"Defying the Rules"
Einar entered, followed by Harry, who now felt a bit more confident thanks to Einar's support.
As they stepped inside, they saw the other three champions: Viktor, leaning seriously against a wall; Cedric, looking a little nervous as he stood near the fireplace; and Fleur Delacour, who quickly turned her gaze to Einar and Harry. She tossed her hair back and approached slightly.
"You're a professor, right? Are you here to tell us we're leaving? "Fleur asked, her thick French accent unmistakable.
"No. I just came to bring the fourth champion "Einar said calmly, motioning toward Harry behind him.
"Hahaha, that's a good joke "Fleur laughed, thinking he was joking at the sight of Harry. But when Einar said nothing else, she blinked and asked again". That can't be true, right? He's just a boy!
Those words clearly annoyed Harry, who frowned with frustration. Meanwhile, Viktor Krum glanced at him with open disdain. Cedric looked stunned by what he had just heard, especially since he was supposed to be Hogwarts' only champion.
"I don't like being called a liar "Einar said seriously, his piercing gaze locked onto Fleur.
"Ahem… I apologize for my rudeness. It's just that only students over seventeen were supposed to compete "Fleur quickly corrected herself, bowing her head politely.
"That's because the wizards who created this tournament were idiots and incompetents "Einar replied calmly.
Right at that moment, the so-called idiots and incompetents entered the room, just in time to hear that last comment. None of them managed to come up with a defense.
"Dumbledore, this is unfair! Why does Hogwarts have two champions? "Madame Maxime exclaimed, glaring at Harry with frustration.
"Indeed, Dumbledore. I was never told the host school could have two competitors "Karkaroff added sharply". Had I known, we would have brought more representatives... properly trained and prepared ones.
"It's wise not to judge Headmaster Dumbledore... when it's clearly Potter's fault. He always manages to stir up trouble wherever he goes "Snape added coldly as he entered along with the other professors.
"Oh, really? I've heard the stories about Harry's actions "Einar said quickly, now looking straight at Snape". In first year, he saved the Philosopher's Stone from an intruder in the castle… who, curiously, wasn't detected by any professor. And the trials he had to go through to reach the Stone were, in my opinion, a joke that insults everyone's intelligence.
In second year, the professors failed to discover the location of the Chamber of Secrets. Harry had to enter it himself to save a kidnapped student. I'm not even sure what kind of creature was down there, but I don't recall any professors taking care of the matter.
And in third year, a convicted fugitive managed to sneak into the castle, supposedly to get to Harry. But from what I heard, he only led them to a secluded area… then you caught him, only for him to be mysteriously freed. So, rather than causing trouble, I'd say Harry is just trying to survive all the mess the school can't seem to handle.
"I recall you've only been a professor for a few months. You have no place commenting on past events "Snape replied icily.
"Precisely because I'm a professor, I'm defending my student from another professor… one clearly inept, who did nothing in any of those situations. Well, he did catch the prisoner, but… was he really an enemy of the school? "Einar responded, his tone firm.
"Enough, please! "Dumbledore quickly intervened, cutting off the argument. He then turned to Harry, who now, after hearing everything Einar had said, was starting to seriously question the school". Harry, is it true you didn't put your name into the Goblet, nor asked any older student to do it for you? "he asked gently.
"No "Harry replied, this time with more confidence, knowing Einar was backing him. Dumbledore noticed it immediately.
"He's obviously lying! "Karkaroff snapped, his voice full of anger and scorn, glaring at Harry like he was about to curse him.
"Shut your mouth, or next time you go flying, I'll make sure it's off a cliff "Einar said coldly. Karkaroff paled and quickly looked away, going silent.
Seeing the conversation was going nowhere, McGonagall decided to intervene.
"If Harry says he didn't put his name in, nor asked anyone to do it for him, that should be enough for us. There's nothing more to discuss "she said firmly, throwing a sharp look at Snape.
"As we've already stated, the rules bind anyone chosen by the Goblet to compete. That's final "Barty Crouch said at last, giving Einar a dismissive glance.
"Then put the names back in and allow each school to have two champions "Karkaroff insisted.
"I'm sorry, but the Goblet's flame has already gone out. It can't be relit until the next tournament "Ludo explained with a regretful shrug.
"Then obviously Durmstrang won't be participating," Karkaroff spat furiously. "If it weren't for Viktor already being chosen, I'd leave right this moment."
"You're all too loud. I don't care what you want to sort out. I'm taking my students," Einar said firmly. "Follow me, Harry. You too, Cedric," he added, not bothering to listen to anything the others had to say.
Harry and Cedric exchanged a quick glance and, without hesitation, followed him.
"Wait!" shouted Ludo hurriedly. "The first task will take place on November 24th. The champions must figure out on their own what it involves. They may only use their wands, and they are not allowed to receive help from any professor," he summarized quickly, realizing he wouldn't get a chance to explain in detail.
"Don't try to impose your stupid rules on me when you couldn't even uphold the most basic ones you yourselves established from the start," Einar replied angrily.
The castle trembled slightly for a few seconds as Einar shot a piercing glare at Ludo, who instantly paled.
Then, Einar left the room, followed by Cedric and Harry, both shocked by his fury. Normally, Einar was quite calm, and only occasionally showed his anger... like when Malfoy acted like a coward.
The students in the Great Hall watched closely as Einar exited with Cedric and Harry.
"Professor, should we go back to our seats?" asked Cedric, a bit confused.
"No. I said I would train Harry… but I've changed my mind. Both of you will train with me," Einar replied with determination.
The other students widened their eyes with interest upon hearing that.
"Longbottom, did you learn what I lent you?" Einar suddenly asked, stopping right in front of the Gryffindor table and looking at Neville.
"Y-yes, professor. I can use Healing and Calm now," Neville replied, a bit nervous.
"Good. You too. Follow me," Einar ordered, before quickly leaving the Great Hall.
Hagrid, who had watched everything in silence, got up from his seat among the professors and ran after Einar and the students.
...
"Einar, what's going on? Will Harry have to compete? What did Dumbledore and the others say?" Hagrid asked as he caught up, panting slightly from the run.
"Basically the same thing we talked about in the middle of the Great Hall," Einar replied without stopping. "But I'm starting to suspect there's something more behind all this… And I'd rather make sure neither of them ends up dead in this poorly run, stupid tournament."
Harry and Cedric looked at each other in alarm at those words, their expressions turning tense with a mix of fear and surprise.
"Why do you say that?" asked Hagrid, visibly worried.
"That Crouch guy… reeks of dark magic," Einar said seriously, not bothering to soften his words.
Hagrid went pale. He trusted Einar completely and knew he would never say something like that lightly.
"Then we have to tell Dumbledore," he proposed urgently.
"He should already know," Einar replied with a mocking tone. Hagrid didn't notice it, but Harry did. The comment left him with a disturbing feeling.
…
"Dumbledore, you have to keep your professors under control!" Karkaroff exclaimed furiously after Einar left the room.
The headmaster already had a throbbing pain in his temple. That exact thought had been plaguing him.
"Dumbledore, even if professors care about their students, they can't help the champions. That would be cheating!" Ludo Bagman insisted, trying to maintain his composure.
"And why would it be considered cheating when Professor Einar is right?" Professor McGonagall intervened firmly. "You're forcing a minor to compete, when your own rules forbid it!"
"Then let's allow our students to receive the necessary help as well, just like Hogwarts' champions," Madame Maxime proposed, seeing an opportunity rather than a reason to complain.
"If that's the case, I have no objection," Karkaroff responded, crossing his arms.
"We can't break the rules," Ludo insisted, clearly nervous. "If the professors get involved, the entire tournament will lose its credibility."
"Oh please, Ludo…" McGonagall sighed, exasperated. "We all know how much cheating has gone on in previous tournaments. Don't come at us now with nonsense."
"----------------
N/A: With the arrival of the professors, this is going to be absolute chaos. Hahaha! Finally, the moment to throw everything into disarray just like I was hoping for. Now then, what can we teach the two little lambs so they survive? Well, especially Cedric " he's the one I'm really worried about.
Do you think it works well, or did I go overboard? I mean, it's what I wish someone with a sound mind had proposed.