"Ron, you pose an intriguing question," John said as he approached the long table in the Gryffindor common room. Despite the presence of a dozen people, a palpable tension filled the air at his arrival. Hermione opened her mouth to speak, but John silenced her with a gesture. "A warrior, you say? You must understand, not everyone delights in bending the rules for amusement as you do."
In the auditorium, Dumbledore sat among the teaching staff, observing the scene in silence.
John sighed, his voice carrying a weight of wisdom. "Courage is not synonymous with recklessness, nor does taking risks equate to being foolhardy."
Ron's cheeks flushed with embarrassment, unable to tolerate John's patronizing tone. "Yeah, but you're not exactly a warrior, are you?" he retorted, his voice louder than intended, as if seeking validation for his stance.
John regarded him quietly, and just when Ron feared he might have crossed a line, John smiled. However, his eyes remained devoid of mirth. "So, you wish to be a warrior?" he asked, his tone light yet piercing.
"If there wasn't an age limit, I'd definitely sign up!" Ron declared, his voice breaking slightly.
John nodded, seemingly approving of Ron's declaration. Then, raising his voice for all to hear, he announced, "Perhaps those outside should make room."
The bystanders, initially unsure of what was unfolding, moved closer out of curiosity. John's laughter echoed in the room, yet his gaze remained sharp and focused on Ron. "I hope you'll stand by your words," he said softly, before gesturing into the air. A spell was cast, and the Goblet of Fire, previously stationed in the hallway, began to tremble violently. Sensing something amiss, students quickly stepped aside as the Goblet shot out like a missile, landing securely in John's grasp.
A hush fell over the auditorium, so profound that one could hear a pin drop. Even Dumbledore watched in astonishment as John held the Goblet, its wooden exterior ablaze with blue flames.
Positioning the Goblet before Ron, the flames danced and flickered, casting an eerie glow on his pale face. "Now, you can be your warrior," John declared, his gaze intense.
Malfoy, seizing the opportunity, led a chorus of jeers. "Go on, Weasley, throw in your name," he taunted loudly.
John's voice, cold and unyielding, cut through the noise. "Remember, placing your name in the Goblet binds you to a contract. Even if it means facing a dragon, you must proceed."
Ron's hand trembled, the reality of his bravado sinking in. He hadn't anticipated this turn of events, let alone prepared a slip of paper with his name.
Holding the Goblet, John surveyed the Gryffindor table with the authority of a monarch wielding a scepter. Seamus, who had mocked Cedric, and Dean, who believed he'd be a warrior if not for the age restriction, now appeared meek and subdued.
As the Goblet approached Harry, John's expression softened into a chuckle. "Harry, care to give it a try?" he teased.
At that moment, Dumbledore intervened. "John Wick," he called out, his tone complex, a mix of reprimand and respect. "Please return the Goblet of Fire."
John bowed, his response respectful yet firm. "Of course, I would never defy your wishes." With that, he proceeded to exit, the crowd parting before him as if by magic.
Standing outside the age-restricted circle, John stepped forward, his magical aura rendering the barrier ineffective. He returned the Goblet to its rightful place with a grace that belied his earlier defiance, a silent testament to his strength and disdain for those who doubted him.
Malfoy, ever the provocateur, couldn't resist a final jab. "Our king reigns supreme, too noble to engage with the unworthy," he proclaimed, his laughter echoing as John walked away, leaving a trail of whispers and awe in his wake. In the silence that followed the king of Slytherin's departure, his words lingered in the auditorium, leaving a palpable tension in the air. Ron, unable to bear the weight of the moment, left with a complexion drained of color. Harry and Hermione, concerned for their friend, quickly followed after him. Hermione, in particular, found herself pondering the transformation she had witnessed in John. The man who had just spoken was a stark contrast to the person they had known; he was more resolute, almost unyielding. It was as if John Wick had decided to no longer be a mere pawn in Dumbledore's elaborate chess game.
Fleur Delacour caught John's eye as she prepared to cast her name into the Goblet of Fire. Dressed in Beauxbatons' light blue uniform, she gracefully lifted her skirt slightly in a respectful salute to John. The badge of the Order of the Stars adorned her chest, a silent testament to her courage. Madame Maxime, having observed the entire scene, seemed taken aback by John's audacity to disregard the age restriction imposed by Dumbledore. The students from Beauxbatons cast curious glances at John, their expressions a mix of intrigue and bewilderment, as they lined up to place their names in the Goblet.
Later, in the seclusion of the Shrieking Shack, John took on the role of mentor, providing Neville with a wand that would allow him to practice the dark arts without fear of detection. As evening approached, the two made their way to the auditorium for the announcement of the Triwizard Tournament champions. Neville, troubled by rumors he had heard, hesitated before voicing his concerns. "John, do you have something against Harry and the others?" he asked tentatively.
John, understanding the root of Neville's question, responded with a shake of his head. "No, I don't have any issues with Harry. Hermione is my friend. It's just Ron Weasley who's been causing trouble this time," he clarified. John's path had never been that of a typical student, and despite Dumbledore's questionable actions, he bore no ill will towards the younger generation.
Neville, relieved by John's response, joined him in the auditorium, where a spot at the Slytherin table was always reserved for John. The atmosphere was charged with anticipation as the Goblet of Fire, now ready to reveal the champions, stood at the center of the hall. The Weasley twins, now free of their bearded disguises, waited alongside their fellow students for the announcement.
Dumbledore, seizing the moment, declared that the goblet was about to make its decision. As he finished speaking, the candles dimmed, and the Goblet of Fire erupted in a spectacle of red and blue flames. A hush fell over the crowd as the first charred parchment was released, announcing Viktor Krum as the champion for Durmstrang. His selection was met with muted surprise, and he proceeded to the next room as instructed.
The anticipation built again until Fleur Delacour's name was called as the Beauxbatons champion. Graceful as ever, she made her way to the next room, her silver hair catching the light. The final parchment revealed Cedric Diggory as the Hogwarts champion, eliciting cheers from the Hufflepuff table. Malfoy, noticing Ron's displeased expression, couldn't help but feel a sense of triumph.
The selection of the champions marked the beginning of a series of events that would test their courage, intelligence, and strength. For John, however, it was another step in a journey that seemed to increasingly distance him from the path laid out by Dumbledore. With a mocking look on his face, the uproar in the Great Hall finally subsided. Dumbledore was about to conclude the selection process when, unexpectedly, the Goblet of Fire ignited once more. Its flames turned a deep red, and sparks flew as long tongues of flame leapt into the air, ejecting a fourth piece of parchment. Dumbledore, acting on instinct, reached out and caught it. He stared at the name written on it for a long moment, the silence in the hall growing heavy. Clearing his throat, he read aloud, "Harry Potter."
This announcement took everyone by surprise, Dumbledore included. As he held the parchment, his eyes briefly met John's, searching for an explanation. The hall fell into a stunned silence; there was no applause. Around the Gryffindor table, students gaped at Harry, their expressions a mix of shock and disbelief.
"I didn't put my name in," Harry protested, his confusion evident. He turned to Ron and Hermione, insisting, "You know I didn't." But before he could further clarify, Dumbledore summoned him, leaving no room for discussion.
As Harry rose, he stumbled awkwardly over the hem of his robes, drawing unwanted attention. John observed the scene with a critical eye, while Malfoy couldn't contain his amusement. "Look at the savior, the epitome of hypocrisy. John suggested he enter, yet he feigned reluctance. Turns out, he secretly submitted his name," Malfoy jeered, his voice dripping with scorn. Laughter erupted from the Slytherin table, their mockery fueling the Gryffindors' growing frustration and anger.
Daphne, curious and concerned, tugged at John's sleeve. "Was it him?" she inquired.
John shook his head, his response firm. "He doesn't have the skill for such deception," he stated, dismissing the notion of Harry cheating outright. John considered the only plausible explanation: someone else had entered Harry's name. This act would require a powerful Confusion Charm, reminiscent of the cunning required to enter the Chamber of Secrets.
John's thoughts raced as he pieced together the implications, his mind working to unravel the mystery behind Harry's unexpected nomination. The situation was far more complex than a simple act of mischief, hinting at a deeper, more sinister plot at play.
_________
If you are tired of reading I also have this converted to an audio novel on my youtube
https://www.youtube.com/@NovelAudioForge/featured
Direct Link to playlist
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_Hg-qsW4rM&list=PLKskshYG-OcPTR4-Nw7IWFEBZm07D8pBV&ab_channel=NovelAudioForge