The Great Hall had never been this silent.
Students from Hogwarts, Beauxbatons, and Durmstrang waited with held breath as Dumbledore, Madame Maxime, Karkaroff, the Triwizard Committee, and the unexpected trio — Grand Duke Darius Valvas, Grand Duchess Clara Valvas, and Grayfia Lucifuge — entered alongside Roy. Their presence instantly commanded respect. Even the air felt tighter.
The torches dimmed.
The Goblet of Fire flared tall and blue.
The First Three Champions
A burst of red flame —"Viktor Krum!"
Durmstrang roared.
Another burst —"Fleur Delacour!"
Beauxbatons erupted into applause.
Then—
"Ronald Weasley!"
A stunned silence.
Everyone stared at Ron. Hogwarts muttered. Some looked horrified. Some laughed nervously.Ron?RON?
But the Goblet did not care. Ron walked in with stiff steps, trembling with equal parts fear and pride.
Harry's Unexpected Calling
Then—FWOOOOSH!
Flames shot higher than before.
A fourth parchment flew out.
Dumbledore caught it mid-air.
A pause.
A hush.
"Harry Potter."
The calm shattered. Students gasped. Whispering spread like wildfire. Harry looked like someone had dropped a flobberworm down his robes, but he stepped inside the champion room.
Inside, Fleur blinked at him."You are 'ere… to fetch us?"
"No… I'm the fourth champion," Harry muttered miserably.
Even Krum raised an eyebrow.
The Adults Storm the Room
Dumbledore, Karkaroff, Maxime, Barty Crouch Sr., the Valvas elders, Grayfia, and Roy entered the room.
Dumbledore: "Harry… did you put your name in the Goblet of Fire?"
Harry shook his head. "No, sir."
But Karkaroff hissed like an angry snake."This is a scam! A ploy! Hogwarts is cheating!"
Madam Maxime joined him."Two champions from one school? Impossible!"
Dumbledore looked genuinely weary."An ancient binding spell is not easily tricked."
The room simmered with argument until Roy finally stepped forward.
His voice was calm."Then add more students. One from each school. Balance the contest."
The entire room stared.
Barty Crouch Sr. frowned."The rules do not state—"
Dumbledore cut in, "But they also do not forbid it."
Darius Valvas nodded."Accept his proposal. Fairness must be maintained."
Reluctantly, the committee agreed.
The Final Line-Up
To equalize, each school chose one more student.
Beauxbatons:– Fleur Delacour– Camille Rousseau (randomly chosen)
Durmstrang:– Viktor Krum– Ivan Dragovich (chosen by Karkaroff)
Hogwarts:– Ron Weasley– Harry Potter
The decision was announced to the schools.
Six champions.
Three schools.
And one Goblet that was still sparking unnaturally…