Chapter 250: Madame Maxime and Karkaroff's Worries
"The moment has finally arrived. The Triwizard Tournament is about to begin. I would like to explain a few things before bringing in the box."
Dumbledore said with a smile, looking at the young Wizards below.
However, many people were looking around, wondering what box Dumbledore was referring to.
And what did it have to do with the Triwizard Tournament?
But Dumbledore clearly had no intention of explaining at the moment.
"I shall explain the procedure of our activities for this school year, but first, allow me to introduce two guests, as there are still some who do not know them. This is Mr. Barty Crouch, Head of the Department of International Magical Cooperation at the Ministry of Magic, and this is Mr. Ludo Bagman, Head of the Department of Magical Games and Sports at the Ministry of Magic."
As Dumbledore made the introductions, applause immediately erupted in the Great Hall, though the applause for Ludo was much more enthusiastic than for Barty Crouch.
Not only was Ludo already a familiar face at Hogwarts, but he also had the added prestige of being a famous Quidditch player.
Even their reactions to the applause were different: Ludowaved with a big smile to express his thanks.
Barty Crouch, on the other hand, faced the young Wizards below with a cold, indifferent expression, making it impossible for him to be popular.
"In the Triwizard Tournament, they, along with myself, Professor Karkaroff, and Madam Maxime, will form the judging panel to assess the champions' efforts."
Upon hearing the word "champions," the young Wizards instantly held their breath.
Up to this point, no one knew how these champions would be selected.
Although the conversation between Ethan and the Twinhad just made a few sixth and seventh-year RavenclawWizards give up the idea of participating in the Triwizard Tournament, the majority were still interested.
Dumbledore naturally sensed the thoughts of the young Wizards below. At this moment, he no longer kept them in suspense and said with a smile, "Mr. Filch, please bring up the box."
No one had noticed where Filch was before, as he was not particularly noticeable, but now everyone's eyes were on him.
He was seen holding a large, jewel-encrusted wooden box in the corner, walking towards Dumbledore. Although the box was magnificent, it was clear that it had some age to it.
The students peered and craned their necks, some even standing on their chairs, just to get a clearer view.
After Dumbledore took the jewel-encrusted box, he carefully placed it on the table.
"The specific tasks for the Champions' competition this year have been thoroughly reviewed by Mr. Crouch and Mr. Ludo. They have also made many necessary arrangements for each task."
"There will be three tasks, held at different times throughout the school year. They will test the Champions in many different aspects… testing their magical abilities, their daring, and their deductive reasoning."
"And, of course, their ability to overcome danger."
As Dumbledore's last sentence fell, the entire Great Hallhad become silent.
Most of the young Wizards already knew that the Triwizard Tournament carried a certain degree of danger.
And some Ravenclaw students were even clearer that to fight XXXXX Animals, one naturally needed the ability to confront danger.
"As you know, three Champions will compete, each representing a participating school."
"We will score them based on the quality of their completion of each task. After the three tasks are over, the Champion with the highest score will win the Triwizard Cup. The one responsible for choosing the Champions is an impartial selector, and that is the goblet of fire."
After speaking, Dumbledore drew his wand and tapped the jewel-encrusted box three times.
With a creaking sound, the lid slowly opened.
Dumbledore reached inside and pulled out a large, roughly carved wooden goblet.
The goblet itself was unremarkable, but it was full of flickering blue-white flames.
Dumbledore then closed the box and placed the goblet on the lid so that everyone in the Great Hall could see it clearly.
A wooden goblet burning with blue-white flames was undoubtedly another product of Alchemy.
If possible, Ethan Adrien would like to study it.
Also, these flames were not lit by Dumbledore; they were already inside the box before he took it out.
But these flames did not burn the box and did not extinguish, and they were a type of flame Ethan Adriendid not recognize. It was truly interesting.
He just wondered if these flames had any other characteristics.
"Every student who wishes to be a Champion must write their name and school name on a piece of parchment and throw it into this goblet. Those aspiring to be Champions can sign up within twenty-four hours."
"Tomorrow night, which is Halloween night, the goblet will choose the names of the three students it deems most capable of representing the three schools. And tonight, the goblet will be placed in the entrance hall, accessible to all students who wish to participate."
Dumbledore slowly introduced the function of the goblet to the young Wizards.
And the young Wizards' breathing quickened at this moment, as it seemed not very difficult.
But can this goblet really choose a Champion?
Is there any way to trick this goblet to ensure it selects him one hundred percent? Is there such an item in Hogsmeade?
Is it still too late to have an owl purchase it now?
Those under seventeen years old also breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed this goblet had no means to filter out Wizards under seventeen.
Dumbledore, seeing the reactions of the young Wizards below, also guessed their thoughts and immediately added, "To prevent students who are not old enough from being tempted, after the goblet is placed in the entrance hall, I will draw an age line around it. No one under seventeen years old will be able to cross this age line."
"Finally, I want to remind every student who plans to participate that this Tournament is not a game. Do not participate rashly."
"Once a Champion is chosen by the goblet of fire, he must see the competition through to the end. Whoever puts his name into the goblet effectively forms a magical contract that must be obeyed. Once one becomes a Champion, one is not allowed to change his mind."
"Therefore, please think carefully and make sure you truly intend to participate before putting your name into the goblet. All right, I think it's time for everyone to go to bed. Good night."
With the end of Dumbledore's sentence, the feast also concluded.
After leaving the goblet, Dumbledore led the faculty, Madame Maxime, and others away.
However, as they left, both Madame Maxime and Karkaroff specifically glanced at Ethan Adrien.
After the other faculty members and Ludo also left, only the Principals of the three schools remained at the corner of the corridor.
"Dumbledore, are you sure your age line can definitely stop young Wizards under seventeen?"
Karkaroff asked impatiently.
Madame Maxime also looked at Dumbledore, clearly very eager to know the answer to this question.
When the Triwizard Tournament was normally held in the past, it was also due to its inherent danger that Wizards under seventeen were prohibited from participating.
But at that time, the Principals of the European magicschools didn't pay much attention to this rule.
The Triwizard Tournament was held every few years, and its dangers were well-known. There was basically no hothead who dared to sign up if he was not strong enough.
That would not only bring shame to himself and his school but also put himself in danger.
But now, the Triwizard Tournament had not been held for two hundred years, and its dangers were mostly hearsay, without an accurate concept. Before truly seeing it, there were many people who lacked self-awareness.
Inevitably, these people would sign up for the Triwizard Tournament.
However, what Madame Maxime and Karkaroff were concerned about at this moment was not this. Anyway, all the Wizards they brought were adults.
Under normal circumstances, while still in school, if the talents were similar, the older one was, the more advantageous it naturally was.
They even wished that Hogwarts students would break the rules and have an underage Wizard compete.
But now that Hogwarts had Ethan Adrien, the situation was completely different.
In the past, they had heard this name through some channels: the genius of Hogwarts, Nicolas Flamel's disciple, highly talented in Alchemy, and the one who created the wizard mailbox.
Originally, this was not much to speak of. Which year did the Wizarding World not produce a few so-called geniuses?
Their respective academies also had such students.
But what happened at the Quidditch World Cup, though unbelievable to them, they dared not doubt.
After all, the Ministry of Magic had come forward to explain it, which was considered an official cover-up.
Under other circumstances, if the Ministry of Magic issued a statement, whether Karkaroff or Madame Maxime, they would only consider it the Ministry of Magic creating momentum for its own country.
But that was a major accident at the Quidditch World Cup; the Minister of Magic was almost beaten to death. In such a situation, what needed to be done was definitely to claim the credit to cover up the scandal.
But the Ministry of Magic did not do this. Instead, they openly admitted it, which meant they could not seize this credit; it was real.
They even inquired about this matter, and all accounts confirmed this point.
Destroying hundreds of Wizards and capturing dozens was no longer the feat of an ordinary genius.
Compared to this, perhaps only Dumbledore, Grindelwald, and others from back then could compare.
No, even when they were still in school, they couldn't achieve this level.
How could their two academies have any chance of winning against such a person? Wasn't this just watching Hogwarts show off its power?
The Triwizard Tournament, reopening after two hundred years, was attracting attention from many parties. If one won, one could truly claim to be the top magic school in Europe.
This would greatly enhance the school's reputation and also bring some intangible benefits to the Principal.
Among other things, if their prestige soared, their positions as Principals would be more secure.
After all, both of them had things that could not be revealed: one was a half-Giant, and the other was a former Death Eater, a spineless traitor who sold out his comrades.
As a result, both of them were extremely eager to bring the Triwizard Tournament trophy back to their schools.
For this, the first thing to confirm was to exclude Ethan Adrien, which required using that previously inconspicuous rule.
"To be honest, I'm not entirely sure!"
Dumbledore looked at the Principals of the other two schools in front of him and could only tell the truth.
Otherwise, if it were exposed later, the situation would be even more awkward.
At the same time, although they did not name who they were trying to prevent, Dumbledore could guess.
Besides that fellow who gave him headaches, who else could make them treat him with such caution?
"You can't suppress him?"
Madame Maxime widened her eyes, looking at Dumbledore in disbelief.
Based on Ethan Adrien's performance that day, Madame Maxime admitted she couldn't do it, and her strength was probably not as strong as Ethan Adrien's.
But Dumbledore shouldn't have a problem!
He had been famous for so many years, and his track record was quite impressive; he was not the kind of strong person who was just hyped up.
No matter how strong or talented that kid was, his age was still there. How could Dumbledore not be able to suppress him?
If it were said that Dumbledore couldn't suppress him ten years later, that might be believable.
Now, this must be a trick to fool them!
It was just to let that kid participate in the competition.
"If I myself were guarding it there, then there would naturally be no problem."
"But it's just a magic spell. It depends on whether he wants to participate or not."
Dumbledore also showed a trace of helplessness on his face.
Based on Ethan Adrien's performance, Dumbledore still had the confidence to suppress him now; he hadn't lived all these years for nothing.
But just one magic spell, to be honest, it was more than enough to stop young Wizards, and even ordinary adult Wizards would be helpless if they were restricted by him.
However, facing a Wizard of Snape's level, he could break his magic. After all, it wasn't that profound and was a spell that was out of his control.
This was even more true for Ethan Adrien, who was stronger than Snape.
Hearing this, Madame Maxime and Karkaroff fell silent. They naturally couldn't let Dumbledore guard the goblet of fire; that would be like throwing a Principal's dignity on the ground and trampling it.
And thinking carefully, it really seemed to be the case. They wouldn't have the confidence or dare to challenge Ethan Adrien.
But breaking Dumbledore's age line was not a problem for them.
Putting themselves in his shoes, they really couldn't blame Dumbledore.
"So there's no way?"
Karkaroff was still somewhat unwilling.
He had come with great expectations, and his own student, Krum, was also a genius, not only talented in Quidditch but also skilled in spells.
But this couldn't be compared to that monster who was even stronger than himself.
"Dumbledore, can you go and discuss with him, and dissuade him from participating in the Triwizard Tournament?"
Madame Maxime suggested.
Just now, when she was in the faculty section, she could see that many Hogwarts young Wizards below wanted to participate in the Triwizard Tournament, and a considerable number of them, judging by their appearance, were under seventeen.
Dumbledore just glanced at Madame Maxime and said nothing.
Do you think this is appropriate?
Moreover, from Ethan Adrien's first year of enrollment, he was not an obedient or well-behaved student.
If he went to talk, nine times out of ten he wouldn't listen, and it might even have the opposite effect.
Chapter 251: Ron's Provocation
The second day of welcoming the Beauxbatons and Durmstrang students was Saturday.
Generally speaking, because it was a day off, young Wizards would go to breakfast very late.
But today, as soon as it was a little light, Ethan Adrienwas woken up by his roommates.
Each of them was eager to go and see the goblet of fire. They didn't have the intention of participating, but they wanted to experience it.
Although Dumbledore had taken out the goblet of fire in the Great Hall yesterday, he had not set any magic on it.
The more accurate registration time should have started at midnight. The specific time depended on when Dumbledore set up the spell.
Walking out of Ravenclaw Tower and arriving at the entrance hall, they saw more than thirty people gathered there, some with bread still in their mouths, all carefully examining the goblet of fire.
The goblet was placed in the center of the entrance hall, in the same spot where the Sorting Hat used to be placed during the opening feast.
Around the goblet, a thin golden line was drawn on the floor, forming a circle with a radius of ten feet. This was clearly the age line Dumbledore had mentioned.
A Wizard under seventeen years old would not be able to cross it.
But at this moment, Ethan saw many lower-grade Wizards.
As soon as Terry walked in, he immediately ran over.
"Has anyone put their names in?"
This was Terry asking a third-year Ravenclaw student.
"Senior, just now, before you arrived, the Durmstrangpeople had already come first, and they have already put their names in, everyone put their names in."
Although Terry didn't have as much fame as Ethan, he had a good personality and liked gossip, so he was quite popular in Ravenclaw, and he was also in the same dormitory as Ethan, so this junior naturally wouldn't put on airs and immediately told him everything he knew.
Ethan also listened from the side, the Durmstrang people had already finished signing up?
What about Beauxbatons?
Ethan actually didn't want Fleur to participate in this so-called Triwizard Tournament; it was meaningless.
Only the champion would be remembered, and the remaining two would just be side characters, and participating also carried a certain risk.
Even if Ethan didn't participate, it was unlikely that Fleurwould win.
First of all, Cassandra and the others had taken the Magic Blood, but Fleur had not; Ethan had made some VeelaMagic Blood, but it wasn't finished yet, and he wasn't sure whether to give it to her.
He had given Fleur the Potion of Increased Magic Power, but simply increasing magic power without more means was limited in strength.
Fleur hadn't learned any spells with Ethan, and when she came over during the summer vacation, she was basically playing and visiting with Gabrielle.
Compared to her strength in the original work, the only thing stronger was the amount of magic power.
With just this, she clearly couldn't win the championship.
But Ethan didn't try to persuade her, until Fleur also wanted to prove herself; she had told him more than once that she was the one being ostracized by the girls in Beauxbatons, with no shortage of overt and covert taunts every day.
If she had the chance, she definitely wouldn't give up, and Ethan could only say that he would ensure her safety.
"Beauxbatons, and our Hogwarts!"
Terry immediately asked.
"I didn't see them. After I came over, I only saw Durmstrang signing up, and I didn't hear of anyone else putting their names in, so there probably aren't any!"
This Ravenclaw junior wasn't very sure; he had arrived relatively early, with only a few people before him.
Those few also said they hadn't seen anyone sign up, but if someone had put their name in in the middle of the night, who would know?
The Beauxbatons students didn't necessarily have to abide by Hogwarts' rule against night wandering, and even students from their own school didn't abide by it, secretly signing up when no one was around in the middle of the night—this was definitely something someone could do.
After listening for a few more sentences, Ethan lost interest and went to the Ravenclaw table to eat breakfast first.
A short while later, Cassandra, Hermione, and others also arrived.
They came directly to the Ravenclaw table and sat next to Ethan. As long as it wasn't some banquet or other formal occasion, although there were four house tables, no one said anything about switching tables for meals.
It was just that Gryffindor couldn't go to the Slytherinside, and Slytherin couldn't go to the Gryffindor table; there would basically be no problems.
After all, there had been incidents before where the Twinthrew dungbombs on the Slytherin table.
Who knew if the other party was really there to eat, or to add something to their meal?
After finishing her portion, Cassandra handed Ethan some sausages and fried eggs, then looked towards the entrance and said, "Fleur and her friends are here!"
She and Hermione had no intention of participating in the Triwizard Tournament.
She was just curious, if Fleur were chosen, and they competed against each other, would Ethan go easy on her?
During the Duelling Tournament in the house, although Ethan didn't show his true strength against her, he still won.
If he deliberately lost to Fleur this time, then she would have to give him a good talking to.
Ethan, hearing Cassandra's words, also turned his head.
He just happened to see the Beauxbatons students entering through the front door, with Fleur among them, led by Madam Maxime.
Those gathered around the goblet of fire stepped back, making a path for the Beauxbatons students, and watched eagerly.
At Madam Maxime's command, the Beauxbatonsstudents lined up.
Once organized, the Beauxbatons students crossed the Ageing Potion line one by one, dropping their parchment slips into the blue-white flames.
As each name was thrown into the fire, the flames quickly turned red and spat out sparks.
After everyone had cast their names, the Beauxbatonsgirls then came to the Ravenclaw table to enjoy breakfast.
Although they rested in the carriages they arrived in, their three meals still had to be eaten in the Hogwarts Great Hall.
"Where's Gabrielle?"
Ethan didn't see Fleur's little follower and asked curiously.
"Still sleeping!"
Fleur replied while preparing her own breakfast.
At this moment, the Great Hall also became completely lively; most of the Wizards had already arrived, and even the faculty seats were more than half full.
After eating his fill, Ethan also led Cassandra and the others towards the goblet of fire. He would go and sign up now; there was no need to hide it, as the answer would be revealed tonight anyway.
The Hogwarts Wizards surrounding the goblet of fireimmediately made way when they saw Ethan coming.
Ever since his first year, after he had hammered a few Slytherin upperclassmen, no one dared to block Ethan's path.
Speaking of which, those few seemed to be in their seventh year now, right?
He wondered if they would participate in this Triwizard Tournament.
However, at the faculty table, Madam Maxime, who was still eating breakfast, unconsciously bent the knife and fork in her hand, her face full of tension.
She had discussed it with Dumbledore yesterday, and there was no way to prevent Ethan from participating in this Triwizard Tournament.
It all depended on his own will.
After all, it was the goblet of fire that truly decided who participated, and once chosen, one had to participate—that was the rule.
They couldn't guard it all the time, otherwise, what kind of Principal would she be?
If they let the students guard it, they couldn't guard it either!
"Ethan, this Ageing Potion is useless!"
Walking to the golden line, Fred, who was standing there, supported a Black man with a long white beard, complaining to Ethan.
Although their conversation yesterday made them give up participating in the Triwizard Tournament, the Ageing Potion they had already prepared couldn't be wasted.
They had originally planned to sell it to recoup some money.
But their roommate, Lee Jordan, wanted to participate; he was still two months shy of seventeen. Although Fredand George told him about the dangers, Lee Jordan still wanted to try.
So Fred gave the Ageing Potion to Lee Jordan to use. As a result, after taking it, Lee Jordan had just walked into the Ageing Potion line when he seemed to be kicked out by someone and grew a white beard.
They didn't know if the spell could truly distinguish whether a Potion had been used, or if there was a problem with their Twin' Ageing Potion.
"Let me see the Ageing Potion!"
Ethan didn't know what the problem was; he would check the Potion first.
Ethan hadn't brewed the Ageing Potion himself, but Bruno had, and Ethan had also seen the Potion's information.
Looking at the liquid Fred handed over, the state, color, and smell were all fine; there shouldn't be any problems.
"The Ageing Potion is fine; it's because of Dumbledore's spell."
Ethan said with certainty.
"Then is there any other way to sign up?"
Although George didn't want to participate anymore, he was naturally interested in such things.
"The simplest way is to find a classmate over seventeen years old and have him put your name in, right?"
Hearing Ethan say this, everyone fell silent.
Such a simple question, and they had been discussing it so enthusiastically just now?
0 for fresh flowers
This made them look really stupid!
"Ethan, you're all here!"
Cedric also brought a group of Hufflepuff Wizards here. Seeing Ethan and the others gathered in front of the goblet of fire, he greeted them, then directly crossed the Ageing Potion line and threw the dragon parchment with his name written on it into the goblet.
"Cedric, do me a favor and put this name in."
Seeing Cedric successfully sign up, Fred directly pulled out the parchment Lee Jordan had prepared from his pocket.
According to what Ethan had just said, this really works!
"This… Lee isn't seventeen yet, is he?"
Cedric did not take the parchment from Fred's hand, his face showing a hint of difficulty.
Although Cedric was a model Hufflepuff student, he wasn't really that rigid.
It was just that this Triwizard Tournament really had a certain danger. If Lee Jordan signed up himself, that was fine; he would bear the consequences himself.
But if he helped him sign up, and then something went wrong, whose responsibility would it be?
"I want to sign up, Cedric, please put it in for me."
Lee Jordan endured the discomfort and said to Cedric.
Because of the Twin, he and Cedric were already somewhat familiar.
At this moment, seeing his expression, he knew what he was struggling with.
As the Quidditch House Cup commentator, he at least had that much discernment.
"Alright then!"
Since he himself said so, Cedric couldn't refuse, and immediately stepped into the Ageing Potion line again.
He still put the name into the goblet of fire without any hindrance.
However, unlike the normal blue flames turning red and spitting out sparks, this time the flames in the goblet of fire remained blue, and it was clearly visible that the blue flames instantly turned the parchment Cedric had just put in into ashes.
In other words, having a Wizard over seventeen years old help put in the parchment still didn't work.
"Dumbledore, is this the spell you set last night?"
Madam Maxime asked Dumbledore, who was beside her, curiously.
At Beauxbatons, they had information on the goblet of fire. Because they were going to participate in the Triwizard Tournament, she had studied it carefully.
The goblet of fire had never had this effect before.
"Hmm, I can only do this much."
Dumbledore was also paying attention to the situation over there at this moment.
"Ethan, your method doesn't work either. It seems you can't be the Hogwarts champion!"
Ron finally saw a chance for Ethan to be embarrassed and naturally wouldn't let it go.
If it had been earlier, he wouldn't have dared to jump out.
Although he was a bit unconvinced, Ron was still a little afraid of Ethan; he really couldn't beat him.
But facing Fleur's closeness to Ethan, he couldn't stand it anymore.
The first time he saw this girl yesterday, he was attracted, just like when he saw the Veela at the Quidditch World Cup.
Why were all such girls surrounding Ethan?
He was a pure-blood Wizard noble, wasn't he much nobler than this Muggle-born? Why was this happening!
Ethan had just spoken so arrogantly, and now he was embarrassed. If he didn't go up and step on him a few times to make this girl see Ethan's true colors and then stay away from him, what was he waiting for?
However, Ron was losing his mind at this moment, but the other Wizards were not.
Many were jealous of Ethan, and many slandered him in secret, but he was the only one who dared to confront him directly.
Even Fred and George looked at their younger brother in disbelief; he was truly brave.
Although Ethan hadn't taken action in recent years, it was because no one dared to provoke him. Those from Ethan's year, and even those older than him, had witnessed the miserable state of those unfortunate Slytherin students back then.
Visually, it was even more impactful than Ron attacking Harry with Dark Arts.
After all, it involved repeatedly breaking classmates' limbs with a wooden stick.
Recently, it was even rumored that Ethan had killed several adult Wizards. This was a verified fact, certified by the Ministry of Magic, so it couldn't be false.
At this stage, everyone might talk tough, but including Slytherin, who among them had actually killed someone?
This caused the scene to quiet down instantly, and many of the young Wizards near Ron even deliberately moved away a bit.
They were afraid that blood would splash on them later. As for anyone pulling Ron away, there was none.
Ron, at this moment, still hadn't noticed anything amiss, looking at Ethan with the same smug expression.
Only the jealousy in his eyes was almost overflowing.
Chapter 252: Champion Ron
"Ron, what you're saying is quite interesting. Dumbledoreprohibited Wizards under seventeen from participating in the Triwizard Tournament, specifically setting this age line for that reason."
As he said this, Ethan deliberately glanced at Dumbledore at the faculty table.
Many of the young Wizards from Hogwarts also followed Ethan's gaze and saw that Dumbledore was indeed paying attention to them, but he did not speak.
Usually, even if rules were to be broken, it would be done secretly. Openly violating Hogwarts' rules like this wasn't really appropriate. Fortunately, Dumbledore wasn't making a fuss now, and even Snape hadn't jumped out.
Ron also noticed this situation. Had he just offended Dumbledore as well?
But at this point, Ron could no longer back down.
Immediately, Ron's face flushed red as he loudly declared:
"That's true, but you're also destined not to be a Champion, aren't you?"
Ron's voice was very loud, as if that could prove the accuracy of his words.
Many young Wizards around him secretly gave Ron a thumbs up in their hearts, thinking he should speak more if he could.
Ethan listened quietly, a slight smile on his lips.
"If I can't be a Champion, then what about you? Can you be one?"
Ron could only steel himself and loudly replied:
"Of course, if not for this age line, I would definitely be the Champion representing Hogwarts."
The young Wizards around him twitched their mouths unconsciously upon hearing Ron's words.
Ron, a Champion?
They were all classmates; who didn't know who?
Although in the past two years, Ron hadn't been as reckless as he was at the beginning of the term, causing trouble all day and doing nothing productive, only losing points.
But he wasn't much better; his grades were only average, and many in his year were better than him.
Even without the age line, there was no way he would be the Champion representing Hogwarts.
Even if Ethan didn't participate, it would be the same. Who was Ron to be considered?
He wondered how thick-skinned one had to be to say such a thing.
"Very good, very confident. So, do you want to participate in the Triwizard Tournament and become the Champion representing Hogwarts?"
Ethan didn't show the same disdainful look as his other classmates; instead, he was quite satisfied with this answer.
In the original story, wasn't Ron jealous of Harrybecoming the Champion representing Hogwarts?
Since he wanted this opportunity so much, Ethan would give him this opportunity.
He just hoped Ron wouldn't regret it.
Anyway, their relationship was already like this, so tricking Ron caused Ethan no psychological pressure at all.
"Of course, if I could, I would definitely participate. Who wouldn't want to be the Champion representing Hogwarts?"
The current atmosphere didn't allow Ron to say no.
Ron himself genuinely wanted to participate. He wanted to be in the limelight and be welcomed so badly that he was almost obsessed.
And this Triwizard Tournament was the best opportunity for him to show off.
Unfortunately, he had no chance of participating; several methods he tried didn't work.
"Very good, I hope you don't regret it!"
Ethan still smiled and nodded, then turned to look at Fredand George.
"Ron asked for this himself. If anything happens to him while participating in the Triwizard Tournament, you can't blame me, can you?"
Fred and George, who were being watched by Ethan, didn't know what to say.
They were already quite certain that the Triwizard Tournament was dangerous, and that one of the tasks involved a Dragon was almost certain.
If they faced a Dragon, they would just be filling its stomach; Ron would fare even worse.
Giving the Ageing Potion to Lee Jordan was because they knew he couldn't be chosen; it was just for fun.
If cheating worked, everyone would cheat. Even if it didn't, there were many in their year and in seventh year who were better than Lee Jordan.
But Ethan's words now made it seem like he genuinely had the confidence to get Ron in, and for him to be 100% chosen as the Champion representing Hogwarts.
How could they dare to answer? Even though Ron had done many wrong things in the past two years, and their relationship had become distant.
But ultimately, he was a Weasley, their younger brother.
They couldn't possibly watch him get involved in such a dangerous situation.
It would be fine if he had the ability, but the key was that he didn't!
Before George and Fred could speak, Ron couldn't hold back and immediately shouted:
"This is my business! Why are you asking them? Can they decide for me?"
"If I could participate in the Triwizard Tournament, I'd be more than happy to! How could I regret it?!"
"It's you, you can't even participate yourself, and you're still talking here. If you don't have the ability, shut up!"
Ron was quite displeased with Ethan's act of asking Fredand George.
He already harbored resentment towards his two older brothers, and when they distanced themselves, that resentment grew even more.
This summer, although their Quidditch World Cup tickets were also bought by them.
However, the fact that Fred and George went gambling and made a large sum of Galleons but didn't include him, Ron added another grievance against them.
They never treated him like family, like a younger brother, so why should they be able to meddle in his affairs?
However, upon hearing these words, Fred and George's faces changed; they wished they could poison Ron with a Potion to silence him.
But since Ron had said that, what more could Fred and George say? They immediately decided to get him out of their sight, supporting Lee Jordan as they exited the crowd, intending to take him to Madam Pomfrey.
Having just consumed the Ageing Potion and being repelled by the age line, his body was in a bit of a state. It was safest to go to the infirmary to get checked out.
Moreover, staying here might lead to another argument with Ron, which still wouldn't change anything and might even make things worse.
Watching the Twin leave, Ethan also understood their thoughts. They couldn't control this matter anymore, and didn't want to.
"Accio goblet of fire!"
Ethan stood still, extending his right hand in a grasping motion, looking at the goblet of fire within the age line.
To the disbelief of all the young Wizards, the goblet of fire, placed on a chair, shook violently.
Then, it flew rapidly like a cannonball, landing perfectly in Ethan's grasping right hand.
The entire Great Hall suddenly fell silent. Even some Professors and the Principal at the faculty table stopped eating, watching Ethan without blinking.
Madam Maxime now wished she could go down and strangle that damned red-haired boy with her large hands. Just now, looking at Ethan, it seemed he hadn't decided whether to participate in the Triwizard Tournament.
Now, provoked like this, it was almost certain he would.
And perhaps, Hogwarts might have several Champions.
After all, if one could modify the settings inside the goblet of fire with a magic, she didn't believe Ethan, who could get the goblet of fire with Accio, couldn't do it.
Once it reached that point, Beauxbatons' chances of winning would be almost zero.
Thinking of this, the spoon already bent in her hand was directly crushed into a ball.
However, Ethan paid no attention to those gazes at the moment. After glancing at the blue flames in the goblet of fire, he walked towards Ron with the cup in hand.
The young Wizards along the way quickly moved aside. In a few steps, Ethan was in front of Ron.
Ethan held the goblet of fire forward, placing it before Ron, illuminated by the blue flames.
Ron's face was exceptionally pale.
He hadn't expected Ethan to actually retrieve the goblet of fire, and so easily, allowing him to show off again.
"You can be your Champion now. Just put the parchment with your name on it inside."
Watching Ron hesitate, afraid to act, Draco, from the side, couldn't take it anymore and immediately started to egg him on with his cronies:
"You were talking so loudly just now, why are you scared now?"
"Hurry up, Weasley! Are you scared?!"
"If you're scared, just say it out loud!"
...
With Draco leading the way, a chorus of Slytherinstudents started speaking, one after another.
As for the Gryffindor students, not a single one spoke up for Ron at this moment.
The scene of Ron rebuffing Fred and George was still fresh in their minds. If their own family couldn't manage him, wouldn't outsiders just be asking for a scolding?
Moreover, Ron had no popularity at all; who would speak for him?
"Even if I put it in, it's useless. Didn't Cedric's parchment burn to ashes when someone else put it in?"
Illuminated by the blue fire, Ron also felt something was off.
Given his relationship with Ethan, and how he had just spoken to him, Ethan letting him participate in the Triwizard Tournament must mean he was plotting something bad.
He couldn't let Ethan get his way, even if he really wanted to participate.
But at this point, he couldn't possibly say anything about backing down, so he could only use this excuse.
"You just put it in; I'll take care of the rest for you."
Ethan wouldn't give Ron a chance to back down. He was very vengeful!
"Are you just going to watch?"
At the faculty table, Madam Maxime looked at Dumbledore.
You can still sit there?
Not to mention Ethan openly violating your rules right here in front of everyone...
And that damned red-haired boy, who clearly has no ability, if he really participates, won't there be another accident?
Dumbledore sighed and stood up. He was also a bit conflicted about whether to step forward, because he knew he couldn't stop it.
Ethan's demeanor clearly showed he had made up his mind. If he tried to persuade him, Ethan definitely wouldn't listen.
Unless he ended the Triwizard Tournament registration now and took the goblet of fire away.
But was that possible?
At the same time, he was cursing the Weasley boy over and over again in his mind, truly having no sense of discernment.
If he had been born a few decades earlier, such a personality would probably have led to his demise right after graduation, or he wouldn't have even lived to graduate.
Fortunately, Harry was no longer associating with him, otherwise, the Savior might really have been ruined.
"Ethan Adrien!"
"Yes!"
Ethan turned his head and met Dumbledore's gaze.
"Put the goblet of fire back!"
Hmm!"
After Ethan nodded, he no longer paid attention to Dumbledore.
He stepped directly over the age line set by Dumbledoreand steadily placed the goblet of fire on the chair.
The golden silk thread on the ground had no effect on Ethan whatsoever.
It doesn't matter, Lord Voldemort is about to resurrect. Even if you notice me then, how much energy will you have to spare for me?
Besides, I can also change my identity and make you run ragged. By then, you won't even be able to outwit Lord Voldemort.
The surrounding Wizards' breaths quickened. Some had just thought Accio was a trick, but now Ethan truly ignored Dumbledore's spell.
He just didn't want to participate in this boring little game; it wasn't that he couldn't do it.
At the same time, Ethan, who had turned around and walked out, still had no intention of letting Ron off the hook.
"So, where's the parchment with your name on it!"
Ethan extended his right hand and placed it in front of Ron, a smile still on his face.
"I… I'll write it right away."
Ron glanced at his classmates around him out of the corner of his eye and saw them looking at him with strange expressions.
There was no room for retreat now. He immediately trembled and took out a blank piece of parchment. He had prepared it in advance, just hadn't written his name on it.
Before confronting Ethan, he genuinely wanted to participate in the Triwizard Tournament, but now, Ethan's actions made him suspect a conspiracy against him, which made him somewhat timid.
"Classmate, can I borrow your parchment and pen?"
Ethan said to a classmate holding parchment and a quill.
Although Ethan had prepared the parchment with his name written on it in advance, since he could now pin the blame for his participation on Ron, why not?
He picked up both the parchment with his name and the parchment with Ron's name, then, in front of everyone, including Dumbledore, walked into the age line again.
"Ethan Adrian!"
Dumbledore's voice rang out again.
This time, Ethan didn't turn back.
"Wait, Principal, sir!"
With that, he put the two pieces of parchment in his hand into the goblet of fire.
Unlike the ashes that Cedric's help had turned into, this time the goblet of fire reacted normally. The flames turned fiery red while countless sparks emerged.
"Now, both you and I are destined to be chosen as champions for the Triwizard Tournament, and once recognized by the goblet of fire, there's no turning back."
"By then, even if you face a Dragon, you must show up!"
As Ethan's last sentence fell, the surrounding Wizards unconsciously took two steps back.
Although Ethan just said that he and Ron were simultaneously chosen as Hogwarts champions, this did not comply with the rules of the Triwizard Tournament.
But Ethan had just broken the rules, so changing a rule now didn't seem to be a problem, right?
Even if there was a problem, no one dared to say it to his face at this moment.
Only Ron's lips were trembling at this moment. He stretched out his finger, pointing at Ethan, wanting to say something, but didn't know what to say.
"Cho, you take Fleur to explore Hogwarts first."
"I want to see what Principal, sir, wants with me!"
"Okay. Oh, and we need to wake Gabrielle first."
Cho Chang nodded and left the Great Hall with Fleur and the others.
Ethan also arrived in front of the faculty table and stood opposite Dumbledore.
"You and I, come with me!"
Dumbledore sighed, then turned and led Ethan towards the staircase.
He knew he couldn't stop him, but he didn't expect this kid to be so disrespectful to him now.
If you break the rules, at least do it discreetly!
Chapter 253: The Broken goblet of fire
At night, when Ethan walked into the candlelit Great Hall, it was almost full.
The students from Durmstrang and Beauxbatons had all arrived.
The goblet of fire had been moved and was placed on the faculty table in front of Dumbledore's empty chair.
In the morning, after Ethan threw his name into the goblet of fire, although Dumbledore took him to the Principal's office, he didn't say much.
He merely symbolically deducted twenty points from Ravenclaw, then let Ethan go back.
He came and sat at the Ravenclaw long table. After Dumbledore arrived in the Great Hall with the others, it was still the usual procedure.
However, perhaps because it had been banquets for two consecutive days, the Wizards were not very interested in the sumptuous dinner. Instead, they frequently craned their necks, their faces showing anxious expressions.
Finally, after dinner, Dumbledore waved his wand, making all the golden plates on the long tables return to their original spotless state.
And as Dumbledore stood up, the entire Great Hall fell silent.
Now, not only were the Wizards below nervous, but even Karkaroff and Madam Maxime beside Dumbledorelooked solemn.
The Wizards wanted to know what the Triwizard Tournament had become due to Ethan's participation and how many champions Hogwarts would have.
Karkaroff and Madam Maxime, on the other hand, wanted to see if Ethan could change the goblet of fire's procedure.
It was all because of that damn red-haired kid; otherwise, there wouldn't be so much trouble.
The other two judges, however, had completely different expressions. Ludo Bagman was all smiles, winking at students from various schools.
Mr. Crouch looked bored, almost annoyed.
It just goes to show that one is popular and one is not, and there's a reason for it.
"All right, the goblet is about to make its decision."
"Listen, when the champions' names are announced, I want them to walk to the top of the Great Hall, then along the faculty table, and into the room next door."
Everyone looked in the direction Dumbledore pointed and saw a door behind the faculty table.
"They will receive initial instructions there."
After speaking, Dumbledore pulled out his wand and waved it grandly.
Immediately, except for the candles in the pumpkin lanterns, all other candles were extinguished, and the Great Hall suddenly plunged into a state of semi-darkness.
The goblet of fire now emitted a dazzling light, brighter than anything else in the Great Hall, and the blue flames, bursting with sparks, were almost blinding.
Seeing this scene, everyone held their breath. Everyone knew that the champions representing the three schools were about to be chosen.
Sure enough, after a short while, the flames in the goblet suddenly turned red again, and sparks crackled out.
Then, a tongue of fire shot into the air, and a charred piece of parchment flew out from within.
Dumbledore caught the parchment, and the flames returned to blue.
"The champion for Durmstrang, Viktor Krum!"
As Dumbledore's clear and powerful voice ended, a fervent applause erupted in the Great Hall.
This included other members of Durmstrang who were also competitors, as well as a large number of HogwartsWizards. Only Beauxbatons did not applaud.
Clearly, everyone was not surprised that Viktor Krum was chosen as the champion to represent Durmstrang.
"Excellent, Viktor! I knew you were destined to be the champion!"
Karkaroff shouted loudly, his voice like a bell. Krum being chosen certainly matched his expectations. If it weren't for Ethan, the spoiler, winning the championship at this time would definitely be no problem.
And after Viktor Krum nodded to Karkaroff, he stood up from the Slytherin table and walked listlessly towards Dumbledore. Clearly, he was also confident in himself, believing that his selection as champion was a matter of course.
Following Dumbledore's instructions, he turned right, walked along the faculty table, and entered the room next door through that door.
After the applause and chatter gradually subsided.
The Wizards' attention was once again focused on the goblet. A few seconds later, the flames turned red again.
The second piece of parchment shot out of the cup, propelled by the flames.
Dumbledore quickly grabbed it, scanned it, and then announced loudly:
"The champion for Beauxbatons, Fleur De la Cour!"
Unlike when Krum was chosen as champion, this time there was only sparse applause, mainly contributed by the Hogwarts boys.
The Beauxbatons students didn't even offer a single clap.
Disappointed expressions appeared on all their faces, and two girls who hadn't been chosen even burst into tears, burying their heads in their arms and sobbing sadly.
Clearly, Fleur saying she was unpopular at Beauxbatonsmight be an understatement of the true situation.
However, it was fortunate that Madam Maxime took care of her, which prevented Fleur from suffering any bullying at school.
Fleur, however, was unfazed. She stood up gracefully, tossed her silvery hair, and walked lightly between the Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff tables.
Like Krum, she went to the room behind the faculty seats.
The Great Hall became quiet again. This time, the silence was filled with an almost palpable, intense excitement. It was now Hogwarts' turn for a champion. However, many Wizards looked towards the Ravenclaw long table.
They had all seen Ethan cheat in front of Dumbledore, and even claim he would bring Ron along.
Whether that succeeded or not would soon be revealed.
Dumbledore's expression also became serious. Although he didn't check the goblet of fire afterward, he didn't think Ethan couldn't manipulate it.
Especially after studying with Nicolas Flamel.
Next, things might get a little troublesome!
The goblet of fire turned red again, sparks flew, and a tongue of fire shot high into the air. The third piece of parchment flew out and landed in Dumbledore's hand.
Everyone present focused their attention on Dumbledore.
"The champion for Hogwarts, Ethan Adrian!"
The cheers in the Great Hall were deafening. Students from all four Houses were clapping and screaming. Although Ron wasn't brought along as Ethan had said, Ethan's participation was the best possible outcome.
Ethan, who had no rivals among Hogwarts students, could never lose to the other two schools.
Victory and glory would undoubtedly belong to Hogwarts.
Ethan also smiled as he stood up from the Ravenclawlong table and walked into the room behind the faculty.
Ron's brows furrowed directly, unsure if he was relieved or filled with suppressed anger.
Not having to participate in the Triwizard Tournamentmeant not having to face potential dangers.
But he had also signed up for the Triwizard Tournament, and Ethan was chosen while he wasn't. Didn't that mean he was inferior to him?
No, Ethan was chosen by cheating; that doesn't count!
While Ron was comforting himself, Ethan had already entered the room and sat directly beside Fleur.
Fleur had long been prepared for this.
It didn't matter if she didn't win the championship. Anyway, being chosen among so many Beauxbatonsstudents proved that she was better than them, which was good enough.
However, Krum's brows furrowed deeply. Karkaroff had told him about Ethan.
Not only that, but their family had a friendly family that had gone against Ethan at the Quidditch World Cup and had been defeated. They had a very clear understanding of Ethan.
Currently, his chances of winning were very low!
Unless there were no direct confrontation events, perhaps he could still find a trick. Krum fell into deep thought.
He pondered what method he could use to win.
Before coming to Hogwarts, Krum believed that he would inevitably be chosen as Durmstrang's champion, that his strength would certainly be the strongest, and that the Triwizard Tournament championship would undoubtedly be his.
But now there was a variable.
Meanwhile, in the Great Hall, after the commotion ended, Dumbledore eagerly announced loudly:
"Now that our three champions have been chosen, the Triwizard Tournament…"
But before Dumbledore could finish his announcement, everyone's attention was drawn to the goblet of fire.
The flame turned red once again, and sparks crackled.
A long tongue of fire suddenly shot into the air, then spit out a piece of parchment.
Dumbledore stiffly reached out to take it; he had just been about to announce the end and take the goblet of fire away.
Then he would study it carefully to see if there was any way to break the contract between Ron and the goblet of fire, and if not, he would let him participate.
Unfortunately, he was still a step too late.
The little Wizards in the Great Hall had basically confirmed whose name the goblet of fire had just spat out.
Even Ron was breathing rapidly; he couldn't quite figure out what he was feeling at the moment.
Under everyone's gaze, Dumbledore cleared his throat and announced loudly:
"Ron Weasley!"
There was no applause, only a murmur of quiet discussion spreading through the Great Hall.
Ron stood up somewhat dazedly and walked into the room behind the faculty members.
After Ron left, the discussion grew even louder.
Some were gloating, believing in the danger Ethan had spoken of. With Ron's level, he was bound to get injured or something.
Another portion was jealous. If provoking Ethan could make one a Triwizard Tournament champion, why hadn't they stepped forward then? Otherwise, Ron's spot would have been theirs.
However, they only thought about it. If they were truly asked to be as brave as Ron, they didn't have the guts. To be precise, their minds weren't that bad.
Ron, who had entered the small room, was also in a dazed state, leaning against the wall, looking utterly lost.
"Alright, everyone, quiet down. The Triwizard Tournament champions…"
Before Dumbledore could finish, the goblet of firechanged color once again.
The little Wizards looked at Dumbledore with some surprise. What was going on?
They had seen Ethan put in two pieces of parchment at the time and hadn't touched the goblet of fire since. Was someone cheating like Ethan now, or was the goblet of fire broken?
Dumbledore habitually caught the parchment spat out from within.
"Harry Potter!"
Even Dumbledore was momentarily stunned.
Moody, is that you?
From yesterday evening to this morning, the portraits and ghosts, these Hogwarts cameras, had reported to him everyone who had touched the goblet of fire. Besides a few incompetent little Wizards, only Moody remained.
However, this was also good. Lord Voldemort had not yet revived, and this could give Harry a chance to gain experience.
And Harry sat in his seat, completely bewildered. He couldn't believe the name Dumbledore had just read was his own.
The Great Hall was just like when Ron's name was called, without any applause or cheers, even from Gryffindor.
Although Harry was the Savior, after so many years as classmates, everyone knew he was just an ordinary little Wizard, and his skill level wasn't even considered top-notch. How could he possibly be qualified to represent Hogwarts as a champion?
He must have used some means.
"I didn't put my name in," Harry said blankly. "You know I didn't."
However, few classmates believed him. Only Nevillecomforted him and told him to go to that small room.
Harry's sound of opening the door startled Ethan and the other four.
"Harry, why are you here? Are you calling us out?"
Ron, who had come to his senses, asked.
Ever since Peter was released, Harry and he had fallen out. Ron had tried several methods to reconcile but failed. Now, he still wanted to try again.
"No, I was chosen too."
Harry was still in a bewildered state at this moment.
"Ethan, did you add my name?"
Harry looked at Ethan. He was very sure he hadn't signed up.
Among the little Wizards, only Ethan could have done this.
But this shouldn't be!
Ethan had no reason to do that.
"No, after adding my name and Ron's, I didn't touch the goblet of fire again."
Ethan shook his head and explained.
From the moment Moody entered Hogwarts and habitually took a few sips of alcohol, Ethan knew Harrycouldn't escape this Triwizard Tournament.
"Then who was it?"
Harry looked blankly at the ceiling.
According to Ethan and Fred, the Triwizard Tournamentwas dangerous. Was this to make him famous, or did someone want to harm him in the Triwizard Tournament?
Ethan reminded him, "Think about your background. Who has the most malice towards you, and you'll know the answer."
"He's back!"
Harry's eyes instantly widened.
Besides Lord Voldemort and his Death Eaters, who else would target him?
Harry had told Sirius that Lord Voldemort was not dead and still had a remnant soul. Sirius had analyzed a lot for him and told him that Lord Voldemort would return one day.
"Harry, Ethan must have added you. Look at me, and you'll know."
Ron, seeing Harry completely ignore him and only converse with Ethan, spoke loudly again, fueled by jealousy.
Before, he was the one who discussed these issues with Harry!
Ethan glanced at Ron, and then Ron was hanging upside down, constantly spitting out large slugs. The slugs didn't fall to the ground normally but instead crawled over Ron's body from his head.
Fleur just glanced and turned her head away, disgusted.
Krum's brows furrowed even deeper. This was wandless and wordless magic!
Harry was still immersed in the thought of who was harming him and where they were now, completely oblivious to the changes in the room.
The atmosphere in the small room was off, and the atmosphere in the Great Hall was even stranger.
Everyone looked at the several pieces of parchment Dumbledore held in his hand.
These were all just spat out by the goblet of fire, several at once, which even silenced Dumbledore.
So much so that he didn't know what to do with them in his hand.
Chapter 254: The Nickname Snivellus Changes Hands
Karkaroff and Madam Maxime frowned as they looked at Dumbledore. Their expressions suggested that if the occasion wasn't inappropriate, they would have already started yelling.
Ludo, also a judge, had a smiling expression, ready to enjoy the show. He knew that Ethan, as the boss, would not disappoint him and would always come up with new tricks. It was just that setting up the betting was difficult!
Everyone knew that if they were to bet on this Triwizard Tournament, they would definitely bet on Ethan winning. He didn't have the ability to influence his Boss's thoughts, so he might as well just enjoy the spectacle.
As for Barty Crouch, he still maintained his gloomy expression, which hadn't changed from beginning to end.
"How many champions is Hogwarts planning to have?"
"Or has the Triwizard Tournament introduced new rules, allowing the host to send multiple champions to participate together?"
Karkaroff was the first to speak out, but he still managed to restrain himself somewhat.
Ethan's participation, not in accordance with the rules, had already annoyed him greatly. If he could, he would have wanted to withdraw and take his students back to Durmstrang.
Unfortunately, once chosen by the goblet of fire, there was a contract, and one had to participate whether they wanted to or not.
Later, Ron and Harry were chosen, giving Hogwarts three champions. Although the opinion was still slightly bigger, it was not unacceptable. At worst, he would talk to Dumbledore again later.
Anyway, those two were just extras; not all fourth-year students were Ethan Adrien.
But now, you have another batch of Hogwarts champions, which is a bit too much.
It was as if they didn't even consider him and Madam Maxime as people.
If they tolerated this, by the time the Triwizard Tournament officially began, they would probably be riding on their heads and defecating.
"This Triwizard Tournament champion selection doesn't count. So many champions from Hogwarts are unfair to Beauxbatons and Durmstrang."
"What do you say, Mr. Crouch!"
Madame Maxime naturally sided with Karkaroff.
She also dragged Barty Crouch into it.
As the Head of the Department of International magicCooperation, Barty Crouch came to the Triwizard Tournament at Hogwarts not just as a judge but also to handle hospitality and mediate any potential conflicts.
"This indeed doesn't comply with the rules!"
Although Barty Crouch was from the British Ministry of Magic, his stance wasn't too biased at this moment.
If it was just Ethan, although it also violated the rules, it wasn't impossible to smooth over. Now, this was truly excessive.
"Then what do you propose?"
"The goblet of fire has made its choice. If you can break the contract within it, I have nothing to say."
Dumbledore also threw his hands up. What did this have to do with him?
From beginning to end, besides setting anti-cheating charms, he hadn't intervened. Now, all fingers were pointing at him?
If they had the guts, they should go to the small room behind and find the culprit.
What kind of skill was it to make things difficult for a hundred-year-old man now?
Hearing Dumbledore say this, Karkaroff and Madam Maxime fell silent.
The Triwizard Tournament contract was not that easy to break. This was a contract magic set by the most renowned Wizard centuries ago using Merlin's relic.
For so many years, many people had studied the goblet of fire and the charms within it, but none had fully understood it, let alone broken it in a short time.
At least, the two of them had no hope of doing so. Dumbledore, however, might not be without that possibility.
It was just that Dumbledore was not worthy of their trust at all.
Before the contract magic within the goblet of fire could be broken, one had to participate in the Triwizard Tournament according to the rules.
If one didn't participate, they would be treated as a coward opposing the champion.
And according to the effect of the contract, a coward was not worthy of being a Wizard. At that time, the coward's magic would gradually deplete until they completely lost the ability to cast spells.
This was equivalent to directly crippling a Wizard, a loss no one could bear.
This was the main reason they hadn't withdrawn.
Also, even if they wanted to start over and re-select champions now, it wouldn't be allowed.
That was for the next tournament.
"Durmstrang will definitely not participate in the next tournament!"
"We had so many meetings, so many negotiations and discussions, and I didn't expect something like this to happen! I practically want to leave right now!"
With Dumbledore giving up, Karkaroff immediately couldn't bear it anymore.
"Beauxbatons will not participate in the next tournament either."
"Since you are so rule-breaking, from now on, only your Hogwarts can select champions, and the champion will also be yours. How wonderful is that?"
Madame Maxime also spoke sarcastically. Was there still a need to participate in such a Triwizard Tournament?
A roaring voice directly interjected!
"Alright, let's talk about the next tournament next time!"
"The champions selected for this tournament must participate. They are bound by a magic contract!"
Moody entered the room. He would not allow his plans to be disrupted.
As for the next tournament, what did that have to do with him?
"Let's calm down first. How about we first see whose names are written on these parchments?"
Ludo, seeing the potential for an outburst from these few, immediately stepped forward to mediate.
If it weren't for the unsuitable occasion, with so many young Wizards watching, he wouldn't mind watching the show.
But now it was ultimately inappropriate; if a scandal were to occur, he might get implicated.
"Then let's wait and see!"
With an opening, Dumbledore also put away his resigned attitude; after all, it was his school's students who caused the trouble.
Being the Principal, he truly had it tough.
Karkaroff and Madame Maxime also reined in their words, though their expressions remained icy.
They were well aware of the Triwizard Tournament's rules; otherwise, they would have left long ago, how could they still be here?
Under everyone's gaze, Dumbledore spread out the parchments in his hand, and his expression instantly froze.
None of these were students from his school!
Dumbledore could guarantee that he remembered every Hogwarts student's name, even though he was over a hundred years old and his mind wasn't as sharp as before.
Looking at the schools listed below, he immediately understood, and then announced loudly:
"The Champions for Durmstrang are Field Durr and Richardson Clarence!"
"The Champions for Beauxbatons are Hilda Donahue and Hesel Godwin!"
The four people whose names Dumbledore called out quickly stood up, their faces first bewildered, then overjoyed.
Who among those who came to Hogwarts with their respective Principals didn't hope to be chosen as a Champion?
Then, under everyone's astonished gazes, the few people quickly went to the room behind the faculty table.
Who cares? Whatever the reason, being chosen as a Champion was a good thing.
"Dumbledore, what's going on?"
Madam Maxime was also a bit confused; there were two Champions from her academy?
In other words, was this a three-on-three?
Although still somewhat unacceptable, it was certainly better than before.
Similarly, Karkaroff also looked at Dumbledore, hoping he could provide an explanation.
"I don't know either. As you know, these were not my doing. For the specific reasons, how about we go in and ask the culprit?"
Dumbledore immediately threw Ethan under the bus.
Although he could guess Ethan's intention, he couldn't help explain, otherwise, he would inevitably be targeted again.
He, this old man over a hundred years old, truly couldn't bear the burden anymore.
In the past few years, he had lost a lot of hair. These matters were not something an old man like him should worry about.
"According to the rules, it's about time we went in."
Ludo interjected again.
The small room was already crowded with many people, all explaining why they had suddenly entered, but Viktor's expression was quite agitated.
Originally, he, the Durmstrang Champion, was unique, but now he was suddenly worthless?
Bang!
The door was pushed open again. Just as a few people thought it was the other Champions chosen by the goblet of fire entering again.
They then realized it was Dumbledore, followed closely by Barty Crouch, Karkaroff, Madam Maxime, Professor McGonagall, and Professor Snape.
Before Professor McGonagall closed the door, they could still hear the buzzing discussions of hundreds of students from the Great Hall next door.
However, just like when the Durmstrang and Beauxbatons Champions entered, their attention was drawn to Ron, who was hanging upside down nearby.
His legs were stuck to the ceiling, and he was constantly spitting out slugs, which then crawled back up his body.
He was spitting slugs so fast that he couldn't even speak, and more than half of his body was covered in them.
He looked as disgusting as could be, so much so that he alone occupied half the space in the small room.
Even the Professors who had just entered didn't approach him immediately.
However, as a Principal, Dumbledore naturally couldn't just watch.
With a few taps of his wand, Ron was instantly lowered, but there was little he could do about the slugs.
Dispelling this simple minor curse wasn't difficult, but what was already in his stomach couldn't be removed; if he acted rashly, he might end up vomiting all over the place.
In that case, no one would be able to stay in the room.
"Ugh!"
Ron, who had crawled up from the floor, retched again, but under the effect of Ethan's spell, the slugs still didn't fall to the ground, instead crawling up Ron's body from his chin.
This was also Ethan's consideration for Hogwarts' environmental hygiene.
Seeing this, Ron directly reached out to pull the slugs off his face, but as soon as his hand touched them, he realized that they seemed to be stuck to his hand, the kind that couldn't be shaken off.
It was a simple compound spell, into which Ethan had incorporated a bit of Transfiguration technique, allowing it to change its properties at any time.
Only Dumbledore could remove this; even Professor McGonagall couldn't, Ethan was confident of that.
Of course, once the time passed and Ethan no longer controlled it, it could also be removed.
But before Dumbledore could act, Ron, after glaring fiercely at Ethan, awkwardly pushed open the door and ran out.
Professor Snape, Professor McGonagall, Ludo, and others standing at the door all moved aside; no one wanted to touch the person covered in slugs.
At the same time, seeing this scene, Snape also remembered himself; James and the others had given him the nickname 'Snivellus' back then.
Now, shouldn't that nickname be Ron's turn? Wasn't this kid more like a Snivellus than he was?
"...Ron, what's wrong with him?"
After Ron ran out, Dumbledore then asked the few people in the room, but his eyes were fixed on Ethan.
Putting aside any conflicts, he believed that only Ethan here could have done this.
"His mouth is rather foul, so I wanted to shut him up."
Ethan didn't care; anyway, this matter couldn't be hidden.
Let it be whatever it wanted to be; losing points didn't matter. As long as it wasn't too outrageous, winning the Triwizard Tournament would naturally add them back.
"Ravenclaw, five points deducted!"
Snape immediately characterized Ethan, cutting off Professor McGonagall's and Dumbledore's words.
Their mouths twitched slightly.
Snape truly detested Ron to the extreme. In the past, he led Harry astray, in the academy's Wizard Duelling Tournament, he used Dark Arts to severely injure Harryto the point of near death, he let go of Peter, the culprit who killed Lily, and he recorded Snape's Boggarttransformed into a cross-dressing photo.
Any one of these incidents alone would be cause for death, let alone Ron having done them all.
If it weren't a bit inappropriate, Snape would have wanted to make an exception and add a hundred points to Ethan.
Dumbledore took two deep breaths to calm himself down.
The matter with Ron was over; after all, Ethan had already been punished, and he couldn't hold onto the five points Snape deducted.
"Regarding the Champions chosen by the goblet of fire, can you give us an explanation?"
Madam Maxime and Karkaroff also stared at Ethan, wanting to hear what he would say.
To this, Ethan, with an expression of a dead pig not afraid of boiling water, said:
"As you know, I originally didn't intend to participate in the Triwizard Tournament; I just wanted to watch from the sidelines. But Ron kept nagging, and if I didn't participate, wouldn't that mean he was right?"
"That's why I entered the competition, and to get revenge, I dragged Ron into it, even though it wasn't within the rules."
"As for Harry, that's none of my business. I didn't put his name in. Headmaster Dumbledore, you can check it yourself; it's not difficult for you."
"Then, for fairness, I modified the goblet of fire. However many Champions Hogwarts has, Durmstrang and Beauxbatons will have the same number."
"I originally thought there would be two each, but Harryaccidentally entered, so now there are three each."
"Everything I've done is for fairness. If you want to find a culprit, it's the one who just ran out."
"Without him, none of this would have happened."