Chapter 568: The Exam
As June approached, the atmosphere in the castle grew tense and excited once more. The final event of the Triwizard Tournament was imminent, and the summer holidays were just around the corner. For most students, who hadn't left the castle all year due to the Christmas Ball, the anticipation of this year's break was higher than ever.
Kyle found himself buried in yet another stack of books. This time, Cedric, Cho, and Kanna joined in to help, drafting an extensive list of potentially useful Charms on a long piece of parchment and handing it to him.
"The Four-Point Spell will definitely work, I guarantee it," Cedric insisted. "It makes your wand point due north. Since the Quidditch Pitch is north of the castle, if you follow the wand, you'll definitely find the spot where the trophy is hidden."
"Are you sure the directions in the maze will be accurate?" Cho countered. "Don't forget what happened during the First Task. The Champions' perspective was completely different from what we saw."
"But it's still better than wandering aimlessly, isn't it?" Cedric argued. "Knowing a direction is better than knowing nothing at all."
"You're right," Cho conceded, though she glanced at him skeptically. "Still, if a Four-Point Spell were enough to solve the maze, this task would be way too easy. I'm sure Professor Dumbledore has already considered that."
"That's why the Reductor Curse is more important," Cho added. "Use it to blow through the hedges and head straight for the center without being hindered by the maze."
"I don't think a single Reductor Curse can destroy the kind of hedges they'll use for the maze," Cedric muttered.
This wasn't the first time they'd clashed over which Charm was most useful. Each had their arguments, and it often turned into a competition—as if convincing Kyle meant victory. The winner would bask in smugness for the rest of the day, only for the debate to start anew the next morning.