HP: It's a snake, not a badger.

Chapter 143 Voldemort's Resurrection

The cup emitted a light that enveloped Harry and Cedric, and when the light faded, the two disappeared in the center of the screen. Dumbledore immediately stood up, waved his wand to disperse the plants on the maze, and revealed the entire arena.

All the Aurors responsible for security rushed in to find the children, while Evelyn went against the crowd to Dumbledore and told him the results of her tracking magic. She had added a protective charm to the four children's school badges, enough to withstand one Killing Curse.

At the same time, Garian squeezed in and told Dumbledore where Harry and the others were. Comparing the two pieces of information, he immediately ordered Fawkes to take them there.

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Harry landed and was slashed, but luckily he dodged quickly enough to only suffer a minor injury. Blood dripped down his neck to his collar, and he saw Cedric nearby. Just as Wormtail was about to strike again, he seized the opportunity and ran straight to Cedric, crushing the gem in his sleeve.

Blood dripped from the air onto the ground. Harry shoved Cedric several times, afraid he might be injured and unconscious, trying to wake him. "Harry, what's wrong?"

"I'm glad you're alright." Harry took out a roll of gauze and wrapped it around his neck. The wound was a bit deep, and if the bleeding didn't stop, things would get really bad.

Suddenly, Wormtail, who was opposite them, trembled. A nearly rotting snake was coiled around its neck, and it glared at them menacingly. It licked away the blood Harry had splattered on Peter, hissed at Peter, and the people who had been stunned just moments before walked towards them.

With each attack spell Peter cast, he drew closer and closer to them, and Harry felt he could almost smell the rotting snakes.

"Harry, this won't do. We'll run away as soon as the shield breaks, and then open another one there," Cedric said, pointing to his right rear. He felt that staying there wouldn't work.

"it is good."

Before they could prepare, a flash of fire suddenly appeared in the sky, and Fawkes appeared with Dumbledore. It circled Peter and breathed fire, forcing them to retreat.

"Master... I can't get through..."

Harry heard Peter's trembling voice, heard the snake around his neck cursing him, "Fool, if you had done it sooner, none of this would have happened."

When it saw Dumbledore standing in their way, it chose to back down. It didn't have enough strength to fight Dumbledore head-on, and besides, Peter's clothes had Harry's blood on them, which was enough for his resurrection.

"Let's go." After saying this, Peter and the snake disappeared before their eyes.

"Good children, hold on tight to my arm, let's go back." Dumbledore looked at the two children and patted their heads. Fawkes flew down from the air, grabbed his arm that was outstretched in the air, and led the three of them back to the headmaster's office.

"Bang."

"Cedric, your parents are waiting for you in the Great Hall. I have something to say to Harry. We'll be there in a bit. Could you please tell Minerva?" Dumbledore handed Cedric a box of candy, suggesting he eat a piece to calm himself.

"Okay, thank you, Principal." After saying that, he pushed open the door and left the principal's office, showing no curiosity about what they were going to talk about next.

"My child, I'm so glad you're alright." Lily ran down the stairs and hugged Harry. "Are you hurt anywhere else besides your neck?"

"Mom, I'm fine. I didn't notice when I scratched my neck at first, but I'm not hurt anywhere else. I was hiding in the protective shield that Ellie gave me, so I wasn't hurt." Harry let Lily turn him over and over, explaining that he was perfectly fine.

Dumbledore stood to the side, chuckling. He loved watching these kinds of everyday family dramas. After a while, he finally spoke, "Harry, don't tell anyone about what happened today. This matter must not get out of our circle."

"I understand, Principal."

"Alright, you guys go to the medical wing and let Bobby check you out. I'm going to the auditorium."

Upon reaching the Great Hall, McGonagall was calming down the parents and the other two schools, all of whom demanded an explanation from Dumbledore. Karkaroff, in particular, had been stirring things up, and McGonagall wished she could just knock him out.

"Thank you, Merlin. Albus, you're finally here. How's Harry? Cedric just had his check-up done, and he's not hurt." McGonagall saw Dumbledore at the entrance of the Great Hall and quickly pushed aside the people surrounding her to walk to his side.

"Harry has a scratch on his neck, but there's nothing else wrong with him for now. I've sent him to the medical wing." After reassuring McGonagall, he walked to the center of the Great Hall. "Everyone, this was our oversight. We will find out the truth as soon as possible and give everyone an explanation."

Seeing Dumbledore admit his mistake and promise to find out the truth as soon as possible, the people who had been causing trouble fell silent. They dispersed and prepared to return to their own places.

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Evening

"Enter."

Severus pushed open the door and went in, his face serious. He said, "I went there. He was calling me."

Both of them knew who "he" was. Dumbledore hadn't expected Severus to be willing to go undercover. He looked at the person opposite him quietly, and after a long while, he spoke, "Be careful and protect yourself. Ellie will be sad if you get hurt."

"I know." Severus felt a warmth on his arm. He turned and left the principal's office, walking along the deserted path to the school gate.

"Apparition".

The destination for this gathering was Malfoy Manor, and as soon as he landed, he knew he was late; no one else was going in at the manor gate. However, he had a reason to explain his lateness to Dumbledore.

"Oh, Severus, you're late." Voldemort sat in the middle of the living room, pointing his wand at the man who had just entered. "I thought you were gone forever. Tell me, why did it take you so long to get here?"

"I'm sorry, Master, Dumbledore is investigating the people in the school, and I didn't find a chance to leave immediately." Severus knelt on one knee and looked down at Voldemort's toes.

"Oh? Is that so? Then go ahead." Voldemort's tone was full of contempt as he casually pointed to an empty space and gestured for Severus to stand there.

When Severus stood up, head bowed, and walked over there, he extended his right hand and waved his wand, "Crushing Heart."

The moment the curse landed on him, Severus braced himself for the pain, but felt only a slight ache. He immediately realized what Emeric had done. To prevent Voldemort from noticing anything amiss, he gripped his cloak tightly with both hands, letting out a muffled groan and trembling slightly, giving the impression of enduring unbearable agony.

He thought this would please Voldemort, but before the pain subsided, the second excruciating pain came. Severus arched his body slightly, making himself tremble even more, trying to act realistically and make Voldemort happy.

"These two blows are your punishment, Severus. If there's a next time, it won't be so easy. Now, move on."

"Thank you, Master." Severus walked unsteadily to the empty seat and stood down, his palms damp with sweat.

After the meeting ended, he was called away by Voldemort once again.

"Severus stays; the rest of you may leave."

Upon hearing the announcement of the dismissal, everyone rushed out. Lucius passed Severus with a worried look in his eyes.

"Tell me, what have you been doing all these years?" Voldemort tapped his left hand with his wand in his right, but quickly regretted it. "Perhaps I should come and see for myself?"

"Capturing thoughts and ideas."

Severus felt his memories being unearthed, those he couldn't let Voldemort discover, which he concealed in his conversation with Dumbledore, where Emerick was portrayed as a collaborator, a pure German businessman.

These memories from the past ten years were being examined repeatedly. In the past, he would feel nauseous at this time, but now he only felt slightly nauseous. All of this was abnormal.

"Very good, Severus. It seems you are still loyal to me." Voldemort, not noticing anything amiss, temporarily suppressed his suspicions about Severus. "Stay with Dumbledore. I believe you can bring me more information."

"I will, Master." He trembled slightly, making sure Voldemort would believe he was in great pain.