November 1994
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
The entire Hogwarts had their rapt attention focused on Dumbledore and Amelia. Even the students who were busy in answering the questions of the aurors had their focus drawn towards the teacher's table.
"Headmaster, as per my information," began Amelia with a chill in her voice. "You announced about the Triwizard tournament on the first day of this year session along with most of the tournament's rule but nothing about the method of selection of champions by the Goblet of fire."
"Your information is indeed correct, madam Bones," chimed in Dumbledore trying to interrupt Madam Bones.
Amelia continued as if she heard nothing, "I want you to answer two of my questions."
"Firstly, when was is decided that the Goblet of Fire would be used as the method to select the champions?"
"And, secondly, how many people were aware of the fact of the Goblet being used?"
Dumbledore frowned, "The Goblet of fire had always been used as the impartial selector in the previously held Triwizard tournaments . It is a tradition."
He added, "As for the number of people aware, it is hard to say. Almost the entire higher up at the ministry must be aware of this."
Amelia did not have a change in her expression but her tone hardened, "Conducting the tournament every 5 years also had been a tradition but was broken. Restricting students because of age was not a tradition but was added."
She pressed forward, "Let me rephrase so that you do not have to scuttle around. When was it decided that the 'tradition' of using the Goblet would continue in this tournament also?"
Dumbledore sighed, "It was in the last week of August that it was finalised to use the Goblet as the selector of the champion."
"And the decision to host the Triwizard tournament along with the confirmation from the two school about their participation had been achieved in June only," added Amelia to which Dumbledore nodded in agreement.
She continued, "The Goblet of fire is a powerful and dangerous artifact and since this year a lot of focus have been on safety concerns, there must have been few voices that might have not wanted to use the Goblet."
Dumbledore's smile stiffened but after a moment he answered, "Indeed. Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge was not so keen on using the Goblet."
"But you persuaded him on your guarantee," fired Amelia back.
Dumbledore clenched his fist in irritation. He knew very well that Ludo Bagman and Barty Crouch would have been the source of Amelia's knowledge. Originally he had no problem in playing this game with Amelia but the problem was the presence of the entire school.
All this fact coming to light would only serve as a means to tarnish his image but he could do nothing for now.
Having no other option, he nodded in agreement.
Amelia pressed further, "What about the other two schools?"
Dumbledore felt being cornered in the first question. He now understood that Amelia was not actually trying to find out something but she was merely putting him in mud.
With narrowed eyes he answered, "The other two schools were also apprehensive.."
"But you again persuaded them," finished Amelia. "Again, on your guarantee," she added after a pause.
Dumbledore did not react. The Great Hall was in perfect pin drop silence and watched the entire proceedings with intrigue.
"Now, the second question," said Amelia. "All the rules were framed and the selection method was announced to the students. It was decided that an age line would be drawn to prohibit students below the 17 years of age to put their name in the Goblet."
"Why did you not consider that if someone below 17 years anyhow put their name in the Goblet, the Goblet would have no restriction on itself to select students of age only? Why did you not add the age restricting factor in the magically binding contract itself that would have tuned the Goblet with the age restriction?"
"This would have been a far suitable and appropriate method to enforce the age rules," pointed Amelia.
"We did not think this much and decided to continue the magical contracts which had been in use in previous tournaments," said Dumbledore. "After all who would have thought that such an incident would occur?"
"The age line method is such an irresponsible method. Any adult wizard and even few genius students would have easily nullified the age line," began Amelia.
"When I was in fifth year at Hogwarts, I could have done it so could have many other students from Wizarding families. Books of the family magic of the wizarding families contains numerous such obscure spells," said Amelia surprising a majority of students, especially muggle born and muggle raised the who were keenly hearing every word being talked.
She continued cutting across whatever explanation Dumbledore had to offer, "Even a particular genius muggle born, a junior of mine, Lily Potter would have found at least 3 or 4 methods to breach the age line."
Dumbledore could only grit her teeth in anger. He had no counter to offer. What all was said by Amelia was true.
Amelia continued, "And now admit that you did not think properly about the tournament and all the safety concerns that was being talked about were hoax? You admit yourself being irresponsible and overlook such simple things? Your only explanation is that you did not think that such an incident would occur?" Amelia argued.
She was in no mood to stop and continued to take Dumbledore to bangers, "After all the efforts the ministry put in to revive the tournament you act lazy and irresponsible? For a moment let me assume that Harry Potter himself put his name in the Goblet but it was your job to stop students like him. And you failed at it, marvellously."
"Because of this incident our country has become a laughing stock among most wizarding worlds. Not only this the tournament has been put to an end even before it began. Drumstrang and Beauxbatons School have already declared their intention not to participate in future tournaments. All this because you failed to do your part. I believe if one additional name can come out of the Goblet, maybe a dozen more may have popped out."
"Tell me, headmaster, if because of your blunders something unfortunate would have happened to one of the visiting students who would have been responsible? Do you realise what a diplomatic fallout it would have caused?" Boomed Amelia's voice.
The entire Hall went in numb silence. All the points which had been raised by Amelia no one had thought of. The consequences of what have happened was not something any one had thought in detail.
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