Chapter 251: Magical Detection

"A bluffing threat, Karkaroff!" a voice roared near the door. 

"You cannot leave your champion now. He must compete. They all must compete. As Dumbledore said, they are bound by a magical contract. It benefits you, doesn't it?"

Moody had just entered the room. He limped towards the fire, each step of his right foot landing heavily with a loud thud, thud.

"Benefit?" Karkaroff sneered. "I'm afraid I don't follow your meaning, Moody."

He tried to sound disdainful, as if Moody's words were beneath his notice, but his clenched fists betrayed his true feelings.

"Is that so?" Moody said softly. "It's simple, Karkaroff. Someone put Potter's name into that Goblet. They knew if the name came out, Potter would have to compete."

"Clearly, someone wants to give Hogwarts another chance!" Madam Maxime interjected.

"I agree with you, Madam Maxime," Karkaroff said, bowing slightly to her. "I intend to lodge a complaint with the Ministry of Magic and the International Confederation of Wizards—"

"If anyone has a reason to complain, it's Potter," Moody interrupted gruffly.

"But... it's interesting... I haven't heard him say a word... perhaps someone hopes Potter will meet his end because of this."

After his words, there was an intense silence. Ludo Bagman appeared very anxious, fidgeting nervously and muttering, "Moody, you old rascal... how can you say such things!"

"We all know, Professor Moody considers his morning wasted if he hasn't found six people trying to kill him before lunch," Karkaroff said loudly.

"Obviously, he's now teaching his students to be paranoid, thinking someone is out to get them. 

It's a rare quality for a Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Dumbledore. But undoubtedly, you have your reasons."

"What, am I making things up?" Moody roared. "I have instincts, hmm? Whoever put Potter's name in the Goblet is undoubtedly a skilled wizard—"

"Oh, do you have evidence of that?" Madam Maxime raised her large hands, asking.

"Because they fooled a highly powerful magical object!" Moody said. 

"To trick that Goblet into forgetting that only three schools should participate in the Triwizard Tournament requires an exceptionally powerful Confundus Charm..."

"You seem to have thought a lot about this, Moody," Karkaroff said coldly.

"It's a very novel theory—though, of course, I've heard you recently had a whimsical idea that your birthday gift contained a cleverly disguised snake egg, smashed it to pieces without thinking twice, only to find it was a travel alarm clock. 

So, if we don't take your words completely seriously, you can understand..."

"Indeed, some people can use innocent activities to achieve their own goals," Moody retorted threateningly.

"My job is to think like a Dark Wizard, Karkaroff—you shouldn't forget that..."

"Alastor!" Dumbledore warned.

Moody fell silent, but continued to glare at Karkaroff—whose face was now as red as fire.

"In fact, someone can prove this," Dumbledore addressed Alaric and everyone else, and all eyes turned to Alaric.

"Indeed, Alaric is an expert in this matter, as I've mentioned before, his achievements in curses and ancient runes research surpass all of us here. 

So, Alaric, as the judge, could you help us examine why the Goblet of Fire spat out a fourth name?"

"It's my duty," Alaric nodded, approaching the Goblet of Fire, pointing his wand at it, closing his eyes, and murmuring an incantation.

Everyone watched expectantly, with Harry hoping desperately that Alaric could figure out what had happened and clear his name.

After about a minute, Alaric opened his eyes. He put away his wand and nodded to everyone.

At that moment, Moody seemed somewhat uneasy.

"It's indeed the effect of a Confundus Charm," Alaric surveyed around, giving Moody a deep look that sent shivers down his spine.

Moody even felt he had tensed all his muscles, ready to escape at any moment, feeling exposed.

However, Alaric's next words relieved him.

"Although I don't know who did it," Alaric shifted his gaze away, continuing, "this is indeed a powerful Confundus Charm.

It replaced the original enchantment on the Goblet of Fire, turning three schools into four, and Potter became the only selection from the fourth school. 

This ensured his name would be chosen. In fact, the selection was correct, although the person who entered his name is powerful enough, it's clear they weren't enough to ensure Miss Granger would be disqualified."

His words relieved both Harry Potter and Moody, but at the same time, increased Alaric's danger level in Moody's mind once again. He couldn't understand why this person could find so many clues from the Goblet of Fire. Such ability was unheard of in the entire wizarding world. If someone like Lord Voldemort mastered this ability, Dark Wizards would have no future.

"Ah, thank you for your analysis, Alaric," Dumbledore gave Alaric an admiring look.

"I must say again, your skills are truly extraordinary. 

In the previous incantation, I only recognized the flashback spell, the reproduction spell, and the magical detection spell. I didn't understand the rest. What exactly..."

"Aberforth!" Professor McGonagall shouted loudly. "Now is not the time to discuss this."

"Very well, back to the point," Dumbledore addressed everyone in the room. 

"We don't know who caused this situation, but in my opinion, besides accepting it, we have no other choice. Hermione and Harry have been chosen to compete. Therefore, they must..."

"Ah, but Dumbledore—"

"My dear Maxime, do you doubt Alaric's analysis?"

Dumbledore waited, but Madame Maxime couldn't continue talking immediately.

It was absolutely impossible for her not to believe Alaric's analysis, so she just stared angrily. 

And she was not the only one showing dissatisfaction. Snape also looked angry; Karkaroff looked livid.

They were all just angry but dared not speak out.

Obviously, although some people were reluctant, everyone accepted the setting of the four champions.

Harry breathed a sigh of relief, because he was no longer the target of suspicion, and now he even wanted to give Alaric a big hug.

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