Chapter - 46 : Hope on the Horizon part - 3

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Loving the story so far? There's a whole world of magic and mystery waiting for you with over 85+ chapters still to come! By supporting my Patreon.

You not only get early access to new chapters but also exclusive content, behind-the-scenes insights, and special perks just for fans like you.

Join us on this enchanted journey and help shape the future of the tale. Your support makes all the difference—discover more and become part of the adventure today!

http//patreon.com/Kun_kanshi

(P).(A).(T).(R).(E).(O).(N)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"The champion for Durmstrang," he read, in a strong, clear voice, "will be Viktor Krum."

With the sound of applause filling the hall, Krum rose from his place several seats down from Harry at the Slytherin table and slouched across the hall and through the door into the next chamber.

It took several long minutes, but the clapping and cheering finally died down and everyone's attention returned to the goblet, which, seconds later, turned red once more. A second piece of parchment shot out of it, propelled by the flames.

"The champion for Beauxbatons," Dumbledore said, "is Fleur Delacour!"

Again, for several minutes, there was thunderous applause, and then. "The Hogwarts champion is Cedric Diggory!"

This time the uproar was tremendous, every Hufflepuff had climbed to their feet screaming and shouting their shared victory.

"Excellent!" Dumbledore called happily over the furor. "Well, we now have our three champions. I am sure I can count upon all of you, including the remaining students from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang, to give your champions every ounce of support you can muster. By cheering your champion on, you will contribute in a very real-"

But Dumbledore suddenly stopped speaking, and it was apparent to everybody what had distracted him. The fire had turned red again and a long flame shot suddenly into the air, borne upon it was another piece of parchment.

Automatically, Dumbledore reached out and seized the parchment. He held it out and stared at the name written upon it. There was a long pause, and then. "Harry Potter."

There was no tumultuous applause this time, nor ear shattering cheers and deafening roars, only silence, deafening mind-numbing silence. "Harry Potter, please step forward and make your way to the antechamber."

"Uh, yeah no. I don't think I will," he said.

"Mr. Potter, your name has come from the goblet, you must."

"Did you not set up several wards to prevent this exact thing from happening?" the Slytherin sighed. "First my parents' home, then Flamel's stone, and now this? I must say, Headmaster, if you ever grow bored of ruling the school and decide to look into other career options, I wouldn't recommend anything that involves erecting wards, or just guarding things in general. You obviously lack the skills it takes to do such a job."

"Mr. Potter!"

"I know, I know," Harry cut off the Deputy Headmistress' infuriated lecture before it could even begin. "So and so points from Slytherin and an eternity in detention. Now, if you'll excuse me Professor, I must go and waste the rest of my night, and perhaps several months following tonight, futilely declaring my innocence to a group of people who would sooner sell their own souls than believe that I want nothing more than a peaceful life."

And with that, he dipped into a mocking bow, crossed the Great Hall, and ducked into the antechamber where the three champions were arranged in various positions around the lit fire.

Fleur Delacour was the first to notice his entrance. "What is it?" she asked. "Do zey want us back in ze Hall?"

Harry barely spared the girl a glance as he pulled out his wand, gave it a careless flick, and wordlessly conjured a comfortable cushioned chair, after a moment's pause, he conjured chairs for the other teenagers then settled into his own with a sigh of contentment.

"Apparently," he said after the three champions had settled down in their respective chairs, "the Headmaster has made yet another mistake, surprise surprise, so now, instead of one, Hogwarts has two champions."

At that moment, Ludo Bagman burst into the room, an excited expression on his round face "Extraordinary! Absolutely extraordinary! Gentlemen… lady." he added, approaching the fireside and addressing the other three. "May I introduce, incredible though it may seem, the fourth Triwizard champion."

"Yes, they've been informed, Mr. Bagman,"

"But 'e is too young."

Harry figured he should feel offended by the girls' words, but all he found himself feeling was a mild irritation (leftover from his exchange with Dumbledore, no doubt) and impressed that the first thing Fleur commented on was, not that Hogwarts had two champions or even that he'd been entered illegally, but that he was too young. Points to the Frenchwoman.

"Well, the age restriction was only imposed this year as an extra safety measure. And as his name's come out of the goblet… I mean, I don't think there can be any ducking out at this stage… It's down in the rules, you're obliged… Harry will just have to do the best he-"

Bagman was cut off when, again, the door opened and the headmasters (and mistress) of the three schools, Professors McGonagall and Snape, and Bartemius Crouch entered the room.

"Madame Maxime!" Fleur exclaimed, striding over to her Headmistress' side. "Zey are saying zat ze boy is to compete also!"

"What is the meaning of zis, Dumbly-dor?" the large woman all but growled.

"I'd rather like to know that myself, Dumbledore," Professor Karkaroff agreed. "Two Hogwarts champions? I don't remember anyone telling me the host school is allowed two champions-or have I not read the rules carefully enough?"

"C'est impossible. 'Ogwarts cannot 'ave two champions. It is most unjust."

"We were under the impression that your Age Line would keep out younger contestants, Dumbledore," said Karkaroff, his eyes were colder than ever. "Otherwise, we would, of course, have brought along a wider selection of candidates from our own schools."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Loving the story so far? There's a whole world of magic and mystery waiting for you with over 85+ chapters still to come! By supporting my Patreon.

You not only get early access to new chapters but also exclusive content, behind-the-scenes insights, and special perks just for fans like you.

Join us on this enchanted journey and help shape the future of the tale. Your support makes all the difference—discover more and become part of the adventure today!

http//patreon.com/Kun_kanshi

(P).(A).(T).(R).(E).(O).(N)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~