## Orli: "That's impossible!!!"
An uncontrollable, sharp scream burst from Orli's throat. She stood up abruptly, scanning the Great Hall frantically. If it wasn't Moody, then who was it? Who could it be?!
A buzzing noise began to spread throughout the hall, like the sound of countless angry bees. Professor McGonagall stood up from the head table, briskly walking past Ludo Bagman and Professor Karkaroff, whispering something urgently into Professor Dumbledore's ear.
# Hermione: "Sit down, Orli!"
Hermione tugged sharply at Orli's sleeve, pulling her back into her seat. Only then did Orli notice Harry sitting beside her, completely frozen.
# Harry: "I didn't put my name in."
Harry said blankly,
# Harry: "You all know I didn't."
No one responded to him. The Gryffindors around him were all staring at him with equally bewildered expressions.
# Dumbledore: "Harry Potter!"
Dumbledore called again loudly from the stage,
# Dumbledore: "Harry! Please come up here!"
His eyes were fixed on Harry, and his face was devoid of any smile.
# Hermione: "Go on."
Hermione urged him in a low voice, giving him a gentle push.
## Orli: "Harry, meet us at the Potions Base tonight."
Orli managed to say this much before Harry got up and walked toward the small room.
Soon, Dumbledore, Madame Maxime, Karkaroff, Bagman, and Bones all entered the small room. Even Professor McGonagall, Moody, and Snape followed them inside. The noise in the Great Hall grew louder and louder, with nearly everyone discussing Harry being chosen as a champion.
# Fred: "How did he do it? He actually managed to put his name in!"
Fred asked in astonishment.
# George: "It wasn't Aging Potion… Could it be some spell or an illusion?"
George turned his head toward Ron:
# George: "Did you put your name in too, Ron?"
# Ron: "I don't know!"
Ron's face was tense.
# Ron: "He didn't tell me anything."
# Hermione: "Ron!"
Hermione glared at him.
# Hermione: "What are you so angry about?!"
# Ron: "I don't know how he put his name in, alright?!"
Ron snapped, shoving the plate in front of him with a loud clatter.
The Great Hall was in complete chaos. With most of the professors busy dealing with the champions, it was Professor Flitwick who eventually stepped in, instructing the prefects of each house to lead the students back to their dormitories.
Halfway back, Orli, Hermione, and Ron quietly slipped to the back of the line and then turned into the Potions Base — though Ron was extremely reluctant, and Hermione practically tore his sleeve in the process.
When Harry was finally let out and arrived at the Potions Base as promised, he was met with a rather odd scene: Orli was sitting in a chair with her arms crossed, lost in thought; Hermione was pacing nervously in the center of the room; and Ron was staring out the window, not saying a word.
# Harry: "I didn't put my name in."
Harry said weakly as he collapsed into a three-legged chair, resting his chin on the backrest.
# Hermione: "Of course we know that!"
Hermione said quickly:
# Hermione: "We all saw the look on your face when Dumbledore announced your name! The question is, who put your name in?"
# Harry: "I don't know either. But Moody thinks someone's trying to get me killed, which is why they did it. The first task is on November 24th, and it's supposed to test our courage... But they're keeping the content completely secret."
Harry said, utterly clueless.
## Orli: "What happened in the small room just now? What else did Dumbledore say?"
Orli asked urgently.
# Harry: "The other headmasters wanted a re-selection or to withdraw entirely. But the Goblet of Fire has already gone out, and those chosen are bound by some kind of magical contract… I guess they couldn't do anything about it. As it stands, Dumbledore has made me the fourth champion." Harry sighed.
# Ron: "Well, congratulations then."
Ron finally spoke. His face wore an awkward, forced smile that was deeply uncomfortable to look at.
# Harry: "What do you mean, congratulations?"
Harry looked at Ron.
# Ron: "Nothing… No one else managed to cross the age line,"
Ron said,
# Ron: "Not even Fred and George. What did you use — an Invisibility Cloak?"
# Harry: "An Invisibility Cloak wouldn't let me cross that line."
Harry said slowly.
# Ron: "Oh, right,"
Ron said,
# Ron: "If it were an Invisibility Cloak, I suppose you would've told me… because an Invisibility Cloak could cover both of us, couldn't it? But you found another way, didn't you?"
# Harry: "Listen,"
Harry said,
# Harry: "I didn't put my name in that goblet!"
# Ron: "Did you? You could've done it last night when no one was watching… You know, I'm not an idiot."
Ron said — the smile on his face, whether forced or genuine, had now completely vanished,
# Ron: "I guess you'll need some rest, Harry. You'll probably need to wake up early tomorrow for some media photos or something."
He got up from the window, took a few steps out of the classroom, and slammed the door shut behind him.
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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