Chapter 89: Unspoken Truths
Hermione returned the gesture and smiled at him before kissing his cheek. She was relieved that he had made it back alive. She realized that things would be very different now and that Remus and Sirius were very smart to move her family ahead of time to keep them safe.
Hermione was unsure what the Wizarding World's response would be to this news, however, she did know that it wasn't going to be a good one. As a society, witches and wizards were too wrapped up in their own little worlds and they would do almost everything to ignore the evidence in front of them when it disrupted their beliefs and day-to-day lives.
When they entered the Great Hall, the applause was deafening. Students, parents, and other spectators were crowded into the large room leaving only a tiny walkway up to the raised platform where the teacher's table normally sat.
Cornelius Fudge was sitting on the side of the dais next to the other three Triwizard Champions. There was no sign of Ludo Bagman but Barty Crouch, Sr.'s replacement, Percy Weasley, was there. As Harry made his way up to the stage, Remus, Sirius in dog form, and Hermione moved off towards the Gryffindor Table where Neville and Ginny were waving to them.
Once everyone was seated, Dumbledore stepped up to the lectern and began speaking, "Tonight marks the end of the Triwizard Tournament. I would like to thank everyone that helped make this event possible. This event is one steeped in history and I am glad that we were able to resurrect it with only minimal changes to the rules which proved to be a major success." He was glossing over the fact that Harry was underage but only a few people would remember that tiny footnote if he could help it.
Continuing his speech, Dumbledore said cheerfully, "Let us all give a warm round of applause for our Triwizard Champions! They have fought through difficult tasks, proven their mettle, and made their schools, and countries, proud." He paused to let the applause die down before he resumed speaking, "It is with great pleasure that I introduce this years Triwizard Champion, Hogwarts very own Harry Potter!"
Grudgingly, Harry stood up from his chair and made his way over to where Professor Dumbledore was standing, clapping along with the crowd. When he stopped next to Dumbledore, he quietly said, "Thank you."
Dumbledore turned to face the crowd and announced, "Let's welcome our Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge to present the prize!"
The applause was lack luster at best and Fudge was internally scowling. He figured that he would use this event, and the Potter boy's prestige, to help bolster support. With a big smile on his face, Fudge stepped up to the lectern and addressed the assembled crowd, "Thank you for your kind welcome. Under my direction, the Ministry of Magic worked very hard to make this event happen. I would like to thank Beauxbatons and Durmstrang for agreeing to participate in the tournament this year. Talks are already under way for another tournament to be held at one of their fine institutions in two years and I'm sure that Hogwarts will be up to the challenge."
He paused to gauge the crowd's reaction. There was a large smattering of excited murmurs about the next tournament, continuing, he said, "To that end, we have commissioned the construction of a new trophy for the winner of the tournament. This new trophy will be passed down from victor to victor after each tournament. The winner's name, and tournament date and location, will be engraved on the base of the trophy, forever immortalizing them."
Turning to face Harry Potter, he waived the boy up to stand next to him. Excitedly, Fudge said, "It is my great honor to bestow the first place prize of one thousand galleons to Harry Potter! The new trophy will be delivered to him upon its completion and at the completion of the next tournament; Mr. Potter will pass it along to the next champion." He reached out and shook Harry Potter's hand enthusiastically for the cameras while holding out the sack of gold to him.
Harry had plastered a fake smile on his face as he accepted his prize money with a mumbled, "Thank you." He knew that there was no chance that Fudge would let him speak out of fear that he would announce Voldemort's return. Taking his prize money, he made his way down from the platform and over to the Gryffindor Table to sit next to Hermione.
Dumbledore stepped back up to the lectern and addressed the crowd, "Thus concludes the award ceremony. Now, let the party begin!" He clapped his hands and the tables filled with an assortment of drinks, food, and sweets. He didn't think that the time was right to announce Voldemort's return, yet.
By keeping things silent, Dumbledore hoped that it would make things easier to track the Death Eaters and Voldemort. The quicker that he reassembled the Order of the Phoenix, the better, and he planned to do that immediately following the ceremony.
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