It's hard for me to recall exactly what happened in the following days. That night in Moody's office, I learned so many things all at once that it felt like my brain was stuffed to the brim. Clearly, I had nothing to do with these events. As Dad said, I was just asked by Mr. Potter to look for him by chance, happened to pass by when Harry and Neville came back and became the first to witness their return, and was asked by Barty Crouch Jr. to help him take Harry and Neville back to his office. But just like that, I became one of the people who were closest to the truth that night.

Dumbledore asked all the teachers and students in the school not to bother us, nor to try to ask what we saw, heard, or experienced that night. This made me breathe a sigh of relief. Compared to the finger - pointing that Harry and Neville received, I didn't draw too much attention. Everyone thought I just had bad luck and ran into a crazy Death Eater.

It was only after I returned to Gryffindor Tower that I learned from Harry and the others that a lot of things had happened while I was unconscious. The Dementors that Cornelius Fudge brought into Hogwarts directly sucked out the soul of Barty Crouch Jr. Fudge refused to believe the news of the Dark Lord's return, thinking that Dumbledore actually believed the crazy words of "a boy who takes pleasure in attracting attention and a mentally unstable and potentially dangerous boy."

"What about Mr. Crouch's death?" I asked, curled up in the soft armchair. "Is he going to turn a blind eye to the death of a senior official of the Ministry of Magic?"

"He said it was simply revenge from his son," Harry said gloomily. "Fudge is clearly a big fan of Rita Skeeter. He thinks Dumbledore is claiming the Dark Lord has returned to undermine his position as the Minister of Magic."

"What about your dad?" I thought that Mr. Potter should have been there at that time. "He's the head of the Auror Office. Fudge should have asked him to take a stance, right?"

"Dumbledore sent Mr. Potter away in advance," Hermione said. "I'm just guessing, but Aunt Lily was transferred after being attacked in Albania. She might have mentioned the Dark Lord to Fudge at that time. Fudge is terrified of any news about the Dark Lord's return. To escape reality, he simply transferred Aunt Lily to another department. Dumbledore must have foreseen this possibility. He needed Mr. Potter to stay in his position."

"Seems like... my dad and Mr. Potter talked about this." I recalled slowly the conversation between my dad and Mr. Potter that I happened to overhear when I went to St. Mungo's to visit my mom last semester. "Dad said he wasn't surprised by Fudge's attitude and asked Mr. Potter if he was surprised."

"Neville, stop practicing for now," Hermione said gently as she walked over to another table and patted Neville on the shoulder. "Come and talk with us, okay?"

"No." Neville's face was tense, as if he was about to devour the book in front of him. "I don't want others to save me anymore. Next time, I'll hold my wand myself... I have to—" Harry shook his head at Hermione, and Hermione didn't say anything more. She sat back in her armchair, folding her arms. Talos leaned over to correct Neville's pronunciation, and Ron brought out the wizard chess and asked who wanted to play a game with him. I said I'd like to give it a try, but then I was completely defeated by him.

"You were thinking about something else," Ron said, unable to hide his pride as he cleared the broken pieces off the chessboard. "But it's not embarrassing to lose to me. I'm really good at wizard chess."

Ordinarily, the Leaving Feast is the favorite day for Gryffindors, because we've won the House Cup for three consecutive years. The entire Great Hall will be decorated in gold and red to celebrate Gryffindor's hard work throughout the year. But this year, I didn't want to attend it at all. Attending the feast meant leaving Gryffindor Tower, facing all the teachers and students in the school, and facing Draco.

I tried hard not to think about what happened that night, but I couldn't help but recall over and over again the list of Death Eaters that Harry recited who had returned to Voldemort. The last name that came out of his mouth was "Lucius Malfoy." Every time I thought of this, I felt my heart being clenched tightly by a huge hand. I knew this wasn't the after - effect of the Cruciatus Curse.

"Another year," Dumbledore rose from the staff table. The soft whispers in the Great Hall faded away, and everyone's eyes were fixed on his face, which no longer wore the usual warm and humorous smile. "It's over."

Sparse applause rang out, and soon the hall fell silent again. The real Moody sat at the staff table with a tense expression. Dad looked as expressionless as usual. I hadn't seen him since I woke up, and Mom had only left a short note telling me she'd been here. What were they busy with? Was it related to fighting against the Dark Lord? Were they already in danger? I found I didn't even dare to think about these questions because one would lead to another, and in the end, they'd all tangle up and suffocate me.

"I have something to say to you tonight," Dumbledore said, looking at us calmly. "First, Barty Crouch. I hope you'll raise your glasses in his honor."

Most of us stood up, raised our goblets, and said in unison in a low voice, "Barty Crouch."

"I'm sure you've heard various opinions about Mr. Crouch, both good and bad," Dumbledore continued. "No one can do the right thing all their life. What we need to remember today is that he protected two students at Hogwarts from being killed by Voldemort and carried the belief of fighting against the Dark Arts until the last second of his life."

"The Ministry of Magic doesn't want me to tell you these things, and some of your parents may be shocked by what I'm doing," he said, looking at the silent crowd. "But I think you have the right to know the truth, and I also think it's disrespectful to Mr. Crouch to say that his death was revenge from his son. I know many people don't believe - or don't want to believe - that Voldemort has returned. But the truth won't be buried in the dirt forever under the cover of lies. Eventually, we'll have to face this reality. Although it's understandable to want to escape, I hope, I sincerely hope that you won't be forced to accept it in a panic at the last moment when danger is upon you."

Every face looking at Dumbledore was filled with shock and fear... not every face, though. I saw Draco turn around and say something to Crabbe and Goyle. He didn't seem to be planning to listen to what Dumbledore was saying at all. I forced myself to turn my head and keep listening to Dumbledore, but I couldn't help thinking that if Mr. Malfoy had indeed knelt down and kissed the hem of the Dark Lord's robe that night, then Draco really didn't need to hear the news of the Dark Lord's return from Dumbledore now.

"When talking about this topic, we must also mention several other people." Dumbledore's eyes turned towards the Gryffindor table. "Neville Longbottom, his name is engraved in all of your hearts. I know you've read a lot of rumors about him, but I hope you remember that he has never tried to escape the misfortunes imposed on him by Voldemort. This time, he once again tenaciously escaped from his clutches. Harry Potter, as part of the conspiracy, had his name put into the Goblet of Fire by the Death Eaters. However, he completed all the tasks of the Triwizard Tournament with strength and fearlessness, and showed extraordinary courage when facing Voldemort - few wizards can achieve this. And Iris Snape, when facing a cruel Death Eater, she bravely chose to protect her injured companions. Without any hesitation, she raised her wand and stood in front of them. I pay my highest respects to this youthful courage, and I hope that all of you here will never underestimate the danger we face, nor ever underestimate the power you possess."

Many people stood up and raised their glasses to us. I lowered my head and took a quick sip of the liquid in my glass, feeling my face burning hot.

After everyone sat down again, Dumbledore continued, "The significance of the Triwizard Tournament itself becomes even more important at this moment. We gather here to enhance our understanding of each other. Every guest sitting here today, as long as you're willing to come back, Hogwarts will always open its welcoming doors wide - I need to emphasize that only by uniting can we become strong. We must build unbreakable trust and friendship to face the conflicts and hostilities created by Voldemort. At this moment, more than ever before, we urgently need to cast aside our prejudices and unite as one, so that we have the possibility of fighting to the end - this is not a war for just a few people. Many of you here have been directly or indirectly harmed by Voldemort. Your families have been torn apart because of Voldemort, and this time you will no longer learn about all this from textbooks or the words of your elders."

"I believe - I truly hope I'm wrong. I also hope that you can always grow up in the bright sunshine. But when the darkness irresistibly comes back, I hope you're prepared and choose the right path - countless people have already dedicated their blood, even their lives, to this path. I know you will live up to their sacrifices."

After the dinner, I lingered in the Great Hall for quite a while, but still met Draco leaning against the wall in the corridor. He was playing with a small ball in his hand - the constellation ball I gave him for his birthday last year. When he saw me, he straightened up and put it in his pocket.

I shook my head at Hermione, indicating that they should go first.

"I thought you'd never come out of the Gryffindor Tower for the rest of your life," he said in a strange tone.

"Madam Pomfrey said I needed to recuperate," of course, this was just an excuse. I avoided his gaze uncomfortably. "She hoped I could have a good rest."

"Oh, I almost forgot," he sneered. "You bravely protected Potter and Longbottom, not sparing yourself from being tortured by the Cruciatus Curse. What a touching display of Gryffindor spirit."

"What does this have to do with Harry or Neville?" I didn't want to argue with him about Harry again. I turned around, tired, trying to leave. "If you were sitting there, defenseless and about to be attacked, I would protect you too - anyone would."

"Hey, you don't even want to say a single word to me now?" He grabbed my hand to stop me from going up the steps. Some younger students looked at us curiously, but were scared away by his fierce look. "You believe those crazy words - is that what you mean?"

"Crazy words?" I stopped trying to get him to let go of me and looked up into his eyes. "What crazy words? That the Dark Lord has returned, or that your father is on the list of Death Eaters who have come back?"

His expression distorted instantly, and he almost growled, "Do you have any evidence?"

"No, at least not yet," I shook my head. "But you're right, I believe those words."

"So you've chosen those people," he said slowly.

"What do you expect me to choose then?" Thinking of his behavior in the Great Hall just now, I found I could only retort sharply like this.

"They're doomed, okay?" Draco took a step closer to me and said in a low voice. "I've long wanted to warn you - but considering your feelings. You shouldn't have been hanging around with those low - lives for a long time! There's still time, Iris. You and your father still have time... The Dark Lord has returned, and those losers will be the first to go! Those muggle - lovers and the mud - "

"Mud what?" I looked at his suddenly pale face. "Why don't you finish? Those muggle - loving people and mudbloods, that's what you wanted to say, right?"

"I didn't mean - " He looked into my eyes. "I was just too excited. I just - "

"Slipped up?" I looked at him sadly. "Is that it? For all these years, we've been avoiding this. But deep down, you've always thought this way. Wizards born to muggles have low - born blood, and they shouldn't even exist in this world. Wizards should only marry other wizards to maintain so - called purity. Then tell me, is my muggle - born mother on that 'first to be doomed' list?"

"You're different," he opened his mouth, feebly saying something completely irrelevant. "You have wizard blood..."

I laughed. "So if both of my parents were muggles, you'd call me a mudblood too. You'd think I should be killed by the Dark Lord, or maybe you can't wait to join his organization and become his minion to do it for him, right?"

"You're not a mudblood. Don't call yourself that." He stepped forward and held my hand. "I said I said it by accident. I didn't mean it - "

"You also think that word is dirty," I struggled to shake him off. "But you're willing to use it to refer to my friends and my mother. What do you want me to do? Cut off all ties with my mother and pretend that she never gave me half of my blood? Is that what you meant by 'there's still time'?"

"I want you to live! Iris Snape!" He roared at me. "Do you think there will be another boy who survived a killing curse to make the Dark Lord disappear again? No! Not even death can stop him from regaining his power. What else can stop him? Are you still counting on that old madman Dumbledore?"

"Yes," I looked up at him. "We believe in Dumbledore, and we choose to resist."

"Then you'll die," he said through gritted teeth. "Do you think they only use Unforgivable Curses? Do you know how many wizards were tortured until they begged him to cast the Killing Curse on them? You - "

"I know."

"You don't know anything! You still think that's heroic, but it's just meaningless self - sacrifice - "

"It's definitely not meaningless - "

"It is meaningless!" he roared. "I can't stand it... You were lying there as if you'd never wake up again. They said you were hit with the Cruciatus Curse... When you were being tortured, where were those people you believe in? They were toasting you hypocritically, safe and sound - and you were the only one suffering! Why can't you see it? They didn't protect you at all!"

"I can protect you," he said eagerly, gripping my hands. "Iris, the Dark Lord trusts my father. Professor Snape has always been someone the Dark Lord wanted to recruit. As long as my father puts in a good word for you, no one will hurt you ever again. We can have a new life under a perfect order - "

"Why can't you fight alongside us?" I asked. "Ask yourself, Draco. Do you really think the days before... when people were constantly being killed and everyone was in fear, were better than our lives now?"

He stared at me in disbelief, his eyes wide. "Are you asking me to betray my father? You actually - "

"Didn't you just ask me to abandon my mother?" I retorted. "What's the difference?"

He opened his mouth but didn't say another word.

After we stared at each other in an awkward silence, looking at the bloodshot eyes in his wide - open eyes, I suddenly calmed down. I murmured, "Maybe the truth is... Draco, you've chosen your path, and I've chosen mine. In fact, we made our choices a long time ago, but we both pretended we could still walk together - we thought that by covering the crack in the middle with a board, it would disappear. But Dumbledore was right. Eventually, we'd have to face this reality. The Dark Lord lifted that board, and we can't pretend nothing has happened and keep going like before."

He took a few steps back, his face deathly pale. "Are you saying, this is it? It's over?"

"I don't know," I said, feeling exhausted. It was as if my ears started to buzz intermittently again. "I really hope you can think it over, Draco. Think about what Dumbledore said and choose the right path - "

He sneered, shook his head, reached into his pocket and took out the small constellation ball. Then he turned around and looked at me. "I guess this will be the last birthday gift you give me... There won't be any more in the future, right?"

"I don't know," I shook my head with tears in my eyes.

"Then I know," he nodded, took a few steps back, turned around, and walked away briskly.

When he passed an open window, he stopped, forcefully threw the constellation ball in his hand out of the window. The golden light slowly drew an arc in my eyes and then disappeared into the night sky. Maybe it was too far away, but I didn't hear the sound of the glass breaking. Draco didn't say another word. He didn't even look out of the window. I stood there watching his figure disappear at the end of the corridor.