Hogwarts: I Am an Exemplary Wizard-Chapter 570 - 568: Diana

In just one day, O.W.L. made many people realize how terrifying fifth-year at Hogwarts can be.

The lights in the common rooms of the four houses stayed on all night until the next day.

Meanwhile, today was also the day the last competition was to begin.

The breakfast table was lively, with the owls delivering letters almost covering the ceiling.

Some were celebrating the upcoming holiday, while looking forward to the competition that would start in the evening. Only those fifth-year students remained as tense as they were yesterday.

As Kael hesitated about whether to stay in the common room or go to the library today, Professor McGonagall happened to walk along the Hufflepuff table.

"Champions, after breakfast, gather in the classroom next to the auditorium." she said.

"Is it starting?" Susan Bones hurriedly said, "But Professor, I recall the competition starts in the evening? We have exams in the morning."

"I know, Miss Bones." Professor McGonagall glanced at her, "This is a personal matter for the champions, unrelated to the competition."

"Alright, sorry Professor..." Susan nodded.

Professor McGonagall said nothing more and turned to leave.

After a while, once everyone finished breakfast, Conna and Cedric went to the greenhouse for the Herbology exam.

Kael got up and went to the room where the wand was previously tested, Fleur also followed.

As they pushed the door open and entered, Krum had already arrived early, speaking rapidly in Bulgarian with two dark-haired people, seemingly his parents.

The man, like Krum, had a conspicuous hook nose.

Fleur’s mother also came, leading Gabrielle quickly toward them, and Fleur hurriedly went to meet her.

By the fireplace, Diana stood quietly, smiling warmly at Kael.

"Your father is a judge, it’s not appropriate for him to be here." she explained softly.

"I understand." Kael nodded.

Even though Chris gave him a fair score, if other champions or their parents learned about this, it could still cause some trouble.

After all, no one can guarantee they won’t overthink it.

"Is coming to school okay for you?" Kael whispered, "I mean, there are quite a lot of people here."

"Of course, it’s fine." Diana laughed, "My job doesn’t necessarily mean I can’t interact with others; we avoid contact mainly when dealing with tasks requiring strict confidentiality."

"You don’t have a task now?"

"I do, it’s just not so important... and after all, this is the last competition of the Triwizard Tournament, I have to come and see it."

Diana said with a smile.

As they talked by the fireplace, Kael noticed Diana glancing at the portraits on the wall with a hint of nostalgia in her eyes, so he suggested taking her around the castle.

Diana agreed.

Then they walked out of the classroom towards the door leading to the auditorium.

"I haven’t come back for over ten years." Diana said, looking at the portraits and statues on the surrounding walls, "It’s still the same as when I was in school, not a bit of change."

"Didn’t you come once when I received the Merlin Knight Order second-class medal?" Kael asked, recalling seeing Diana then.

"That situation was different, and I didn’t have time to leisurely stroll around the castle like now."

Then Kael took her to the Hufflepuff common room.

Since it was exam time, there was no one here.

Looking at the barrel-shaped house and the sunlit common room, Diana nodded with satisfaction.

"It’s really nice." she said, "Back in Slytherin, looking out the window, you could only see the scenery in the Black Lake, entirely different from here.

"We’re also quite close to the kitchen." Kael laughed, "Right next door, as soon as you walk out."

"I know..." Diana laughed, "Your dad always sent me cookies and snacks back then, my gown almost couldn’t fit by graduation year."

Kael’s eyes brightened, eager to hear more details, but Diana was unwilling to continue.

Next, they strolled in the warm area.

Kael showed her the Beauxbatons carriage and the Durmstrang ship, but Diana wasn’t very interested.

Instead, the Whomping Willow stopped her; according to Diana, it was much smaller when she was in school.

"Hey, Kael."

Hagrid’s voice called from not far away, "It’s exam time, why are you outside... Oh, Merlin, is that you, Diana?"

"Hello, Hagrid..." Diana greeted him familiarly.

This surprised Kael a bit. "You know each other?"

"Much longer than you." Hagrid strode over, laughing, "Back then, only Chris and Diana would come to the Forbidden Forest to see me; I remember Chris quite liked the Rock Skin Cake I made."

"To be honest, Hagrid." Diana said with a smile, "He just found it saved time for researching those Fantastic Beasts; after all, a piece of Rock Skin Cake could keep him full all day."

"I thought he liked the taste." Hagrid seemed a bit disheartened, but only for a moment.

Those were things from over ten years ago, now sharing them is just a memory; regardless of the reason, Chris "liked" Rock Skin Cake, and that’s good enough.

At noon, Kael suggested returning to the castle for lunch, expecting Diana to refuse, but to his surprise, she agreed.

When they arrived at the castle’s auditorium, students were already seated everywhere.

Everyone cast curious glances at Diana, but there was not much surprise since they had already seen Fleur and Krum’s parents before.

"Isn’t she beautiful?" Susan and Hannah whispered, "No wonder Kael is so handsome..."

"Yeah." Hannah nodded in strong agreement.

When lunchtime came, Conna looked more nervous than yesterday.

She didn’t read any book anymore, but sat earnestly, nibbling on her plate of food, yet several times she poked her fork outside the plate.

Fortunately, this situation didn’t last long.

About five minutes later, Diana stood up.

"I need to meet with your dad, discuss when to pick up Molly and the others."

"Going now?" Kael also stood up, "Let me walk you out."

"No, it’s unnecessary." Diana shook her head, "You enjoy your meal; don’t mind me."

Then, with a mysterious smile, she left the auditorium directly.

It wasn’t until then that Conna breathed a long sigh of relief, glanced at the steak almost mashed, and downed her pumpkin juice.

Kael poured her another cup.

"Why didn’t you tell me earlier that your mom would come." Conna looked at him, stammering, "I mean... so we could prepare for her..."

"Actually, I just found out myself in the morning." Kael shrugged, "You were in an exam at that time."

He could fully understand Conna’s feelings.

Honestly, if Snape was sitting opposite him eating, he probably wouldn’t be able to swallow a bite.

...