Of the Tournament (2/2)

The only word that was on Arth's mind was a very simple, albeit very versatile one.

Fuck.

Why the hell did he have to go up and explain the rules? Why couldn't Mr. Crouch or Bagman do it?

However, seeing the confident look on Mr. Crouch's face, Arth couldn't bring himself to deny.

As Arth walked up to the front, he could hear the murmurs from the students below.

"Why is he up there?"

"Isn't he a student? He is wearing student robes."

"Isn't that. . . Arth."

There goes his hidden aura.

Oh well, nothing he could do about it now.

Arthur cleated his throat before speaking.

"Ahem, mic test, one two three. Can everyone hear me?"

Judging from the confused looks on the students face who were in the back, Arth decided he was not.

Arth took out his wand and pointed at his throat.

A loud booming voice came out the next time he spoke.

"Hello everyone, I will be explains the rules. Questions will be answered at the end of the explanation."

Arth paused and adjusted his glasses before continuing. It was nice to have two eyes once again.

"The tasks the champions will face this year have already been examined by Mr. Crouch and Mr. Bagman and arrangements for each challenge have already been made. There will be three tasks, spaced throughout the school year, and they will test the champions in many different ways. Their abilities in using a wand, their ability to not faint in fear, their powers of using their brain, and their ability to not die."

There was laughter at this, however, Arth ignored it.

"As you know, three champions compete in the tournament, one from each of the participating schools. They will be marked on how well they perform each of the Tournament tasks and the champion with the highest total after task three will win the Triwizard Cup. The champions will be chosen by an impartial selector."

Arth paused and tapped three times upon the top of the casket. The lid creaked slowly open. Arthur reached inside it and pulled out a large, roughly hewn wooden cup. It would have been entirely unremarkable had it not been full to the brim with dancing blue-white flames.

"Behold, the Goblet of Fire. Anybody wishing to submit themselves as champion must write their name and school clearly upon a slip of parchment and drop it into the goblet."

Arth closed the casket and placed the goblet carefully on top of it, where it would be clearly visible to everyone in the Hall.

"Aspiring champions have twenty-four hours in which to put their names forward. Tomorrow night, Halloween, the goblet will return the names of the three it has judged most worthy to represent their schools. The goblet will be placed in the entrance hall tonight, where it will be freely accessible to all those wishing to compete."

Arth paused as if in thought before adding another detail.

"To ensure that no under skilled student yields to temptation, Headmaster Dumbledore cast enchantments around the Goblet of Fire once it has been placed in the entrance hall. Nobody under seventeen will be able to cross the line. However, a certain amount of ability will allow you to pass freely."

Arthur put on a serious face before facing the crowd of students.

"Finally, I wish to impress upon any of you wishing to compete that this tournament is not to be entered into lightly. Once a champion has been selected by the Goblet of Fire, he or she is obliged to see the tournament through to the end. The placing of your name in the goblet constitutes a binding, magical contract. There can be no change of heart once you have become a champion. If you enter your name, please be prepared to die. If that is all, you may be dismissed. Good night, sleep tight-"

Arthur paused before saying with a smirk.

"And don't let the bed bugs bite. That is all."