Seeing the uproar in the Great Hall, Dumbledore did not look surprised in the slightest.
Hogwarts students had never been the quiet, well behaved sort, and with something this sensational happening, it would have been stranger if they had stayed silent.
Besides, this was exactly what he wanted to see.
Dumbledore arrived at the staff table with the other professors, but instead of sitting down at once, he remained standing in the center and slowly swept his gaze across the Great Hall.
It was as though he wanted to etch every student present into his memory.
The students had already noticed that something was unusual.
They had all been wildly curious about You-Know-Who, but the whole story sounded so unbelievable that they still did not quite dare to accept everything Harry and the others had said.
But when someone as authoritative as Dumbledore stepped forward, that was a different matter.
Little by little, the students stopped talking. Before Dumbledore even opened his mouth, the Great Hall had already fallen silent.
"Good evening, everyone," Dumbledore said, greeting them as he always did.
But students as perceptive as Hermione could still hear the hint of severity in his voice.
"I know you have many questions about what happened last night, but do not worry. We have plenty of time this evening to answer them."
"Does that include who gets the final championship of the Triwizard Tournament?"
George suddenly shouted the question, and in the silent Great Hall, his voice stood out so clearly that it immediately drew laughter from everyone.
"Of course it does, Mr. Weasley."
This kind of humor was exactly what Dumbledore wanted to see, so he broke into a broad, delighted smile.
"Since not a single Champion succeeded in holding on to the cup last night, the Tournament Committee has decided that all five Champions will share first place and divide all rewards equally."
While students from all three schools instantly burst into cheers, Tver curled his lip.
Dumbledore had originally planned to rank the Champions according to their scores in the first two tasks. It was only after Tver argued his case forcefully that he changed his mind and agreed to let him share first place.
At least history would not record a story about Dark Lord Tver placing fifth in the Triwizard Tournament, dead last besides.
"There was supposed to be an awards ceremony, but under the circumstances, we will leave that aside for something more important."
At those words, the students looked at Dumbledore in shock. They understood at once that the most important matter of the night was finally about to begin.
"I believe you have already heard the rumors, but I can tell you with complete certainty..."
Dumbledore paused.
He had hesitated over whether he should reveal this directly to students who might not be able to bear it, but as Tver had said, the more truth the students knew, the better prepared they would be, and the better the adults could protect them.
"Yes, Voldemort has returned!"
The Great Hall instantly exploded into an uproar. Every student, and even some of the professors, stared at Dumbledore in disbelief while loudly discussing it with those around them.
Now that the confirmation had finally come from Dumbledore himself, if they had not been mentally prepared in advance, they probably would have gone mad.
"Tver, is that true?"
Professor Burbage, who had recently become completely absorbed in promoting Muggle technology, tugged at Tver's sleeve. Professor Flitwick, who had been pushed aside in the process, looked rather displeased.
"Yes. So from now on, be careful. Do not leave Hogwarts unless it is absolutely necessary," Tver reminded her.
He remembered very clearly that this professor had later been used by Voldemort to make an example of someone. Voldemort was probably focused on increasing his strength and gathering his followers right now, but just in case, it was still better for Professor Burbage to be more cautious.
After all, her views had long made many people in the wizarding world unhappy.
"I know many of you may find this hard to believe, but what I am telling you is the truth. It has already happened."
"And for this, we have already lost a brave warrior."
Dumbledore's voice suddenly rose. Even amid the deafening noise in the Great Hall, every word reached everyone clearly.
"My friends, this war began with the death of that warrior. What we are about to face is the most insane and most evil Dark Lord in history."
"The Ministry of Magic does not want you to know this, and many parents may not want to tell you either."
"Of course, it may also be because they simply refuse to believe it. They bury their heads in the sand and deceive themselves into thinking Voldemort will not harm you."
"But I believe that only by making you understand how terrible war is can you better avoid the danger that is coming."
"And not only the students of Hogwarts," he said, turning his gaze toward the Durmstrang and Beauxbatons tables, "any guest who is willing to return will be welcomed and protected by Hogwarts."
"To be honest, I would rather pretend all of this were just an illusion. I am getting on in years, and having to fight like some young man is rather hard on these old bones."
Dumbledore gave Grindelwald a meaningful glance.
"But I have no choice but to stand up, and everyone willing to fight Voldemort has no choice but to stand up as well."
"I do not wish to reopen anyone's wounds, but many of the students here have family members who were harmed by Voldemort and his followers."
At those words, Neville clenched his fists so tightly that his nails dug deep into the soft flesh of his palms.
At the same time, many of the students who had been panicking only moments ago now showed the same determined look.
In truth, Voldemort had not personally killed that many wizards. In fact, the number was probably smaller than the number of his own followers he had punished.
But his followers, along with the Giants, Dementors, and other creatures he commanded, had committed countless atrocities in the chaos.
"So we must stand united. Voldemort's greatest skill is manipulating people's hearts and sowing division. If we begin to distrust one another, then we will have fallen completely into his trap."
"The future of the wizarding world is grim, and it will only grow grimmer. We will face many challenges and many choices."
"But remember this. Kindness and love are the greatest powers within us."
"And please rest assured. This time, we have many young and outstanding professors..."
Dumbledore suddenly swept out one arm and pointed straight at a bewildered Tver.
He had still been savoring the distinctive style of Dumbledore's speech and comparing it with his teacher's style, so how had everyone suddenly started staring at him?
"So please believe in us. Hogwarts has more than enough strength to protect everyone!"
The students immediately laughed in relief.
It was true. If You-Know-Who really had returned, then Hogwarts was undoubtedly the safest place in the world.
Not to mention Dumbledore, celebrated as the foremost White Wizard, even Professor Fawley, whose full strength had rarely been revealed, gave them more than enough sense of security.
Once they realized that, the food appeared at just the right moment, and everyone happily began to enjoy the feast.
Even if the sky really fell, there would be tall people there to hold it up. Two of them, in fact.