Inside Hogwarts, many students and professors waited anxiously outside the maze, involuntarily rising to their feet and stretching their necks in an effort to peer through the thick fog shrouding the interior. Time ticked away second by second, and aside from the loud crash that had echoed from within the maze earlier, nothing else happened.
It was not until Headmaster Dumbledore slowly emerged from the mist-veiled maze that the crowd finally heaved a collective sigh of relief. However, they soon noticed that the headmaster's usually gentle and kindly face was now weighed down with solemnity. Standing in the midst of them, he turned his head slightly to cast a meaningful look at Professor McGonagall, saying in a low voice, "Minerva, the participating champions have all been injured. Professor Snape and Professor Grice are unable to arrive in time due to other urgent matters, so I'm afraid I must trouble you and Madam Pomfrey to look after them."
"Injured?! What about Harry?" At these words, Sirius could no longer stay still. He abruptly stood up, bounding from the stands in great strides and rushing straight toward Dumbledore, his eyes filled with fierce urgency and worry. "Where is Harry? Hasn't the tournament ended?"
Chapter 198