Chapter 386: Motivation
Chapter 386: Motivation
"Based on the average score?" Ludo Bagman asked uneasily.
"Yes, the average. Hogwarts has two teams of Champions, the first team from three different houses, and the second team entirely from Gryffindor. Clearly, this is not conducive to the relationships between students from the four houses. So, let's tie them together..."
"For example, with five schools and two judges, let's assume a full score of seventy points per event. If Hogwarts scores seventy points for one team and zero for the other, the final score for both teams would be thirty-five points."
"However, when it comes to the order of events, it's best to calculate them separately." He added.
Everyone's eyes lit up, and they nodded involuntarily.
Madame Maxime frowned, "If I understand correctly, for Hogwarts to win the competition, they must take first and second place, which is a significant disadvantage..."
Bagman wiped his round face with a handkerchief, looking very anxious, "Finally, someone is speaking fairly. I agree. What if one team performs terribly, dragging down the other team that had a chance to win?"
Igor Karkaroff laughed, "I think this method is quite fair."
Bagman angrily said, "What if one team dies! Uh, sorry, I mean... what if one team's Champion loses the ability to compete, such as suffering from an incurable injury? Their score will definitely be very low!"
"This is the penalty for Hogwarts cheating, isn't it?" Karkaroff said smoothly.
"Anyone with a bit of sense wouldn't think Hogwarts did this. I believe a thorough investigation of everyone present is necessary. Besides", Mad-Eye Moody said impatiently, "you haven't cleared your name yet, Karkaroff!"
Moody's magical eye spun around, looking at Karkaroff with disdain.
Dumbledore spoke, his usual calm voice saying, "If there are no objections, we will proceed with this method. The students of the four houses at Hogwarts are one, and I value their growth in this competition more than the honor of the Triwizard Tournament."
Harry felt an overwhelming sense of guilt. He opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but Hermione pulled him back, shaking her head firmly.
After a long silence, no one raised any further objections. Everyone tacitly accepted that Hogwarts would have two teams of Champions and the unique scoring system. Frankly, this exceeded their initial expectations.
At this point, most people actually believed that the Goblet of Fire's anomaly was not Hogwarts' doing, but this speculation still cast a shadow over their minds.
Everyone became preoccupied with their thoughts.
"Very well", Dumbledore said, smiling at the others—Harry couldn't believe how he could smile so easily—"next, Mr. Crouch will provide guidance to the Champions. Barty?"
Mr. Crouch seemed to snap out of his deep thoughts.
"Right", he said, "guidance, yes... the first task... In the bright light, he looked particularly haggard, with thick bags under his eyes and deep wrinkles that looked like they had been carved with a knife.
"This year's Triwizard Tournament is different from previous ones, completely different... Besides the unprecedented five schools and six teams, the events will be conducted in a team format. We have to increase the difficulty while ensuring the Champions' safety. Rest assured, the Ministry of Magic has arranged professional staff to protect everyone. Additionally, Dumbledore has promised to choose a powerful wizard to oversee the entire event... Dumbledore?"
Dumbledore nodded and said cheerfully, "I have the right person in mind."
"Excellent, let's get back to the main topic", Mr. Crouch said, "the first task is very challenging, and the time is tight, on the 24th of this month... Therefore, we have prepared three keywords to provide a direction for the Champions' preparation, but we won't tell you exactly what you will face... you'll have to use your wits..."
"The first keyword is courage, testing your bravery and willingness to face the unknown—though if you're too dim to guess, that's another matter. However, the Ministry believes that having the courage to face something even after knowing what it is, is a more valuable quality."
"The second keyword is cooperation, which I don't need to elaborate on. Each team—three people—must work together; one person alone cannot complete the task."
"The third keyword is fire", when Crouch said this, Ilvermorny's Graves quickly glanced at Hermione, his face pale, but no one noticed as Crouch continued, "I won't elaborate on this, as it's also a test of your wisdom..."
He paused, leaving the room to ponder these three words: courage, cooperation, fire. The third word was the most important. Many realized that the Champions might face dangerous magical fire, whether it be the environment, traps, or some fire-manipulating magical creatures.
Barty Crouch retreated into the shadows, and Ludo Bagman said cheerfully, "Barty has given you the hints. As long as you prepare seriously, I believe you can handle it—"
"Fire dragon!" a voice suddenly said.
"What, what?" Bagman almost bit his tongue. He turned his head sharply and stared at the unremarkable student who had spoken.
Ron stammered, "I guessed it would breathe fire. The only thing I could think of was a fire dragon. In my first year—"
Harry kicked him, "Uh, I mean", Ron desperately tried to think without revealing Hagrid, "someone in my family works at a dragon reserve. I visited it in my first year, and it left a strong impression..."
Bagman's tense face relaxed. "Is that so? Ah, I see... But you must have misunderstood. Barty said 'fire,' not 'spit fire...'" He nervously repeated, "Not 'spit fire", his body shifting uncomfortably, a movement not missed by those watching closely.
Felix turned away, speechless. Could you be any more obvious?
"So it's not a fire dragon?" A warrior from Vajadu asked.
Everyone stared at him as if he were a troll or something similar. Bagman pretended not to hear and turned to Dumbledore. "We've almost completed our task. I'd like to stay at Hogwarts tonight, if that's all right?"
"Of course", Dumbledore replied. "Barty, why don't you stay as well? You look exhausted."
"No, I need to get back to the Ministry. It's a very busy and difficult time... I've left young Weatherby in charge..." He muttered, then left first.
People gradually dispersed. When the room was nearly empty— "Alastor." Dumbledore called out to Moody.
The door closed heavily behind them.
Felix stood nearby, waiting quietly, immobile like a statue.
After a long while, the door opened again, and Moody limped out, leaning on his cane.
A moment later, Dumbledore emerged and looked at Felix, who was standing in the corner, shaking his head slightly.
Moody was really the one? From the information available, he seemed the most suspicious. But if not him, who else?
Felix's heart sank. Dumbledore left, leaving him alone to think. In his Mind Chamber, various figures appeared, some clear, others blurry.
Even Igor Karkaroff's goatee kept swaying in his mind.
"Hmm, this is getting more interesting", Felix muttered to himself. "Maybe I should take out the Marauder's Map..."
On the way back to his office, he turned a corner, and a group of people rushed out.
"Professor, we're willing to withdraw from the competition..."
"Yes, Professor Hup."
"Can you talk to Headmaster Dumbledore—"
Felix raised his hand, silencing the babbling Harry, Ron, and Hermione. A few steps behind them stood another group of champions.
"Do you want to become Squibs?"
"What?" Harry asked, bewildered. He didn't understand how the conversation had turned to this. He knew what a Squib was; Filch was one, and he had learned that in his second year.
Hermione's eyes widened with fear. Harry looked at her face, a look he had never seen before.
"This is the price of withdrawing. That's why I asked you, do you want to become Squibs?"
"Are you kidding me!" Harry shouted, his body trembling, unsure if it was from fear or anger. He couldn't imagine the consequences of becoming a Squib. Hogwarts was the first place he had ever felt at home, the first home... How could he allow himself to leave?
Even Cedric and the others were stunned. Despite Dumbledore's repeated emphasis that the contract was unbreakable, they hadn't expected the punishment for withdrawing to be so severe.
Squibs, losing magic... While Squibs have a faint trace of magic, allowing them to see things ordinary people can't and use potions, they can't cast a single complete spell in their lifetimes.
"Then there's no need to say such things."
Felix quickly continued, "The next topic is why the two Hogwarts champions were bound together. This is something you're all concerned about, right?"
The six of them—Harry, Ron, Hermione, Cedric, Roger Davies, and Colin Creevey—nodded.
Felix explained, "On one hand, it was a necessary compromise. You wouldn't want four internationally renowned magic schools to be hostile towards Hogwarts for the next few decades, would you?"
They all shook their heads in unison.
"On the other hand, it was my personal wish." Felix looked at the six stunned faces and finally smiled. "Yes, this is the outcome I wanted to achieve."
"W-Why?" Harry stammered.
"When a second Hogwarts champion appeared, I immediately sensed the danger—not that someone had tampered with the Goblet of Fire's rules, that was a later thought", Felix added, seeing Harry about to interrupt.
Hogwarts has two Champions, which is not only an honor but also a potential source of rifts among the four Houses. Although my attempts in the Runes Club have slightly broken down the solid barriers between the four Houses, I suddenly realized that if I don't do something, this Triwizard Tournament might undo all my previous efforts.
"I certainly won't allow that to happen", Felix said. "So, after consulting with Dumbledore, I proposed new scoring rules."
Harry and the others stared at him in bewilderment.
"But, Professor Hup", Ron suddenly said, "doing this will only cause Hogwarts to lose the Triwizard Cup. Hogwarts is bound to lose and will face a huge disaster."
"Why do you say that?" Felix asked politely.
"Because, because..." Ron raised one of his hands, which was trembling uncontrollably. "Ever since I found out the first task involved a fire dragon, it's been like this. I'm not cut out to be a Champion. If I participate, I won't be any help and will only hold everyone back."
"Even hearing the name terrifies me. If I actually face a fire dragon, I'll be dead for sure and will drag Harry and Hermione down with me. Just thinking about it, I think..." He turned pale and said with difficulty, "It would be better to kick me out and choose someone else. Even a Squib would be..."
"Ron..." Hermione said sadly.
"I know I can't compare to any of you, and even among the selected students, I'm at the bottom—"
"Not at the bottom", Felix interjected.
"What?" Ron looked at him in surprise.
"Not at the bottom, I mean, you're the worst one", Felix said. "Among the selected students, excluding Miss Greengrass, you're the worst one."
"But Neville..." Ron glared at him, indignant.
"Neville may know fewer spells than you, but he has put more effort into Shield Charm and Stunning Spell. Most importantly, he has started to form a dueling system that suits him. Over time, the gap between you two will become more apparent."
Ron stood there, his mind blank, looking like a statue.
"Professor Hup—" Harry looked anxiously at Ron, then at Felix, not understanding why Felix was saying this.
"However, I see great potential in you."
Ron's eyes darted around, and a bit of color returned to his pale face. He repeated blankly, "Potential?"
"Yes, potential. Your talent isn't bad. Even if you've been slacking off, you can still rank in the middle. If we consider practical skills alone, you can be among the top in your year."
Ron looked at him, "But I can't compare to—"
"You lack sufficient motivation", Felix scratched his head. "An interesting phenomenon is that, whether in Duelling Class, Ancient Runes Class, or the Runes Club, your performance is always average, bordering on below average. You're the type of student who doesn't stand out at first glance."
Ron's face creased.
"But these are three different levels of difficulty", Felix said.
"Exactly because of this, I believe you lack sufficient motivation", Felix continued. "Originally, this was your personal choice, and I wouldn't interfere. But now, the situation is different. For whatever reason, you have become one of Hogwarts' Champions."
"In a sense, you are the most important one. You should understand what I mean."
Harry had never seen Ron's body shake so uniformly, from head to toe, even his facial muscles were trembling uncontrollably.
"Will my performance decide whether Hogwarts wins the Cup?" Ron said slowly.
"You can think of it that way. If you compare the Triwizard Tournament to a Quidditch match, you are the Keeper", Felix said. "In the past, you had no reason to get stronger, but now you do—"
"In the smaller picture, you are one of the Champions and have the chance to bring honor to the school through your efforts. In the larger picture, every bit of effort you make now is to protect your two best friends—Potter and Granger."
"I look forward to your performance in the first task."
He took a few steps, turned to look at Harry, Ron, and Hermione, "The next few days will be tough for you, especially when the new scoring rules are announced."
"Once the first task is over, your situation might improve—"
"Professor Hup!" Cedric said, "I'll step forward and explain to everyone. I heard everything. Harry and the others are victims too."
"I'll also explain to the Ravenclaw students. I'm a prefect, after all", Roger Davies added.
"I will too, Professor Hup", Colin Creevey said, glaring at Ron. "I'm determined to win the Cup, and I'll be watching you closely."
Felix smiled slightly, waved his hand, and turned to leave.
(End of Chapter)
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