"So, what's the problem?"
"I've got a prediction here that I can't make heads or tails of: Three will be expected, but four will come."
Heri thought on it.
"Yes, this does sound like a tricky one. I can't say for certain, but I think we can safely infer that there will be an unexpected result. The question, of course, is what is that result?
"From a numerological standpoint, three is a prime number and is thought as powerful, often associated with the divine. Four is the first non-prime number, but it's symbolic of balance. On the surface, three becoming four sounds like a good thing, alluding to a possibly godly power growing to become balanced. Of course, that's just a vague interpretation of a vague prediction."
"But what if it's meant to be taken literally?" asked Sally-Anne after she had scribbled down notes. "Like, forget Numerology and symbolism, what if three people are supposed to get somewhere, but an extra person arrives as well?"
"Well, that's also a valid interpretation." Heri nodded. "Pretty much anything can go at the moment. Taking it the way you're saying, it could be an omen as well. Three expected people with an unknown fourth; maybe three known obstacles with an unpredictable extra. Or out of a group of something, the third option is supposed to happen, but the fourth occurs instead. If it's supposed to be a warning, you could take it as 'be wary around that which comes in trios, a fourth will accompany them.'
Heri placed her forefinger to her lips in thought.
"Which medium did you use?"
"I don't remember. It's written down for the day we got this assignment, but I can't remember even writing it down."
"We started on star-charts that day, maybe was it that?"
"Mmm . . . maybe. I honestly don't remember anything about it."
"Hmm, you might want to put down all possible interpretations then. We could have narrowed it down a bit if you used playing cards or rune-stones or something, but it's vague enough to come from augury."
Sally-Anne eventually nodded her thanks and fell back into silence as she continued with writing the rest of her predictions.
Heri then settled back into her book, wondering how Maelstrom was succeeding at making such a moving speech to the leader of the opposition while a countless number of doppelgängers he had created laid waste to the invading force right in front of them. Such charisma and way with people was admirable. Such skill with magic was impressive too.
The delegations from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang arrived with much fanfare the day before Halloween. It seemed like the other two school were trying to be impressive, as Beauxbatons arrived in a massive carriage pulled by flying horses, and Durmstrang came out of the Black Lake like a submarine resurfacing in an ominous ship that wouldn't have looked out of place in a pirate's fleet.
(Huh. By land, by air, and by sea.)
After the appropriate amount of posturing, everyone was ushered back inside the Great Hall. Four extra seats had been placed at the Head table, and any confusion as to why it wasn't just two was relieved when two gentlemen were led in by Professor McGonagall.
When the evening meal was finished, the headmaster introduced two additions that had joined the educators at the Head table.
"For those who do not know them, Mr Bartemius Crouch, Head of the Department of International Magical Cooperation, and Mr Ludo Bagman, Head of the Department of Magical Games and Sports. Mr Bagman and Mr Crouch have worked tirelessly over the last few months on the arrangements for the Triwizard Tournament, and they will be joining myself, Professor Karkaroff, and Madame Maxime on the panel that will judge the champions' efforts."
At the mention of the word 'champions,' the attentiveness of the listening students seemed to sharpen. Perhaps Professor Dumbledore had noticed their sudden stillness, for he smiled as he said, "The casket, then, if you please, Mr Filch."
Mr Filch, who had been lurking unnoticed in a far corner of the Hall, now approached Professor Dumbledore carrying a great wooden chest encrusted with jewels. It looked extremely old.
"The instructions for the tasks the champions will face this year have already been examined by Mr Crouch and Mr Bagman," said Professor Dumbledore as Mr Filch placed the chest carefully on the table before him, "and they have made the necessary arrangements for each challenge. There will be three tasks, and they will test the champions in many different ways . . . their magical prowess — their daring — their powers of deduction — and, of course, their ability to cope with danger."
At this last word, the Hall was filled with a silence so absolute that nobody seemed to be breathing.
"As you know, three champions compete in the tournament," the headmaster went on calmly. "One from each of the participating schools. They will be marked on how well they perform each of the Tournament tasks and the champion with the highest total after task three will win the Triwizard Cup. The champions will be chosen by an impartial selector: the Goblet of Fire."
Professor Dumbledore now took out his wand and tapped three times upon the top of the casket. The lid creaked slowly open. He reached inside it and pulled out a large, roughly hewn wooden cup. It would have been entirely unremarkable had it not been full to the brim with dancing blue-white flames.
"Anybody wishing to submit themselves as champion must write their name and school clearly upon a slip of parchment and drop it into the goblet," said Professor Dumbledore. "Aspiring champions have twenty-four hours in which to put their names forward. Tomorrow night, Halloween, the goblet will return the names of the three it has judged most worthy to represent their schools. The goblet will be placed in the entrance hall tonight, where it will be freely accessible to all those wishing to compete.
-----------
If you want to read ahead by 40+ chapters from here you can visit my Patre-on.
[P] [A] [T] [R] [E] [O] [N]
[email protected]/Playerfanfic