Chapter 571: “Goblet of Fire”


    As everyone gathered outside the castle to wee the arrival of the two visiting schools, two Ministry of Magic officials in charge of the Triwizard Tournament, Bagman and Crouch, arrived at the Great Hall via the Hogwarts firece.


    Dumbledore, waving his hand to hush the apuse of the young wizards, continued, Furthermore, I have an important announcement to make today.


    Dumbledore purposely let his words linger in the air for a while to create the suspense effect by letting the students and the Professors alike to let their hearts not be wasted away with the euphoria.


    After a brief pause, a warm smile crossed his face, As of today, I shall officially retire, and Professor Snape will seed me as the new Headmaster of Hogwarts.


    Dumbledores statement was met with initial silence in the entire hall, followed by an explosion of animated discussions.


    In Slytherin, the students rose from their seats, offering enthusiastic apuse and cheers for their Head Of House ascending to the role of Headmaster.


    Conversely, the faces of most Gryffindor students, particrly Harry, soured. The news of a Slytherin headmaster felt like the worlding to an end.


    Seeing how the Serpents were ecstatically cheering for their Head inauguration, the other students were not sharing the same sentiment.


    Distinguished guests, please, let us continue, Dumbledore addressed the room. Our new Headmaster, Professor Snape, will now outline the program of events for the uing year.


    Dumbledore used a Sonorus charm to quiet the room and weed Snape to the podium with a gracious smile.


    The former Headmaster was now passing the torch to Snape, who, dressed in a ck robe, ascended to the stage.


    Snapes presence alone quelled the conversations more effectively than Dumbledores charm.


    He exuded an aura of stern authority, and his mere sight was enough to send shivers down the spines of many young witches and wizards.


    With his usual poised manner, he stands proudly in front of hundreds of wizards and witches.


    Snapes eyes surveyed the assembly, ensuring silence prevailed. He then instructed Filch to present a wooden box before proceeding to detail the intricacies of the Triwizard Tournament:


    There are three tasks in total. The primary evaluation is magic ability, incorporating numerous challenges of bravery, wit, and sagacity. Three champions willpete, each representing their respective school. After each task, a panel of five judges will assign scores. Once all three tasks areplete, the champion with the highest total score will emerge as the winner.


    The selectors of the champions are not individuals but a magical artifact with a longstanding tradition in the Triwizard Tournament: the Goblet of Fire.


    After Snapes exnation, he tapped the wooden box with his wand three times.


    The boxs lid creaked open to reveal arge, roughly hewn wooden goblet. While unassuming in appearance, it radiated with bright, bluish-white mes dancing within.


    Lifting the Goblet for everyone to see, Snape continued:


    Any student wishing topete must inscribe their name and school on a piece of parchment and ce it into this Goblet. Aspiring champions have twenty-four hours to submit their entry. On the night of Halloween, the Goblet shall select, in the foyer, the three students it deems most worthy to represent the three schools.


    Snape then went on to specify age limits and the irrevocablemitment required of chosen champions, urging the students to contemte their decision carefully.


    However, the majority of young wizards were more fixated on the looming wooden cup, their eager eyes locked upon it.


    Following Snapes exnation, the official wee banquetmenced.


    Acting prudently, Jerry reinforced his Wizard Shielding Spell, rendering himself effectively invisible to anyone below the professor level.


    An amusing spectacle unfolded in the adjacent auditorium.


    At the Slytherin long table, several witches from Durmstrang enthusiastically retrieved pens and notebooks from their bags.


    They got up and headed in Jerrys direction, eager to meet him.


    However, midway, their expressions shifted to a puzzled nkness, as if they had suddenly forgotten their intentions.


    They retraced their steps to their original positions.


    After some time, they once again feltpelled to retrieve their pens and notebooks with excitement, repeating the previous situation.


    If it were only a few of them, the repeated behavior might have gone unnoticed.


    The Beauxbatons witch who sat with Ravenw, particrly Fleur, faced a simr dilemma, though she was already the center of attention for most men.


    Each time they ventured halfway to Jerry, they inexplicably turned back.


    Thankfully, Jerrys Wizard Shielding Spell was so potent that while everyone sensed something was amiss, no one, aside from Dumbledore, realized Jerrys involvement.


    Even Dumbledore, who acknowledged Jerrys use of a magical spell, responded with a knowing smile.


    Dumbledore found Jerrys modest approach rathermendable, a far cry from the times when he radiated an intensity simr to Voldemorts, attracting admirers under his brilliance.


    At one point, it seemed like Jerry was destined to follow in Voldemorts footsteps, gathering followers and forming his own faction.


    However, Jerry had evolved into a more restrained, introspective individual.


    He now possessed a method to make himself seem unremarkable to others.


    In Dumbledores eyes, Jerry had forsaken ambition, offering a stark contrast to his previous self.


    It was one of the reasons Dumbledore felt at ease about retiring.


    As the dinner concluded, Karkaroff led Durmstrang students back to their Ghost Ship while Maxime returned to Beauxbatons students to the Rune Carriage.


    Evidently, they had no intention of staying at Hogwarts Castle for the night.


    Despite the appearance of harmony during the dinner, the fortingpetition among the three schools was an indisputable fact.


    With the selection of champions on the horizon, they required private quarters.


    It was possible they wished to avoid the prying eyes and ears of Hogwarts, especially when discussing strategies and tactics.


    Returning to their respective dormitories, the Hogwarts students left the Goblet of Fire standing alone on the podium in the auditorium, surrounded by an age-line magical barrier set by the five judges.


    Knowing the original plot of the story, this is when things will go wrong