Hogwarts Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor Peter

Chapter 17 The Lost Prophecy
Hearing Harry's name, Peter's mind went blank.

Harry was only 14 years old, not old enough to participate in the competition. What was even more bizarre was that the Goblet of Fire actually selected four warriors.

Could it be that such an ancient magic also fails sometimes?Or did Harry resort to some means in order to win glory for Gryffindor?
Professor McGonagall stood up, walked quickly to Dumbledore, and asked in a low voice, "What's going on?"

Dumbledore frowned and shook his head.

Krum, Delacour, and Diggory had entered a small room, Krum looking sullen, Delacour looking unhappy, and Diggory looking educatedly confused.

Mrs. Maxime, Mr. Crouch and Mr. Fudge stood up, and then Professor Andonova hesitated and stood up after her. She was slower than others in every move.

"Harry Potter!" Dumbledore yelled again, "Harry! Please come forward!"

Peter, too, left his seat, watching Harry stumble across the aisle between the Gryffindor and Hufflepuff tables and down the teacher's bench, looking a little glazed.

The hum of discussion in the Great Hall grew louder, and finally, Harry walked up to Dumbledore.

"Okay... go through that door," Dumbledore said to Harry, without a smile on his face, pointing to the small room into which the other three warriors had gone.

Immediately afterwards, Peter followed Dumbledore, Mr. Crouch, Mr. Fudge, Mrs. Maxime, Professor Andonova and McGonagall to that room.

"Dumbledore, what exactly does this mean?" Madame Maxime immediately asked as soon as everyone entered the room.

Professor Andonova was also looking at Dumbledore, her brown eyes also twinkling with doubt.

"It's not fair." Madame Maxime put her graceful and luxurious hands on Delacour's shoulders. "No one told me that the host school can have two warriors—and they are not young enough."

"Professor Dumbledore, the Ministry of Magic clearly stipulates that only warriors who have reached the age of seventeen can participate in the competition. If you let such a young child participate, who can take responsibility if something goes wrong?" Fudge said reproachfully.

"Dumbledore never allowed Harry to compete!" McGonagall's tone was very blunt.

"But this is obviously only beneficial to Hogwarts, who would do such a thing except Dumbledore?" Madam Maxime's chest heaved violently, and she was obviously very angry.

Harry was caught between the disputes among the crowd, acting nervous and dazed. Peter did not participate in the debate. He silently walked behind Harry and patted him on the shoulder reassuringly.

"Maybe we should ask Potter instead of blaming Dumbledore." A low voice said.

It was only then that people noticed that Professor Snape followed, standing in a corner away from the fire, half hidden in the shadow cast by the castle wall.

"Harry, have you put your name into the Goblet of Fire?" Dumbledore asked calmly.

"No." Harry replied emphatically.

"Oh, he must be lying!" exclaimed Madame Maxime.

"You know what happens when underage students put their names in," said Peter. "Harry doesn't have a beard on his face."

Madame Maxime snorted annoyed.

Professor Andonova suggested: "Let's not quarrel, no matter what the reason is, it's only fair that we only allow three warriors to compete."

"The champions chosen by the Goblet of Fire are bound by magic," whispered Mr. Crouch. "We cannot exclude Harry Potter."

Mr. Crouch's head was covered with cold sweat, and he looked as pale as a disfigured patient.

At this moment, Snape walked slowly in front of Harry, bent down, and looked directly into Harry's green eyes.

His terrifying face and piercing gaze made Harry flinch a little.

Before long, he straightened up and said, "I can assure you that the note wasn't thrown in by Potter..."

"Enough!" Madame Maxime said excitedly, "You said that neither Dumbledore nor Potter is to blame for this—could it be all the fault of Professor Andonova and me?"

Professor Andonova also frowned, silently expressing her disapproval.

"Haven't it occurred to you? Is it really good for Potter to have him compete in such a dangerous match?" Snape cried. It took Potter's life!"

There was silence in the room, and Dumbledore and Crouch looked quickly at Snape.

Madam Maxim shook her head and laughed a few times, "This story is too bizarre... It's so bizarre to go to such lengths to kill a child..."

"Potter's father—the parents, had many enemies," Snape whispered.

"Okay, I've had enough!" Madam Maxime said, "Mr. Crouch, Mr. Fudge, let's do the project explanation another day. I'm not feeling well right now."

After speaking, Madame Maxime took Delacour and left quickly. They chatted in French as they went down the stairs.

Professor Andonova also said hello, and left with Krum without saying a word.

The others came out of the room one after another, Mr. Crouch at the head, followed by Mr. Fudge, followed by Cedric and Harry with puzzled faces.

Dumbledore didn't move, neither did Peter and McGonagall, but Snape was already walking out of the room.

"Severus," Dumbledore called to him, "you stay here too, okay?"

Snape turned around, slightly surprised for a moment, but soon returned to his usual indifferent expression.

"Severus was right in his analysis just now," Dumbledore said after the others walked away, "I'm sure someone is going to murder Harry."

Professor McGonagall gasped.

Dumbledore continued: "Mr. Crouch told me the very disturbing news last month that, after the Sorcerer's Stone, the Orb of Prophecy was also stolen."

"Prophecy ball?" Peter had never heard of such a thing.

"Prophecy Orbs are crystal balls that record prophecies," Dumbledore explained. "They are kept in secret in the Department of Mysteries, and only the Silent Men of the Ministry of Magic can access them."

"After the Quidditch World Cup riots, August Rookwood, a staff member of the Ministry of Magic, disappeared mysteriously. It was not until last month that Mr. Crouch confessed to me that Rookwood was a Reticent Man, and the Prophecy Ball and He disappeared together."

"These events are very badly connected. It is very likely that Voldemort has grasped the content of the prophecy." His voice was a little tired, and worry crept up his old cheeks.

"So this prophecy has something to do with Harry?" Peter asked.

Dumbledore nodded: "At least Voldemort thinks so. According to that prophecy, between Harry and Voldemort 'one must kill the other, and neither can live.'"

"So, the only explanation for today's strange incident is that someone is taking the opportunity to murder Harry, and this person is at Hogwarts, even by your side."

Dumbledore paused, and no one in the room spoke.

"So I hope you can help me investigate this matter, protect Harry, and I hope you can protect yourself."

(End of this chapter)