Adding the first two rounds together, the highest total score gets to start first in the third round of competition, while the lowest score starts last. The third round is a maze-type competition with the Triwizard Cup placed at the centre of the maze. Whoever gets the Triwizard Cup first wins the final championship of the Triwizard Tournament.
In the maze, there are countless dangers. Dark magical creatures, traps, harsh environments. Everything imaginable, thoroughly testing the three champions' comprehensive abilities.
The final third round takes place on June 24th, the last week before this school year ends. Because of this, as a champion, Sean doesn't need to prepare for exams. His grades will be determined by his usual performance. Of course, Professor McGonagall has already revealed to Sean that he'll have all Outstanding grades on record.
After the second round ended, the audience gradually left the viewing stands.
Two Ministry officials used Bubble-Head Charms to enter the water and discuss compensation for damages caused by the Triwizard Tournament and other related matters with the merpeople waiting in the water.
Everyone was handling the aftermath.
Sean was also preparing to return to Hogwarts for a big meal and then a good sleep.
But just then, Percy came looking for Sean. He had the air of a successful person about him.
"Sean, your performance was remarkable. You showed great care for foreign wizards, letting them see our character, which benefits international magical cooperation.
Of course, you may not understand these things, but I think you're very smart, so you must understand why I gave you that score, right? Actually, you should know yourself. You ultimately returned much later than the other champions, so points had to be deducted accordingly. This wasn't targeting you. I was just fulfilling my duties. So I hope you can understand my choice wasn't directed at you."
Frowning, Sean looked at Percy. Just a fool blinded and confused by power. Sean didn't want to deal with him. Normally, he probably wouldn't listen to his nonsense, but to enquire about Crouch's condition, Sean still suppressed his desire to spray venom at Percy and listened to his rambling.
Ever since discovering Scull had impersonated Hagrid, Sean realised that as his influence on this world deepened, the further things progressed, the faster some changes would occur. So he had to be prepared and constantly vigilant.
"Percy, what about Mr Crouch? Why didn't he come?"
Hearing Sean's question, Percy immediately said, "You know, Sean, some things aren't convenient to tell you."
"Oh, so you don't know. That's fine. I can get information from the Wizengamot side. Thanks anyway, Percy."
Percy was genuinely stunned by Sean's words. Only then did he suddenly remember that Sean was already a Wizengamot alternate, and reportedly a very high-ranking one. If he wanted to enter the Ministry, his starting point would certainly be many levels higher than Percy's own.
Moreover, Sean was backed by the Bulstrode family. Percy hadn't understood this clearly before entering the Ministry, but recently, working beside Crouch, he'd heard some news. The Bulstrode family had deep connections in the Ministry. If he could get on Sean's good side...
His mind racing, Percy immediately changed his approach.
"Sean, if it's you, it's actually no problem. After all, you're already half one of our Ministry people, aren't you? So if it's you, I can tell you."
Pursuing his lips, Percy looked around nervously like he was paranoid, making sure no one was paying attention, before speaking to Sean.
"Actually, recently there've been some voices within the Ministry, supposedly from Auror Office Head Scrimgeour. He claims he saw... saw that legendary Dark Lord.
But our Minister Fudge doesn't agree with this view and directly refuted Mr Scrimgeour's statements. However, Mr Crouch is very responsible. He chose to personally investigate this matter to get a definitive answer. So I, as Mr Crouch's most trusted assistant, got to come here and judge the Triwizard Tournament in his place."
"I see, I understand now. Thank you, Percy."
"You're welcome, Sean, you..."
Percy still wanted to get closer to Sean. After all, his backing was really significant.
But before he could say anything, Sean had already said goodbye and turned to leave.
Seeing this, Percy didn't feel embarrassed but rather thought it natural. He now somewhat regretted being unclear-headed during scoring and not giving Sean a high score. That way, getting close to Sean would seem even more natural.
With slight regret, Percy turned and left Hogwarts.
Sean walked on the path back to Hogwarts castle. Blaise and the others had returned first and were waiting for him in the Great Hall, while Sean walked and thought about Crouch's situation.
According to the original history, Crouch should already be controlled by the Imperius Curse by now.
But when Sean had seen Crouch previously, he hadn't discovered any traces of Imperius Curse control. Moreover, going to investigate whether Voldemort had truly been resurrected didn't seem like something a Crouch controlled by the Imperius Curse would do. Could it be that things had changed on Crouch's side too, and his son Barty Crouch Jr hadn't used the Imperius Curse to control him?
Things seemed to be getting more troublesome.
If things had become like this, then was Moody still being impersonated by Barty Crouch Jr?
Sean had actually been thinking about this question for a long time. Because he'd discovered a problem. The Moody he'd encountered didn't teach the Unforgivable Curses from the start like in his memory. Though this Moody was still quite mad, he had certain restraints and limits. He hadn't rashly exposed students to the Unforgivable Curses, and even last time had only mentioned them briefly before ending the topic.
And more crucially, Sean had been paying attention for a long time. Moody did indeed occasionally drink from the hip flask he carried, but this Moody drank very infrequently. Unless he had a way to take Polyjuice Potion when others couldn't see him, this Moody wasn't drinking that potion.
In other words, this Moody was very likely real!
But then the question arose. If this Moody was real, where was the real Barty Crouch Jr hiding now?