Chapter 270: Harry Potter
Chapter 270: Harry Potter
Sherlock, who had already mentally sentenced Harry to death, pounded his chest hard, struggling to recover.
He said to Silke in a pitiful tone.
"It's not like we're just colleagues, right? Even if we're not... ahem, that kind of relationship, we can still be friends."
By this time, they had already reached the door to Silke's office. Silke still hadn't softened her expression towards Sherlock.
"Who says we're friends?"
She reached out, took the two magic books from his arms, and turned to push open the door, walking into her office.
Even if Fleur were blind, she could see that even if Sherlock and Silke weren't the romantic couple Harry had suggested, their relationship was far from ordinary.
Sherlock didn't show any embarrassment. He cleared his throat, returning to his role as the serious and professional Hogwarts professor in front of Fleur.
"Castle has shown you around enough today. I have other matters to attend to, so I can't accompany you any further."
Fleur didn't intend to take up much more of Sherlock's time. She said graciously,
"Thank you for showing me around the entire Hogwarts castle today. But I won't show any favoritism to Hogwarts' champion in the Triwizard Tournament because of this."
Sherlock chuckled.
"The list of champions hasn't been finalized yet. You seem very confident."
Fleur replied nonchalantly,
"Besides me, no one else from Beauxbatons has the qualifications to be selected as a champion."
"Then I wish you good luck in the competition."
Fleur looked proud.
"Of course."
They parted ways there. Fleur returned to the Beauxbatons carriage, which resembled a palace. Sherlock went back to his office and continued to fiddle with the wooden box containing Fidelius.
The day of Halloween passed quickly. By nightfall, the time when the annual Halloween feast usually took place, this year was somewhat different.
The students had no heart for the sumptuous Halloween feast that matched yesterday's feast.
Everyone ate the food on their plates absentmindedly, without even the mood for casual conversation.
Their eyes were fixed on the Goblet of Fire placed in front of Dumbledore's seat at the long table reserved for professors on the dais.
The wooden goblet was still emitting a blue-white flame, unremarkable in appearance but drawing everyone's attention.
Sherlock, sitting at the high table, didn't seem particularly expectant. His attention was focused on the guests seated with him.
Both Karkaroff and Madame Maxime looked at the Goblet of Fire with tense expressions.
Sherlock, who observed closely, could tell that Karkaroff was even more nervous than Madame Maxime.
He seemed to have high hopes for the student named Krum. If Krum wasn't chosen, it would seem like Durmstrang had no chance of winning.
As for the other two judges—Balkman and Crouch from the Ministry of Magic—their emotions were much more normal.
The more outgoing Balkman was eagerly anticipating the list of champions, his face showing more excitement than tension.
Crouch wore an expression of utter disinterest, as if the match had nothing to do with him. His trip here seemed to be just a formality, which was very much in line with his character.
Sherlock, on the other hand, was not entirely a mere observer this evening.
Dumbledore had given him and Mad-Eye Moody a task. Once the names of the champions were announced, they were to assist the five judges in guiding the proceedings.
Dumbledore did not specify what exactly they were to do, but they would find out soon enough.
The dinner, with everyone deliberately speeding up the process, ended very quickly.
When every golden plate on the long table was spotless, Dumbledore stood up in front of everyone.
He waved his wand, and most of the candles in the Great Hall went out.
The surroundings grew dim, and the wooden goblet in front of him, emitting a white-blue flame, became even more prominent.
"Alright, the Goblet of Fire is about to make its decision", Dumbledore said. "I estimate it will take about a minute. Before that, I have a few things to say. When the names of the champions are announced, I hope they will walk to the front of the Great Hall, then follow the staff table to the adjacent room."
He pointed to the door behind the staff table.
"They will receive their initial instructions there."
As Dumbledore finished speaking, everyone in the Great Hall held their breath.
The Goblet of Fire now emitted a dazzling light, brighter than anything else in the Great Hall. The blue-white glow was almost blinding.
Suddenly, the flames turned red!
Sparks continuously flew out of the wooden goblet, and a tongue of fire shot into the air, releasing a scorched piece of parchment. Dumbledore caught it in his hand.
Without any intention of building suspense, he read the name aloud.
"The champion from Durmstrang — Viktor Krum!"
Immediately, the Great Hall erupted in a loud cheer, and even the Hogwarts students clapped enthusiastically.
Another piece of parchment soon flew out of the Goblet of Fire.
"The champion from Beauxbatons — Fleur Delacour!"
The Great Hall erupted in applause once more.
The result was as Fleur had told Sherlock earlier; no one else from Beauxbatons was as qualified to represent the school as she was.
The parchment bearing the name of the Hogwarts champion also quickly flew out of the Goblet of Fire. Dumbledore read the name in his clear, loud voice.
"The champion from Hogwarts — Cedric Diggory!"
This time, the applause was even more thunderous.
The cheers in the Great Hall were deafening, and the Hufflepuff students were jumping up and down, screaming and stomping their feet.
After a long while, the commotion finally subsided.
Just as Dumbledore was joyfully announcing that the champions from the three schools had been chosen and would each represent their respective schools in the competition, the Goblet of Fire did not extinguish. Instead, it turned from blue-white to red again, and a fourth piece of parchment suddenly flew out!
The vast Great Hall instantly fell silent. Dumbledore's expression grew serious as he took the parchment.
Everyone watched as he cleared his throat and read it out loud.
"Harry Potter!"
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
