"Beauxbatons' champion is a woman? While the wizarding world doesn't put much stock in gender differences, girls might still find themselves at a slight disadvantage in competitive events, especially something as dangerous as the Triwizard Tournament," Malfoy remarked, looking at Fleur with surprise.
Krum smiled knowingly. "Don't be deceived by her appearance. According to information gathered by our headmaster, this upperclassman is among the few in all of Europe who can hold her ground in a direct duel against her peers."
As the golden plates were cleaned once again, Dumbledore stood up. A mix of excitement and tension seemed to spread across the Great Hall.
"The moment has finally arrived," Dumbledore said, smiling at the upturned faces. "The Triwizard Tournament is about to begin. Allow me to explain a few points first."
"This year's tasks have been carefully reviewed by Mr. Crouch and Mr. Bagman," Dumbledore continued as Filch gingerly placed a box on the table before him. "Each task has been arranged with necessary precautions. There will be three tasks throughout the school year, designed to test the champions in various ways—testing their magical abilities, their courage, and their problem-solving skills—along with their ability to face danger."
Augustus silently observed the box in front of Dumbledore. The magical fluctuations radiating from it glowed deep blue under his Eye of Perception. If he guessed correctly, the object used to select the champions lay within. Given its magical aura, applying a Confundus Charm on it seemed feasible.
"Three tasks? As always. If I'm not mistaken, each task will likely be spaced about a month apart, giving the champions ample preparation time. Of course, internal cheating and behind-the-scenes maneuvering among schools might run rampant during this period. Even the Quidditch World Cup wasn't immune to such manipulations, so it's hardly surprising for an event like the Triwizard Tournament," Lillian said casually, her gaze flitting toward the staff table.
Thor glanced thoughtfully at the headmasters of Durmstrang and Beauxbatons. "The host is Hogwarts. Even with potential biases or backdoor dealings, the advantage should favor our school's champion. These underhanded tactics are tacitly understood rules, so there's really no point in debating them."
Dumbledore drew his wand and tapped the lid of the box three times. The lid creaked open. Reaching inside, he pulled out a large, crudely carved wooden goblet. The goblet itself was unremarkable, but it brimmed with blue-white flames that leapt and danced.
Dumbledore shut the box and placed the goblet atop its lid, ensuring everyone in the hall could see it clearly.
"Anyone wishing to put their name forward as a champion must write their name and school on a piece of parchment and drop it into this goblet," Dumbledore explained. "You will have 24 hours to submit your entry. Tomorrow night, on Halloween, the goblet will choose the three students it believes are most worthy to represent their schools."
"To prevent underage students from succumbing to temptation," Dumbledore continued, "once the goblet is placed in the entrance hall, I will draw an Age Line around it. No one under the age of 17 will be able to cross it."
Augustus's lips curved into a perfect smile, his silver eyes glinting with amusement. "Seventeen, huh? Expending such magical effort on an age barrier seems a bit excessive."
Loki's gaze lingered on the Goblet of Fire, his fingers stroking his chin in thought. "The goblet's selection mechanism must be quite rigid. Otherwise, there wouldn't be a need for an additional age line. If it could automatically discern the age of entrants and disqualify ineligible ones, that would be much more secure. After all, crossing a simple magical line is far easier. Perhaps a single vial of Aging Potion could do the trick."
"You think Dumbledore's restriction—a spell cast personally—can be bypassed with a mere potion?" Thor shrugged dismissively. "Unless you can pinpoint the barrier's critical threshold, no underage participant will pass."
"A critical threshold?" Loki scoffed. "Indeed, any magical restriction has a breaking point. But do you think a simple Age Line, without any geometrical complexity, would have one?"
Dumbledore continued explaining the tournament rules before dismissing the hall. The Beauxbatons students appeared to be staying in Ravenclaw Tower, while the Durmstrang students returned to their ship.
The following day, Augustus, Lillian, and Malfoy strolled from the Slytherin common room to the entrance hall. By the time they arrived, over twenty students had already gathered around the Goblet of Fire, some still munching on bread, all carefully observing the enchanted object. The goblet sat atop the stool usually reserved for the Sorting Hat, surrounded by a thin golden line painted on the floor.
Augustus casually examined the goblet and the golden Age Line encircling it. With arms crossed, he thought, Even if it's Dumbledore's work, the limitations of this world's magical knowledge leave plenty of ways to bypass it.
Laughter echoed behind him. Fred, George, and Lee Jordan hurried down the stairs, looking extremely pleased with themselves.
"We did it," Fred whispered smugly to Harry, Ron, and Hermione. "We just drank it."
"Drank what?" Ron asked.
"Aging Potion, you dolt," Fred replied.
Brimming with confidence, the three stepped up to the Goblet of Fire. George shouted gleefully before jumping over the Age Line with Fred. But the moment they landed, a sizzling sound filled the air, and the twins were hurled back out of the golden circle as though an invisible shot put athlete had thrown them. They crashed painfully onto the cold stone floor ten feet away. As if the humiliation weren't enough, with a loud pop, identical long white beards sprouted from their chins.
Laughter erupted in the entrance hall as Augustus shook his head and left the scene.
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