[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-wizard-war-at-hogwarts":3,"chapter-wizard-war-at-hogwarts-wizard-war-at-hogwarts-chapter-186":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Wizard War at Hogwarts",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2358159,4612,"Chapter 186","wizard-war-at-hogwarts-chapter-186",186,"\u003Cp>All fourth-year students noticed that their coursework this term had clearly increased. Professor McGonagall informed them during an assignment briefing that this was because they, as fifth-years, would soon take the OWL exams—a crucial and highly important test for wizards that demanded thorough preparation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet while fourth-year Harry struggled under the weight of assignments, fifth-year Zhang Qiu paid no mind to the exams, continuing to move freely among various student clubs. Beyond SPEW, which was gradually stabilizing, she had become the soul of the Thirsk Arcane Society, establishing the core principle of “seniority first,” appointing seventh-year Penelope Clearwater as its first Guardian, and decreeing that all future Guardians must be seventh-year students.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you choose the most capable, everyone will recommend themselves; but if you choose the most experienced, the conclusion will be indisputable,” she said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Besides the Thirsk Arcane Society, which Zhang Qiu had masterfully guided with Eastern wisdom, all other clubs thrived orderly and vigorously. Neville had earned great prestige in the Lionheart Society; nearly everyone knew he had voluntarily stayed behind to defend Hogwarts, and its members all embraced this ideal, often saying, “The Triwizard Tournament needs only one champion, but Hogwarts needs all the Gryffindors.” The cohesion displayed by its members left Harry awestruck.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hannah’s situation was going well. Since Cedric intended to enter the Triwizard Tournament, the Hufflepuff Defense Association—or rather, Dumbledore’s Army—would be jointly managed by her and Ernie Macmillan during Cedric’s time in France. From this, Harry believed that when Cedric returned from France and saw the club running smoothly, he might not bother replacing its leaders—meaning half of Dumbledore’s Army would already be in Hannah’s hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The reason it was only half was that Hannah and Ernie each had distinct networks. Though Hannah had learned many effective tactics from Neville, Ernie maintained close ties with the Silverblood families of Slytherin. Malfoy struggled to maintain a fragile alliance of outward harmony and inner discord, leveraging his Torchwood contacts to spread his influence across the entire school, which greatly alarmed other pure-blood descendants—thus, he still retained leadership over the Silverblood families for now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Harry was happy to offer Malfoy some off-the-record assistance, but time was running out. An announcement had been posted along every corridor: Dumbledore had clearly informed everyone that this Saturday afternoon, all students who met the criteria and wished to enter the Triwizard Tournament would board the Hogwarts Express to depart for Beauxbatons Academy of Magic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After lunch, nearly all students gathered at the Hogsmeade station platform—some eligible to compete, others seeing off competitors, and naturally, a few attempting to sneak past the age restriction and board the Express.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dumbledore had laid a thin golden line on the platform, about ten feet from the train. For students who had turned seventeen, this was no different from a regular waiting line; they stepped over it easily, laughing and waving, then boarded to find seats.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For those who did not qualify—like Fred, George, and Lee Jordan, who had secretly taken Ageing Potion—the moment they crossed the line, an invisible force hurled them backward, slamming them hard onto the ground ten feet away, their chins now sprouting comical white beards.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I warned you,” Dumbledore said with a twinkling smile. “Now, I suggest you pay Madam Pomfrey a visit—she’s already tending to Ravenclaw’s Fawcett and Hufflepuff’s Summers.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the three stared at each other, then burst into helpless laughter, a figure in pale blue school uniform stepped over the golden line and winked at them with a smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s impossible!” Fred exclaimed. “Zhang Qiu, aren’t you only in fifth year?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How did you get across?” George also stared wide-eyed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Whether you believe it or not, I’ve already turned seventeen,” Zhang Qiu said with a smile, then waved at Harry before walking toward a particular carriage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Harry memorized the carriage—the door had a prominent weasel doodle painted on top.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But how did she get across?” Ron whispered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Maybe some mysterious Celestial magic,” Harry evaded, refusing to reveal that Zhang Qiu had spent two extra years elsewhere—meaning she was, in truth, genuinely seventeen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Should we go too?” Ron glanced nervously around and whispered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I want to say goodbye to Neville,” Harry walked over to Neville, quietly pulling back a corner of the Invisibility Cloak, meeting his eyes through the crowd.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We’ll be apart for a long while,” Harry hesitated. “I hope you have an easy time at Hogwarts.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Travel companions walk the same road; true friends march side by side on different paths,” Neville said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Did your grandmother say that?” Ron asked curiously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No, I said it myself,” Neville chuckled softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wrapped in the Invisibility Cloak, Harry and Ron easily bypassed the golden line’s detection, then stepped onto the train. Only then did Harry notice the train had changed from his school days.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each carriage had grown much larger; instead of two rows of plush sofas, there were now four single beds with upper and lower bunks, a small table in the center, and a row of lockers beside them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh, I just realized,” Ron said. “We’ll need somewhere to stay at Beauxbatons.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And we’ll need to bathe,” Harry read from a small booklet beside the bed. “It says the carriage closest to the engine is the bathroom—it provides hot water twenty-four hours a day. The dining car is at the rear…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Watch out, someone’s coming,” Ron hurried to grab the Invisibility Cloak—but it was already too late.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Harry? You’re here?” It was Cedric. “I’m curious how you got on, but shouldn’t you tell a professor?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Are you going to tell them?” Ron’s tone turned sharp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I won’t volunteer the information, but I strongly advise you to speak with Dumbledore,” Cedric said earnestly. “You can’t let other professors think you’re skipping class. And on the day the champions are chosen, you’ll still need to appear.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re right. Thanks for the advice,” Harry closed the booklet and walked toward Dumbledore’s carriage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah, Harry,” Dumbledore showed no surprise at his arrival. “I knew you’d do this.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, Professor,” Harry met his eyes seriously. “I’ve made up my mind.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You know his target is me—you could avoid this risk,” Dumbledore rubbed his fingers. “If you don’t board this train, you can still live your life. Voldemort won’t mind, and Sirius will take good care of you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But the entire plan begins with me,” Harry said. “And rather than live aimlessly in a world ravaged by the Dark Lord, I’d rather fight him to the death when I have the chance.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He still doesn’t know about the twin wands or the Chrono-Spatial Matrix,” Harry added. “And Zhang Qiu has come. We can use the Chrono-Spatial Matrix to defeat him—or banish him to the afterlife.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You have a sharp mind, child,” Dumbledore sighed lightly. “I hope things unfold as we wish.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Harry bit his lip. From the old man, he sensed an indescribable weariness, so he said no more of his plans or schemes, simply bid Dumbledore farewell, then returned to his carriage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What did you and Dumbledore discuss in secret?” Ron asked from his bed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Nothing much—just letting him know our resolve,” Harry lay down opposite him, a faint unease stirring inside him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You definitely discussed a plan! You really won’t tell me anything?” Ron raised his eyebrows, nearly losing them in his hair. “I still know nothing about those things—only that you’re entering the tournament and fighting the Dark Lord!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s fine, Ron,” Harry hesitated. “I want you to give everything you’ve got to help me win the tournament. As for the rest of the plan—I honestly don’t know it yet. We’ll have to adapt as we go.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You want me to sign up too, and become Hogwarts’ second champion?” Ron’s eyebrows shot even higher. “I’d love to—but we both know that’s impossible. Your plan—you could’ve told me. If you didn’t want to say it at school, fine. But now you’re still hiding it? That makes me feel like you’re treating me like a fool. Maybe I’d be better off staying at Hogwarts, running the Lionheart Society with Neville.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Harry suddenly realized: Ron wasn’t just curious or foolish—he wanted Harry’s trust. By bringing him onto the train yet withholding all information, Harry had made Ron feel like a pawn, not a partner.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ron, tell me—if someone impersonated me, what question would you ask to tell the difference?” Harry said seriously, abruptly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What are you talking about… ah!” Ron suddenly understood. “First question: What was my Christmas gift to you? Second: You have to say something only the two of us know—like the train number.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Exactly. You suspect I’m an impostor—that makes sense,” Ron slapped his forehead in frustration. “Was I too curious about the plan? I shouldn’t have asked—but I couldn’t help it. I’m sorry.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Actually, I really don’t know how to proceed,” Harry offered a half-forced, half-genuine smile. “But I can tell you everything I know. Anything. If you can come up with a brilliant idea from it—that’d be perfect…”\u003C\u002Fp>",1491,"2026-06-21T04:54:27.874Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","27ddedbd944d46ee7711af3fdfc0c3c63e2d108e2a79ecd850d8366afba9fea0","wizard-war-at-hogwarts-chapter-187","wizard-war-at-hogwarts-chapter-185",528,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fwizard-war-at-hogwarts-cover.jpg"]