Chapter - 47 : The Unwanted Champion

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"But, as we all have seen, the great Albus Dumbledore is not as infallible as we would all like to believe," Harry said, smiling innocently at his headmaster.

"Alas, that is true," Dumbledore sighed. "So, with that in mind, I must ask, did you get past my protections and put your name into the Goblet of Fire, Harry?"

Harry couldn't help but scoff in derision. "Yes, because I, Harry Potter, the bloody Boy-Who-Lived and sole heir to the Potter family wanted the fame and the riches that will be showered upon me if I win the tournament."

"Mr. Crouch, Mr. Bagman," Karkaroff said, "you are our objective judges. Surely you will agree that whether the boy speaks the truth or not this is most irregular?"

"We must follow the rules," Crouch said curtly, "and the rules state clearly that those people whose names come out of the Goblet of Fire are bound to compete in the tournament."

"Well, Barty knows the rule book back to front," said Bagman, beaming and turning back to Karkaroff and Madame Maxime, as though the matter was now closed.

"I insist upon resubmitting the names of the rest of my students," demanded Karkaroff. "You will set up the Goblet of Fire once more, and we will continue adding names until each school has two champions. It's only fair, Dumbledore."

"But Karkaroff, it doesn't work like that," Bagman said. "The Goblet of Fire's just gone out, it won't reignite until the start of the next tournament-"

"- in which Durmstrang will most certainly not be competing!" exploded Karkaroff. "After all of our meetings and negotiations and compromises, I little expected something of this nature to occur! I have half a mind to leave now!"

"Empty threat, Karkaroff," growled a voice from near the door, Moody hobbled into the room. "You can't leave your champion now. He's got to compete. They've all got to compete. Binding magical contract, like Dumbledore said. Convenient, eh?"

"Convenient? I'm afraid I don't understand you, Moody."

"Don't you?" said Moody quietly. "It's very simple, Karkaroff. Someone put Potter's name in that goblet knowing he'd have to compete if it came out."

"Evidently, someone 'oo wished to give 'Ogwarts two bites at ze apple!" Madame Maxime exclaimed.

"I quite agree, Madame Maxime," Karkaroff nodded, "I shall be lodging complaints with the Ministry of Magic and the International Confederation of Wizards-"

"If anyone's got reason to complain, it's Potter," growled Moody, "but, funny thing, I don't hear him saying a word."

"Oh trust me, I was saying some words," Harry piped in. "Protesting the whole thing, pronouncing my innocence, declaring Dumbledore's overall useless-"

"If you say another word that does not show the proper respect to the headmaster of your school, Potter," McGonagall finally exploded, "so help me Merlin I will-"

"What, take points from Slytherin?" Harry scoffed derisively "Put me in detention?"

"See that you are expelled."

Harry couldn't help but grin at the woman's threat. "Oh, by all means go right ahead. After everything I've gone through in this damned school it'd be a blessing indeed. Madame Maxime, is your school worth looking into? I've heard it's a top notch institution, but I can't base my decision off of word of mouth. I once heard that Hogwarts was the finest school in England, but to be honest I feel the overall quality of the school is not as grand as boasted and…" he leaned toward the large woman conspiratorially "well, I find the staff to be somewhat lacking."

Madame Maxime looked bewildered at the turn of events, but she didn't give up the opportunity to boast about her school and gain a potential student. "It eez just as fine as is rumored. Ze courses will help you reach your full potential and I'm sure you would find ze staff to your liking."

"And ze grounds are beautiful in ze wintertime," Fleur added.

"Enough," Dumbledore said firmly. "You are not being expelled, Mr. Potter, I will simply overlook your disrespect as stress from tonight's events." Harry snorted obnoxiously. "Now, I think we can all agree that there is nothing we can do about Mr. Potter being in the tournament, he is locked into a magically binding contract and thus cannot step out without losing his magic. But if anyone has an alternative, I would be delighted to hear it."

No one did.

"Well, now that that's settled, I do believe we need to give our champions their instructions, haven't we? Barty, would you do the honors?"

Mr. Crouch seemed to have to snap himself out of a deep reverie. "Yes," he said, "instructions. Yes… the first task…"

"They're making you compete?"

"Yup," Harry shoveled a spoonful of scrambled eggs onto his plate. "If I don't I'll lose my magic."

"Magically binding contract," Blaise nodded sagely.

"But you didn't enter into the competition. You didn't right?"

"No, Hermione."

"Just checking. But you didn't enter the competition yourself, so how does the contract apply to you?"

"Apparently entering my name into the cup, whether I'm the one who did it or not, was enough."

Hermione scowled. "That's hardly fair, this competition is much too dangerous for a fourth year."

Harry laughed lightly. "Doubting my skills Hermione?"

"No…but, I'm just worried."

"Don't be," Harry threw an arm over his friend's shoulder, "I'm perfectly capable of handling this."

"How?" Draco asked. "You don't even know what the first task will be,"

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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.

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

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