Chapter 113: The Goblet of Fire

"Alright, we shall discuss the specifics later."

At this moment, Dumbledore raised his hand to gently suppress the commotion, his demeanor shifting to one of relaxed enthusiasm as he spoke.

"Now, let us all welcome the beautiful young ladies from Beauxbatons Academy of Magic, and their Headmistress, Madame Maxime."

Accompanied by melodious music, the Great Hall doors slowly opened.

A group of young girls dressed in sky-blue robes stepped into the hall with elegant strides; butterflies fluttered around them, making them appear ethereal and fairy-like.

Walking at the very back of the procession was a girl of extraordinary beauty and a lady of tall stature and graceful bearing.

Their appearance instantly captured the gaze of every boy present.

For a moment, low gasps and whispers rippled through the hall, and some even stood up to applaud and cheer.

Damn, are students from other places this well-nourished? Every single one of them is so curvy.

John also watched the group of girls, clicking his tongue inwardly.

Too bad, not my type.

Thinking this, John's gaze subconsciously drifted past the blue-robed girls and landed on Hermione at the Gryffindor long table.

And as luck would have it, Hermione was looking at him too.

Their eyes met briefly in the air, both startled, and then John was the first to look away.

How bizarre, she can even spot me when I'm just sneaking a peek.

John lowered his head and began poking at the food in his bowl, pretending to be very busy.

On the other side, Hermione lowered her head and pursed her lips in a light smile.

She was very satisfied with John's reaction; at least John wasn't drooling over that group of girls like the other boys.

He even snuck a look at me, too.

"Welcome to you all."

After the Beauxbatons girls had entered.

Dumbledore walked up to greet them, took the tall lady's hand, and kissed the back of it lightly.

Standing before her, Dumbledore looked like a bean sprout.

This must be the Headmistress of Beauxbatons, Madame Maxime; perhaps, possibly, likely, she is a half-giant like Hagrid.

After welcoming the Beauxbatons contingent, Dumbledore walked back to the owl lectern and said loudly.

"Next, let us welcome our friends from the North, the pride of Durmstrang Institute, and their Headmaster, Mr. Karkaroff."

As his words fell, heavy and rhythmic footsteps echoed from outside the door.

A group of male students wearing deep red coats marched in, holding yellow iron staves, swinging them with great vigor, their steps resounding and powerful.

Walking in last was a man wearing a dark fur-collared robe with a cold, stern expression.

"Krum!?"

Seeing this person appear, the students below instantly erupted.

This was none other than the Bulgarian National Team Seeker who had shone so brightly at the Quidditch World Cup a few days ago.

No one expected him to still be a student, and from Durmstrang at that.

Following behind Krum was a middle-aged man, who must be their Headmaster, Karkaroff.

Come to think of it, the name Karkaroff sounds strangely familiar.

It seems Titus once mentioned that, like Professor Snape, he was a former Death Eater.

Who knows how he ended up becoming a Headmaster after turning over a new leaf.

After the Durmstrang students were also welcomed, they took their respective seats.

The Beauxbatons students sat at the Eagle House table, while the Durmstrang students sat over at the Snake House side.

The two visiting Headmasters sat at the teachers' long table.

Headmaster Dumbledore continued to stand by the owl lectern, at which point four Ministry of Magic employees carried in a golden tower over two meters tall.

"For the safety of the Triwizard Tournament, the Ministry of Magic has decided to introduce new rules this year."

"I will now ask Mr. Barty Crouch, Director of the Department of International Magical Cooperation, to explain them to you."

As he spoke, Old Barty, who had been sitting at the long table, slowly stood up and walked toward the golden tower.

"The Triwizard Tournament requires student contestants to rely on their own courage, wisdom, and ability to overcome three highly dangerous challenges."

"Therefore, after negotiations between the Department of International Magical Cooperation and all parties, we have ultimately decided, for the sake of the contestants' safety, that only students aged 14 and above may participate in this Triwizard Tournament."

Once these words were spoken, they received support from the majority.

At 14, one is at least in the fourth year; they are no longer in the category of 'little wizards,' and their abilities are sufficient to handle certain dangers.

As for children under 14, both their minds and magic are immature, and if they were to participate rashly, they might meet with misfortune.

Old Barty's voice, low and dignified, continued to echo through the hall.

"Be warned: once you are selected, there will be no room for regret or withdrawal."

"Once the Goblet of Fire selects a Warrior, the magical contract takes effect immediately, and you must participate in all three tasks to the end, so please act according to your own capabilities."

As he spoke, Old Barty looked at Dumbledore, who nodded.

Arriving before the golden tower, he slowly drew his wand and tapped the tower body lightly.

The golden tower instantly began to melt from the top down, descending bit by bit to reveal a wooden trophy inside.

Boom.

A burst of blue flame suddenly erupted from the wooden trophy.

"Before Thursday night, students who wish to sign up should place a slip of paper with their name on it into this Goblet of Fire."

"On Thursday night, the Goblet of Fire will select the contestants."

Old Barty's voice echoed clearly in the silent hall.

The students below stared intently at the leaping blue flames; it seemed many would be signing up.

At this moment, Dumbledore raised his wand again and drew a circle around the Goblet of Fire.

Instantly, a translucent white magical ring enclosed the Goblet.

"To prevent some students from being unable to resist temptation, I have set an Age Line here; any student under 14 is forbidden from approaching."

Seeing this white magical ring appear, many lower-year students who had been thinking of sneaking a sign-up sighed.

Aside from the first-year freshmen, there were likely no shortage of second and third-year students who wanted to sign up.

John was one of them.

But with a barrier set by Dumbledore himself, it was likely impossible for him to get past it.

Wait, I remember seeing a potion formula for increasing age in Professor Snape's potion notes.

Should I give it a try? ===== CHAPTER 114 =====