Chapter 357: Unexpected Contestant, Something Happened on Halloween Eve
Halloween Eve.
After the feast began, the Goblet of Fire was moved to the Great Hall.
Facing an even more lavish banquet than yesterday, most people seemed distracted, constantly glancing at the Goblet of Fire, burning with blue-white flames, at the front of the Great Hall.
The twenty-four-hour registration period was nearing its end, and everyone was anxiously waiting to know who would be chosen as the champions for the Triwizard Tournament.
Finally, when everyone had eaten their fill, Dumbledorestood up. "The moment you have all been waiting for—the selection of the champions. The Goblet of Fire is about to make its decision."
He drew his wand and waved it around the pumpkin lanterns and burning torches in the Great Hall. All the flames extinguished, leaving only the Goblet of Fire emitting blue-white flames.
The next moment, the flames suddenly turned red, and a blast of hot air surged upwards.
A charred piece of parchment flew out of the flames and landed in Dumbledore's hand.
Everyone held their breath, watching the parchment, hoping Dumbledore would announce the name of the first champion.
"The Durmstrang champion, Viktor Krum."
Applause and cheers immediately echoed throughout the Great Hall. Krum's selection was considered a given by everyone. The Durmstrang students were visibly excited, and Principal Karkaroff nearly clapped his hands raw.
Krum rose from his seat at the Slytherin long table, shook hands with Dumbledore, and then walked towards the door behind the staff table.
A few seconds later, the flames turned red again, and Dumbledore grasped a second charred piece of parchment.
"The Beauxbatons champion, Fleur Delacour."
The Beauxbatons students applauded and cheered. The silver-haired girl rose gracefully, approached Dumbledore, bowed, and then entered the adjacent room.
At this moment, a third piece of parchment was ejected by the red flames, and Dumbledore announced loudly, "The Hogwarts champion, Cedric Diggory."
A deafening cheer erupted from the Hufflepuff long table. Cedric gave an embarrassed smile and, amidst the applause of all the Hufflepuffs and most of the Hogwarts students, entered the adjacent room.
"Why Hufflepuff?" Draco said, looking displeased. "Only Slytherin can represent Hogwarts."
No sooner had he spoken than the Goblet of Fire flared with red flames again, and the name of the fourth champion was about to appear.
Everyone focused intently on the falling piece of paper, even Madame Maxime and Karkaroff.
Although the Triwizard Tournament was no longer limited to three students, everyone knew that the champions chosen by the Goblet of Fire were all geniuses of the same caliber.
This fourth champion would likely be no worse than the first three. If it was someone from their school, their chances of winning the championship would increase.
Dumbledore caught the paper in his hand, glanced at the name in the firelight, and a slight smile appeared on his lips. "The Hogwarts champion, Aaron Gaius."
Aaron sighed softly, asked Draco to take Abey back to the common room, and then walked up to Dumbledore under hundreds of envious, jealous, and hateful gazes.
"I knew it would be you, Mr. Gaius." Dumbledore patted Aaron's shoulder. "I look forward to your performance."
Aaron gave a strained smile and looked at Adrian at the staff long table. Seeing her smiling, he felt so frustrated he almost spat out a mouthful of old blood.
As expected of my sister, she can scheme against her brother with such a clear conscience, without a hint of guilt.
"Mr. Gaius, the other three champions are waiting for you in that room!" Dumbledore reminded him.
Aaron nodded slightly. Just as he took a step, red flames erupted from the Goblet of Fire.
A charred piece of paper was instinctively caught by Dumbledore. Aaron leaned over and glanced at it, inexplicably feeling relieved.
Indeed, it would be unusual if nothing happened on Halloween Eve.
"The fifth champion."
"I wonder who it is."
"Will there be a sixth?"
…Whispers filled the Great Hall. Many people stood on tiptoe to look at Dumbledore. Madame Maxime and Karkaroff exchanged glances, both barely containing their curiosity.
Hogwarts already had two participants. If this fifth person was not a student from their schools, it would put them at a disadvantage.
"Harry Potter." Dumbledore read.
Harry sat at the Gryffindor long table, completely bewildered upon hearing his name, his head buzzing.
He didn't know why he heard his name; he hadn't put his name into the Goblet of Fire.
Although he had fantasized about successfully registering and achieving eternal glory, at this moment, he felt mostly fear. After all, he had a clear understanding of his own abilities and simply couldn't compare to those champions.
The Gryffindor students spontaneously cheered. Hermioneand Ron were incredulous; they hadn't expected Harry to have secretly registered.
"Impossible, absolutely impossible." Draco shook his head in disbelief. He had never imagined Harry Potter would have the courage to register, let alone be chosen as a champion.
"Harry Potter!" Dumbledore shouted again. "Harry, please come up here."
Harry was still in a daze. Hermione, next to him, nudged him, bringing him back to his senses.
He stood up from his seat and, under everyone's gaze, dazedly walked up to Dumbledore.
"Professor, you—you might not believe it, but I really didn't put my name in."
Dumbledore paused, instinctively tightening his grip on the paper in his hand. He wanted to ask more, but it wasn't appropriate in such a public setting.
"I believe you, but… you go with Aaron to the next room first. We'll talk about it later."
Aaron smiled and shrugged. He had been feeling quite down, but comparing himself to Harry, he realized he wasn't so miserable after all.
At most, he was being forced into something he knew about, but Harry was clearly set up by someone, and even more tragically, he didn't even know who had set him up.
The two walked along the staff long table into the adjacent room. Except for Adrian waving at Aaron, everyone else looked at Harry Potter with disbelief.
Passing through several gates, the two arrived in a medium-sized room.
The walls on both sides were covered with Wizard portraits, and sets of trophies and gold and silver vessels were neatly arranged. A roaring fire burned in a fireplace. Viktor Krum, Fleur Delacour, and Cedric Diggory were sitting around the fire, maintaining a stranger's distance.
"Good evening, everyone." Aaron waved in a very familiar manner, then sat down by the fireplace. "Let me introduce myself: Aaron Gaius, a fourth-Class Slytherin student at Hogwarts, and the fourth champion of the Triwizard Tournament."
"As expected," Fleur snorted lightly.
Aaron gave a wry smile. From Fleur's attitude, he knew that his reputation as someone with connections wouldn't be shaken off anytime soon.
"Hello." Viktor nodded expressionlessly.
Cedric, however, gave a bright smile. "Welcome, but I really didn't expect it to be you."
"Actually, I completely understand. To many, I'm just an excellent fourth-Class Wizard." Aaron gave a self-deprecating laugh, then changed the subject. "But after this competition, I imagine many people's impressions of me will change!"
"And this is?" Fleur looked at Harry, who was standing awkwardly to the side, a hint of disdain flashing in her eyes.
"Harry?" Cedric said with some surprise. "How did you get here too?"
Aaron pulled Harry in front of the three. "Allow me to formally introduce to you all, this is Harry Potter, a fourth-Class Gryffindor Wizard at Hogwarts, and the fifth champion of the Tournament."
Fleur and Krum simultaneously glanced at the scar on Harry's forehead, their gazes becoming a little more serious.
Honestly, they didn't care about Harry Potter's reputation; a fourteen-year-old Wizard posed little threat to them. But the fact that Hogwarts had three champions made them feel somewhat outnumbered and isolated.
Harry stood awkwardly, hesitating, unsure how to explain.
After about ten minutes, a flurry of footsteps approached.
The six judges, led by Dumbledore, along with Professor McGonagall, Professor Moody, and Professor Snape, all entered.
"Madame Maxime." Fleur frowned slightly. "Are there no other champions?"
Madame Maxime knew Fleur was asking if there were others from Beauxbatons, but she could only shake her head regretfully. After Harry Potter's name came out, the Goblet of Fire had shown no further activity.
"This is somewhat unfair to us," Karkaroff said coldly. "Even if Hogwarts is the host, aren't three champions a bit too many, Professor Dumbledore? If possible, I hope you can give us an explanation. I imagine the other three judges would also find this inappropriate."
"Ah, this…" Barty Crouch hesitated for a moment before saying, "Anyone whose name is ejected from the Goblet of Fire must participate in the Tournament."
"No, no, no, you misunderstand, Mr. Crouch." Karkaroffshowed two rows of yellow teeth. "My meaning is that our two schools should be allowed to gather more students to register until the numbers are equal. That would be fair."
"But the Goblet of Fire has already gone out," Bagman said with difficulty. "It won't reignite until the next Triwizard Tournament."
"There's absolutely no need for that, Professor Karkaroff," Adrian said with a faint smile. "If you knew the tasks of the competition, you would realize that the Triwizard Tournament isn't about numbers, but individual ability.
In this kind of competition, there's no possibility of huddling together for warmth. If a participant's ability is insufficient, they will only serve as a foil for the other champions."
"Hmph! Easy for you to say, Miss Klein.
Your brother is one of the five champions. Who knows if you'll secretly help him."
"If I could withdraw, I'd be more than happy to!" Aaronmuttered.
"Too bad you don't have a chance to withdraw," Adrian said playfully, then looked at Karkaroff. "I can guarantee that I will not provide any assistance to any participant in any way. If you don't believe me, we can make a vow. How about a Fidelius Charm?
If you think that's not enough, an Unbreakable Vow is also fine."
"Heh heh! You really are my sister."
"Cousin," Adrian emphasized. "So, Mr. Karkaroff, which kind of vow do you want to make?"
"Consider what I just said unsaid," Karkaroff said, blushing. With an Unbreakable Vow brought up, he had no choice but to believe Adrian wouldn't show favoritism.
But Adrian not helping participants as a judge didn't mean he would give up. If possible, he would certainly help Krum.
It wasn't just Karkaroff who thought this; Madame Maximefelt the same way. After all, it concerned the honor of their schools, and it was only natural for them, as Principals, to help their own participants within permissible limits.