Chapter 261 News of the Christmas Ball

"Professor Dracula, did you find anything there?"

Dumbledore thought for a moment, then suddenly turned his head to look at Dracula and asked.

"I'm still doubtful about Barty Crouch's identity." Dracula turned around, folded his arms, leaned against the cold railing, and said seemingly casually.

"Can you give me a reason?" Dumbledore's eyes became dark.

"You said... according to the strictness of the director of the International Magic Cooperation and Exchange Department, would he really give Potter a score of 9 points?" Dracula looked at the top of the astronomical tower with shadowy lights and whispered softly asked.

"You can use Cedric's performance as a comparison - Porter was injured and actually used foreign objects. His score should not be higher than Cedric's. But the fair and strict person you call The harsh Mr. Crouch scored nine points..."

"This reason is a bit far-fetched, Professor Dracula." Dumbledore shook his head slightly, "Maybe Mr. Crouch is just taking care of Harry's age? It is very unusual for a 14-year-old to do this. It’s easy... Didn’t Mr. Bagman also give Harry full marks?”

"That guy Bagman, he just has a gambling addiction again." Dracula sneered, "He lost a lot some time ago, and this time he put all his chips on Potter, hoping to take advantage of this It’s just a comeback in the Final Four.”

Dumbledore twitched the corners of his mouth and glanced at Dracula subconsciously.

Of the galleons Bagman lost, a large part of them were obviously given to you, Professor Dracula, right?

"Well, this one is indeed not very obvious." Dracula didn't care what Dumbledore was thinking, and continued on, "Then ignore this doubt for now, and talk about other things-"

"First of all, why would Crouch be so strong in agreeing to Porter's participation in the Four-Wizard Tournament? Is it simply because of the rule that 'anyone selected by the Goblet of Fire must participate in the competition'?"

Dracula looked away from the top of the tower and looked at Dumbledore with deep meaning, "Although the punishment caused by the contract of the Goblet of Fire will indeed cause great harm to the contestants, there is really no other solution. ?"

"After all, Potter is just a fourteen-year-old wizard. No one believed that he could successfully complete the competition before the end of the first project. Not to mention, this also made the organizer of Hogwarts suspected of malpractice."

"It's okay that Bagman is keen to let Porter compete. After all, he is willing to do anything to win back the bet... But what about Crouch? He is notoriously harsh."

"You may be overthinking, Professor Dracula." Dumbledore obviously trusted Crouch, and shook his head with a smile, "Barty looks harsh, but he is still considerate of others. Harry and The contract of the Goblet of Fire must always be fulfilled.”

"Not necessarily, right?" Dracula chuckled, "If my guess is correct, Dumbledore, you should be fully capable of breaking the Goblet of Fire's contract, right?"

"To put it bluntly, that cup is just a pretty good alchemy product. If you and Nico can't crack it together... then it's too fake."

"Going along with the flow can also give Porter a platform to practice and improve, which will allow this 'savior' to grow up to the point where he can take charge of his own business faster. As for the dangers in the game, it is not a problem. What dangers are there for you? Can’t this great wizard sitting on the judges’ bench solve it?”

Dracula looked at Dumbledore with a half-smile, waiting for his reply.

Dumbledore was silent for a moment, then sighed softly and blew out a ball of white mist in the cold snow.

"You are right, Professor Dracula." He said softly, "Although I still don't know who is the person who threw Harry's name into the Goblet of Fire, but instead of blaming him, I am somewhat grateful to him. "

"Voldemort hasn't completely returned yet, and the wizarding world, maintained by Fudge, is still as calm as a pool of stagnant water. It's really hard for me to find any way to help Harry grow up quickly..."

"The Four Wizard Tournament is an excellent platform. It is under my control, has enough security, and can give Harry enough sense of urgency. I can't think of anything better than Harry becoming a warrior." A chance to exercise.”

"I knew it," Dracula curled his lips, "but you are the only one with such a mentality. Crouch doesn't have as much leisure as you."

"Do you think those at the Ministry of Magic want the 'Savior' to speed up his growth like you do? They regard Potter as a mascot at most."

"But you ignored one problem, Professor Dracula," Dumbledore shook his head. "Barty didn't know that Nico and I could break the Goblet of Fire contract, so in order to prevent Harry from being punished by the contract, he also Harry must be allowed to compete."

"It's not like breaking the contract is the only way," Dracula shrugged. "Prepare for one more formal game without spectators, not counting the score. Can't Porter admit defeat as soon as he comes on the field?"

"As long as you are willing to think of a way, you can always find a loophole to get around it. It depends on whether Crouch wants to or not."

"Perhaps Barty also made a spur-of-the-moment idea to set an example for Harry?" Dumbledore narrowed his eyes. "After all, Harry is also a celebrity in the British wizarding world and even the entire wizarding world. Taking this opportunity, he can be recognized worldwide. Expanding the influence of the British Ministry of Magic within the country is also a feasible solution."

"And it's very possible that Barty didn't think of other ways to circumvent the Goblet of Fire contract in a short period of time... I will go to the Ministry of Magic and find out how he reported to Fudge."

"Well, it's best to ask." Dracula nodded.

"Of course, I'm just guessing, because I didn't find any traces of the Imperius Curse on Crouch, and I can't see any problems with his memory... I'm wondering if it would be possible if I used Veritaserum. Can I ask anything..."

"Don't!" Dumbledore was shocked by Dracula's bold idea and quickly stopped him, "Professor Dracula, there is really no need for you to break up with the Ministry of Magic over this uncertain matter."

"I will definitely not let them see that I did it." Dracula said matter-of-factly.

"Listen to me, let's forget it this time..." It was a cold day, but Dumbledore felt that he was almost sweating on his forehead. "Just leave this matter to me. I will confirm whether there is anything wrong with Barty." .”

"Well, what a pity..." Dracula smacked his lips regretfully.

Then, he jumped lightly and stepped on the railing covered with snowflakes. He turned back and smiled at Dumbledore:

"Good night then, Mr. Principal. I hope I can hear from you before the Yule Ball!"

After saying that, Dracula leaned back and fell straight into the black lake under the bridge.

The next moment, a pair of broad wings stretched out from his back, suddenly changing the direction of his fall, driving Dracula to fly towards the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor's office on the third floor of the castle.

Looking at Dracula who left suddenly, Dumbledore shook his head with a smile.

"Sweet dreams, Professor Dracula."

…

"Potter! Come on Wes! Can you guys pay attention?"

During the Transfiguration class on a Thursday in mid-December, Professor McGonagall's annoyed voice crackled like a whip, causing Harry and Ron to look up from their seats in a hurry.

The class was coming to an end, and they had just completed the task assigned by Professor McGonagall, turning some guinea fowl into guinea pigs.

The bell may ring at any time, and the next game won't come for a short time. Harry and Ron have no sense of urgency now. They are holding two fake wands invented by Fred and George. You come at the back of the classroom. I fencing on the ground.

"Come Potter and Weiss, you two can already be considered senior students, can't you behave in a manner consistent with your age?" Professor McGonagall said as he glanced at the two of them angrily. .

"Especially Potter, you are the warrior of Hogwarts and represent the image of Hogwarts - if students from other schools see you fighting in class, guess what they will do think?"

Harry tensed his back and sat on the stool, afraid to speak.

Ron complained in his mind that Fred and George had invented such a fun thing, causing them to be punished in class.

Thinking about it this way, Fred and George are the real senior students, and their behavior is not appropriate for their age!

Of course, Professor McGonagall didn't know what Ron was whispering in her heart. After she deducted two points from Gryffindor, she turned her attention to the other students in the classroom.

"Everyone, stop for a moment, I have something to tell you," she said.

The classroom immediately fell silent, and the little wizards all looked up at Professor McGonagall.

"Well, the Yule Ball is coming soon - it's an important tradition of the Triwizard Tournament, and it's also a good opportunity for us to communicate with guests from foreign countries."

"This dance is only open to students in fourth grade and above, but if you want, you can invite a junior student..."

In the classroom, several little witches let out ambiguous giggles, especially Parvati Patil and Lavender Brown of Gryffindor. The muscles on their faces tensed up and they couldn't help but turn their faces. Looking at Harry as a warrior.

Professor McGonagall ignored them. Harry, the straight-laced man, felt this was particularly unfair. She had scolded him and Ron just now, but now she no longer blamed Parvati and Lavender.

"Remember to put on your formal robes then," Professor McGonagall continued. "The ball will be held in the Great Hall at eight o'clock on Christmas Eve and will end at twelve midnight. Listen -"

Professor McGonagall looked at the class calmly.

"The Yule Ball certainly gives us a chance to...well, dress up and relax," she said in a nonchalant tone, "but that doesn't mean we're going to relax on the behavioral requirements for Hogwarts students."

"I would be devastated if a Gryffindor student brought disgrace to the school in any way!"

The bell rang melodiously for the end of get out of class. As usual, everyone stuffed their books into their schoolbags and threw their schoolbags over their shoulders. The classroom was noisy and busy.

Professor McGonagall raised her voice and shouted over the noise: "Potter - you stay, I want to say a few words to you."

Harry thought that Professor McGonagall was going to scold him and Ron for their fencing behavior in class, so he walked listlessly towards the podium.

Professor McGonagall waited until all the students in the class were gone before saying: "Potter, every warrior must have his own partner——"

"What mate?" Harry asked, somewhat confused.

Professor McGonagall looked at him suspiciously, as if she thought he was joking.

"The one you brought to the Yule Ball, Potter!" she said sternly. "Your dance partner!"

Harry's heart skipped a beat and his cheeks felt hot.

"Dance partner?" He said with a red face, "I don't dance, Professor McGonagall."

"Oh, you have to dance," Professor McGonagall looked at him seriously, "I was about to tell you this - according to traditional practice, the dance is started by the warriors of the Triwizard Tournament and their partners."

"Even if this year turns into a semifinals tournament, this will not change!"

"But..." Harry felt ashamed at the thought of letting himself dance in public, "I really can't dance, can I not dance?"

He was afraid that Professor McGonagall would disagree, so he quickly added: "Cedric is so graceful, he will definitely dance. Can't we let him dance on behalf of Hogwarts?"

"This is a traditional practice, Potter!" However, Harry's wish was completely useless. Professor McGonagall still said firmly, "You are also a warrior of Hogwarts. As one of the representatives of the school, you must also follow everyone's instructions. Do what is expected.”

"So, you must find yourself a dance partner, Potter."

"But...I can't..."

"You heard what I said, Potter!" Professor McGonagall said in a tone that left no room for doubt.

Harry had no way to refute, so he could only nodded silently, thinking about the choice of backup dancer.

Qiu Zhang's long, silky black hair and delicate face immediately appeared in his mind. After all, he had a crush on her for a long time in the past few school years.

Then the next moment, Harry slapped himself - Qiu Zhang was dating his good friend Cedric, and he couldn't stop thinking about it.

"Are you okay, Potter?"

Professor McGonagall's voice brought Harry back to reality.

Harry raised his head and saw Professor McGonagall looking at him with a worried look. From her expression, it was obvious that she was worried that he had some kind of mental illness, so she suddenly slapped herself...

"Ahem, I'm fine, Professor." Harry coughed twice and said awkwardly, "I just shook my hand a little."

"You don't need to be so nervous, Potter." Professor McGonagall said, "Dancing can be done quickly. We will train a few warriors later... Do you need to go to the infirmary to take a look?"

"I'm really fine, Professor McGonagall." Harry kept shaking his head, "I should go, Ron is still waiting for me outside the classroom!"

After saying that, with Professor McGonagall still looking a bit doubtful, Harry took a breath and ran out of the Transfiguration classroom.

…

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