Hogwarts: Don't call me Wandmaker

Chapter 380 Karkaroff's Accusation

A week before the second event of the Triwizard Tournament officially began, a very strange thing happened at Hogwarts.

For some unknown reason, the once tranquil Black Lake suddenly became menacing one Saturday night, its surging waters churning like ocean waves. This caused the Durmstrang Magic School's large ship, which had been peacefully moored on the lake, to suffer an unexpected fate, swaying violently in the middle of the lake and nearly capsizing.

Although they managed to stabilize the boat thanks to their extensive experience, a significant amount of lake water still flooded into the cabin.

By the next day, almost all of Durmstrang's students had caught a cold. Wrapped in thick fur cloaks, they stormed into the castle in a menacing manner, led by Karkaroff.

"Shameless, despicable, and vile!" As soon as they entered the auditorium, someone deliberately shouted in a voice loud enough for almost everyone to hear, "This is a complete conspiracy, all to target Krum!"

“Don’t say that, Alex,” Karkaroff said in a greasy voice, feigning seriousness. “I don’t think the respected Professor Dumbledore would do such a thing on purpose.”

“Thank you for your trust, Professor Karkaroff. I’m truly ashamed.” Dumbledore walked over from the faculty table and said, “I’m sorry, but I think it’s best to let the students go to the school hospital first. Our school nurse, Ms. Pomfrey, has prepared the best stimulants, and she’ll make sure they’re fully recovered by the afternoon.”

"Is that so?" Karkaroff sneered.
He wanted to say something more to try and gain some advantage, but a series of thumping sounds that grew louder as they approached made him instinctively shut his mouth.

Alastor Moody walked in from outside; the sound he'd just heard came from his wooden prosthetic leg.

“What are you trying to say, Karkaroff?” His blue demonic eye stared intently at the other man. “Are you going to show off your sophistry again, like you did a decade or so ago? I must admit, you are indeed gifted in this area. I just wonder if your former colleagues think so too.”

“Alastor,” Dumbledore said, his voice carrying a hint of warning.

“Don’t worry, Albus, I know what I’m talking about,” Moody said, continuing to scrutinize Karkaroff.

In that instant, Karkaroff's face turned as red as if it were on fire, but even so, he gritted his teeth and said, "Hogwarts almost capsized our ship, and right when the second project was about to begin. I need an explanation!"

“Okay, no problem.” Moody stepped forward. “Then let’s investigate together and see if we did it on purpose or if you’re staging it yourselves.”

He was about to leave when he was stopped.

“No need, we can check it ourselves,” Karkaroff said, seemingly unwilling to let Moody onto his ship.

He then waved again, and without even having breakfast, led Durmstrang's students away from the auditorium.

"Hmph, what a clumsy trick," Moody scoffed.

Afterwards, Dumbledore and Moody also left, and the Great Hall became lively again.

“They definitely did it themselves, trying to frame Hogwarts,” Ron said confidently. “That old liar, my dad said he used to be a Death Eater!”

“That can’t be right,” Hermione said, frowning.

"Why isn't it possible?"

“Because he’s the headmaster of Durmstrang,” Hermione said, as if in her mind all headmasters of magic schools should be someone like Dumbledore, how could he possibly be a Death Eater?
“You said it yourself, he’s the headmaster of Durmstrang,” Ron said dismissively. “It’s not surprising that a school that teaches dark magic would have a Death Eater as its headmaster.”

It has to be said that Ron's words made a lot of sense, and even Hermione didn't know how to refute them.

“But Ron, when did Mr. Weasley tell you all this?” Harry asked, puzzled. “During the Christmas holidays,” Ron said. “He and Mum were talking about the Triwizard Tournament, and I happened to be passing by and overheard them.”

Why didn't you tell me this before?

“I forgot.” Ron scratched his head sheepishly. “I had a glass of eggnog that day and was all groggy. I forgot everything the next morning, but I remembered it just now after hearing what Professor Moody said.”

Harry stared wide-eyed, suddenly realizing a terrifying possibility.

"Ron, if Karkaroff is a Death Eater, then could Krum also be..."

“It shouldn’t be, he’s the world’s most famous Seeker,” Ron said, looking somewhat conflicted.

Although he no longer supports Krum because of the Triwizard Tournament, he also doesn't want him to become a Death Eater.

“Anyway, Siron, you’d better stay alert while you’re working on your second project,” Harry said. “Krum is definitely going to use dark magic, so be careful not to get ambushed by him.”

No one speaks.

“Sirlen?” Harry turned to look at Sirlen, who was quietly eating beside him.

"Why are not you talking?"

“Ah, no.” Xiren shook his head. “I just think… well, maybe Karkaroff isn’t faking it.”

“Absolutely not,” Ron said firmly. “Black Lake has been calm ever since we started school, even during torrential downpours. How could it have changed the moment they arrived?”

“I think so too.” Hermione nodded and explained from a scientific point of view: “Besides, the Black Lake is a lake, and waves like those that can capsize Durmstrang’s ship usually only appear in the sea.”

"Hmm...maybe...could it be something else?" Xilun's eyes darted around.

“It couldn’t possibly be some giant squid from the Black Lake, could it?” Ron said, then burst into laughter as if he had just told a very funny joke.

"Everyone at Hogwarts knows that the giant squid in the Black Lake is known for its good temper. How could it possibly capsize Durmstrang's ship for no reason? Absolutely not!"

Harry, who was standing next to him, also started laughing.

“Besides, we don’t need to do this,” he said. “Don’t forget, you had the highest score in the last project. We were number one. Why would we target the last place? This is obviously a conspiracy.”

“If not, I’d be willing to ride a broomstick upside down and fly around Hogwarts,” Ron said, pouring himself a glass of milk.

Both spoke with certainty, but they didn't notice that Xilun was looking away guiltily and didn't continue the conversation.

Actually, that giant squid probably wasn't always so good-tempered.

……

(End of this chapter)