Chapter 384

“By average value?” Bagman asked uncertainly.

“That’s right, the average value. Hogwarts now has two groups of champions, the first group of champions is from three different houses, while the second group of champions is totally from Gryffindor, obviously, this is not beneficial to the relationship between the students of the four houses. So, it is better to simply tie them together …”

“For example, five schools, plus two judges, for the time being, let’s calculate the full score of a single task as seventy points. If one group of Hogwarts scores seventy points and another group scores zero, the final score of the Hogwarts will be thirty-five points.”

“But when it comes to the rank order in the tasks, it’s best to calculate them separately.” He then added another sentence.

Everyone’s eyes lit up, and they couldn’t help but nod their heads.

Madame Maxime frowned, “If I understand correctly, Hogwarts must occupy first and second place if they want to win the competition, so the disadvantage is too big …”

Bagman wiped his round face with a handkerchief, looking very anxious, “Finally someone made a fair point, I also think the same, in case one group performs too poorly, won’t they drag down the other group that has hopes of winning the title?”

Karkaroff laughed, “I rather think this method is fair.”

Bagman said with annoyance, “In case one group dies! Uh, sorry, I mean … in case one group of champions loses the ability to compete, such as suffering an unhealable injury, then their score will be very low!”

“That’s the penalty of Hogwarts for cheating, isn’t it?” Karkaroff said sleekly.

“Anyone with a bit of brain wouldn’t believe that this was done by Hogwarts, and I do think that a thorough investigation should be conducted with everyone’s presence. Besides,” Moody said impatiently, ” You still haven’t cleared your name yet, Karkaroff!”

Moody’s Magic Eye darted around, as he peered at Karkaroff with contempt.

Dumbledore spoke up, with his usual calm tone, “If you have no objections, let’s proceed with the tournament in this way, the students of the four houses of Hogwarts are essentially one, and I value their gains in this tournament more than the glory from the tournament.”

Harry’s heart filled with guilt to the core, he opened his mouth to say something, when Hermione pulled him aside and shook her head firmly.

After a long silence, no one offered any further disagreement, and everyone acquiesced to the fact that there would be two sets of champions at Hogwarts, along with their unique scoring method, which frankly exceeded their initial expectations.

At this point, most people were actually convinced that the anomaly in the Goblet of Fire was not Hogwarts’ handiwork, but this speculation inevitably cast a shadow over their hearts.

Everyone’s heart became heavy with concern.

“Well,” Dumbledore looked at the others with a smile – Harry couldn’t believe how he could still smile – ” Next, I’d like to ask Barty Crouch Sr to provide guidelines for the champions. Barty?”

Mr. Crouch looked as if he had just abruptly snapped out of deep thought.

“Yes,” he said, “Guidelines, yes … the first task…” In the bright light, he looked extraordinarily haggard, with two thick bags under his eyes, and deep wrinkles that looked as if they had been scratched out with a pocket knife.

“This year’s competition is different from the previous ones, completely different … apart from the first-ever five schools with six teams, there is also the fact that the competition tasks are carried out in a group format, and we have to ensure that the champions are safe enough while increasing the difficulty. Please rest assured, the Ministry of Magic has arranged professional staff to protect everyone, in addition, Dumbledore also promised that he would choose a wizard with high magic power to oversee the whole game … Dumbledore?”

Dumbledore nodded and said cheerfully, “I already have a suitable candidate.”

“Very well, let’s get back to business.” Mr. Crouch said: “The first task is very difficult and rushed, on the 24th of this month … Therefore, we have prepared three keywords to provide a direction for the champions to prepare, but will not explicitly tell you what you are going to face… So more or less use your brains …”

“The first keyword, courage – measures your guts and willingness to face the unknown – in case you are too stupid to guess. Nevertheless, the ministry believes that after knowing what you have to face, if you still choose to face it bravely, then this quality is even more significant;”

“The second keyword, cooperation, I don’t need to say anything more, every participating team – three people must be able to work together, one person will never be able to complete the task;”

“The third keyword, fire,” when Crouch said the word, Ilvermorny’s Graves quickly glanced at Hermione, his face paled a bit, but no one noticed it, as Crouch continued: “This point will not be expanded, it is considered as a secret, and it also will be a test for your wisdom …”

He paused, leaving room for people to chew on the three words, courage, cooperation, and fire, with the third word being the most important. Many realized that the champions are likely to face dangerous magical flames, possibly the environment, traps, or some kind of magical creature that can manipulate the fire.

Barty Crouch Sr retreated into the shadows, while Ludo Bagman said cheerfully, “Barty has given you all hints, and with careful preparation, I’m sure you can handle those-”

“Dragons!” A voice suddenly said.

“Wh, what?” Bagman almost bit his tongue as he jerked his head around and stared at the unassuming student who had made the statement.

Ron shivered and said, “I guessed it, something that breathes fire, all I can think of is Dragon, when I was a first-year-”

Harry stomped on his foot, “Uh, I mean,” Ron desperately opened his mind not to expose Hagrid, “I have someone in my family who works at the dragon sanctuary, I went to see it in my first year and got impressed by … ”

Bagman’s tense face relaxed, “Really, ah, so that’s it … but you misheard Barty, he said Fire, not fire-breathing …” he repeated nervously, “Not fire-breathing.” His body restlessly swayed, his movements were all seen by someone with an eye to see.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

Felix looked away, quite speechless, why don’t you suggest it more clearly?

“So it’s not a Dragon?” One of Uagadou’s champions asked.

Everyone stared at him as if they were looking at a troll, or something similar. Bagman pretended not to hear him and turned his head to Dumbledore, “Our mission is almost complete, I would like to stay at Hogwarts tonight, is that okay?”

“Of course,” said Dumbledore, “Barty, why don’t you stay too, you look awfully exhausted.”

“No, I must go back to the Ministry, at present it is a very busy, extremely tight schedule … I have left young Weatherby as a temporary in charge …,” he rambled and left before everyone.

After that, people left one by one, and when the remainder in the room had dispersed – “Alastor.” Dumbledore stayed behind with Moody.

Then the door slammed heavily behind them.

Felix stood a short distance away, waiting quietly, motionless like a statue, a little away from the door.

Do not know how long it took, the door opened again, and Moody came out, he limped away with his crutches.

A few moments later, Dumbledore came out and looked at Felix, who stood in the corner and shook his head slightly.

Moody turned out to be genuine? From the information available so far, he is the most suspicious, if not him, who would it be?

Felix’s heart sank, and Dumbledore left, leaving him alone to think in silence, in the thinking room, one by one figures appeared alternately, some clear, some a little blurry.

Even Karkaroff’s goatee kept wavering in his mind.

“Heh, this is getting interesting,” Felix said to himself, ” Maybe it’s time to bring out my Ver. of Marauder’s Map …”

On his way back to the office, where he turned into a corner, a group of people came rushing out with a huff.

“Professor, we’re willing to forfeit the competition …”

“Yes, Professor Hap.”

“Can you talk with Headmaster Dumbledore again-”

Felix raised his hand, stopping the chattering Harry, Ron, and Hermione, with another group of champions standing a few steps behind them.

“Do you want to be Squib?”

“What?” Harry questioned in shock, he didn’t know how this topic had been brought up, of course, he knew about the Squib, Filch is a Squib, he knew about it since he was a second year.

Hermione’s eyes widened with fear, and Harry looked at her face blankly, such a look is something he had never seen before.

“That’s the price for forfeiting, that’s why I’m asking you guys, do you want to be Squibs?”

“You’ve got to be kidding me!” Harry shouted out, his body trembled for a moment, unable to say whether it was from fear or anger. He dared not imagine the consequences of becoming a Squib, Hogwarts is the first place he recognized from his heart, his first home … how can he ever possibly allow himself to leave this side of world?

Even Cedric and the rest of them froze, despite how Headmaster Dumbledore repeatedly stressed that the contract could not be broken, they never thought that abandoning the game would result in this kind of punishment.

Squib, the loss of magic power … In fact, there is a thin layer of magic power present in the squibs, which allows them to see things invisible to ordinary people, able to use potions, and enjoy a fraction of the convenience of magic, but most of them, for the rest of their lives, will not be able to cast a single spell successfully and completely.

“Then there’s no need to speak about this thing.”

Felix spoke quickly, “Next is second topic, why are the two groups of champions from Hogwarts bound together, that’s your concern too, right?”

The six people – Harry, Ron, Hermione, Cedric, Roger Davies, and Collins Foley nodded in unison.

Felix explained, “On the one hand, it’s a necessary compromise, and you don’t want four internationally renowned wizarding schools to be hostile to Hogwarts for decades to come, do you?”

There was a uniform head shaking.

“On the other hand, this is also my own wish.” Felix looked at the frozen six faces and finally revealed a smile, “Yes, the situation in front of me is exactly the result I want to achieve.”

“For, why?” Harry stammered and asked.

“When the second set of champions appeared from Hogwarts, I immediately realized the risk – No, it wasn’t about someone tampering with the Goblet of Fire rules, that thought followed afterward,” Felix added when he saw Harry trying to interject.

“Hogwarts has two sets of champions, which is more than just an honour, but also the first signs of a split between the four houses. Even though my attempt at the Magic Rune Club slightly broke down the strong wall between the four houses, I suddenly realized that if I didn’t do something about it now, this tournament may ruin all my previous efforts.”

“I certainly wouldn’t allow that to happen.” Felix said, “So after consulting with Dumbledore, I proposed new scoring rules.”

Harry and the others stared at him in disbelief.

“But, Professor Hap,” Ron said suddenly, “this will only cost the school the Tournament of Champions trophy, Hogwarts will lose for sure, and it will lead to a huge disaster.”

“Why do you say that?” Felix asked politely.

“Because, because …” Ron held up one of his hands, which trembled uncontrollably, “because I … when I knew the first task is a dragon, it’s always been like that. I’m not exactly a champion material, and if I’m involved, not only will I not be able to help, but I’ll be dragging their feet.”

“Just hearing the name I’m scared to death, and if I truly confront a Dragon, I will absolutely die, and will also drag Harry and Hermione, when I think of such a scenario, I feel,” he said with a pale, daunting face: “Why not kick me out and choose another one up, Squib, in fact, also …”

“Ron …,” Hermione said sadly.

“I know I’m no match for all of you, even in the bottom of the batch of all those students selected–”

“Not a batch.” Felix interjected.

“What?” Ron looked at him with some amazement.

“Not a batch, I mean, you’re the worst one.” Felix said. “Of the selected students even if you count Neville, you’re the worst one.”

“But Neville …,” Ron said indignantly, glaring at him.

“The number of spells mastered by Neville is not as much as yours, but he far surpasses you with the shield charm and the stunning spell, and most crucially, he has initially formed a dueling style that suits him, and as time lengthens, the gap between both of you will become more and more obvious.”

Ron froze there, his brain blank, his whole face looked like a dolt.

“Professor Hap–” Harry looked at Ron anxiously, and then at Felix, not understanding why he said that.

“… However, I am very optimistic about your potential.”

Ron’s eyes rolled, with a little more life on his blazed white face, as he repeated blankly, “Potential?”

“Yes, potential. In fact, your talent is not bad, even with you being playful, you can be ranked in the middle of your grade, and if we talk about practical ability alone, you can be ranked in front of your age …”

Ron looked at him, “But I can’t match–”

“You lack sufficient motivation.” Felix scratched his nose, “An interesting phenomenon is that no matter in dueling classes, or ancient rune classes, or magic rune club, your performance is always average, just the type that is average to below average and the type that you definitely can’t notice at first glance.”

Ron’s face scrunched up.

” The thing is, there are only three types in my rating.” Felix said.

“That’s precisely why I think you lack sufficient motivation,” Felix stated, “Originally it was your personal choice and I wouldn’t get overly involved, but things are different now – for whatever reason, you’ve become one of the Hogwarts Champions.”

“In a sense, you’re still the most important one, you should know what I mean.”

Harry had never seen Ron’s body shake so evenly, from head to toe, even the muscles in his face were shaking in turmoil.

“I would determine whether Hogwarts would end up with the trophy?” Ron said slowly.

“You can understand it this way, if you compare the tournament of champions to a Quidditch game, you are now a seeker.” Felix said, “In the past, you didn’t have a reason to get stronger, but now there is-”

“On a smaller scale, you’re one of the Champions and have a chance to earn glory for the school by working hard; on a larger scale, every ounce of effort you make now is protecting the lives of your two best friends, Potter and Granger.”

“I look forward to your performance on the first task.”

He took a few steps forward and turned his head to look at Harry, Ron, and Hermione, “The next few days may be difficult for you, after all, with an extra set of Champions, especially when the scoring rules are announced.”

“Only when the first task is over, your situation might improve …”

“Professor Hap!” Cedric said, “I’ll step up and explain to the others, I’ve heard it all, Harry and the group are victims too.”

“I’ll also speak to the Ravenclaw students, I’m a Head Boy.” Roger Davies said.

“Me too, Professor Hap.” Collins said, glaring at Ron, “I’ll get the trophy, and I’ll be watching you to death.”

Felix’s lips curled up, and he waved as he turned to leave.

————

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