[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-starting-at-hogwarts-logging-into-elden-ring":3,"chapter-starting-at-hogwarts-logging-into-elden-ring-starting-at-hogwarts-logging-into-elden-ring-chapter-205":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Starting at Hogwarts, Logging into Elden Ring",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1496329,1944,"Chapter 205: — As Everyone Knows, the Triwizard Tournament Has Four Competitors","starting-at-hogwarts-logging-into-elden-ring-chapter-205",205,"\u003Cp>Just as the argument between \"Moody\" and Madame Maxime was about to escalate—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dumbledore cut in decisively.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The exact circumstances will only become clear once we hear from those involved.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Come along.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that, Dumbledore motioned for everyone present to head toward the side chamber.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside the side room, Hermione was chatting animatedly with Fleur.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite having become champions of their respective schools, there was no hostility between them at all. Instead, they were getting along remarkably well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then Harry walked in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Harry?\" Hermione asked in surprise. \"Why are you here?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I… I think I've become the fourth champion,\" Harry said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice was filled with confusion. Even now, he had no idea how his name had ended up in the Goblet of Fire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hermione opened her mouth to speak—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—but at that moment, Dumbledore entered, followed by several professors, the two visiting headmistresses, Crouch Sr., and Arthur.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dumbledore strode straight up to Harry and asked gravely,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Harry, did you put your name into the Goblet of Fire?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No, Professor,\" Harry answered without hesitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then did you ask someone else to submit it for you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he spoke, Dumbledore turned his gaze toward Arthur.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arthur raised an eyebrow and shrugged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why are you looking at me? What reason would I have to put Harry's name in? What do I gain from that?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dumbledore paused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Right—Arthur was the type who never acted without benefit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Harry simply didn't have enough leverage to make Arthur do something like this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before Dumbledore could continue, Madame Maxime cut in sharply, pointing at Arthur.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then how do you explain that little witch?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What's there to explain?\" Arthur replied calmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You yourself heard it—Dumbledore said that even if someone is underage, as long as they can break through the restriction, they qualify.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He continued evenly,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Besides, Hermione submitted her name in full view of everyone. Are you suggesting she managed to cheat in front of the entire Great Hall?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Madame Maxime was left momentarily speechless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But she wasn't willing to let it go so easily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She turned and pointed at Harry instead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then he must be lying. He clearly used some underhanded method.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Harry isn't lying.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Moody\" stepped forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Goblet of Fire is extremely powerful. Only a very advanced Confundus Charm could deceive it. I don't believe Harry is capable of that.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had originally intended to say no fourth-year student could do such a thing—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—but then he remembered there were two glaring exceptions standing right there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You seem to know quite a lot about this, Mad-Eye,\" Karkaroff said suspiciously, narrowing his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the saying went, the person who understood you best wasn't your friend—but your enemy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back when Karkaroff had still been a Death Eater, he'd been hunted by the real Mad-Eye Moody for six straight months before being captured and sent to Azkaban.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So he knew \"Moody\" very well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And tonight, something about this one felt… off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not that Karkaroff suspected he was an impostor—only that he seemed to be hiding something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My job required me to think like Dark Wizards, Karkaroff,\" \"Moody\" replied coldly, fixing him with a piercing stare.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You haven't forgotten that, have you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The implication was unmistakable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And to be fair, Barty Crouch Jr.'s imitation of Alastor Moody was flawless—down to the intimidation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Karkaroff fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This argument isn't getting us anywhere, Alastor.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dumbledore turned to Crouch Sr.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Barty. The decision is yours.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under the lingering influence of the Imperius Curse, Crouch Sr. spoke stiffly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The rules cannot be changed. The Goblet's selection is binding and absolute. Mr. Potter has no choice. From this night onward, he is a Triwizard champion.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Harry stood there, utterly dumbfounded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one had asked his opinion at all!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He hadn't agreed to join some deadly tournament!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From what he'd heard, people could die in this thing—and he was far too young to want an early grave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Desperate, Harry looked to Arthur for help.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arthur patted him on the shoulder and said calmly,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Life is like… well, that. If you can't resist it, you might as well enjoy it. At least now you've got a chance to bring glory to Hogwarts.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But didn't you say this tournament is extremely dangerous?\" Harry asked anxiously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That people could actually die?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Relax,\" Arthur replied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"With your level of ability, the worst you'll suffer is a few injuries. Think about Quidditch—have you ever not gotten hurt?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That… was depressingly true.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Harry felt his anxiety ease a little.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crouch Sr.'s decision was obviously unfair to the other two schools.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After explaining the competition rules, the two visiting headmistresses left in displeasure, taking their champions with them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dumbledore dismissed Harry, telling him to return to his dormitory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arthur and Hermione, however, were asked to stay behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Also remaining were Snape, Professor McGonagall, and \"Moody\".\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Dumbledore mentioned Arthur staying, \"Moody's\" heart skipped a beat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was terrified that something else might go wrong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dumbledore, unaware of his thoughts, simply turned to Arthur.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You truly didn't tamper with the Goblet?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Absolutely not,\" Arthur said flatly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then may I ask how Hermione managed to submit her name?\" Dumbledore continued.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Professor McGonagall looked over as well, clearly curious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was proud of her student—but also deeply interested in how Hermione had done it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for Hermione's safety, McGonagall wasn't worried in the slightest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She'd already witnessed Hermione's strength last year—stronger than most Hogwarts professors.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the start of term, McGonagall had tested her again, expecting possible regression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instead, Hermione had improved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Considering her mysterious trip to the East with Arthur over the summer, it was obvious she'd gained something extraordinary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The truth is much simpler than you think,\" Arthur explained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"For certain reasons, Hermione's actual age already meets the seventeen-year requirement.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>McGonagall's expression changed instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That… won't have any negative effects on her, will it?\" she asked worriedly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had no children of her own. Since taking Hermione as her student, she'd long since begun treating her like a daughter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arthur answered without hesitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Please rest assured. For Hermione, there are only benefits—no drawbacks.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Snape, standing nearby, already had a rough idea.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He'd been to Arthur's Zen Garden and knew about its altered time flow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Combine that with Hermione's obsessive dedication to learning, and the conclusion was obvious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having the Philosopher's Stone really did let one be extravagant with time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>McGonagall finally relaxed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then her concern shifted to Harry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She turned to Dumbledore sharply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Albus, Hermione's selection was legitimate. Harry's clearly wasn't. He doesn't even know why his name appeared.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What are you suggesting, Minerva?\" Dumbledore asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Disqualify him. Don't let him compete.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Barty said the rules can't be changed.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"To hell with Barty and his rules!\" McGonagall snapped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Since when did you start bending to the Ministry?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Snape spoke up then, his tone measured.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I also don't believe this is a coincidence,\" he said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But if we want the truth… we may need to let events unfold.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You mean use him as bait?\" McGonagall shot back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Harry is a child, not meat for a trap!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She vehemently opposed the idea.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Dumbledore sided with Snape.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I agree with Severus.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned to Arthur.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Arthur, I'll need you to keep an eye on Harry.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arthur shrugged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I can watch him occasionally, sure. But I'm not following him around twenty-four seven.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Of course,\" Dumbledore nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Only intervene when necessary. The rest of the time, Professor Moody will keep watch.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked at \"Moody\".\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Alastor, you're fine with that?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Of course,\" \"Moody\" replied smoothly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In truth, he desperately wanted Harry under his control alone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With Arthur involved, he was constantly afraid that something—anything—might expose him and ruin his master's plan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>patreon.com\u002FWhiteDevil7554\u003C\u002Fp>",1268,"2026-06-06T04:19:46.381Z",1,"novelbin.me","993e6b5c66b300e403f19db6a81028c14a2d426487cb18a5ae598d88860de65e","starting-at-hogwarts-logging-into-elden-ring-chapter-206","starting-at-hogwarts-logging-into-elden-ring-chapter-204",281,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fstarting-at-hogwarts-logging-into-elden-ring-cover.jpg"]