Bab 246: Chapter 245 "Finals"
"Father—Mother!" Draco exclaimed in surprise as he settled at the Slytherin table. "What are you doing here?"
"We've come to watch Skyler's finals!" Narcissa replied with a loving smile, patting Draco's hand. "And of course, to see my baby Draco."
Lucius grunted, his voice deep. "Draco, how did you fare in the exam?"
"Well, I think it went alright," Draco responded. "Though, I couldn't recall all the names of the rebel goblins. Honestly, who bothers to remember those? I just made up a few on the spot. Besides, the history of magic holds little practical value for our future careers, right?"
Before Lucius could respond, Narcissa interjected, "Absolutely right. Those ancient relics are only of interest to pedantic old scholars. When I was in school, I also made up answers for the history exam... If you ever need information, you can always have your servants look it up for you."
Lucius sighed, shaking his head with a wry smile. "Narcissa, you spoil him too much. Look at Skyler; his knowledge of magical history is astounding. I doubt the consultants hired by the family can match his expertise."
Although Malfoy Manor only housed one butler and one house elf, it didn't mean there were no other servants in the Malfoy family. Lucius, managing the family business, often required expertise from various fields, collectively known as "staff."
These individuals were experts in their respective fields, possessing extensive knowledge or specialized skills. They didn't reside in the manor regularly but were on call for the family leader, ready to provide advice or answer questions whenever needed.
As Daphne, Astoria, and Pansy joined them, greetings were exchanged.
"Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Malfoy," the three girls chimed obediently.
Narcissa warmly embraced them. "Ah, the two young ladies from Greengrass and Miss Parkinson. It's been just a few years, and you're all growing more beautiful."
"Mrs. Malfoy, you're as lovely as ever. I caught sight of you from afar and briefly wondered when Skyler acquired a sister," Daphne quipped.
Narcissa chuckled, her smile wide. She exchanged a knowing glance with Lucius, and they both nodded in agreement.
"Let's all relax and enjoy our meal together," Narcissa invited, motioning for the three girls to take seats beside her.
Lunch at Hogwarts followed its usual fare, featuring roast beef, chicken, pork chops, and lamb chops, accompanied by mashed or roasted potatoes and vegetable salads.
Narcissa hesitated, prodding the mutton chops on her plate with her knife and fork before ceasing to eat altogether.
With a hint of disgust, she remarked, "The quality of the food here is truly appalling. You must endure quite a lot." Her sympathetic gaze turned to her sons, particularly focusing on Skyler, who felt discomfort under her scrutiny.
Skyler, however, considered it merely a meal and saw no need to make an issue of it. Naturally, the food at Hogwarts couldn't match the standards of pure-blood families.
The school provided free boarding education while catering to the needs of hundreds of students. Serving dragon steak to all would deplete Hogwarts' funds swiftly, especially considering the demand house elves would face.
Narcissa's critique seemed somewhat exaggerated. The culinary magic performed by the house elves at Hogwarts was inherited from the great gourmet Hufflepuff himself. While quantity might occasionally overshadow quality, the overall standard was certainly not lacking.
"I actually find it quite enjoyable," Pansy chimed in, trying to offer a different perspective.
"Indeed," Narcissa continued, disregarding Pansy's comment. "It's truly torturous to have to dine with a bunch of commoners." She cast a disdainful glance towards Mrs. Weasley, seated at the Gryffindor table with Harry and Ron, shaking her head in disgust.
"Dumbledore's notion of 'equal treatment' is nothing more than a facade of camaraderie," Lucius remarked sarcastically, tapping his silver snakehead cane.
Thankfully, they were far enough away that Mrs. Weasley couldn't overhear, sparing them another confrontation.
After lunch, Skyler and his parents went their separate ways. Daphne, Pansy, and Astoria volunteered to accompany Lucius and Narcissa on a stroll outside the castle, visiting Durmstrang's ghost ship and Beauxbatons' luxurious carriage.
Skyler sat alone by the lake, silently gazing at the shimmering water. He couldn't quite discern his emotions. The abundance of power had dulled his anticipation for the upcoming challenge.
According to the description in the original book, the challenges Harry faced along the way included encountering Hagrid's Blast Ended Skrewt, facing a Boggart, navigating through a golden mist that distorted reality, encountering a Sphinx, and confronting a giant eight-eyed spider. But is that all?
The original narrative unfolds from Harry's perspective, where he managed to reach the finish line unscathed, thanks to the covert aid of Mad-Eye Moody.
However, even with this assistance, the Triwizard Tournament is designed to push the limits of seventh-year elite students. The competition's challenges are meticulously crafted by the Department of International Cooperation and the Department of Sports at the Ministry of Magic well in advance of the school year.
The unforeseen consequences triggered by Skyler's participation may elevate the competitors' abilities but will not alter the competition's core structure.
This indicates that the tournament is tailored to the caliber of Cedric Diggory, Viktor Krum, and Fleur Delacour in the original narrative. And yet, even if these three competitors were combined, they would not be enough for Skyler to merely match his prowess.
Given this perspective, how could Skyler still muster the same excitement, anticipation, and zeal as the other competitors?
He sighed softly, grappling with the weight of his unparalleled capabilities amidst the standardized challenges of the tournament.
He merely wished to expedite proceedings, eagerly anticipating Voldemort's return...
"Voldemort, Voldemort, may you not disappoint me too greatly." Skyler chanted inside his heart; with a slight smile, he wished that the battle between him and Voldemort would not be too boring.
Time trickled sluggishly, the sun sinking beneath the horizon, casting the sky in a mesmerizing hue of orange.
As evening approached, the anticipation of dinner filled the air, drawing everyone to the auditorium.
The feast was more lavish than usual, enticing many students to indulge heartily. Bagman and Fudge occupied seats at the staff table; while Bagman appeared jovial, Fudge, seated next to Madam Maxime, wore a grim expression, uttering scarcely a word.
Skyler couldn't help but smirk. On the surface, Fudge maintained a facade of harmony with Dumbledore, fostering the illusion of unity. Yet beneath the veneer lay stark ideological differences, his internal biases evident.
While he concealed his disdain for Muggles and Muggle-born wizards, his contempt for half-breeds such as giants or those with tarnished reputations like vampires and werewolves was palpable.
As the enchanted ceiling transitioned from cerulean to a dusky purple, Dumbledore rose from his seat at the staff table, commanding the attention of all present.
"Ladies and gentlemen, in five minutes, I will invite everyone to the Quidditch pitch to watch the final event of the Triwizard Tournament. Now, Champions, please follow Mr. Bagman to the sports ground," Dumbledore announced, his voice resonating with authority as he pinched his long silver-white beard.
The Champions rose in unison, departing amidst a chorus of applause from the students.
This was the culminating clash, the ultimate showdown. As the spectacle unfolded, the prowess displayed by each of the four Champions endeared them to the hearts of the Hogwarts students. Unwavering determination and boundless courage—the hallmarks of their performances garnered resounding cheers and applause.
Astoria clasped her hands tightly, fingers entwined in anxious anticipation. "Brother Skyler, you must emerge victorious!"
Daphne offered a supportive smile. "There's no need for words. We'll all be awaiting your triumph at the celebration tonight."
Skyler returned the smile, his gaze determined. With a sudden turn, he strode forward, the night sky cloak billowing behind him like a celestial banner caught in the wind, etching a silhouette of heroism against the backdrop of the night—a harbinger of the heroic figure poised to emerge.
PERTIMBANGAN PENCIPTA 
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