Coliver, in charge of broadcasting, had an exceptionally keen news sense. When his camera caught the boy with the lightning-shaped scar on his forehead, he immediately realized what truly attracted viewership.
Regardless of whether other teams succeeded or failed, or whether other young wizards performed excellently or hilariously, none could compare to the weight of the young Savior in the eyes of the people.
In the audience, some viewers had seen Harry Potter during the trial of Sirius Black, but for most, it was their first time seeing him, causing an immediate stir among the crowd.
The majority focused on Harry's performance, with only a few exceptions—like the fathers of the Weasley and Digory families, still searching for their children's presence in the cameras on either side.
...
Because there were many competing teams, they had no choice but to determine their maze entry points and entry order according to drawn numbers.
Going in first certainly had a time advantage but also faced more traps, so fairness was out of the question.
The Umbrella House team had to wait nearly half an hour before it was their turn to enter.
By this time, only a few teams remained around the maze's perimeter, though many students had already been sent out after failing.
Those injured were taken for treatment, those frightened received a warm cup of chocolate, and those unharmed ran to the stands to watch with everyone else.
Harry and the others kept tense expressions, standing at the open entrance, speaking in hushed tones.
"Who would have thought Vid's secret weapon was this."
Neville touched the flying broomstick Harry held in his hand.
Just a few minutes earlier, they had heard strange noises from behind the nearby hedge of the maze and turned to see a House-Elf waving at them.
Knowing Vid had a good relationship with several House-Elves, Michael went over to ask a few questions and then brought this broom back.
It was Harry's familiar Nimbus 2000.
Hermione showed a frustrated expression—
"No wonder they couldn't tell us beforehand! If the other teams saw it earlier, they'd definitely bring their own brooms!"
"If that happened—" Michael said, "The school might ban the use of brooms in the Maze Area."
"So can Harry use it?" Theo asked.
"There's no mention of a ban, so he can use it."
Michael's boundaries were flexible; he handed the broom to Harry, giving him a pat on the shoulder.
"Fly well!"
Michael advised, like a senior:
"Even if we all get thrown out, just fly in front of the Ball Python, even if it's just to give it a Scourgify! That way, we can claim we challenged the final boss too."
Leian was speechless: "So, Michael, can you not be so pessimistic?"
It was as if he was about to sacrifice himself.
Michael sighed, just about to speak, when suddenly the bell rang.
It was their time to enter; the wall in front of them suddenly shifted, forming an archway.
Professor McGonagall nodded slightly at them, flashing a faint smile.
"Don't be nervous, good luck!"
This professor said in a gentle voice, watching her students enter the maze.
Especially Neville, who, trembling yet managing not to buckle, earned an encouraging look from Professor McGonagall.
"Believe in yourself, Longbottom! Hold your chest up!"
"Yes... yes!"
Neville stammered, then walked in an unsteady gait.
Under normal circumstances, Michael would have corrected him disdainfully.
But right now, he was equally nervous, unable to mind his companion's behavior.
Once they were all inside the maze, with the hedge closing behind them, they relaxed a little.
The maze was somewhat different, but it was still a familiar environment.
They had been training here many times in recent days.
Others might treat this challenge as a game, without even integrating their teams before coming here laughing and joking, but not Hermione.
Hermione treated each competition as an important exam and forced her teammates to step up as well.
Harry sometimes felt lucky—lucky that Hermione wasn't interested in Quidditch.
Otherwise, he suspected that after Wood graduated, Hermione would become the new team captain and expand on Wood's training style, honing it to perfection.
They quickly formed a formation, holding their wands, and walked along the left path.
"Look, there's a centipede."
Leian said softly.
In the middle of a passage, a giant centipede was charred, bound on vines, its lateral legs still twitching.
"Oh, damn!"
Hermione couldn't help but say: "It's all Vid's fault."
Everyone nodded with lingering fear.
Before Vid, no one thought of using the Enlargement Spell this way. But since Vid created the "Insect Brigade," these creatures have become permanent NPCs in the maze.
Everyone present had been knocked over by insects, wrapped in webs, or splashed with the green slime of insects multiple times.
Hermione scrubbed her arm vigorously, and they all quickened their pace, moving forward.
After walking a few steps, they heard a sharp noise, like a large group of mosquitoes roaring.
"Iron Armor Protection!"
Harry shouted, casting a spell without thinking, and the invisible armor blocked the first wave of attacks.
The others quickly used "Curse Stop," and when the noise ceased, they realized the "monsters" attacking them were dozens of paper planes.
Harry murmured, "No wonder a single Iron Armor Spell could stop them all."
"Let's keep moving," Michael said. "There are plenty more dangers ahead!"
Rustling sounds came from all directions of the maze.
Various enlarged "monsters" were hunting for prey, a giant lizard swatted a few students and then hissed at Professor Flitwick.
Seemingly harmless plants quietly extended their branches, the tips blossoming into beautiful flowers emitting a faint fragrance.
A group of ants, each the size of a small dog, passed by, with one curious enough to taste some nectar from the flowers, only to briefly freeze and then turn to bite off a leg of its companion.
Hagrid, with his large frame, used two fingers to pick up a student who had fainted in danger, placing him on the back of a Thestral to transport him out.
Cedric watched as another companion was transported out by House-Elves due to injuries, taking a deep breath and gripping his wand, facing the Acromantula as large as a small car.
The path to the core was even more difficult than anyone imagined.