The auditorium was abuzz with activity, and John noticed Percy attempting to restore order amidst the chaos. "Percy," John called out, catching Percy's attention. Percy scanned the auditorium before making his way over. While John was intrigued by the identity of the fourth champion, his primary concern was the unfolding situation.
"The commotion in the next room is quite intense. Ms. Maxime and Headmaster Karkaroff are claiming unfairness, and Mr. Crouch seems quite embarrassed," Percy shared, his voice betraying a hint of concern over the desire to take action, which was causing considerable distress for Mr. Crouch. The fairness of the current game was in question, and the integrity of the Triwizard Tournament seemed to be at stake.
John couldn't help but laugh upon hearing this. He leaned in and whispered, "Tell Mr. Crouch that a game full of surprises is far more captivating." Percy's eyes widened in surprise at John's casual reference to Mr. Crouch as 'old Barty,' but he recognized that now was not the time for questions. With a deep look at John, Percy headed into the next room.
The atmosphere was charged with tension as Karkaroff and Ms. Maxime demanded an explanation from Dumbledore. The three champions—Fleur, with her head held high in arrogance; Krum, frowning in displeasure; and Cedric, wearing a look of confusion—stood apart. Dumbledore, Karkaroff, Ms. Maxime, Professor McGonagall, and Professor Snape were all present, with Mr. Crouch looking gloomy at the sidelines and Bagman seemingly entertained by the drama.
"Hogwarts having two champions? I don't recall being informed that the host school is entitled to such a privilege," Karkaroff stated coldly.
"It's preposterous," Ms. Maxime added. "Hogwarts cannot have two champions. It's blatantly unfair."
Their aggression was palpable, and they viewed Dumbledore as if he were blatantly favoring his own school.
Snape, with a glint of hostility in his eyes, chimed in, "The blame falls squarely on Potter, Karkaroff. He has a history of flouting rules and regulations since his arrival at the school."
"Thank you, Severus," Dumbledore responded firmly, prompting Snape to fall silent.
Turning his attention to Harry, Dumbledore asked calmly, "Harry, did you put your name into the Goblet of Fire?"
"No," Harry replied, striving to maintain his composure under the scrutinizing gaze of those around him.
"Did you ask any of the older students to submit your name on your behalf?" Dumbledore pressed.
"No!" Harry responded, a hint of frustration in his voice. The suspicion directed at him was unsettling.
"He must be lying!" Ms. Maxime exclaimed loudly.
Professor McGonagall, unable to tolerate the accusation, interjected, "It's highly unlikely he could have bypassed the age line. I believe—"
"John Wick is gone," Karkaroff interjected quietly, effectively silencing McGonagall.
Dumbledore paused, a flicker of confusion crossing his face, before asking, "Did you seek John's assistance in this matter?"
As the question hung in the air, the atmosphere seemed to grow heavier. Harry, feeling the weight of the accusatory stares, adjusted his collar uncomfortably and denied the allegation.
Snape, after a moment of contemplation, stated in a measured tone, "I doubt John Wick would bother with such a scheme." His voice carried a note of disdain, reflecting the general consensus about the mysterious boy's involvement.
"Mr. Crouch, Mr. Bagman," Karkaroff, growing anxious, turned to the Ministry officials. "As our impartial judges, you must agree that this situation is highly irregular."
Ludo Bagman, mopping his brow with a handkerchief, glanced at Mr. Crouch, signaling that the decision rested with him. Mr. Crouch, his expression darkening, was about to speak when the door creaked open.
Percy, undeterred by the possibility of causing offense, hurried to Mr. Crouch's side and whispered something into his ear. The gloom that had previously clouded Mr. Crouch's face lifted slightly.
"We must adhere to the rules set forth by the tournament," Mr. Crouch declared. "The Goblet of Fire's decision is final. Those whose names it has chosen are obliged to compete." Karkaroff opened his mouth to protest, but a stern glare from Mr. Crouch silenced him.
Facing the man who had the final say, the room fell into a tense silence, marking the beginning of a cold war of opinions and allegiances. In the grim confines of Azkaban, Igor Karkaroff found himself at a loss for words. His expression was a mix of discomfort and embarrassment as he insisted, "You must reignite the Goblet of Fire and allow us to select a second champion from each school." However, the response he received was far from accommodating. "The Goblet of Fire has been extinguished and will not be rekindled until the next tournament," retorted Professor Dumbledore, his patience wearing thin with the former Death Eater. Karkaroff's demeanor soured further, and he vehemently declared their withdrawal from the subsequent competition.
It was at this moment that Alastor Moody made his entrance, his presence immediately intensifying the atmosphere. "The magical contract binds them; they must all participate in the competition!" he asserted, his gaze fixed on Karkaroff with a discernible lack of kindness. "Beneficial, isn't it?" he added, his tone laced with sarcasm.
Karkaroff feigned confusion, but Moody was not fooled. "Someone has manipulated the situation to ensure Harry Potter's participation," he explained, his voice dripping with disdain. "Such a feat would require a highly sophisticated Confusion Charm, well beyond Potter's capabilities. Perhaps someone wishes for Potter to meet his demise in this competition."
The room fell into a tense silence, the weight of Moody's insinuations hanging heavily in the air. Karkaroff, in particular, seemed unnerved, fully aware of the implications of Moody's words.
Despite the unresolved tensions, the decision was made to keep Harry in the tournament, though the meeting ended on a note of dissatisfaction.
...
In the Secret Room of the Star Society, John awaited the arrival of the champions. Both champions hailed from Stellaris, prompting John to uncork a bottle of Stellaris wine, cautioning against overindulgence. Fleur Delacour expressed her dismay at the unfairness of the situation, while Cedric Diggory, the Hogwarts champion, appeared uncomfortable. John, however, dismissed their concerns with a chuckle. "It's all part of a conspiracy to involve Harry Potter in the tournament," he explained.
Percy Weasley was the last to arrive, his hesitation palpable. John gestured for him to take a seat before delving into the outcomes of the recent discussions. Fu Rong, overwhelmed by grievances, indulged in the wine excessively, while Heinrich remained silent, his mood somber.
The first task was shrouded in mystery, with the champions left in the dark about its nature. They were informed that their only tool would be their wands and that details of the second task would remain undisclosed until the completion of the first. Despite the challenges, the tournament offered the allure of exemption from exams and a substantial reward in Galleons.
After the gathering, only John and Percy remained in the secret room. Percy, seeking clarification, asked, "Why do you refer to Mr. Crouch as Old Barty?"
John leaned back, a faint smile on his lips. "As you've surmised, Percy," he began, his hand resting beside a silver mask on the table. Percy, despite his suspicions, was taken aback, managing a strained smile. "No wonder Mr. Crouch holds me in high regard."
"You're mistaken, Percy," John corrected him. "I merely opened the door for you. It's your own merit that Mr. Crouch appreciates."
Percy's next question was hesitant. "Does Mr. Crouch know?"
John's response was a definitive shake of his head. This revelation reignited a spark in Percy's eyes, the thought of being valued for his own achievements rather than John's influence uplifting him. "Now is not the time for Old Barty to be in the know," John advised solemnly. "The Triwizard Tournament is not just a stepping stone for him, but for you as well."
Percy, inspired by John's encouragement, vowed to excel in the opportunities the tournament presented.
...
The entire school bore witness to Harry Potter's controversial inclusion as a champion in the Triwizard Tournament, sparking widespread speculation and accusations of cheating. Even Ron Weasley harbored doubts, questioning Harry about the possibility of using an Invisibility Cloak to tamper with the selection process. This accusation strained their friendship, leading to a cold war between them.
"Once every school year, there's a fallout," John mused, taking a sip of water. "This time, it's not Hermione involved, which is quite the rarity." Daphne watched with a mixture of curiosity and amusement. Normally, she wouldn't concern herself with the affairs of Gryffindor House, but this time, she found herself intrigued. "Why do they seem to have a falling out every year?" she mused aloud.
"It's almost as if there's an unwritten rule, a sort of law dictating that Harry must be involved in some controversy. I'd dub it the 'Law of Triangular Imbalance,'" John remarked with a click of his tongue, unsure whether to commend the strength of their friendship or to critique its apparent fragility. On one hand, their bond seemed unbreakable, yet it seemed to shatter annually. On the other, despite these rifts, their reconciliations were so seamless, it was as if they were never at odds to begin with.
"Speaking of strained relationships, the dynamic between Hufflepuff and Gryffindor isn't too great at the moment either," John added. The root of the tension was clear: many in Hufflepuff felt that Harry had overshadowed Cedric Diggory, robbing him of the recognition he deserved.
This situation bore a striking resemblance to Harry's second year at Hogwarts. Harry pondered over this parallel, trying to recall how he had navigated through the conflict back then.
_________
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