Chapter 354

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The intense and bright flames of the Goblet of Fire then began to redden, releasing sparks as if to draw everyone's attention to it.

We all looked at the cup intently and nervously, with many students not even blinking while others held their breath.

And in this wait that lasted less than 5 seconds, but seemed like an eternity to everyone, a short jet of flame rose into the air from the cup, expelling a piece of charred parchment.

The Headmaster took the parchment, and using the light from the cup's flames that turned blue-white again he read what was written on it, with all the students staring at him with bated breath.

"And the champion for Durmstrang is... Viktor Krum!" he read it loud and clear.

And upon hearing the name of the great Quidditch star, everyone began to applaud, shouting his name in an attempt to show support or get his attention.

And Krum, who was chosen as his school's champion, stood up from his place at the Slytherin table, passing in front of the staff' table and entering the champions' chamber.

"Bravo, Viktor!" Karkaroff's booming voice echoed throughout the Great Hall, so loud that not even the applause could drown it out.

"Yes! I got 1 out of 3 right!" I heard Terry celebrate, and looking over at him I saw him staring at Krum's back with a happy, greedy smile.

And turning to my other friends I saw the same expression on their faces.

'They all bet on Krum as Durmstrang champion?' I thought with a sweat.

A few seconds after Krum entered the chamber the Great Hall fell into silence again as the cup began to glow again with its flames turning red.

And in the next instant it expelled another piece of parchment, which the Headmaster picked up and read.

"And the Beauxbatons champion is Fleur Delacour!"

And when he said that, the beautiful blonde who was sitting at the Ravenclaw table stood up, with all eyes on her, especially the male ones.

She then glanced at me, which I pretended not to see, and with a frustrated huff she turned away, heading towards the champions' chamber while leaving several disappointed and sad French students behind.

'Well, I guess the level of envy and jealousy these girls harbor towards Fleur has just increased' I thought, looking at some of the Beauxbatons girls who were torn between crying and glaring at Fleur fiercely.

After Fleur entered the chamber, a more tense and heavy silence appeared in the air, so strong that it was almost palpable.

At this moment the students, teachers, and even the Headmaster were looking carefully at the Goblet of Fire, which was glowing intensely in red flames, ready to release the parchment with the name of the Hogwarts champion.

And after a few seconds of waiting, a powerful and intense jet of flame came out of the cup, and the Headmaster was quick, taking the parchment and reading it.

He read the name on the parchment, and paused for a few seconds, blinking in surprise, until he glanced slightly at the Ravenclaw table.

Noticing his gaze I smiled wildly at him, and he shook his head with a wry smile, before turning to everyone.

"And the Hogwarts champion is… Ethan Night!" he said, his voice echoing through the Great Hall, smiling amusedly at the shocked looks of the Hogwarts students.

And as soon as my name was called I stood up, with all eyes falling on me.

And the Durmstrang and Beauxbatons students, who didn't know who I was, blinked in confusion and surprise as soon as they realized I was underage.

And ignoring these looks I started to head towards the camera, but not before looking at my friends gaping and smiling in a mocking and arrogant way at them.

'Who told you not to bet on me' I thought, with sweet feelings of revenge and satisfaction.

Walking past the staff' table I nodded at the Headmaster, who had an exasperated look on his face.

I then looked at the teachers, seeing most of them staring at me in disbelief, before focusing on Nick and Penny, with the immortal sir winking at me.

Then heading towards the champions' chamber I entered it, finding the other two champions looking nervously at the door.

As soon as they saw me enter they blinked in confusion, but Krum didn't say anything, continuing to frown in the corner.

And Fleur, who stared at me for a few seconds just nodded to herself, and I could tell that her confusion disappeared and was replaced by acceptance, relief, and certainty, which left me confused.

'Well, if there's one thing I've learned in my two lives, it's that a man should never try to understand a woman's mind' I shrugged, going to the other corner of the chamber, very close to the fireplace and waiting with my hands on my pocket, having a relaxed expression on my face.

And a few seconds later the chamber door was opened again, and Harry walked in with a blank expression, but I could feel confusion and panic coming from him.

"What is it? Do they want us to go back to the hall?" Fleur asked, her French accent mixing with her English.

But before Harry could say anything, not that he could from his stunned look, the door was opened again, and Bagman, the first to pass through, came towards the boy with a scar on his forehead and grabbed his arm, bringing him to us.

"Extraordinary! Absolutely extraordinary!" Bagman murmured with an excited look, "Gentlemen... and ladies, I would like to present to you, as incredible as it may seem, the fourth champion!"

And with this news Fleur and Krum looked at the two of them, with Krum looking more frowning than usual, something I didn't think was possible, while Fleur smiled and shook her hair.

"What a great joke, Mr. Bagman," she said.

"Joke?" Bagman repeated in confusion, "No, no, no it's not! Harry's name, like yours, also came out of the Goblet of Fire!"

And with that answer, the other two champions' expressions went from confused to upset.

And as Fleur and Bagman continued their exchange I looked at Harry with a raised eyebrow, and he, seeing this, looked at me with a look that asked for help.

I knew that Harry would be forced to participate in the tournament, but that didn't mean I would let him suffer like it happened in the canon.

And that's why when I saw that look from him I moved away from the fireplace and went towards him, and ignoring the other champions I held Bagman's arm who was squeezing Harry's arm.

"I think Harry's discomfort is obvious, Mr. Bagman, so could you let him go?" I asked, squeezing his arm.

And feeling his arm being squeezed he grimaced, before letting go of Harry's arm due to the pain.

As soon as he released Harry I pulled the boy behind me, staring at Bagman daring him to say something.

And Bagman, who saw my look and Harry's look, just laughed as he rubbed his arm.

"Oh, I'm sorry Harry, I think I'm really excited about this big event" he said.

But instead of saying anything we looked at the door that was opened again, and several people walked through it.

Walking through the door were Headmaster Dumbledore, Madame Maxime, Karkaroff, Mr. Crouch, Professor McGonagall, Professor Flitwick, and Professor Snape.

As soon as Madame Maxime entered the chamber, Fleur opened her mouth and took a step forward, wanting to complain to her Headmistress about the injustice of having two Hogwarts champions.

However, she stopped, before looking at me who was still staring at Bagman, and realizing that I was nearby she decided to stay quiet, approaching the fireplace again.

Madame Maxime noticed this strangeness from her usually arrogant student, but ignoring it she shook her head and turned to the Headmaster.

"What does this mean, Dumbledore?" she asked in a deep voice.

"I would like to know too, Dumbledore" Karkaroff said smiling, but we could all tell it was a forced smile full of anger, "Two Hogwarts champions? I don't remember it being written in the rules that the school hosting the tournament could have 2 champions. Or did I not read the regulations correctly?"

And the Headmaster, listening to the two's questioning, remained quiet, looking at Harry with a calm but thoughtful look, and I could feel the confusion, fear and even anger coming from him, but not directed at Harry, but at the situation.

"It's impossible and unfair! Hogwarts cannot have two champions!" Madame Maxime said.

"Yes, and I thought your age line would prevent minors from putting their names in the cup, Dumbledore, but it doesn't seem to have worked out very well," Karkaroff said with a wicked grin, turning to me and Harry, "Now tell me, how did your protective measure fail to prevent these two young boys from entering the tournament? And why were two of them chosen?"

"You know, I'm starting to suspect something is going on behind the scenes" he said, and Snape started to open his mouth to defend the Headmaster, but a snort caught everyone's attention.

And turning towards the sound, everyone's eyes focused on me, who was looking at Madame Maxime and Karkaroff with disdain.

"I never thought I would see the Headmaster and Headmistress of two prestigious schools whining about injustice like two children throwing a tantrum" I said, shocking everyone in the room with my rude speech.

End.

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