Chapter 70 - Beauxbatons and Durmstrang (2/2)

He smiled in return, ”well, not much. Only like a couple of months? Oh, it has been a while, yeah”. While everyone around them staring both of them and the girls from Beauxbatons were whispering while looking at Neal, she grabbed his arm and dragged him toward the Slytherin table as she spotted Daphne and Draco.

While a few were looking enviously at Neal, many of them who were a part of Neal's unofficial fan club looking at Celia in anger for daring to lay hands on their idol. While he was walking with Celia to the table, Krum stood up suddenly and intercepted them and greeted him.

A while later, Neal sat down with Celia and Daphne on either side, while Draco sat beside Krum making Ron, a bit angry and a little bit jealous since Krum was his idol for some reason. Up at the High table, Filch put another four extra chairs sat down which made people wonder ”will there going to be two more guests?”.

After all the teachers along with Karkaroff and Maxime sat down at the High table, Dumbledore remained standing and said, ”Good evening ladies and gentlemen, ghosts and most particularly the guests, I have great pŀėȧsurė in welcoming you all to Hogwarts. I hope that your stay here will be comfortable and enjoyable.

The tournament will be officially opened later. For now, please enjoy the feast”.

As he clapped, several dishes from all over Europe appeared on the table. While they were eating, the two empty seats were filled by Ludo Bagman and Barty Crouch. Then after the feast is over, Filch brought a large old casket encrusted with jewels. Then, Dumbledore introduced both of them and said, ”they'll also be joining the judging panel.

Now, as you know three champions will compete in the tournament. One from each school. As I said, They will be chosen by an impartial judge. Behold, the Goblet of fire”. As he tapped the casket three times with his wand, the lid is opened and he took out a large wooden cup brim with blue-white flames.

Dumbledore then put it on top of the casket so that it is visible to everyone in the Hall. Anyone who wishes to participate must write his name on a piece of parchment and drop it into the goblet. To ensure no one under 17 falls to temptation, I will also be drawing an age line around it once it has placed in the entrance hall. You have 24 hours. Good luck”.

While everyone was busy discussing whether they can fool the Age line with Ageing potions, Harry kept stealthily glancing at Cho, the girl he developed a crush on from the beginning of the year, thinking whether Cho would cheer for him if somehow he gets selected as a Champion.

A while later, as the Goblet was placed in the entrance hall, people sat nearby and looking at the seventh years who were putting their name, one by one. Malfoy then asked Neal, ”can you concoct an Ageing potion?”. Neal replied, ”yeah. Why? Do you want to enter?”. As Malfoy nodded, Neal said, ”well, I don't think Dumbledore would miss such a common issue. He must have already put some defensive measure against it”.

Meanwhile, Inside the Riddle House at little Hangleton, as Peter Pettigrew asked, ”my lord, everything is ready. Only blood is needed from one of your foes. Must it be Harry Potter? I can arrange one suitable body for you”. He heard a high pitched hoarse voice, ”no, it must be him, my greatest foe”.

Wormtail replied, ”but my lord, it's a very difficult task even for him. As long as Dumbledore stays...”