#711 - Who will the Goblet of Fire choose to become the Padrick Farm Warrior?

"However, before that, please allow me to introduce two guests, as some people may not know them. This is Mr. Barty Crouch, Head of the Department of International Magical Cooperation at the Ministry of Magic."

Following Dumbledore's introduction, sparse applause echoed through the hall.

"This is Mr. Ludo Bagman, Head of the Department of Magical Games and Sports at the Ministry of Magic."

"Over the past few months, Mr. Bagman and Mr. Crouch have worked tirelessly to plan and prepare for the Triwizard Tournament."

Upon hearing that Peter was appointed as a consultant, Harry looked at Peter with surprise.

He didn't expect Mr. Peter to become a consultant!

Sitting next to him, Hermione was quite happy with this outcome, clapping excitedly.

Peter remained calm after hearing Dumbledore announce his appointment as a consultant.

He had discussed it with Dumbledore beforehand and agreed to serve as a consultant for the Triwizard Tournament.

His main purpose was to control the situation and prevent it from spiraling out of control.

If Raven and Mark, among others, wanted to participate in violation of the rules, then this competition would be more than just a regular Triwizard Tournament; it might end up being a Farm Championship.

Furthermore, even without the participation of Raven and Mark, this competition would not be ordinary.

The Triwizard Tournament was also part of Voldemort's plot, which ultimately led to the tragic death of Diggory Cedric, causing the Triwizard Tournament to be canceled again.

Raven, Tom, and the others showed strange expressions after hearing that Peter was appointed as a consultant.

Baobao and Wei didn't expect their older brothers and sisters to have "ulterior motives." They were very happy for Peter and sped up their eating.

After announcing the news, Dumbledore asked Filch to bring out the box.

Placing the box on the table, Dumbledore continued, "The Triwizard Tournament consists of three tasks, held at different times. The competition will test the champions in many ways, including their ability to overcome various dangers."

"And the one responsible for selecting the champions is—the Goblet of Fire!"

With that, Dumbledore tapped the lid of the box three times with his wand.

The lid slowly opened, and Dumbledore reached in, pulling out a wooden goblet.

The goblet looked ordinary, but it contained dancing blue flames.

Upon seeing the Goblet of Fire appear, everyone's breathing quickened.

"Any student who wishes to compete as a champion can write their name on a piece of parchment and throw it into this goblet. Tomorrow..."

He paused for a moment, then continued, "On Halloween night, the Goblet of Fire will select the names of the three students it deems most representative of the three schools. Tonight, the goblet will remain here, accessible to all students who wish to participate in the Triwizard Tournament."

"However, I must emphasize that this tournament is not a game. Do not participate lightly, because once chosen by the Goblet of Fire as a champion, you must persevere to the end. You cannot withdraw midway. Whoever puts their name in is essentially signing a contract. So, please think carefully before acting."

He scanned Raven, Loki, and the others, then added, "To prevent students who are underage from using other means to participate in the competition, I will draw an age line around the Goblet of Fire. Anyone under the age of seventeen will not be able to cross this line."

After Dumbledore finished speaking, the students below began to discuss it amongst themselves.

Baobao whispered to Mark, "Mark, does that mean you can't participate in the competition because you don't meet the age requirement?"

Mark glanced cautiously at Peter and replied, "Yes, I am underage."

Although he said that, Mark already had a plan.

Loki also stared thoughtfully at the Goblet of Fire, gently swallowing the juice in his cup.

"What a pity, I wanted to see you take care of the people from the other two schools!"

Baobao said with some regret.

Mark said somewhat awkwardly to Baobao, who was full of violent thoughts, "This is just a magical exchange and competition, not about taking care of others, Baobao."

"I don't believe that. Isn't the competition about fighting for first place?"

Baobao said somewhat solemnly, "If a competition isn't about winning, then it's meaningless."

Listening to Baobao's seemingly reasonable words, Mark fell silent.

His younger sister may seem cute and young, but she is the most violent person on the farm.

"Too bad I don't know magic. If I did, I would definitely participate in the competition, then win the championship, and then give the championship to Dad."

Baobao didn't know that Mark was complaining about her violence in his heart, and said to him with some regret.

Little Horus, who was concentrating on dealing with the Blast-Ended Skrewt next to him, stopped his movements after hearing Baobao's words.

Win the Triwizard Tournament championship and then give it to Emperor Dad?

He also wanted to become such a champion.

Too bad...

He didn't know any magic at all.

If these people allowed him to use a bolter, that would be great.

Little Horus couldn't help but fall into wild thoughts.

Although he couldn't become a champion and win the Triwizard Tournament championship, he could help Emperor Dad conquer the galaxy in the future.

As for magic...

He suddenly remembered that a philosopher named Sacharumo had said: Compared to the flickering fireflies of witchcraft, science is simply the light of the full moon, but... why can't people still see farther?

The flickering fireflies or the light of the full moon, which one can allow people to see farther?

After thinking for a while, Little Horus, who hadn't come to any conclusions, turned his gaze to Raven and the others.

He found that Raven, Loki, Tom, and Mark all had strange expressions.

The next day, early in the morning.

Ron, Harry, and Hermione arrived at the hall early.

"Hey, has anyone put their name in yet?"

Ron asked anxiously to a fifth-year girl next to him.

"Yes, all the representatives from Durmstrang," the fifth-year girl replied to him. "But I haven't seen anyone from Hogwarts sign up yet."

"I guess... someone must have put their name in while we were sleeping last night," Harry said, expressing his thoughts. "If it were me, I would do that... I wouldn't want everyone to see it. It would be very embarrassing if the cup crumpled up your name and threw it out."

Harry had just finished speaking when someone laughed behind him.

Somewhat surprised, he turned around and saw Fred, George, and Lee Jordan walking quickly down the stairs.

The three of them seemed very excited.

"It's done!"

Fred said to Harry, Ron, and Hermione in a tone of smugness and excitement, "We just drank it, so there shouldn't be any problems now."

"What?!"

Ron asked with a dumbfounded expression.

"It's an Ageing Potion, you idiot!"

Fred said to Ron triumphantly.

"We each drank a drop!"

George rubbed his hands and said, "We've increased our age by a few months, to seventeen, so it's bound to succeed this time!"

"Let's make it clear in advance, if any of us wins, the thousand Galleons will be split equally among the three of us, and no one is allowed to take more."

The smile on Lee's face was extremely happy.

"Hey, I don't think you'll necessarily succeed," Hermione reminded them. "I'm sure Headmaster Dumbledore has considered this."

Fred, George, and Lee ignored Hermione, who was "spoiling the fun."

The three of them excitedly took the parchment with their names on it and put it directly inside.

Everyone in the hall watched the two of them.

Just as Harry thought the three of them were about to succeed, with a "bang," Fred and the others were thrown out heavily by an invisible force.

Accompanying a bursting sound, identical white beards sprouted on the chins of the three of them.

"I warned you," Dumbledore's voice came from behind.

Fred and the others turned back with tears in their eyes, and what they saw was Dumbledore and Peter walking over together.

Peter looked at the three of them turn into Santa Claus, then looked at Dumbledore with a serious expression.

It had to be said, this old guy Dumbledore was quite playful.

Staring at the Goblet of Fire in front of him, Peter fell into deep thought.

He rested at Hogwarts last night and noticed that Raven, Tom, Mark, and even Star-Lord had left the dormitory and entered the hall.

He didn't know if these few people had tampered with the Goblet of Fire.

Time quickly came to the evening.

After the dinner ended, Dumbledore began to have the Goblet of Fire select the champions.

Under Dumbledore's wand manipulation, the flames in the goblet suddenly turned red, and crackling sparks burst out.

"Whoosh!"

Suddenly, a tongue of fire shot into the air.

Then, to everyone's astonished gaze, a piece of charred parchment flew out.

Everyone in the hall held their breath, watching Dumbledore's every move.

Headmaster Dumbledore reached out and caught the piece of parchment. At this moment, the flames of the Goblet of Fire returned to blue-white.

"The champion of Durmstrang..." Dumbledore said in a clear tone, "is Viktor Krum!"

"I knew it would be him," Ron said beside him. At this moment, enthusiastic cheers swept through the entire hall.

"Great, Viktor, well done, you will be the champion of this year!" Karkaroff shouted excitedly. Although the applause in the hall was loud, everyone could hear his voice. "I knew it, I knew you were destined to be a champion!"

The applause and conversation gradually subsided.

A few seconds later, the flames turned red again, and the second piece of parchment floated out of the cup under the propulsion of the flames.

"The champion of Beauxbatons..." Dumbledore said, "is Fleur Delacour!"