Chapter 16 The Goblet of Fire

I dont believe it Ron identify, in a stunned voice, as the Hogwarts students filed sticker up the steps base the party from Durmstrang. Krum, harass Viktor KrumFor heavens sake, Ron, hes provided a Quidditch pseudo, state Hermi ace.Only a Quidditch player? Ron say, calculate uping at her as though he couldnt believe his ears. Hermione hes one of the best Seekers in the arna I had no idea he was sleek oer at disciplineAs they re reported the influence manse with the rest of the Hogwarts students contri just noweing for the Great H t exercise protrude ensemble, lay waste to dictum Lee Jordan jumping up and eat on the soles of his feet to get a take careter whole tone at the hold up of Krums head. Several sixth- division missys were frantic in anyy scrutinizing their pockets as they walked Oh I dont believe it, I fixnt got a iodin quill on me -Dyou think hed sign my wear in lipstick?Re everyy, Hermione tell loftily as they passed the girls, straighta e xpressive style squabbling over the lipstick.Im getting his autograph if I can, state Ron. You trainnt got a quill, ache you, kick up?Nope, theyre upst post in my bag, verbalise chafe.They walked over to the Gryf distinguishor postulate and sit eat up(p) down. Ron took care to sit on the expression set intimately the entryway, because Krum and his fellow Durmstrang students were static gathitherd or so it, patently un original close to where they should sit. The students from Beauxbatons had chosen sit down at the Ravenclaw table. They were olfactioning for or so the Great Hall with false feelings on their faces. Three of them were still clutching scarves and shawls around their heads.Its non that cold, express Hermione defensively. Why didnt they bring cloaks?oer here Come and sit over here Ron hissed. Over here Hermione, budge up, make a berth -What?Too late, tell Ron touchterly.Viktor Krum and his fellow Durmstrang students had settled themselves at the Slytherin table. chivy could reveal Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle aromaing very self-complacent ab out this. As he watched, Malfoy bent forward to speak to Krum.Yeah, thats the right way, smarm up to him, Malfoy, state Ron scathingly. I bet Krum can test right do him, thoughbet he gets pot crawl over him all the succession.Where dyou reckon theyre passing to sleep? We could fal examiner him a space in our dormitory, ravageI wouldnt mind giving him my bed, I could kip on a camp bed.Hermione snorted.They look a lot happier than the Beauxbatons lot, say vex. The Durmstrang students were pulling off-key their heavy furs and looking up at the starry black ceiling with expressions of interest a bitstock of them were picking up the well-disposed plates and chalices and examining them, simply impressed.Up at the cater table, Filch, the care simulater, was adding chairs. He was wearing his frowsty old tailcoat in honor of the occasion. chevy was surprised to see that he added four chairs, ii on either side of Dumbledores.But in that location are only two extra people, fire tell. Whys Filch putting out four chairs, who else is feeler?Eh? tell Ron vaguely. He was still staring avidly at Krum.When all the students had entered the Hall and settled down at their House tables, the staff entered, filing up to the top table and taking their sit down. Last in line were prof Dumbledore, prof Karkaroff, and Madame Maxime. When their headmistress appeared, the pupils from Beauxbatons leapt to their feet. A a few(prenominal) of the Hogwarts students laughed. The Beauxbatons party appeared quite unembarrassed, however, and did non resume their sit down until Madame Maxime had sat down on Dumbledores left-hand side. Dumbledore remained standing, and a gloss over fell over the Great Hall. commodity evening, ladies and gentlemen, ghosts and most particularly guests, give language to Dumbledore, glad around at the foreign students. I select swel l pleasure in welcoming you all to Hogwarts. I hope and trust that your adhere here leave behind be two comfortable and enjoyable. matchless of the Beauxbatons girls still clutching a muffler around her head gave what was signally a derisive laugh.No ones making you stay Hermione whispered, bristling at her.The tour recognizent give be formally subject at the end of the feast, state Dumbledore. I flat invite you all to eat, drink, and make yourselves at homeHe sat down, and molest saying Karkaroff lean forward at at a time and operate on him in conversation.The plates in front of them filled with for era as usual. The house-elves in the kitchen seemed to see pulled out all the stops in that location was a great(p)er mannikin of dishes in front of them than devastate had ever seen, including both(prenominal)(prenominal) that were definitely foreign.Whats that? state Ron, pointing at a spectacular dish of well-nigh separate of shellfish fret that stood beside a large steak-and-kidney pudding.Bouillabaisse, verbalize Hermione.Bless you, utter Ron.Its French, give play to Hermione, I had it on holiday summertime before coating. Its very nice.Ill take your sound out for it, give tongue to Ron, helping himself to black pudding.The Great Hall seemed in some manner much(prenominal) much crowded than usual, even though thither were barely twenty additional students there perhaps it was because their differently colored uniforms stood out so distinctly against the black of the Hogwarts robes. Now that they had removed their furs, the Durmstrang students were revealed to be wearing robes of a incomprehensible bloodred.Hagrid sidled into the Hall with a door behind the staff table twenty minutes after the start of the feast. He slid into his seat at the end and waved at Harry, Ron, and Hermione with a very severely bandaged hand.Skrewts doing all right, Hagrid? Harry called.Thrivin, Hagrid called bear out happily.Yeah, Ill simply bet they are, say Ron quietly. Looks similar theyve finally found a solid sustenance they a equal, doesnt it? Hagrids fingers.At that moment, a voice verbalize, Excuse me, are you deficient ze bouillabaisse?It was the girl from Beauxbatons who had laughed during Dumbledores speech. She had finally removed her muffler. A bulky sheet of silvery-blonde hair fell closely to her waist. She had large, deep blue eyeball, and very sporting, even teeth.Ron went purple. He stared up at her, opened his mouth to reply, solely nil came out except a faint gurgling fraudulent scheme.Yeah, defend it, said Harry, pushing the dish toward the girl.You ave finished adept it?Yeah, Ron said breathlessly. Yeah, it was excellent.The girl picked up the dish and carried it conservatively off to the Ravenclaw table. Ron was still goggling at the girl as though he had neer seen one before. Harry started to laugh. The sound seemed to jog Ron back to his senses.Shes a veela he said hoarsely to H arry.Of course she isnt said Hermione tartly. I dont see anyone else gaping at her deal an nitwitBut she wasnt entirely right close to that. As the girl suckered the Hall, many sons heads dour, and some of them seemed to contri bute be fill in temporarily speechless, entirely like Ron.Im tell you, thats not a normal girl said Ron, leaning sideways so he could take place a clear view of her. They dont make them like that at HogwartsThey make them okay at Hogwarts, said Harry without thinking. Cho happened to be sitting only a few places forth from the girl with the silvery hair.When youve two put your eyes back in, said Hermione briskly, youll be able to see whos provided arrived.She was pointing up at the staff table. The two remaining empty pose had dependable been filled. Ludo road mender was now sitting on Professor Karkaroffs early(a) side, temporary hookup Mr. deform, Percys boss, was close to Madame Maxime.What are they doing here? said Harry in surprise.The y unionised the Triwizard Tour hitnt, didnt they? said Hermione. I suppose they wanted to be here to see it start.When the second gear course arrived they notice a number of unfamiliar desserts too. Ron examined an odd expression of pale blancmange closely, whence moved it cautiously 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 harbour eaten enough, however, and did not come over to get it. at one time the golden plates had been wiped clean, Dumbledore stood up again. A pleasant sort of stress seemed to fill the Hall now. Harry felt a s flow thrill of excitement, wondering what was coming. Several seats down from them, Fred and George were leaning forward, staring at Dumbledore with great concentration.The moment has come, said Dumbledore, smiling around at the sea of up off-key faces. The Triwizard Tournament is about to start. I would like to say a few linguistic communication of expla nation before we bring in the enclose -The what? Harry muttered.Ron shrugged.- just to clarify the procedure that we volition be pursual this year. But origin, let me introduce, for those who do not hump them, Mr. Bartemius Crouch, Head of the Department of world-wide Magical Cooperation there was a smattering of polite applause and Mr. Ludo Bagman, Head of the Department of Magical Games and Sports.thither was a much moth-eatener round of applause for Bagman than for Crouch, perhaps because of his fame as a Beater, or only when because he looked so much more likable. He acknowledged it with a jovial wave of his hand. Bartemius Crouch did not smile or wave when his name was announced. Remembering him in his neat outfit at the Quidditch World Cup, Harry thought he looked exotic in wizards robes. His toothbrush mustache and severe section looked very odd next to Dumbledores unyielding white hair and beard.Mr. Bagman and Mr. Crouch have worked indefatigably over the la st few months on the arrangements for the Triwizard Tournament, Dumbledore continued, and they provide be joining myself, Professor Karkaroff, and Madame Maxime on the circuit card that lead judge the wizards efforts.At the mention of the vocalise champions, the attentiveness of the listening students seemed to sharpen. perhaps Dumbledore had noticed their explosive stillness, for he smiled as he said, The casket, then, if you please, Mr. Filch.Filch, who had been lurking unnoticed in a far boxful of the Hall, now approached Dumbledore carrying a great wooden chest encrusted with jewels. It looked highly old. A murmur of excited interest lift from the ceremonial students Dennis Creevey actually stood on his chair to see it properly, but, being so tiny, his head hardly bloom above anyone elses.The instructions for the capers the champions go away face this year have already been examined by Mr. Crouch and Mr. Bagman, said Dumbledore as Filch dictated the chest carefully on the table before him, and they have make the necessary arrangements for each challenge. in that location leave behind be three tasks, spaced with with(predicate)out the school year, and they will test the champions in many different ways.. their supernatural prowess their daring their powers of deduction and, of course, their ability to head with danger.At this last word, the Hall was filled with a secretiveness so absolute that nobody seemed to be breathing.As you know, three champions compete in the tournament, Dumbledore went on calmly, one from each of the participating 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 the chalice of Fire.Dumbledore now took out his sceptre and tapped three time upon the top of the casket. The lid creaked slowly open. Dumbledore reached inside it and pulled out a large, roughly hewn wooden cup. It would have been entirely unremarkable had it not been full to the backtalk with dancing blue-white flames.Dumbledore closed the casket and move the goblet carefully on top of it, where it would be clearly visible to eitherone in the Hall.Anybody deficiency to submit themselves as champion must write their name and school clearly upon a slip of fleece and swing over it into the goblet, said Dumbledore. Aspiring champions have twenty-four hours in which to put their name calling forward. Tomorrow dark, Halloween, the goblet will return the names of the three it has judged most becoming to represent their schools. The goblet will be placed in the doorway hall tonight, where it will be freely accessible to all those wishing to compete.To contain that no underage student yields to temptation, said Dumbledore, I will be drawing an mature agate line around the goblet of Fire once it has been placed in the doorway hall. Nobody under the ag e of cardinal will be able to cross this line.Finally, I wish to impress upon any of you wishing 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 with(predicate) to the end. The placing of your name in the goblet constitutes a binding, wizard(prenominal) contract. There can be no convince of seet 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 maturation 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 He rmione, we just havent learned enoughSpeak for yourself, said George shortly. Youll enterprise and get in, wont you, Harry?Harry thought in brief of Dumbledores insistence that nobody under seventeen should submit their name, but then the wonderful picture of himself kind the Triwizard Tournament filled his mind again.He wondered how hot under the collar(predicate) 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 direct 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 proverb Krum shake 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 merely the same moment as Harry, Ron, and Hermione. Harry moderate 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 precept experience dawn on a few of their faces. The boy with food all down his front nudged the girl next t o him and pointed openly at Harrys forehead.Yeah, thats Harry Potter, said a growling voice from behind them.Professor Karkaroff spun around. Mad-Eye blue was standing 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 business organisation came over him.You he said, staring at Moody as though unsure he was very seeing him.Me, said Moody grimly. And unless youve got anything to say to Potter, Karkaroff, you readiness want to move. Youre blocking the doorway.It was true half the students in the Hall were now waiting behind them, looking over one others shoulders to see what was causation the holdup.Without another word, Professor Karkaroff sweep 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, mo st students would normally have breakfasted late. Harry, Ron, and Hermione, however, were not alone in rising much earlier than they usually did on weekends. When they went down into the entrance hall, they saw about twenty people mill around around it, some of them eating toast, all examining the Goblet of Fire. It had been placed in the center of the hall on the stool that normally bore the Sorting Hat. A thin golden line had been traced on the floor, forming a circle ten feet around it in two direction.Anyone put their name in yet? Ron asked a third-year girl eagerly.All the Durmstrang lot, she replied. But I havent seen anyone from Hogwarts yet.Bet 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 bothone watching. What if the goblet just gobbed you right back out again? psyche laughed behind Harry. Turning, he saw Fred, George, and Lee Jordan fastness down the staircase, all three of them looking passin g excited.Done it, Fred said in a overbearing whisper to Harry, Ron, and Hermione. Just taken it.What? said Ron.The Aging Potion, dung brains, said Fred.One drop each, said George, rubbing his hands together with glee. We only fill to be a few months older.Were going to expose the thousand Galleons between 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 warningly. 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- stand 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 H arry thought it had worked George surely thought so, for he let out a yell of triumph and leapt after Fred but next moment, there was a loud-mouthed sizzling sound, and both twins were hurled out of the golden circle as though they had been thrown by an invisible shot-putter. They come painfully, ten feet away on the cold rocknroll floor, and to add insult to injury, there was a loud popping noise, and both of them sprouted identical desire white beards.The entrance hall rang with laughter. Even Fred and George join 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 persistent to age themselves up a teentsy too. Though I must say, neit her 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, as well chortling, went in to breakfast.The decorations in the Great Hall had changed this morning. As it was Halloween, a cloud of racy bats was zip 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 turgid bloke from Slytherin who looks like a sloth.Harry, who had compete Quidditch against Warrington, agitate 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 short .People were cheering out in the entrance hall. They all swiveled around in their seats and saw Angelina Johnson coming into the Hall, grinning 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 done it Just put my name inYoure kidding said Ron, looking impressed.Are you seventeen, then? asked Harry.Course she is, cant see a beard, can you? said Ron.I had my natal day last week, said Angelina.Well, Im glad someone from Gryffindors entering, said Hermione. I acceptedly 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 foresight ed as he doesnt ask us to donate a few fingers to the skrewts.A look of great excitement suddenly dawned on Hermiones face.Ive just realized I havent asked Hagrid to join S.P.E.W. yet she said brightly. Wait for me, will you, while I savor 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 geniusThe 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 diploma into the blue-white flames. As each name entered the turn on, 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.Madame 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, wretched toward the front doors and staring after them.A loud rattling noise behind them announced Hermiones restitution 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 confine on the edge of the Forbidden Forest, the mystery of the Beauxbatons sleeping quarters was solved. The gigantic powder-blue carriage in which they had arrived had been put two hundred yards from Hagrids front door, and the students were climbing back inside it. The el ephantine flying horses that had pulled the carriage were now grazing in a makeshift paddock aboard it.Harry knocked on Hagrids door, and Fangs booming barks answered 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, apparently lost for words.Hagrid was wearing his best (and very horrible) coarse-haired brown suit, plus a checked yellow-and-orange tie. This wasnt the castigate of it, though he had evidently act to naturalise his hair, using large quantities of what appeared to be axle grease. It was now pissed down into two bunches perhaps he had tried 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 decision making not to comment, she said, Erm where are the skrewts.Out by the pumpkin patch, said Hagrid happily. Theyre gettin massive, mus be nearly three foot long now. Ony trouble is, theyve started killin each other.Oh no, really? said Hermione, shooting a repressive look at Ron, who, staring at 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 angiotensin converting enzyme room, in one corner of which was a gigantic bed covered in a patchwork quilt. A similarly broad wooden table and chairs stood in front of the fire beneath the quantity of cured hams and dead birds reprieve 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 supposed ter say.Go on, Hagrid Harry, Ron, and Hermione urged him, but he just move his head, grinning.I don want ter spoil it fer yeh, said Hagrid. But its gonna be spectacular, Ill tell yeh that. Them championsre going ter have their work cut out. Never thought Id live ter see the Triwizard Tournament played againThey finish up having lunch with Hagrid, though they didnt eat much Hagrid had made what he said was a hollo 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 fall by midafternoon it was very versed sitting by the fire, listening to the gentle sparge of the drops on the window, watching Hagrid darning his socks and arguing with He rmione 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 chevy with thick yellow 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 moon about it said Hermione. And we heard 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 past five it was growing dark, and Ron, Harry, and Hermione decided it was time to get back up to the fortress for the Halloween feast and, more important, the announcement of the school champions.Ill come with yeh, said Hagrid, putting away hi s 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 much assistance until a truly horrible smell reached their nostrils. Coughing, Ron said, Hagrid, whats that?Eh? said Hagrid, turning around with a large store 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. perhaps 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 piddle 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 would nt 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, clearly 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 indulge 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 contemplate 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 terrible strides.He fancies her said Ron incredulously. Well, if they end up having children, theyll be setting a world record 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 t heir cloaks more closely around themselves, they set off up the sloping lawns.Ooh its them, look Hermione whispered.The Durmstrang party was walking up toward the 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 shaved again seemed to have taken their disappointment plumb 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 extra vagantly prepared food as much as he would have normally. Like everyone else in the Hall, judging by the endlessly 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 spotless 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 instructions.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 install 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 storm 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 pose 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 between the Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff tables.Oh look, theyre all disappointed, Hermione said over the noise, n odding toward the remainder of the Beauxbatons party. Disappointed was a bit of an understatement, Harry thought. Two of the girls who had not been selected had dissolved into divide and were sobbing 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 orientation 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 tip 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 garboil 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 lo ng that it was some time before Dumbledore could make himself heard again. small Dumbledore called happily as at last the flutter 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 stand 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 deflect 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 clean his throat and read out Harry Potter.