Chapter 72 - Wand Checking (1/2)
While his name was called, Harry Potter was stunned and didn't believe his ears. As the people around spotted him and looked at his direction, he said in a low whisper to Ron, ”I didn't put my name in, you know I didn't. But Ron was just staring at him in a shock.
Just then, Dumbledore spoke out loud, ”Harry Potter”. As Harry slowly stood up and walk towards him, Dumbledore said, ”go through the door, Harry”. Unlike previous champions, there wasn't any applause nor Dumbledore was smiling.
As Harry entered the chamber, Fleur asked him, ”What is it? Did they want us back in Hall?”, mistaking him for a messenger. Seeing Harry stood silent, Neal's eyes narrowed as he asked, ”Harry, don't tell me you are the fourth Champion”.
Fleur looked at Neal in a surprise, ”what do you mean by that? There are only three schools and three champions”. Neal shrugged his shoulders and just then, Ludo Bagman, Barty Crouch, along with the Three Headmasters entered the chamber.
As Soon as Dumbledore entered the room, he ignored everyone else and hastened his steps towards Harry and grabbed him tightly. While looking into his eyes through his half-moon spectacles, he asked him seriously, ”did you put your name in the Goblet?”, Harry replied, ”No, sir”. Dumbledore once again asked, ”did you ask an older boy to put your name?”, Harry once again said, ”No, sir. Believe me, I didn't put my name”.
Maxime then said, ”what's the meaning of this Dumbledore? You said your age line will keep out the younger contestants out of the tournament. Not only a younger champion is being selected but two of them?”.
Karkaroff then said, ”Goblet must have made a mistake. I'm ready to step back if you can just send Potter back and let it proceed as it is planned”. Dumbledore then looked at Ludo and Barty Crouch, ”you two are objective judges. What's your opinion on this?”.
Barty Crouch replied, ”the fire will only reignite at the next Tournament. We all have no choice but to accept Harry Potter as the fourth Triwizard Champion. The Goblet of Fire creates a magically binding contract that we cannot break. Mr. Harry Potter has no choice in it”.
Dumbledore and others stared at him while thinking someone must have set up a trap for him. Meanwhile, Neal looked at him and thought, ”while it is easy to bypass the age line, he certainly has no capability to use a Confundus charm to make the Goblet choose him. Who might it be? Must be an exceptional seventh year or a teacher. Certainly not Dumbledore. Either must be someone who favors him or who hates him. Who knows...”
Then after it is sorted out that Harry will be participating whether he likes it or not, Barty Crouch spoke, ”ok, champions, now listen, carefully. The first task is designed to test your daring. So, we are not going to be telling you what it is. Courage in the face of the unknown is an important quality in a wizard.
The first task will take place on November the twenty-fourth, in front of the other students and the panel of judges and the champions aren't allowed to take help from the Professors and armed only to use the wands for the first task. Getting caught while breaking the rules will make their overall score reduced. So, mind that”.
After everyone else left, Dumbledore looked at Neal and Harry with a smile, ”I suggest both of you go to your dormitories. I am sure Gryffindor and Slytherin are waiting to celebrate with you, and it would be a shame to deprive them of this excellent excuse to make a great deal of mess and noise”.
While Harry started to walk, Neal stood there and asked, ”is it, Sirius Black?”. Harry stopped hearing the name and Dumbledore also suddenly looked at him sharply, ”hmm?”, Neal then said, ”the one who hoodwinked the Goblet. He already infiltrated Hogwarts to kill Harry last year, might try again”.
Later, Neal returned to his dormitory where everyone is waiting for his arrival to congratulate him. As they asked him about the Tournament, Neal said, ”no, they revealed nothing about it”.