Chapter 16 The Goblet of Fire

I dont believe it Ron say, in a stunned voice, as the Hogwarts students filed guts up the steps do- nonhing the party from Durmstrang. Krum, irritate Viktor KrumFor heavens sake, Ron, hes wholly a Quidditch player, utter Hermi i.Only a Quidditch player? Ron express, tone at her as though he couldnt believe his ears. Hermione hes one of the trump grapple in Seekers in the world I had no idea he was unperturbed at schoolAs they re muck uped the l march onr entry h devil with the rest of the Hogwarts students fore appear for the considerable sign of the zodiac, raise saw Lee Jordan jumping up and film on the soles of his feet to thread a develop run into at the back of Krums head. Several sixth-year female childs were frantically searching their pockets as they walked Oh I dont believe it, I coment got a single quill on me -Dyou think hed sign my chapeau in lipstick?Really, Hermione give tongue to loftily as they passed the girls, today squabbling bothp lace the lipstick.Im sustainting his autograph if I arouse, verbalize Ron. You makent got a quill, encounter you, fire?Nope, theyre upst manners in my bag, utter ravage.They walked all all over to the Gryffindor send back and sit drop. Ron took at exding to sit on the side facing the door mood, because Krum and his chum Durmstrang students were still self-collected approximately it, appargonntly unsure close to w present they should sit. The students from Beauxbatons had chosen s annihilates at the Ravenclaw circuit board. They were sounding approximately the Great pressure group with glum expressions on their faces. triple of them were still clutching scarves and shawls some their heads.Its not that cold, verbalise Hermione defensively. Why didnt they bring cloaks? over here Come and sit over here Ron hissed. Over here Hermione, budge up, even up a space -What?Too late, verbalize Ron bitterly.Viktor Krum and his uncivilizedow Durmstrang students had ro undabouttled themselves at the Slytherin table. devil could face Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle looking very self-complacent about this. As he watched, Malfoy bent forward to speak to Krum.Yeah, thats ripe(p), inunction up to him, Malfoy, utter Ron scathingly. I bet Krum can key right by means of him, thoughbet he gets people fawning over him all the meter.Where dyou reckon theyre going to sleep? We could offer him a space in our dormitory, chevvyI wouldnt mind giving him my bed, I could kip on a camp bed.Hermione snorted.They look a fate happier than the Beauxbatons lot, tell incrust. The Durmstrang students were pulling off their heavy furs and looking up at the starry contraband ceiling with expressions of interest a couple of them were pick up the golden plates and chalices and examining them, simply impressed.Up at the staff table, Filch, the c betaker, was adding c hairs-breadths. He was wearing his moldy old tailcoat in honor of the occasion. chivy was surprised to involve that he added four chairs, two on two side of Dumbledores. nevertheless in that respect are exactly two spear carrier people, kick up said. Whys Filch pointting out four chairs, who else is approach?Eh? said Ron vaguely. He was still s amusinging(a) avidly at Krum.When all the students had ente cherry- cherry-red the Hall and settled garbage crush at their House tables, the staff entered, filing up to the merry-go-round table and taking their seats. Last in line were prof Dumbledore, professor Karkaroff, and Madame Maxime. When their headmistress appeared, the pupils from Beauxbatons leapt to their feet. A hardly a(prenominal) of the Hogwarts students laughed. The Beauxbatons party appeared quite a unembarrassed, however, and did not scoop out their seats until Madame Maxime had sat vote out on Dumbledores left-hand side. Dumbledore remained stand, and a still fell over the Great Hall.Good evening, ladies and racymen, ghosts and most particularly gues ts, said Dumbledore, beaming around at the foreign students. I take on spectacular pleasure in wel plan of attack you all to Hogwarts. I hope and c erst spellive that your stay here lead be both comfortable and enjoyable. unmatched of the Beauxbatons girls still clutching a muffler around her head gave what was unmistakably a derisive laugh.No ones making you stay Hermione talked, bristling at her.The tour breaknt depart be officially opened at the end of the fertilise, said Dumbledore. I at present invite you all to eat, drink, and make yourselves at homeHe sat down, and Harry saw Karkaroff lean forward at erst and engage him in conversation.The plates in front of them make fulled with fare as usual. The house-elves in the kitchen seemed to have pulled out all the stops there was a coarseer variety of dishes in front of them than Harry had ever seen, including most(prenominal) that were definitely foreign.Whats that? said Ron, pointing at a large dish of some sort of shellfish stew that stood beside a large steak-and-kidney pudding.Bouillabaisse, said Hermione. signalise you, said Ron.Its French, said Hermione, I had it on holiday summer forwards last. Its very nice.Ill take your word for it, said Ron, helping himself to black pudding.The Great Hall seemed somehow much more(prenominal) crowded than usual, even though there were barely twenty additional students there perhaps it was because their former(a)wise colored uniforms stood out so distinctly erst morest the black of the Hogwarts robes. Now that they had re locomote(p) their furs, the Durmstrang students were revealed to be wearing robes of a deep bloodred. slime eelsrid sidled into the Hall by a door stern the staff table twenty minutes afterward the start of the feast. He slid into his seat at the end and waved at Harry, Ron, and Hermione with a very to a great extent bandaged hand.Skrewts doing all right, Hagrid? Harry called.Thrivin, Hagrid called back happily.Yeah, Ill tho bet they are, said Ron quietly. Looks comparable theyve finally found a aliment they like, doesnt it? Hagrids fingers.At that moment, a voice said, Excuse me, are you insufficiencying ze bouillabaisse?It was the girl from Beauxbatons who had laughed during Dumbledores speech. She had finally removed her muffler. A keen-sighted sheet of silvery-blonde hair fell almost to her waist. She had large, deep blue warmness, and very white, even teeth.Ron went purple. He stared up at her, opened his mouth to reply, full now nothing came out neertheless a faint gurgling entropy.Yeah, have it, said Harry, pushing the dish toward the girl.You ave end wiz it?Yeah, Ron said breathlessly. Yeah, it was excellent.The girl picked up the dish and carried it carefully off to the Ravenclaw table. Ron was still goggling at the girl as though he had never seen one before. Harry started to laugh. The sound seemed to jog Ron back to his senses.Shes a veela he said hoarsely to Harry.Of course she isnt said Hermione tartly. I dont see bothone else gawk at her like an idiotBut she wasnt entirely right about that. As the girl crossed the Hall, many boys heads dark, and some of them seemed to have obtain temporarily speechless, conscionable like Ron.Im ordaining you, thats not a frequent girl said Ron, leaning sideways so he could obligate a clear view of her. They dont make them like that at HogwartsThey make them okay at Hogwarts, said Harry without thinking. Cho breatheed to be sitting only a a few(prenominal) places away from the girl with the silvery hair.When youve both put your eyeball back in, said Hermione b venturely, youll be able to see whos that arrived.She was pointing up at the staff table. The two remaining empty seats had scantily been modify. Ludo commercial traveler was now sitting on Professor Karkaroffs other side, while Mr. ruckle, Percys boss, was next to Madame Maxime.What are they doing here? said Harry in surprise.They organized the Tri wizard tournament, didnt they? said Hermione. I suppose they cute to be here to see it start.When the second course arrived they noticed a number of unfamiliar desserts too. Ron examined an odd sort of pale blancmange closely, and so moved it carefully a few inches to his right, so that it would be clearly visible from the Ravenclaw table. The girl who looked like a veela appeared to have ea disco biscuit plenty, however, and did not come over to get it. once the golden plates had been wiped clean, Dumbledore stood up again. A pleasant sort of tension seemed to fill the Hall now. Harry felt a slight thrill of excitement, enquire what was coming. Several seats down from them, Fred and George were leaning forward, staring at Dumbledore with heavy(p) concentration.The moment has come, said Dumbledore, smiling around at the sea of overturned faces. The Triwizard Tournament is about to start. I would like to say a few words of explanation before we bring in the casket -The what? H arry muttered.Ron shrugged.- right to clarify the procedure that we lead be followers this year. But first, permit me introduce, for those who do not know them, Mr. Bartemius Crouch, strait of the Department of outside(a) Magical Cooperation there was a smattering of polite adulation and Mr. Ludo Bagman, Head of the Department of Magical Games and Sports. in that location was a much louder round of applause for Bagman than for Crouch, perhaps because of his fame as a Beater, or simply because he looked so much more likable. He acknowledged it with a laughable wave of his hand. Bartemius Crouch did not smile or wave when his name was announced. Remembering him in his neat become at the Quidditch World Cup, Harry thinking he looked strange in wizards robes. His toothbrush mustache and double-dyed(a) parting looked very odd next to Dumbledores foresightful white hair and beard.Mr. Bagman and Mr. Crouch have worked tirelessly over the last few months on the arrangements fo r the Triwizard Tournament, Dumbledore continued, and they entrustinging be joining myself, Professor Karkaroff, and Madame Maxime on the bloodshed that leave judge the champions efforts.At the mention of the word champions, the attentiveness of the earshot students seemed to sharpen. Perhaps Dumbledore had noticed their sudden stillness, for he smiled as he said, The casket, accordingly, if you please, Mr. Filch.Filch, who had been lurking ignored in a far corner of the Hall, now approached Dumbledore carrying a great woody agency encrusted with jewels. It looked extremely old. A murmur of ruttish interest rose from the watching students Dennis Creevey actually stood on his chair to see it properly, barely, being so tiny, his head hardly rose above anyone elses.The instructions for the tasks the champions will face this year have already been examined by Mr. Crouch and Mr. Bagman, said Dumbledore as Filch position the chest carefully on the table before him, and they h ave made the necessary arrangements for a theatrical role challenge. There will be leash tasks, spaced without the school year, and they will test the champions in many different ways.. their charming prowess their bald-faced their powers of deduction and, of course, their ability to cope with danger.At this last word, the Hall was modify with a silence so absolute that nonexistence seemed to be breathing.As you know, three champions compete in the tournament, Dumbledore went on calmly, one from each of the dynamic schools. They will be marked on how well they perform each of the Tournament tasks and the champion with the highest total after task three will win the Triwizard Cup. The champions will be chosen by an impartial selector switch the chalice of Fire.Dumbledore now took out his wand and tapped three times upon the top of the casket. The lid creaked slowly open. Dumbledore reached indoors it and pulled out a large, roughly hewn wooden cup. It would have been entir ely unremarkable had it not been full to the feature with dancing blue-white flames.Dumbledore closed the casket and placed the gob allow carefully on top of it, where it would be clearly visible to everyone in the Hall.Anybody wishing to use up themselves as champion must write their name and school clearly upon a slip of fleece and drop it into the chalice, said Dumbledore. Aspiring champions have twenty-four hours in which to put their names forward. Tomorrow night, Halloween, the goblet will return the names of the three it has judged most worthy to represent their schools. The goblet will be placed in the entrance hall tonight, where it will be freely accessible to all those wishing to compete.To ensure that no infraage student yields to temptation, said Dumbledore, I will be swig an Age Line around the Goblet of Fire once it has been placed in the entrance hall. Nobody under the age of seventeen will be able to cross this line.Finally, I wish to impress upon any of you w ishing to compete that this tournament is not to be entered into lightly. Once a champion has been selected by the Goblet of Fire, he or she is obliged to see the tournament through to the end. The placing of your name in the goblet constitutes a binding, magical contract. There can be no change of heart once you have become a champion. Please be very sure, therefore, that you are wholeheartedly prepared to play before you drop your name into the goblet. Now, I think it is time for bed. Good night to you all.An Age Line Fred Weasley said, his eyes glinting, as they all made their way across the Hall to the doors into the entrance hall. Well, that should be fooled by an Aging Potion, shouldnt it? And once your names in that goblet, youre laughing it cant tell whether youre seventeen or notBut I dont think anyone under seventeen will stand a chance, said Hermione, we reasonable havent intentional enoughSpeak for yourself, said George shortly. Youll try and get in, wont you, Harry?H arry public opinion briefly of Dumbledores insistence that nobody under seventeen should rent their name, besides then the wonderful picture of himself winning the Triwizard Tournament filled his mind again.He wondered how angry Dumbledore would be if someone younger than seventeen did find a way to get over the Age Line.Where is he? said Ron, who wasnt listening to a word of this conversation, but looking through the crowd to see what had become of Krum. Dumbledore didnt say where the Durmstrang people are sleeping, did he?But this query was answered almost instantly they were level with the Slytherin table now, and Karkaroff had just bustled up to his students.Back to the ship, then, he was saying. Viktor, how are you feeling? Did you eat enough? Should I send for some mulled wine from the kitchens?Harry saw Krum stir up his head as he pulled his furs back on. Professor, Ivood like some vine, said one of the other Durmstrang boys hopefully.I wasnt offering it to you, Poliakoff , snapped Karkaroff, his warmly paternal air vanishing in an instant. I notice you have dribbled food all down the front of your robes again, disgusting boy -Karkaroff turned and led his students toward the doors, reaching them at exactly the same moment as Harry, Ron, and Hermione. Harry stopped to let him walk through first.Thank you, said Karkaroff carelessly, glancing at him.And then Karkaroff froze. He turned his head back to Harry and stared at him as though he couldnt believe his eyes. Behind their headmaster, the students from Durmstrang came to a halt too. Karkaroffs eyes moved slowly up Harrys face and fixed upon his scar. The Durmstrang students were staring curiously at Harry too. Out of the corner of his eye, Harry saw comprehension pass over on a few of their faces. The boy with food all down his front nudged the girl next to him and pointed openly at Harrys forehead.Yeah, thats Harry Potter, said a growling voice from behind them.Professor Karkaroff spun around. Mad- Eye Moody was stand there, leaning heavily on his staff, his magical eye glaring unblinkingly at the Durmstrang headmaster.The color drained from Karkaroffs face as Harry watched. A terrible look of mingled fury and fear came over him.You he said, staring at Moody as though unsure he was authentically seeing him.Me, said Moody grimly. And unless youve got anything to say to Potter, Karkaroff, you might want to move. Youre cube the doorway.It was true half the students in the Hall were now waiting behind them, looking over one anothers shoulders to see what was causing the holdup.Without another word, Professor Karkaroff swept his students away with him. Moody watched him until he was out of sight, his magical eye fixed upon his back, a look of intense dislike upon his mutilated face.As the next day was Saturday, most students would normally have eated late. Harry, Ron, and Hermione, however, were not altogether in rising much earlier than they usually did on weekends. When they went down into the entrance hall, they saw about twenty people milling around it, some of them eating toast, all examining the Goblet of Fire. It had been placed in the means of the hall on the stool that normally bore the Sorting Hat. A thin golden line had been traced on the floor, forming a go around ten feet around it in every direction.Anyone put their name in til now? Ron asked a third-year girl eagerly.All the Durmstrang lot, she replied. But I havent seen anyone from Hogwarts yet. count on some of them put it in last night after wed all gone to bed, said Harry. I wouldve if it had been mewouldnt have wanted everyone watching. What if the goblet just gobbed you right back out again?Someone laughed behind Harry. Turning, he saw Fred, George, and Lee Jordan hurrying down the staircase, all three of them looking extremely excited.Done it, Fred said in a triumphant whisper to Harry, Ron, and Hermione. Just interpreted it.What? said Ron.The Aging Potion, dung brains, said Fred . wiz drop each, said George, rubbing his hands together with glee. We only gather up to be a few months older.Were going to split the thousand Galleons amidst the three of us if one of us wins, said Lee, grinning broadly.Im not sure this is going to work, you know, said Hermione chasteningly. Im sure Dumbledore will have thought of this.Fred, George, and Lee ignored her.Ready? Fred said to the other two, quivering with excitement. Cmon, then Ill go first -Harry watched, fascinated, as Fred pulled a slip of fleece out of his pocket bearing the words Fred Weasley Hogwarts. Fred walked right up to the edge of the line and stood there, rocking on his toes like a diver preparing for a fifty-foot drop. Then, with the eyes of every person in the entrance hall upon him, he took a great breath and stepped over the line.For a split second Harry thought it had worked George certainly thought so, for he let out a yell of triumph and leapt after Fred but next moment, there was a loud si zzling sound, and both twins were hurled out of the golden circle as though they had been thrown by an invisible shot-putter. They landed painfully, ten feet away on the cold stone floor, and to add insult to injury, there was a loud popping psychological disorder, and both of them sprouted identical long white beards.The entrance hall rang with laughter. Even Fred and George joined in, once they had gotten to their feet and taken a good look at each others beards.I did warn you, said a deep, amused voice, and everyone turned to see Professor Dumbledore coming out of the Great Hall. He surveyed Fred and George, his eyes twinkling. I suggest you both go up to Madam Pomfrey. She is already tending to Miss Fawcett, of Ravenclaw, and Mr. Summers, of Hufflepuff, both of whom decided to age themselves up a little too. Though I must say, n both of their beards is anything like as fine as yours.Fred and George set off for the hospital wing, accompanied by Lee, who was howling with laughter , and Harry, Ron, and Hermione, also chortling, went in to breakfast.The decorations in the Great Hall had changed this morning. As it was Halloween, a cloud of cash in ones chips bats was fluttering around the enchanted ceiling, while hundreds of carved pumpkins leered from every corner. Harry led the way over to Dean and Seamus, who were discussing those Hogwarts students of seventeen or over who might be entering.Theres a rumor going around that Warrington got up early and put his name in, Dean told Harry. That big swain from Slytherin who looks like a sloth.Harry, who had played Quidditch against Warrington, move his head in disgust.We cant have a Slytherin championAnd all the Hufflepuffs are talking about Diggory, said Seamus contemptuously. But I wouldnt have thought hed have wanted to risk his good looks.Listen said Hermione all at once.People were cheering out in the entrance hall. They all swiveled around in their seats and saw Angelina Johnson coming into the Hall, grin ning in an embarrassed sort of way. A tall black girl who played Chaser on the Gryffindor Quidditch team, Angelina came over to them, sat down, and said, Well, Ive through it Just put my name inYoure kidding said Ron, looking impressed. be you seventeen, then? asked Harry.Course she is, cant see a beard, can you? said Ron.I had my birthday last week, said Angelina.Well, Im glad someone from Gryffindors entering, said Hermione. I really hope you get it, AngelinaThanks, Hermione, said Angelina, smiling at her.Yeah, better you than Pretty-Boy Diggory, said Seamus, causing several Hufflepuffs passing their table to scowl heavily at him.Whatre we going to do today, then? Ron asked Harry and Hermione when they had finished breakfast and were leaving the Great Hall.We havent been down to visit Hagrid yet, said Harry.Okay, said Ron, just as long as he doesnt ask us to gift a few fingers to the skrewts.A look of great excitement of a sudden dawned on Hermiones face.Ive just realized I hav ent asked Hagrid to join S.P.E.W. yet she said brightly. Wait for me, will you, while I nip upstairs and get the badges?What is it with her? said Ron, exasperated, as Hermione ran away up the marble staircase.Hey, Ron, said Harry suddenly. Its your friendThe students from Beauxbatons were coming through the front doors from the grounds, among them, the veela-girl. Those gathered around the Goblet of Fire stood back to let them pass, watching eagerly.Madame Maxime entered the hall behind her students and organized them into a line. One by one, the Beauxbatons students stepped across the Age Line and dropped their slips of parchment into the blue-white flames. As each name entered the fire, it turned briefly red and emitted sparks.What dyou reckonll happen to the ones who arent chosen? Ron muttered to Harry as the veela-girl dropped her parchment into the Goblet of Fire. Reckon theyll go back to school, or hang around to watch the tournament?Dunno, said Harry. Hang around, I suppose.M adame Maximes staying to judge, isnt she?When all the Beauxbatons students had submitted their names, Madame Maxime led them back out of the hall and out onto the grounds again.Where are they sleeping, then? said Ron, abject toward the front doors and staring after them.A loud rattling noise behind them announced Hermiones reappearance with the box of S. P. E.W. badges.Oh good, hurry up, said Ron, and he jumped down the stone steps, keeping his eyes on the back of the veela-girl, who was now halfway across the lawn with Madame Maxime.As they neared Hagrids cabin on the edge of the prohibit Forest, the mystery of the Beauxbatons sleeping quarters was solved. The gigantic powder-blue carriage in which they had arrived had been lay two hundred yards from Hagrids front door, and the students were climbing back inside it. The large flying horses that had pulled the carriage were now grazing in a improvised paddock alongside it.Harry knocked on Hagrids door, and Fangs booming barks a nswered instantly.Bout time said Hagrid, when hed flung open the door. Thought you lotd forgotten where I liveWeve been really busy, Hag - Hermione started to say, but then she stopped dead, looking up at Hagrid, homelyly lost for words.Hagrid was wearing his best (and very horrible) hairy brown fit out, overconfident a checked yellow-and-orange tie. This wasnt the worst of it, though he had evidently seek to tame his hair, using large quantities of what appeared to be axle grease. It was now slicked down into two bunches perhaps he had assay a ponytail like Bills, but found he had too much hair. The look didnt really suit Hagrid at all. For a moment, Hermione goggled at him, then, obviously deciding not to comment, she said, Erm where are the skrewts.Out by the pumpkin patch, said Hagrid happily. Theyre gettin grand, mus be nearly three foot long now. Ony trouble is, theyve started killin each other.Oh no, really? said Hermione, nip a repressive look at Ron, who, staring a t Hagrids odd hairstyle, had just opened his mouth to say something about it.Yeah, said Hagrid sadly. S okay, though, Ive got em in separate boxes now. Still got abou twenty.Well, thats lucky, said Ron. Hagrid missed the sarcasm.Hagrids cabin comprised a single room, in one corner of which was a gigantic bed cover in a patchwork quilt. A similarly enormous wooden table and chairs stood in front of the fire beneath the quantity of elderly hams and dead birds hanging from the ceiling. They sat down at the table while Hagrid started to make tea, and were soon immersed in yet more discussion of the Triwizard Tournament. Hagrid seemed quite as excited about it as they were.You wait, he said, grinning. You jus wait. Yer going ter see some stuff yehve never seen before. Firs taskah, but Im not speculate ter say.Go on, Hagrid Harry, Ron, and Hermione urged him, but he just shook his head, grinning.I don want ter spoil it fer yeh, said Hagrid. But its gonna be spectacular, Ill tell yeh tha t. Them championsre going ter have their work cut out. Never thought Id live ter see the Triwizard Tournament played againThey ended up having lunch with Hagrid, though they didnt eat much Hagrid had made what he said was a beef casserole, but after Hermione unearthed a large talon in hers, she, Harry, and Ron rather lost their appetites. However, they enjoyed themselves trying to make Hagrid tell them what the tasks in the tournament were going to be, speculating which of the entrants were likely to be selected as champions, and wondering whether Fred and George were beardless yet.A light rain had started to capitulation by midafternoon it was very cozy sitting by the fire, listening to the gentle patter of the drops on the window, watching Hagrid darning his socks and arguing with Hermione about house-elves for he flatly refused to join S.P.E.W. when she showed him her badges.Itd be doin em an unkindness, Hermione, he said gravely, threading a massive bone needle with thick ye llow yarn. Its in their nature ter look after humans, thats what they like, see? Yehd be makin em unhappy ter take away their work, an insutin em if yeh tried ter pay em.But Harry set Dobby free, and he was over the lunar month about it said Hermione. And we comprehend hes asking for wages nowYeah, well, yeh get weirdos in every breed. Im not sayin there isnt the odd elf whod take freedom, but yehll never persuade most of em ter do it no, nothin doin, Hermione.Hermione looked very cross indeed and stuffed her box of badges back into her cloak pocket.By half erstwhile(prenominal) five it was growing lamentable, and Ron, Harry, and Hermione decided it was time to get back up to the castle for the Halloween feast and, more important, the announcement of the school champions.Ill come with yeh, said Hagrid, putting away his darning. Jus give us a sec.Hagrid got up, went across to the chest of drawers beside his bed, and began searching for something inside it. They didnt pay too mu ch anxiety until a truly horrible smell reached their nostrils. Coughing, Ron said, Hagrid, whats that?Eh? said Hagrid, turning around with a large bottle in his hand. Don yeh like it?Is that aftershave? said Hermione in a slightly choked voice.Er eau de cologne, Hagrid muttered. He was blushing.Maybe its a bit much, he said gruffly. Ill go take it off, hang onHe stumped out of the cabin, and they saw him washing himself vigorously in the water system barrel outside the window.Eau de cologne? said Hermione in amazement. Hagrid?And whats with the hair and the suit? said Harry in an undertone.Look said Ron suddenly, pointing out of the window. Hagrid had just straightened up and turned round. If he had been blushing before, it was nothing to what he was doing now. getting to their feet very cautiously, so that Hagrid wouldnt spot them, Harry, Ron, and Hermione peered through the window and saw that Madame Maxime and the Beauxbatons students had just emerged from their carriage, cle arly about to set off for the feast too. They couldnt hear what Hagrid was saying, but he was talking to Madame Maxime with a rapt, misty-eyed expression Harry had only ever seen him wear once before when he had been looking at the baby dragon, Norbert.Hes going up to the castle with her said Hermione indignantly. I thought he was waiting for usWithout so much as a backward glance at his cabin, Hagrid was trudging off up the grounds with Madame Maxime, the Beauxbatons students following in their wake, jogging to keep up with their enormous strides.He fancies her said Ron incredulously. Well, if they end up having children, theyll be setting a world temper bet any baby of theirs would weigh about a ton.They let themselves out of the cabin and shut the door behind them. It was surprisingly dark outside. Drawing their cloaks more closely around themselves, they set off up the sloping lawns.Ooh its them, look Hermione whispered.The Durmstrang party was manner of walking up toward th e castle from the lake. Viktor Krum was walking side by side with Karkaroff, and the other Durmstrang students were straggling along behind them. Ron watched Krum excitedly, but Krum did not look around as he reached the front doors a little ahead of Hermione, Ron, and Harry and proceeded through them.When they entered the candlelit Great Hall it was almost full. The Goblet of Fire had been moved it was now standing in front of Dumbledores empty chair at the teachers table. Fred and George clean-shaven again seemed to have taken their disappointment fairly well.Hope its Angelina, said Fred as Harry, Ron, and Hermione sat down.So do I said Hermione breathlessly. Well, well soon knowThe Halloween feast seemed to take much longer than usual. Perhaps because it was their second feast in two days, Harry didnt seem to fancy the extravagantly prepared food as much as he would have normally. Like everyone else in the Hall, judging by the constantly craning necks, the impatient expressions on every face, the fidgeting, and the standing up to see whether Dumbledore had finished eating yet, Harry simply wanted the plates to clear, and to hear who had been selected as champions.At long last, the golden plates returned to their original impeccable state there was a sharp upswing in the level of noise within the Hall, which died away almost instantly as Dumbledore got to his feet. On either side of him, Professor Karkaroff and Madame Maxime looked as tense and expectant as anyone. Ludo Bagman was beaming and winking at various students. Mr. Crouch, however, looked quite uninterested, almost bored.Well, the goblet is almost ready to make its decision, said Dumbledore. I estimate that it requires one more minute. Now, when the champions names are called, I would ask them please to come up to the top of the Hall, walk along the staff table, and go through into the next chamber he indicated the door behind the staff table where they will be receiving their first instructio ns.He took out his wand and gave a great sweeping wave with it at once, all the candles except those inside the carved pumpkins were extinguished, plunging them into a state of semidarkness. The Goblet of Fire now shone more brightly than anything in the whole Hall, the sparkling bright, bluey-whiteness of the flames almost painful on the eyes. Everyone watched, waiting.A few people kept checking their watchesAny second, Lee Jordan whispered, two seats away from Harry.The flames inside the goblet turned suddenly red again. Sparks began to fly from it. Next moment, a tongue of flame shot into the air, a charred piece of parchment fluttered out of it the whole room gasped.Dumbledore caught the piece of parchment and held it at arms length, so that he could read it by the light of the flames, which had turned back to blue-white.The champion for Durmstrang, he read, in a strong, clear voice, will be Viktor Krum.No surprises there yelled Ron as a pull of applause and cheering swept the Hall. Harry saw Viktor Krum rise from the Slytherin table and slouch up toward Dumbledore he turned right, walked along the staff table, and disappeared through the door into the next chamber.Bravo, Viktor boomed Karkaroff, so loudly that everyone could hear him, even over all the applause. Knew you had it in youThe clapping and chatting died down. Now everyones attention was focused again on the goblet, which, seconds later, turned red once more. A second piece of parchment shot out of it, propelled by the flames.The champion for Beauxbatons, said Dumbledore, is Fleur DelacourIts her, Ron Harry shouted as the girl who so resembled a veela got gracefully to her feet, shook back her sheet of silvery blonde hair, and swept up in the midst of the Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff tables.Oh look, theyre all disappointed, Hermione said over the noise, nodding toward the remainder of the Beauxbatons party. Disappointed was a bit of an understatement, Harry thought. Two of the girls who had not b een selected had dissolved into tears and were mother fucker with their heads on their arms.When Fleur Delacour too had vanished into the side chamber, silence fell again, but this time it was a silence so stiff with excitement you could almost audition it. The Hogwarts champion nextAnd the Goblet of Fire turned red once more sparks showered out of it the tongue of flame shot high into the air, and from its steer Dumbledore pulled the third piece of parchment.The Hogwarts champion, he called, is Cedric DiggoryNo said Ron loudly, but nobody heard him except Harry the uproar from the next table was too great. Every single Hufflepuff had jumped to his or her feet, screaming and stamping, as Cedric made his way past them, grinning broadly, and headed off toward the chamber behind the teachers table. Indeed, the applause for Cedric went on so long that it was some time before Dumbledore could make himself heard again.Excellent Dumbledore called happily as at last the tumult died down . Well, we now have our three champions. I am sure I can count upon all of you, including the remaining students from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang, to give your champions every ounce of jut you can muster. By cheering your champion on, you will contribute in a very real -But Dumbledore suddenly stopped speaking, and it was apparent to everybody what had distracted him.The fire in the goblet had just turned red again. Sparks were flying out of it. A long flame shot suddenly into the air, and borne upon it was another piece of parchment.Automatically, it seemed, Dumbledore reached out a long hand and seized the parchment. He held it out and stared at the name written upon it. There was a long pause, during which Dumbledore stared at the slip in his hands, and everyone in the room stared at Dumbledore. And then Dumbledore cleared his throat and read out Harry Potter.