Chapter 263: Goblet of Fire
Chapter 263: Goblet of Fire
Sherlock was unaware of what was happening among the students below.
Midway through the Feast, two adult Wizards who did not belong to any magic school appeared at the Professor's Table on the dais in the Great Hall.
Ludo Bagman, the Head of the Department of Magical Sports and Games, and Barty Crouch, the Head of the Department of International Magical Cooperation, both high-ranking officials in the Ministry of Magic, second only to the Minister Fudge in the entire magical government hierarchy.
The Triwizard Tournament, which was set to officially begin today, fell under their jurisdiction.
They arrived at Hogwarts this evening along with the students from the other two magic schools and sat on either side of Dumbledore, which did not surprise the professors who saw them.
Even some politically astute students found it perfectly normal.
Sherlock's seat on the dais was not far from Dumbledore, with only Professor Mcgonagall between them before Filch filled the empty chairs.
Now, with the addition of Durmstrang's Headmaster Karkaroff and the Head of the Department of Magical Sports and Games, Balkman, on his side, he could still overhear the conversations of the people at the center during the Feast.
"Oh, I'm sorry, Barty and I were held up by some departmental matters, so we arrived a bit late", said Balkman.
"Now is not the time to discuss that, Ludo", Dumbledore's voice was warm and welcoming. "Let me introduce you, though you may already know each other. These two are the Headmistress of Beauxbatons and the Headmaster of Durmstrang, Madame Maxime and Professor Karkaroff."
A stern and cold voice spoke, which Sherlock immediately recognized as belonging to Barty Crouch Sr., who had recently lost his son.
"There's no need for introductions, the Triwizard Tournament's successful organization is due to the communication between Ludo and myself. What we want to know is whether that thing will function properly tonight."
Despite the harsh tone and words, Dumbledore's face remained smiling.
"Of course, Barty. Although it hasn't worked for centuries, I believe it will still function smoothly."
Balkman chuckled nervously, trying to ease the tension.
"Let's raise our glasses to the successful launch of the Triwizard Tournament!"
"Ah, certainly, a toast is in order", Dumbledore said, raising his golden goblet with a smile.
Beside him, Madame Maxime and Karkaroff, who had been mostly silent, also raised their goblets.
Finally, Crouch raised his goblet as well, and the four of them lightly clinked their glasses before sipping the mild apple cider.
As they raised their glasses, Sherlock, who was eavesdropping while cutting his steak, couldn't help but smirk inwardly, wondering how many of the four were harboring ulterior motives.
"Once the Feast is over, come with me to my office."
After placing a juicy piece of steak in his mouth, Sherlock turned to Silke on his left and said this.
Silke simply turned and glanced at him, saying nothing.
Sherlock's expression was serious.
"I have important matters to discuss with you, specifically about Fidelius. It must be in private."
Silke, who had never let Sherlock down in crucial moments, nodded lightly.
Compared to the solemn atmosphere at the Professor's Table, the students below were much more lively.
The students from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang, who had just arrived at Hogwarts, showed great curiosity about this historic magic school.
At the Ravenclaw and Slytherin tables, they were chatting well with students from both Houses.
The Hogwarts students also displayed a strong interest in the academic lives of students from other schools.
And all the young wizards, regardless of which school they came from, were incredibly excited about the upcoming Triwizard Tournament.
Just as Hermione, who had discovered something significant, was about to pry more information from the proud and silly girl beside her, Dumbledore suddenly stood up at the high table. He clapped his hands lightly, drawing everyone's attention in the Great Hall to himself.
He then announced that the Triwizard Tournament was about to officially begin and introduced Balkman and Crouch.
The headmasters of the three schools and these two high-ranking officials from the Ministry of Magic would be the five judges for the tournament, which would last for most of the semester.
"You already know that three champions will compete in the tournament", Dumbledore said calmly, his voice echoing through the Great Hall.
"These champions will represent their respective schools. We will score them based on their performance in each task. After the three tasks, the champion with the highest score will win the Triwizard Cup. The selection of the champions will be done by a fair selector."
As he spoke, Caretaker Filch timely brought up a large wooden box adorned with jewels.
Dumbledore drew his wand and tapped the lid of the box a few times, and it creaked open on its own.
Dumbledore took out a rough wooden goblet from the box. The goblet itself was not particularly remarkable, but the blue-white flames burning within it captured everyone's attention.
"The Goblet of Fire", Dumbledore announced loudly.
"Any student who wishes to become a champion must write their name and school on a piece of parchment and throw it into this goblet. Tomorrow evening, during the Halloween Feast, the Goblet of Fire will select the champions it deems most worthy to represent the three schools."
"Of course, there is the age line I mentioned earlier. To prevent some students from giving in to temptation, I will draw an Age Line in front of the goblet. No student under the age of 17 will be able to cross this line."
"Lastly, I want to emphasize one more point", he said, his expression serious as he looked around the Great Hall.
"Any student chosen by the Goblet of Fire must participate in the Triwizard Tournament. Throwing your name into the goblet forms a binding and unbreakable magic contract. Once chosen, there is no changing your mind. So I urge you all to consider the consequences carefully before deciding whether to put your name into the goblet."
His words caused a stir in the Great Hall, and the students were all incredibly excited as the tournament drew near.
(End of Chapter)
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