Chapter 265: Registration
Chapter 265: Registration
After learning about the German Ministry of Magic's Department of Mysteries and their past research on Fidelius from Silke, Sherlock didn't talk to her much more and didn't ask about how to fully control the Straw Golem.
Fidelius, trapped in the wooden box, wouldn't be able to cause any trouble in the short term. Their current discussions were just to prevent any future issues.
Once the students from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang arrived at Hogwarts, the Triwizard Tournament officially began the selection process.
Not long after the feast, Dumbledore placed the wooden cup emitting blue-white flames in the most prominent position in the Great Hall. He then drew an age line around the cup, ensuring only students who were at least seventeen years old could throw their names into the flames.
This line restricted most students from entering, but even just watching the process filled the younger students with immense excitement.
On the morning of Halloween, the entire day was free of classes for the Hogwarts students.
After breakfast, few students left the Great Hall. Instead, they remained, watching the flame-filled cup as one by one, students who did not meet the age requirement were barred from the circle, while a few eligible students successfully threw their names into the blue-white flames.
The first to throw their names into the cup were the students from Durmstrang. These Nordic wizards, clad in black cloaks and blood-red robes, gathered around Krum, watching as their names on parchment were consumed by the flames.
"They definitely weren't the first", Harry whispered. "Some people don't want everyone to see them sign up, so they sneak in their names while we're sleeping... yeah, if it were me, I'd do the same."
While Harry and the others from Gryffindor were chatting at their long table, George, Fred, and their friend Lee Jordan entered the Great Hall, laughing.
"We did it!" Fred said proudly to Harry and the others.
George continued, "We drank an Ageing Potion to make ourselves a few months older!"
"If any of us wins, we'll split the one thousand Galleons among the three of us!" Lee Jordan added.
The winner of the Triwizard Tournament, besides receiving the Triwizard Cup, would also win a grand prize of one thousand Galleons.
They had already planned how to divide the prize money before even entering their names.
"You're taking this too lightly", Hermione warned from the side. "Don't forget what Professor Dumbledore said about why the Triwizard Tournament was discontinued for centuries!"
However, Fred, George, and Lee ignored her and stood together in front of the age line Dumbledore had drawn.
"I'll go first!" Fred said, trembling with excitement, and took out the parchment he had prepared, jumping into the line first.
For a moment, Harry and the others watching thought they had succeeded, and George eagerly followed.
But before Lee could jump, both twins were forcefully ejected, and identical white beards sprouted from their chins!
They had provided a clear demonstration to the entire Great Hall that a simple Ageing Potion couldn't fool Dumbledore's restrictions.
Dumbledore happened to arrive at the Great Hall at this moment, thoughtfully reminding them that they could visit Madam Pomfrey and praising their beards as very handsome.
The Weasley twins didn't seem particularly dejected. They exchanged a look, burst into laughter, and then walked out of the Great Hall together, their arms around each other's shoulders, to find Madam Pomfrey.
Harry, who had been an observer all along, appeared somewhat disappointed, even though they all claimed not to mind not being able to participate in the Triwizard Tournament.
Representing all of Hogwarts in a competition against other schools, gaining fame and honor, was something every boy aspired to.
They then watched several eligible students successfully sign up, the most popular of whom was undoubtedly Cedric Diggory, the current Seeker of Hufflepuff.
Cedric was a well-liked sixth-year student at Hogwarts. Even Harry, who was his opponent on the Quidditch field, had nothing but good things to say about him.
However, Ron was dismissive, calling him just a pretty boy, which earned him angry glares from the surrounding Hufflepuff students.
Just as Harry and the others were discussing leaving the Great Hall, Madame Maxime entered with the students from Beauxbatons.
The French wizards lined up and threw their names into the Goblet of Fire, including Fleur, whom they had chatted with for a long time the previous night.
After signing up, Fleur left the Beauxbatons group and approached Harry and the others.
As soon as she walked over, Ron's face turned as red as a tomato, his eyes fixed on the ground, and he didn't dare to lift his head.
"Good morning, Harry, and you two, I remember you are called Ron and Hermione", Fleur greeted them with a wave.
Ron seemed to muster all his courage and finally managed to open his mouth to respond.
"G-G-Good morning..."
But his voice was so low that no one else heard what he said. Fleur looked at Harry and asked.
"I was wondering if you could tell me where Sherlock's office is? He promised to show me around the castle when I visited Hogwarts, but he hasn't come to find me yet."
Harry shrugged.
"If you need it, we can also take you around the castle. Professor Forrest might be busy with other things."
"No, this is something he promised to do", Fleur firmly refused. "I don't need anyone else to do it for him."
"Alright, if you insist, you can try the office on the third floor, the one on the far left. If he's not busy with anything else, Professor Forrest should be there", Harry said helplessly.
As soon as he finished speaking, Hermione suddenly chimed in.
"If you can't find him, I can go with you."
Fleur naturally accepted the offer, while Harry and Ron looked at her in surprise.
"What do you need to see Professor Forrest for?"
Hermione jiggled her robe pocket, and the sound of metal clinking together was heard. Harry and the others knew that the S.P.E.W. badges were inside.
(End of Chapter)
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