The Admiral of Hogwarts

“Miss Halsey, your analysis is excellent.” After Enterprise finished explaining the suspicious points she had observed, Moody nodded in approval.

“Just like you said, the key point isn't the age limit at all, but why the Goblet of Fire selected an extra person.” After saying that, Moody looked at Karkaroff with an expression of caring for the mentally challenged, and then said:

“Don't forget, he's Harry Potter. Countless people believe he's hope, and there are also many who want him dead. So, letting someone who isn't strong enough participate in the competition is also a good way to let him die.”

“We all know that if Professor Moody doesn't discover six people trying to murder him before lunch, he feels like the morning has been wasted—” Karkaroff said loudly, but he was interrupted by Moody pressing his wand against his neck before he could finish.

“I admit that I might be a bit paranoid since I've gotten older, but I'm not so blind that I can't see such an obvious conspiracy. To be honest, this kind of tactic really seems like something your former colleagues would do, doesn't it?”

After saying that, Moody revealed a smile, but the scars on his face made the smile look somewhat terrifying.

“You, what nonsense are you talking about?” Karkaroff seemed a little nervous. “My job is to consider problems from the perspective of dark wizards, Karkaroff—you shouldn't have forgotten…”

“Alastor, enough.” Dumbledore saw that the situation was about to get out of control and quickly stopped Moody. “Let's not talk about the past.” After saying that, he looked at everyone in the room and said:

“I think Professor Halsey's guess should be correct. I just checked the Goblet of Fire and found that it hasn't been tampered with or modified.”

“In this situation, I think it's very likely that someone cast a particularly powerful Confundus Charm on the Goblet of Fire, entered Harry's name as a student from a fourth school, and ensured that he was the only candidate from that school. As far as I know, such a powerful charm cannot be cast by young wizards; their magical reserves are simply not enough to complete the spell.”

After hearing Dumbledore's words, several people nodded subconsciously. In this world, apart from extremely rare individuals like Veneto who have special opportunities to possess the magic of an adult before reaching adulthood, most people's magic increases with age.

And Harry Potter's previous performance at school showed that he was no different from ordinary wizards in this regard, so it was impossible for him to use magic to alter such a powerful magical artifact as the Goblet of Fire.

“But what about this unfair situation now? The Goblet of Fire has already gone out, and it's impossible to select more champions,” Madame Maxime said, glaring angrily.

“But we must abide by the regulations. The regulations clearly stipulate that anyone whose name comes out of the Goblet of Fire must participate in the Triwizard Tournament, and no one else can.”

Mr. Crouch stood outside the circle of light from the fireplace, his face half-hidden in the shadows, looking a bit strange. However, his tone of voice was as stiff and cold as usual.

“Hey, Barty knows the regulations inside and out,” Bagman said, breaking into a smile, turning back to look at Karkaroff and Madame Maxime, as if the matter had been perfectly resolved.

“I insist that my other students re-register,” Karkaroff said. His voice was no longer smooth, his smile had disappeared, and the expression on his face was extremely ugly.

“You must put the Goblet of Fire back out, and we must keep adding names to it until each school produces two champions. That's fair, Dumbledore.”

“Actually, I think it's fairest now,” Moody said loudly as well. “Because Hogwarts only has two fourth-year students participating, and the project is an individual competition, not a competition by school, so your two schools are at an advantage.”

“And if we're talking about unfairness, this competition is most unfair to Harry,” Enterprise sighed.

“Don't forget, the other three contestants here at least made their own decisions knowing the dangers of the competition, only Harry didn't.”

“But he shouldn't have anything to complain about,” Fleur Delacour couldn't help but ask, stomping her foot, “He has the opportunity to participate in the competition, doesn't he?”

“For weeks, we've all been hoping to be chosen! To bring glory to our school! And a thousand Galleons in prize money—this is an opportunity that many people dream of!”

“But I believe Harry would rather be standing in the stands than participating in this kind of competition,” Enterprise shook her head and said. “He already has enough fame, and he doesn't lack this 1000 Galleons.”

“Alright, everyone calm down.” Seeing the people arguing in a团, Dumbledore coughed and then said. “Now, if any of you have a solution, you can speak up.”

After saying that, Professor Dumbledore waited there. But at this time, everyone quieted down, even Karkaroff, who had been arguing the loudest just now, closed his mouth and looked at the others with resentment.

“You go or me?” Bagman asked his colleague. At this moment, Mr. Crouch, who had been in a daze, seemed to suddenly wake up and stood up, then walked to the fireplace.

“Okay,” he said, “Instructions. Yes… the first task…”

Barty Crouch seemed a little slow, but he had indeed been very busy with his work recently, so this situation was not surprising. At least in the eyes of Ministry of Magic officials, this situation occurred every few years.

“The first task is to test your courage,” he said to the group of champions, “So we're not going to tell you what it is, because daring to face the unknown is an important quality of a wizard, um, yes, very important, I think you'll soon know what it is—”

“The first task will take place on November 24th, in front of the other students and the judging panel.”

“When completing the competition tasks, the champions must not ask for or accept any help from their teachers. The only weapon the champions have in hand when facing the first challenge is their own wand.

After the first task is completed, they will learn about the second task. Due to the high demands of the competition and the long duration, the champions will not participate in the school year exams.”

After saying that, Mr. Crouch turned to look at Dumbledore. “I think that's all, Albus?”

“Yes,” Dumbledore said, looking at Mr. Crouch with some concern, “You really don't want to stay at Hogwarts tonight, Barty?”

“It may only be like this, because we have a lot of things to do at this time.” Crouch shrugged helplessly, then walked out of the room with Bagman, who wanted to stay and have a drink tomorrow.

After watching the two Ministry of Magic officials leave, Dumbledore turned his head and extended the same invitation to the other two headmasters. Unfortunately, neither of the two headmasters appreciated it and hurriedly left with their students.

“Then you guys go back to your dormitories quickly,” Dumbledore said, looking at Veneto and Harry with a smile. “I believe the students of Gryffindor and Ravenclaw are waiting to celebrate with you. They finally have an excuse to make a lot of noise, it would be too inappropriate to take away their opportunity.”