Chapter 513: No competition allowed

"I'm going for it!" Fred hissed across the table.

"How can it be such a thing without us?" George agreed.

Their faces lit up with excitement at the prospect of such glory and riches.

They were not alone, visualizing themselves as the champions of Hogwarts. At all the house tables, people were gazing raptly at Dumbledore or whispering fervently to their neighbors.

But then Dumbledore spoke again, and the room quieted once more.

"While I know you will all be eager to bring the Triwizard Cup to Hogwarts," he said, "the Heads of the participating schools, along with the Ministry of Magic, have agreed to impose an age restriction on applicants this year.... Only students who are of legal age, that is, 17 years of age or older, will be allowed to submit their names for consideration. This..."

Dumbledore raised his voice slightly, as several people had made noises of indignation at these words.

"I hope you understand that this measure is necessary, given that the tournament tasks will be difficult and dangerous, regardless of the precautions we take, and it is highly unlikely that students below 6th and 7th year will be able to cope with them. I will personally make sure that no underage student tricks our impartial judge into making them Hogwarts champions."

His light blue eyes twinkled as he saw the mutinous faces of Fred and George.

Immediately, his eyes turned to Ivan, and his gaze seemed to deepen.

Dumbledore continued, "Therefore, I beg you not to waste your time trying if you are under seventeen."

"The Beauxbatons and Durmstrang delegations will be arriving in October and will remain with us for most of this year. I know you will all be very courteous to our foreign guests while they are with us, and will give your wholehearted support to the Hogwarts champion when he is selected. And now, it is late, and I know how important it is for all of you to be alert and rested as you go into your lessons tomorrow morning. bedtime! chop chop!"

Dumbledore sat down again and turned to speak to Mad-Eye Moody.

There was a loud banging as all the students stood up and headed for the double doors in the hall.

"You can't do that!" said George, who hadn't joined the crowd heading for the door, but stood up and looked at Dumbledore. "We're seventeen in April, why can't we have a chance?"

"I won't be stopped from entering." said Fred stubbornly, also scowling at the top table. "Champions will be able to do all sorts of things you'd never be allowed to do normally. And a thousand galleons of prize money!"

"Yes," Ron said, with a faraway look on his face. "Yes, a thousand galleons..."

"That's the most unfair thing to Ivan. He's the strongest wizard in the school, and he's proven it." Hermione frowned as well and said, "But now he's not allowed to compete because of his age.... "

"If Ivan can't be a champion, I don't see anyone in the school who has the qualification." Harry continued to nod his head. "This is really ridiculous!"

"Yeah, we need to talk to Dumbledore and ask him to change the rules..." said Fred.

"Come on," said Ivan, "We'll be the only ones left here if we don't move."

In fact, he wasn't worried at all.

No one could stop him from becoming champion if he could put his name in the Goblet of Fire.

Ivan had several ways to break Dumbledore's magic to prevent young wizards under 17 from signing up.

"Ivan, why aren't you angry at all?" George said. "Your age restrictions are completely.... "

"Please come here, Mr. Mason, the headmaster has something to tell you." Professor McGonagall said seriously, walking towards them, looking at them unsatisfied, "You five hurry back to the common room, and don't block the door like that. "

Under Professor McGonagall's gaze, Harry, Ron, Hermione, Fred and George looked at Ivan and headed down the hall.

Ivan returned to the teachers' table alone, where only Dumbledore and Mad-Eye Moody were.

"I have my own opinion on that..." Moody stopped suddenly, his magical blue fake eye falling on Ivan, and said hoarsely, "Ah, second meeting, Ivan Mason. I didn't expect you to make such a big scene at the Quidditch World Cup. I was very surprised."

He reached over and shook Ivan's hand. His hand was as scarred as his face. It was full of scars.

From a closer distance, Mad-Eye Moody looked even more terrifying.

Ivan had already met him at the Ministry of Magic. Besides the two of them, only Sirius and Mr. Weasley were present.

The fake Moody standing in front of him knew it. He had gone to great lengths to disguise himself.

"Nice to meet you, Professor!" Ivan said quietly. "I didn't expect you to come to Hogwarts to teach..... "

"I didn't think of it before, but I'll only teach for a year and do Dumbledore a favor. Yes, just for a year, and then I'll resume my quiet retired life" Mad-Eye Moody said.

This was the first time Ivan saw him smile. He smiled, and his scarred face looked even more distorted and strange.

"There's always a shortage of staff in the Defense Against the Dark Arts class. It's not easy to find the right person. " Dumbledore said softly. "If you can, I hope you can stay. Your valuable experience is exactly what we need. "

"I'll think about it!" said Moody, waving his rough hand.

"Well, Ivan, I'm sorry to disturb your time off, but I have something to tell you." Dumbledore said calmly, looking at Ivan, "About the Triwizard Tournament..."

"Professor, I hope I can compete!" said Ivan hurriedly, "And I'm confident.... "

"Of course I know that you can definitely break the magic of the age restriction I've set. There is no doubt about it." Dumbledore said seriously... "But Beauxbatons and Durmstrang specifically asked us to ban you from competing in the Triwizard Tournament, because your age does not meet the requirements. Of course, seeing what they mean, they seem to be worried that your magic is too strong and no one will be your opponent."

Ivan's previous performance at the Quidditch World Cup was all too conspicuous.

It wasn't just young wizards, not even adult wizards would have such great and strong magical power.

In this case, it was not surprising that they asked Ivan not to participate in the tournament.

"Huh, what weaklings think!" Moody said disdainfully, "Those guys are afraid..."

"That's right, but they consider this requirement one of the conditions for restarting the Triwizard Tournament." Dumbledore said, looking at Ivan, "I'm sorry, Ivan, I must ask you to assure me that you will not participate in the competition..."