Chapter 359 - – October 31st Ⅲ (1/2)

The door behind them opened as a large group of people in: Professor Dumbledore, followed closely by Stephen Flint, Professor Vulchanova, Madame Maxime, Professor Slughorn, and Mr. Amundsen.

Jean Delacour turned with concern to his headmistress. ”Madame Maxime iz it true zat zis poor girl will compete for 'ogwarts? She iz merely fourteen!”

Madame Maxime drew herself up to her full height as the top of her handsome head crushed the candle filled chandelier. Her gigantic black-satin bosom swelled indignantly. ”What iz ze meaning of zis, Dumbly-dorr?” She said imperiously. ”Iz it because she iz your apprentice?!”

”I'd like to know that answer as well, Dumbledore,” Professor Vulchanova coldly said. His sharp pale features only seemed that much colder and harsher than before. ”I thought there was an age line in place.”

”There is,” Mr. Amundsen came to Dumbledore's rescue. ”Flint and I personally checked the circle, after it was cast, and just now again. It was never broken into.”

Professor Dumbledore turned to gaze at his apprentice with rather grave eyes. ”Did you put your name into the Goblet of Fire, Rowan?”

”No,” Rowan angrily spat out. ”But Severus and Terry had something to do with it. They both looked incredibly guilty and weren't able to answer my question on what exactly they had done, before I was called way.”

”I see,” Dumbledore said as a bit of warmth returned to his eyes. ”Professor Slughorn will you kindly go and retrieve the two boys?”

Professor Slughorn hurriedly trots out as they wait for him to return. Not long after the pale ashen-faced figures of Terry and Severus can be seen. Turning to face the two boys, Dumbledore says, ”Mr. Greengrass, and Mr. Prince, exactly what did the both of you do?”

Terry's flaxen hair even seems to even wilt under the headmaster's gaze. His brown eyes are murky for once as he hangs his head in guilt. ”It was my idea, sir,” Terry softly said. ”I thought it would be funny given that it was impossible for Rowan to be chosen, Professor Dumbledore.”

”And how did the two of you circumvent the age circle?” Dumbledore pointedly inquired.

Terry slightly raises his gaze as he says, ”Well, in olden times apprentices were considered as the mark of adults. I thought that since the Goblet of Fire is ancient despite the age circle, it'd accept Rowan or Severus crossing the age line and entering the tournament.

I convinced Severus to transfigure into Rowan and wrote her name on a slip of parchment, before dropping it into the goblet. And since the two of them are twins, I thought that the Goblet of Fire would certainly accept the parchment on behalf of Rowan. But I never dreamed it would actually work, I just wanted to prank Rowan and never actually thought Rowan's name would ever be called out.” Terry hung his head miserably down as he awaited his punishment.

Amundsen wryly says, ”My, my, the children of now seem much cleverer than in my time.”

”It's not funny,” Rowan snapped not caring if she was rude. ”I don't have to be the champion for Hogwarts, do I?”

”Unfortunately, you do, Miss Prince,” Stephen Flint flatly replied. ”Despite you being the innocent party here, the Goblet of Fire recognized your twin brother's act as real. You are legally and magically bond to participate in the tournament. And the Goblet of Fire has gone out and has been enchanted to not relight itself until five years from now.”

For the first time in a very long time, Rowan was seriously angry. ”Idiot!” Rowan spat at Severus as he flinched as though she had gutted him. She couldn't even stand to look at him as she stared into the flames in utter fury.

Severus raises his haunted sincere gaze as he remorsefully says, ”I'll take any punishment you want, Professor Dumbledore. But please don't make her participate. It was all my fault; Rowan would have never wanted to participate on her own recognizance. She called the tournament a stupid death trap of doom.” Amundsen chokes at the last part as the adult's glance at each other.

Flint sadly shakes his head and says, ”I emphasize with your inner turmoil, but this is a binding magical contract which you knowingly signed on her behalf. The only good bit of news is that your both being apprentices proves that your sister can handle that which will be thrown at her in the tournament. And as the Goblet of Fire did select her that must mean she is the best choice for Hogwarts.” There is a bit an awkward silence as no one seems to really believe his last statement.

Dumbledore's piercing blue eyes gently study the two ashen-faced youths. ”I won't punish either of you,” Dumbledore firmly stated earning glances of disbelief from the rest of the parties in the room and a dark glare from Rowan.