The moment the Portkey vanished, Harry reappeared at Hogwarts, clutching Ron's lifeless body. The Great Hall erupted in shock and grief as students and staff witnessed the tragedy. Whispers spread like wildfire:
"Ron… Ron Weasley is dead?"
The Weasley family surged forward, tears streaming, holding their son in disbelief. Ginny, Fred, and George sobbed uncontrollably, their screams echoing off the enchanted ceiling. Even the older students who had seen death before were shaken; the sight of Ron, gone so suddenly, cut deeply.
Harry knelt beside his friend, shaking and crying, clutching him tightly. His voice cracked:
"He's gone… Voldemort's back… he's back…"
Dumbledore, along with the principals of Beauxbatons and Durmstrang, and Hogwarts professors, rushed in. They saw Harry's grief, the tragedy of Ron's death, and the tension in the room escalated.
Dumbledore's voice was calm but firm:
"Everyone, give them space. We will deal with this."
Moody approached Harry and gently helped him up, guiding him away from the hall to a private office where he could process the trauma. Meanwhile, the Weasley family, overwhelmed with grief, carefully transported Ron's body back to the Burrow in Ottery St. Catchpole.
Despite the horror, the Triwizard Tournament officially concluded:
Winner: Fleur Delacour
Runners-up: Harry Potter and Ron Weasley (posthumously)
Students and staff departed, whispering in shock and sorrow, while the weight of Voldemort's return hung over the castle like a dark cloud.
The Moody Affair — Barty Crouch Jr. Exposed
After the chaos subsided, Roy, Dumbledore, Professor Snape, and Professor McGonagall entered Moody's staff room to investigate the imposter. There, they found "Moody" slumped in his chair, pale, and with thinning hair.
Dumbledore addressed Snape:
"Severus… examine him. He drinks nothing suspicious, yet his demeanor is… off."
Snape poured a potion into Moody's mouth. The transformation was immediate. Hair fell out, his features twisted, and standing before them now was none other than Barty Crouch Jr., the true criminal behind the chaos.
Dumbledore asked sharply:
"Where is the real Moody?"
Crouch Jr. could only point weakly with his eyes. Roy, using his precise magic, opened the hidden box where the real Moody had been concealed. The old Auror appeared pale and exhausted but alive.
Snape sniffed the remnants of the potion in Barty Crouch Jr.'s bottle and confirmed:
"Polyjuice Potion. He's been impersonating Moody all along."
Dumbledore nodded solemnly, understanding the depth of the deception. The danger had been contained—at least for now—but the wizarding world would never forget this night.