205: Discussion and Cold War

The Great Hall buzzed with noise. John noticed Percy trying to restore order. 

"Percy." 

John called out to him. Percy glanced around the hall before stepping over. 

John was also curious about the fourth champion but was more interested in figuring out how to handle the situation. 

"The room next door is in chaos. Madame Maxime and Headmaster Karkaroff think this is unfair, and Mr. Crouch is in a very difficult position," Percy explained without hiding anything. 

There seemed to be a brewing conflict in the other room, leaving old Barty in a dilemma. 

He wasn't sure if the tournament could continue. With such an apparent injustice, the Triwizard Tournament was turning into a joke. 

Hearing this, John chuckled. 

In a low voice, he said, "Tell old Barty that a competition full of surprises attracts more attention." 

Percy's eyes widened in shock at John's casual use of Barty Crouch's first name. 

However, this wasn't the time to ask questions. He gave John a deep look and headed into the adjacent room. 

... 

Inside the noisy room, Karkaroff and Madame Maxime were demanding an explanation from Dumbledore. 

The three champions wore different expressions—Fleur raised her head arrogantly, Krum frowned deeply, and Cedric looked utterly confused. 

Dumbledore, Karkaroff, Madame Maxime, Professor McGonagall, and Professor Snape were all present. 

Old Barty stood to the side with a grim expression, while Bagman looked like he was thoroughly enjoying the drama. 

"Hogwarts has two champions? I don't recall anyone telling me that the host school could have two champions," Karkaroff said icily. 

"This is impossible," Madame Maxime added. "Hogwarts cannot have two champions. It is highly unfair." 

They were pressing aggressively, and in their eyes, Dumbledore seemed like a biased, doddering old fool. 

"This matter can only be blamed on Potter, Karkaroff," Snape said, his eyes glinting with hostility. "Potter is insistent on violating the rules. Since entering this school, he has repeatedly broken school regulations." 

"Thank you, Severus," Dumbledore said firmly, cutting him off. Snape had no choice but to fall silent. 

Dumbledore finally looked down at Harry.

Harry gulped as Dumbledore practically ran toward him.

"Harry, did you put your name into the Goblet of Fire?!" Dumbledore asked very very calmly.

"No." Harry knew everyone was watching him, and he tried his best to remain calm. 

Dumbledore asked again, still being very calm, "Did you ask an older student to help you?" 

"No!" Harry was growing agitated.

Is Dumbledore doubting me too? Ugh—I think he's gonna choke me next.

"He's definitely lying!" Madame Maxime accused loudly. 

Professor McGonagall couldn't stand for this and spoke up. "Dumbledore, stop shaking the boy so much. There's no way he could have crossed the age line. I am certain of that—" 

"Oh? But didn't John Wick cross it?" 

Karkaroff interjected slyly, cutting off McGonagall's defense.

Dumbledore paused for a moment, a flicker of complexity flashing in his eyes, before asking, "Then, did you ask John to help you?"

When these words left his mouth, Harry could feel the surrounding gazes darken.

Struggling to breathe under the pressure, he loosened his collar and said, "..No."

The scrutinizing stares were piercing, making Harry feel like he had become a liar in their eyes.

Dumbledore's gaze shifted to Snape, who pondered for a moment before speaking in a slow, deliberate tone, "I think... John Wick would consider it beneath him to do such a thing."

Yes, beneath him.

Everyone knew what had happened earlier that morning.

That boy—he was enigmatic and unfathomable.

"Mr. Crouch, Mr. Bagman," Karkaroff, growing impatient, turned his attention to the two Ministry officials. "Surely, as objective judges, you must agree that this situation is improper?"

Ludo Bagman wiped the sweat from his round face with a handkerchief, glancing at old Barty as if signaling that he was the one to make the decision.

Old Barty's face remained grim as he opened his mouth to speak.

Creak.

The door opened abruptly. Percy entered hastily, ignoring any sense of decorum, and rushed to old Barty's side.

He whispered something into Barty's ear for a moment.

Old Barty, whose expression had been dark, finally seemed to brighten.

"We must adhere to the rules. The charter clearly states that anyone whose name is ejected from the Goblet of Fire must participate in the tournament," declared Barty Crouch Sr. with an air of finality. 

Karkaroff opened his mouth to protest but was silenced by a sharp glare from Crouch. 

Faced with the man who had once sent him to Azkaban, Karkaroff dared not argue further. However, his expression was as sour as curdled milk. "Then you must bring the Goblet of Fire back and allow each school to select a second champion." 

"The Goblet of Fire has already gone out. It will not reignite until the next tournament," Crouch replied impatiently, clearly annoyed with the former Death Eater. 

This left Karkaroff's face twisted in frustration. He spat out a threat: if this was how things were handled, they would not be participating in the next tournament. 

At that moment, Moody entered the room, effectively cutting off any further argument. "The magical contract is binding—they must all participate!" 

Moody's sharp gaze fixed on Karkaroff as he added, "This works out well for you, doesn't it?" 

"Works out well?" Karkaroff feigned confusion. 

Moody let out a cold laugh, his magical eye whirling menacingly as if seeing straight through him. "Someone put Potter's name into the Goblet, knowing full well that if it was drawn, Potter would be forced to compete." 

"That would require an exceptionally powerful Confundus Charm—something Potter is incapable of performing." 

Moody's tone grew darker, laced with mockery, as he said, "Maybe someone hopes that Potter will meet his end because of it." 

The room fell into an uneasy silence, tension thick in the air. 

Karkaroff looked particularly unsettled, a flicker of panic flashing across his face. He knew exactly who Moody was alluding to. 

The discussion eventually ended with Harry being retained as a competitor, but the meeting dissolved in a state of dissatisfaction.

...

The Constellation Society's Secret Room.

John had already been waiting.

With two of the champions coming from the Constellation Society, John opened a bottle of their signature drink, Constellation.

He kindly reminded everyone not to drink too much.

Fleur looked rather frustrated as she said, "John, this is so unfair."

Cedric appeared slightly embarrassed, as he was Hogwarts' official champion.

John chuckled lightly and replied, "This is a conspiracy. Someone wanted Harry Potter to compete, that's all."

Percy arrived last. He hesitated to speak as he looked at John.

John nodded slightly, signaling him to sit before continuing.

As they discussed the outcomes of the earlier deliberation, Fleur vented her grievances, her frustration growing alongside the amount she drank.

Heinrich remained silent, seemingly in a low mood.

The first task was centered on courage, but the details of the challenge were kept secret, leaving everyone clueless.

When the competition began, the champions' only weapon would be their wands. It was only after completing the first task that they would be given any information about the second.

All the effort and strain came with one significant perk: champions were exempt from exams. 

Not to mention the sizable prize in Galleons sponsored by Sir Silverhand. 

After the gathering ended, only John and Percy remained in the secret room. 

Percy spoke bitterly, "Why do you call Mr. Crouch 'Old Barty'?" 

"You've already guessed, haven't you?" John leaned back in his chair with a faint smile. "It's just as you suspect, Percy." 

He placed his hand on the table, revealing a silver mask resting there. 

Even with his earlier suspicions, Percy couldn't help but take a sharp breath, forcing a wry smile. "No wonder Mr. Crouch values me so much." 

"You're mistaken, Percy." John shook his head and said, "I only gave you the chance to cross the threshold. It's your excellence that made Old Barty value you." 

"Then... does Mr. Crouch know?" Percy asked hesitantly. 

John shook his head—Old Barty didn't know. 

This brought a gleam of hope back to Percy's eyes. He had thought his recognition came solely from John's influence. 

"It's not yet the time for Old Barty to know, Percy. I hope you'll keep this a secret." John looked at Percy seriously and said, "The Triwizard Tournament isn't just a stepping stone for Old Barty—it's also yours." 

"You've already shown promise at the World Cup's terrorist situation. The Triwizard Tournament can help you progress even faster." 

John's words left Percy feeling fired up, and he immediately promised to carry out his responsibilities flawlessly. 

… 

Harry Potter becoming a champion was witnessed by the entire school. 

This also meant that everyone believed Harry had cheated. 

Of course, it was just what they thought. 

Even Ron suspected him, going as far as asking if he had used his Invisibility Cloak to do it. 

This infuriated Harry, and by the next day, he and Ron were locked in a cold war. 

"Once per school year. This time, it's not Hermione, which is rare," John remarked, sipping plain water and watching with interest. 

Daphne, who usually didn't concern herself with Gryffindor's affairs, couldn't help but ask out of curiosity this time. 

"Why do they fight every year?" 

"Probably some kind of law. Just like how Harry is always pulled into trouble, I call it the Triangle Imbalance Law." 

John clicked his tongue, unsure whether to call their friendship strong or fragile. 

If it's strong, then why does it fall apart every year? 

If it's fragile, then how do they always reconcile and work together afterward? 

By the way, Hufflepuff and Gryffindor weren't on great terms either right now. 

The Hufflepuffs believed Harry had stolen the glory that rightfully belonged to Cedric. 

The situation was eerily similar to Harry's second year. 

Harry thought back—how did he solve it that time? 

__________

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