Chapter 358 Pre-match guidance, he is really persistent
"There are no issues with the number of participants, right?" Bagman asked Madame Maxime and Karkaroff.
The two Principals exchanged glances, then nodded silently.
"Then there's another matter," Dumbledore said gravely, looking at Harry Potter. "Harry, you really didn't put your name into the Goblet of Fire, did you?"
"No, sir, I really didn't," Harry said, his face full of melancholy.
"Obviously, someone entered his name for him," Aaronoffered a more reasonable explanation. "Someone wants him to participate in the competition; this was premeditated."
"But I don't want to participate," Harry said, on the verge of tears.
"Don't want to participate? Why not?" Fleur couldn't help but ask. "Participating in the competition is what many dream of—bringing glory to the school, and there's a thousand Galleon prize."
"Not everyone values honor that much, and most fourth-Class Wizards don't have the ability to handle those competition items, but that's not important." Aaron waved his hand with a smile. "In my years at Hogwarts, I've discovered two very peculiar curses. One is that the Defense Against the Dark Arts Class Professor never lasts a full year, leaving for various reasons.
The other is that on Halloween eve, there's a Troll for the first Class, a Basilisk for the second Class, and the escaped convict Sirius for the third Class. I was wondering what would happen this year just a few days ago, and now… someone who doesn't want to participate in the Triwizard Tournament has somehow ended up in it."
"Thank you, Mr. Gaius," Dumbledore said with a dark expression, somewhat losing face by having the other two Principals know of such things.
"But even if someone put Mr. Potter's name in, the Goblet of Fire wouldn't necessarily choose him!" Madame Maximesaid.
"Confundo," Moody said. "A very powerful Confundo, otherwise it couldn't fool a magical object with such strong abilities as the Goblet of Fire."
"Your idea seems to have some merit, Mad-Eye," Karkaroffsaid coldly. "But I rather think Mr. Potter might be trying to use this method to lull our Durmstrang champions into a false sense of security.
Think about it! Who would truly worry about an 'innocent victim'? This way, Mr. Potter's pressure to win the championship might be considerably less."
Hearing this, Harry's eyes widened.
How could someone even think that? How did Karkaroffbecome a Principal?
"The important thing now is how to solve the problem?" Dumbledore looked at Barty Crouch and the other two judges. "Tell me your thoughts."
"The rules cannot be changed," Barty Crouch said. "The Goblet of Fire's choice must be respected and cannot be altered.
Mr. Potter has no other choice; as of tonight, he is a Triwizard Tournament champion."
"Perhaps there's a way to violate the Goblet of Fire's contract, but…" Adrian said with a faint smile, "but the cost is very high, and Mr. Potter certainly couldn't bear it."
"What cost?" Harry asked tentatively, a faint glimmer of hope appearing in his heart.
"Undergoing the baptism of the Goblet of Fire's magicflames, your body will turn to ash, but your soul can be preserved.
You can live at Hogwarts as a ghost."
"I'll pass on that; I'll participate then," Harry said awkwardly. He had attended Nearly Headless Nick's deathday party and knew how boring and monotonous a ghost's life was.
If anyone asked him how he died, he wouldn't even want to say it.
"Then let's continue!" Bagman said, excitedly rubbing his hands. "Next, it's time to give our champions some guidance, isn't it, Barty?"
"Yes, guidance." Barty reacted, walking up to the five champions. "The first task tests your courage, but we won't tell you what it is. Daring to face the unknown is an important quality for a Wizard.
The first task will take place on November 24th, to be completed in front of the judging panel and other spectators.
During the completion of the task, champions may not ask for or accept any help from other teachers; their only weapon is their wand…"
"Wait." Aaron frowned slightly, unable to resist interrupting Crouch.
"Mr. Gaius, do you have a question?"
"I want to ask if only wands can be used? No other weapons or anything?"
"Truly my brother," Adrian praised. "Let's put it this way: the only weapon each person can bring when entering is their wand, but how you utilize it is up to your performance."
"Now I understand," Aaron said, suddenly enlightened. "Other weapons can be used, but they must be summoned by magic."
"That's the idea." Barty Crouch continued, "Only after completing the first task will you learn about the second task.
Due to the high demands and long duration of the competition, participating champions will be excused from the academic year exams."
"This is the only good news I've heard these past few days," Aaron exclaimed.
"That's all I have to say."
"Barty." Dumbledore looked at Crouch's dark circles under his eyes, concerned. "Why don't you rest a day at Hogwartsbefore you go?"
"No, Dumbledore.
I must return to the Ministry of Magic; it's very busy and difficult right now.
I've put a newly hired young man in temporary charge; he's enthusiastic, but a bit too enthusiastic."
"Alright! At least have a drink before you go!"
"Next time, I really don't have time now," Crouch said, pulling the reluctant Bagman away.
Adrian walked up to Aaron, a playful smile on her lips. "The first task will be very exciting, very, very exciting. You really mustn't die!"
"Thanks for the concern," Aaron rolled his eyes. "Just don't forget what you promised me."
"And you don't forget what I asked of you," Adrian said with a smile. "If you can't do it, then… I'm afraid I can't help."
Aaron gritted his teeth. "Got it."
"What did she ask of you?" Fleur asked curiously.
"A potentially deadly request," Aaron said, feeling a bit downhearted. "All in all, it's quite unfriendly to me."
"Professor Karkaroff, Madame Maxime, and Miss Klein, would you like a nightcap?" Dumbledore asked.
"No, I have things to do; I'll be away for a few days," Adrianwaved her hand and walked towards the Great Hall on her own.
Madame Maxime said nothing, leading Fleur up the stairs, and Karkaroff also quickly left with Krum.
"Well, that only leaves Hogwarts' champions," Aaron spread his hands, then looked at Dumbledore. "I wonder if Principal has any other instructions?"
"I suggest you go back to bed," Dumbledore said with a smile. "I believe the Gryffindor, Slytherin, and Hufflepuffstudents are all waiting to celebrate with you!"
The three exchanged glances and walked out of the room together.
The Great Hall was now empty, the jack-o'-lanterns flickering on and off, and the candle flames danced, creating a somewhat eerie festive atmosphere.
"I really didn't expect I'd be competing against you two," Cedric said with a smile.
"I thought I might be competing against you," Aaron said calmly. "Among all the older Class Wizards who signed up at Hogwarts, aside from the Prefects, most were just making up the numbers, and you are the most outstanding of the four Prefects."
"That makes me feel a bit embarrassed."
"But I really didn't think Harry Potter would become a champion of the Triwizard Tournament," Aaron said, looking speechlessly at a bewildered Harry. "Do you have any thoughts?"
"No, this is too sudden.
I had no preparation; I never thought someone would sign me up."
Cedric looked at him deeply, then his face broke into a carefree smile. "No need to be so nervous. Since you've signed up, strive for that glory. I won't go easy on you just because you're younger."
After saying that, Cedric walked towards the small door on the right, heading to the Hufflepuff common room.
"He looks like he doesn't believe me," Harry said, feeling wronged.
"It's human nature. Let alone Cedric, a fellow competitor, even Hermione and Ron might not believe you," Aaronteased. "You gave an explanation this morning: you secretly signed up at night so you wouldn't be embarrassed if you weren't chosen.
And coincidentally, you have the perfect tool for the job: an Invisibility Cloak."
Harry's mouth twitched slightly. He had only made a simple guess at the time, but he never expected it would come back to him.
"You said earlier that someone wanted me to participate in the competition, but why?"
"How should I know?" Aaron said, exasperated. "The only thing I can be sure of is that he has ill intentions. The Triwizard Tournament is still very dangerous for you."
"Dangerous?" Harry murmured, and as if something came to mind, his pupils instantly widened, and he stood frozen in place.
"What's wrong?"
"I remembered a dream I had this summer," a flicker of panic crossed Harry's eyes. "Lord Voldemort, I dreamed of him.
He was very weak, speaking with great difficulty, but Wormtail was serving by his side, and they were plotting to kill me."
"Hm, got it," Aaron nodded indifferently.
"This might be true; you know Professor Trelawney's prophecies."
"Don't misunderstand, I mean your dream might be true, and the prophecy might also be true.
But even if you hadn't had this dream, Lord Voldemortwould still want to kill you, wouldn't he?"
Harry: …That makes a lot of sense.
I worried for months over a widely known fact.
"Oh, and he seemed to mention you in the dream too."
Pfft!
Aaron immediately lost his composure, grabbing Harry's arm and shaking him. "What did he say?"
"Don't worry, he didn't mean to kill you," Harry quickly said.
Aaron barely breathed a sigh of relief, slowly letting go of Harry's arm, but the next sentence made Aaron stumble, nearly rolling down the stairs.
"After killing me, he hoped to capture you alive."
"Heh heh!" Aaron's lips twisted into an indescribably bitter smile. "Again and again, it seems the great Dark Lord is truly relentless with me!
Harry, you absolutely must not get hurt! If you die, Lord Voldemort's attention will be entirely on me."
Harry Potter: …