other..."

Scrimgeour is increasingly resembling a minister; he no longer speaks like the head of the Auror's office, but like a true politician.

"...Thank you for your cooperation, Principal Potter, Principal Maxim, and Principal Karkaroff...and let us also welcome our special guests...Muggle Prime Minister Jim Hack of the United Kingdom...Muggle Prime Minister Casimir Perrier of France..."

As the host, Scrimgeour introduced the two Muggle prime ministers to the wizards. Huck waved his hands incessantly, his face flushed with excitement, as did Perrier, because they both knew that even if they would step down in a few years, their names would be recorded in the history of both societies as the first wizards to come into contact with Muggles.

The five judges had finished their introductions, and the audience breathed a sigh of relief as the leaders finished their speeches. The competition finally began.

"Eighteen warriors, and now the competition is about to begin with the first nine warriors, who are student warriors from three schools. Their mission is to take the fake, golden dragon egg from the dragon's nest, which I think you have all seen."

Ludo Bagman volunteered to take on the commentary duties. As a retired Quidditch star, Ludo's lively personality was well-suited for this kind of job.

"This is by no means an easy task. Our Muggle friends don't understand the power of dragons, so I have to explain it to them. It takes more than a dozen elite adult wizards to subdue an adult dragon, and the female dragons are most aggressive during their incubation period."

"It's worth mentioning that, for this first match, we transported a total of eighteen fire dragons from all over the world—I must say, managing these eighteen fire dragons almost made my colleagues lose all their hair; they had to do everything in their power to keep these beautiful behemoths from fighting each other—oh?! We can see that our first student warrior has already entered the competition arena!"

"First up is our Hogwarts hero, from the historic Hufflepuff House!!"

"Cedric Diggory!!"

(End of this chapter)