Chapter 504: Don't Let Him Down
Chapter 504: Don't Let Him Down
"Only me here", Antoine said with a smile. "Whether Mr. Grindelwald will come and when, that's all confidential. Even I don't know. Maybe you should ask Gunter Dreyen... Oh, right, you and Dreyen are pretty close now, aren't you?"
"Pretty good, so what?" Wade asked, puzzled, sensing a hint of sarcasm in Antoine's tone.
"Do I even need to say? Of course, it's jealousy", Antoine said with a mock accusatory look. "We met first, right, Wade? But now you and Dreyen are... what, pen pals who are as close as can be? Huh?"
"Give it a rest, are you in elementary school? Just because we're friends doesn't mean I can't be friends with others."
Wade said this with a roll of his eyes, then casually changed the subject. "I didn't expect you guys to be interested in the Quidditch World Cup."
"Who wouldn't want to be part of such a grand event?"
As Antoine spoke, he lifted the tent flap and invited Wade in, adding, "But we do have other reasons for coming this time."
Wade asked, "I guess that's confidential too?"
"Not really, you've probably heard about it already."
Antoine poured Wade a cup of Earl Grey tea and sat down beside him.
"Hogwarts is hosting a tournament with a lot of fanfare. The British Ministry of Magic is very confident, acting like they've already clinched the championship. Mr. Grindelwald also wants to use this opportunity to gauge the strength of magical schools from other countries."
—Other countries?
Wade raised an eyebrow. It seemed the Triwizard Tournament was no longer just an internal affair among three European magical schools.
"Which countries are participating?" Wade asked.
"Ah, you don't know?" Antoine asked, surprised. "Hogwarts didn't give you a crash course or anything? What, does Dumbledore have a better choice?"
Wade: "..."
He looked at Antoine, blinked, and said nothing.
His silence was the most direct answer.
Antoine chuckled, "Ha, you guys really didn't know! This must be some kind of twisted pleasure in keeping the surprise until the last moment. The students from the schools I know spent the entire summer in intensive training!"
Wade slowly said, "I know about the old Triwizard Tournament. Hogwarts, Beauxbatons, and Durmstrang would each select a student every five years to compete."
"But it was discontinued due to the high number of fatalities and hasn't been revived in centuries."
"From what you're saying, it sounds like the tournament is back and has expanded to include more schools?"
Antoine, chin in hand, smiled and said, "Minister Fudge initially wanted to revive the Triwizard Tournament. Because of the relationship between Britain and the United States, he also specially invited the American school, Ilvermorny."
Wade recalled the ship that had carried Umbridge and several Ministry officials from Britain to the United States.
Antoine continued, "Then, somehow, Castelobruxo and Uagadou heard about it and also wanted to participate to showcase their strength."
"Especially Uagadou... You know, they claim to be the largest and most populous magical school, with a long history and excellent reputation. They've always wanted to challenge Hogwarts, which is known as the best magical school in the world."
"Once Ilvermorny received the invitation, the Japanese school, Mahoutokoro, naturally got the news too. They said they wanted to see European wizards in action. But from what I know, the students from Mahoutokoro had the most intense summer training."
"At this point, there's no way to keep the news confidential. So Koldovstoretz, Salem, Mahoutokoro, and Durmstrang have all sent representatives, hoping to participate."
"Apparently, the professors from these schools even visited Hogwarts to inspect the environment. Why are you, the closest people, the last to know?"
Faced with Antoine's question, Wade was momentarily speechless, unable to understand why British wizards could be so unanimously secretive about this.
"It's like the Olympic Games for magic schools", Wade sighed, thinking of the impending chaos. "So, they'll all be coming to Hogwarts?"
"Definitely", Antoine said enthusiastically. "Since it's Hogwarts' turn to host the Triwizard Tournament, the main venue will be here. What do you think, Wade? Are you confident?"
Wade hesitated. "It sounds like a hassle. Can I just not participate?"
"Of course, I would say 'yes,' since Hogwarts' honor isn't my concern", Antoine replied. "But can you tolerate the shame if your school loses because of you?"
Wade was silent.
Antoine patted his shoulder. "Since you compare it to the Olympics, you must understand that this is a stage beyond war and politics, where everyone hopes to showcase their strength."
"Let's not talk about the benefits the winning school and country will receive. At the very least, for five years, the champion will be the biggest star in the magical world. Even decades later, just mentioning the name will make wizards from foreign lands know who you are!"
Wade tilted his head, uncomfortable. "Don't make it sound like I'm guaranteed to win. There are many excellent students at Hogwarts, not to mention the wizards from other countries."
Not to mention Cedric, Wade didn't think he would lose to him.
Only Harry was a different story. Even if the boy only knew one spell, Wade wasn't sure who would win.
The Chosen One, blessed by fate, seemed to have the entire universe on his side, as if everyone and everything would help him.
"Have more confidence in yourself, my friend", Antoine said. "Mr. Grindelwald has high hopes for you. I'll be at Hogwarts during the tournament, and if you need any help, I'll do my best to assist you!"
Wade frowned. "If I only win with your help, what's the point of that victory?"
Antoine laughed. "Naive boy, do you think everyone else is playing fair? Apart from Dumbledore, who insists on fairness and rules, the other schools will do everything they can to help their students win!"
"Wade", Antoine's smile faded, and he looked at Wade intently. "You should know what Mr. Grindelwald expects from you. He has never been so lenient with anyone else. So..."
"Please, for me... don't let him down, and don't let us down, okay?"
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
