There was no applause. A buzzing, as though of angry bees, was starting to fill the Hall; some students were standing up to get a better look at James as he sat, frozen, in his seat. Up at the top table, Professor McGonagall had got to her feet and swept past Ludo Bagman and Professor Karkaroff to whisper urgently to Professor Dumbledore, who bent his ear toward her, frowning slightly. James turned to Anthony and Lisa; beyond them, he saw the long Ravenclaw table all watching him, openmouthed, except for Stella and Stuart. Stella's face was still buried in her hands, while Stuart jumped to his feet and and shouted, "That's not possible!"
"Mr. Lydell, calm down!" exclaimed Professor Flitwick, who was about to join Professors McGonagall and Dumbledore.
"I won't calm down!" snapped Stuart. "Someone put James's name in the goblet, and I am going to find out who and why!"
A seventh-year Hufflepuff said, "Your brother probably entered-"
"He did not!" interrupted Stuart angrily. "James was in the Hospital Wing all last night, and he wouldn't be able to sneak out and try to get past the Age Line without Madam Pomfrey catching him. And as for today, he was with his group of friends all day!"
"Mr. Lydell, five points from Ravenclaw for your outburst," said Professor Flitwick firmly. "Now please sit down. We are going to get to the bottom of this. James Lydell-Black, please come up here."
James couldn't move at all until Mari left the Slytherin table and pulled him to his feet. She steered him over to the staff table, where Dumbledore, no longer smiling, directed him to go the next room. With Mari steering him, James went through the door out of the Great Hall and found himself in a smaller room, lined with paintings of witches and wizards. A handsome fire was roaring in the fireplace opposite him. The faces in the portraits turned to look at him as he entered. He saw a wizened witch flit out of the frame of her picture and into the one next to it, which contained a wizard with a walrus mustache. The wizened witch started whispering in his ear.
Viktor Krum, Cedric Diggory, Hiroshi Satou, and Fleur Delacour were grouped around the fire. They looked strangely impressive, silhouetted against the flames. Krum, hunched up and brooding, was leaning against the mantelpiece, slightly apart from the other two. Cedric was standing with his hands behind his back, staring into the fire. Hiroshi, the shortest of the group, but still two inches taller than James, was pacing the room. Fleur Delacour looked around when James and Mari walked in and threw back her sheet of long, silvery hair.
"What is it?" she said. "Do zey want us back in ze Hall?"
She thought they had come to deliver a message. James didn't know how to explain what had just happened. He just stood there, looking at the four champions. It struck him how very tall all of them were, except for Hiroshi, who was still taller than him. Mari gave James an encouraging squeeze on the arm and then left the room.
There was a sound of scurrying feet behind him, and Ludo Bagman entered the room. He took James by the arm and led him forward.
"Extraordinary!" he muttered, squeezing James's arm. "Absolutely extraordinary! Gentlemen… lady," he added, approaching the fireside and addressing the other three. "May I introduce - incredible though it may seem - the fifth Triwizard champion?"
Viktor Krum straightened up. His surly face darkened as he surveyed James. Cedric looked nonplussed. He looked from Bagman to James and back again as though sure he must have misheard what Bagman had said. Hiroshi managed to keep his face expressionless, but for one brief second, there was a flicker of shock in his eyes. Fleur Delacour, however, tossed her hair, smiling, and said, "Oh, vairy funny joke, Meester Bagman."
"Joke?" Bagman repeated, bewildered. "No, no, not at all! James Lydell-Black's name just came out of the Goblet of Fire!"
Krum's thick eyebrows contracted slightly. Cedric was still looking politely bewildered. Fleur frowned.
"But evidently zair 'as been a mistake," she said contemptuously to Bagman. "E cannot compete. 'E is too young."
"Well… it is amazing," said Bagman, rubbing his smooth chin and smiling down at James. "But, as you know, the age restriction was only imposed this year as an extra safety measure. And as his name's come out of the goblet… I mean, I don't think there can be any ducking out at this stage… It's down in the rules, you're obliged… James will just have to do the best he —"
The door behind them opened again, and a large group of people came in: Professor Dumbledore, followed closely by Mr. Crouch, Professor Karkaroff, Madame Maxime, Headmistress Watoma, Minister Kishi, Secretary Fujiwara, Professor McGonagall, Professor Flitwick, and Professor Snape. James heard the buzzing of the hundreds of students on the other side of the wall, before Professor McGonagall closed the door.
"Madame Maxime!" said Fleur at once, striding over to her headmistress. "Zey are saying zat zis little boy is to compete also!"
Somewhere under James's numb disbelief he felt a ripple of anger. Little boy? Madame Maxime had drawn herself up to her full, and considerable, height. The top of her handsome head brushed the candle-filled chandelier, and her gigantic black-satin bosom swelled.
"What is ze meaning of zis, Dumbly-dorr?" she said imperiously.
"I'd rather like to know that myself, Dumbledore," said Professor Karkaroff. He was wearing a steely smile, and his blue eyes were like chips of ice. "Two Hogwarts champions? I don't remember anyone telling me the host school is allowed two champions – or have I not read the rules carefully enough?"
He gave a short and nasty laugh.
"C'est impossible," said Madame Maxime, whose enormous hand with its many superb opals was resting upon Fleur's shoulder. "Ogwarts cannot 'ave two champions. It is most injust."
"We were under the impression that your Age Line would keep out younger contestants, Dumbledore," said Karkaroff, his steely smile still in place, though his eyes were colder than ever. "Otherwise, we would, of course, have brought along a wider selection of candidates from our own schools."
Minister Kishi cleared her throat. "There obviously is something suspicious going on. I've met James before when he visited Japan two summers ago, and he does not strike me as the sort of person to do something like this. Furthermore, his actions and whereabouts have been accounted for since the previous evening, so it is quite ridiculous to think that he could have entered his name. Therefore, someone else had to have entered James's name in the goblet, and we will find out who and why."
Headmistress Watoma nodded. "I agree with Minster Kishi," she said in English that was more accented than the Minister's. "Something strange is going on, and it is through no - what is the word - yes, fault of James."
"And how would you know that?" demanded Professor Karkaroff.
"I am part kitsune," snapped Minister Kishi. "A kitsune is a magical being in Japan that can take human or fox form, and anyone who is one, or has at least a quarter kitsune blood, is a good judge of character and can often tell when someone is lying."
"Well, somezing 'as to be done about zis," said Madame Maxime.
"Mr. Crouch… Mr. Bagman," said Karkaroff, his voice unctuous once more, "you are our - er - objective judges. Surely you will agree that this is most irregular?"
Bagman wiped his round, boyish face with his handkerchief and looked at Mr. Crouch, who was standing outside the circle of the firelight, his face half hidden in shadow. He looked slightly eerie, the half darkness making him look much older, giving him an almost skull-like appearance. When he spoke, however, it was in his usual curt voice.
"We must follow the rules, and the rules state clearly that those people whose names come out of the Goblet of Fire are bound to compete in the tournament."
"Well, Barty knows the rule book back to front," said Bagman, beaming and turning back to Karkaroff and Madame Maxime, as though the matter was now closed.
"I insist upon resubmitting the names of the rest of my students," said Karkaroff. He had dropped his unctuous tone and his smile now. His face wore a very ugly look indeed. "You will set up the Goblet of Fire once more, and we will continue adding names until each school has two champions. It's only fair, Dumbledore."
"But Karkaroff, it doesn't work like that," said Bagman. "The Goblet of Fire's just gone out - it won't reignite until the start of the next tournament -"
"- in which Durmstrang will most certainly not be competing!" exploded Karkaroff. "After all our meetings and negotiations and compromises, I little expected something of this nature to occur! I have half a mind to leave now!"
"Empty threat, Karkaroff," growled a voice from near the door. "You can't leave your champion now. He's got to compete. They've all got to compete. Binding magical contract, like Dumbledore said. Convenient, eh?"
Moody had just entered the room. He limped toward the fire, and with every right step he took, there was a loud clunk.
"Convenient?" said Karkaroff. "I'm afraid I don't understand you, Moody." James could tell he was trying to sound disdainful, as though what Moody was saying was barely worth his notice, but his hands gave him away; they had balled themselves into fists.
"Don't you?" said Moody quietly. "It's very simple, Karkaroff. Someone put Lydell-Black's name in that goblet knowing he'd have to compete if it came out."
"Evidently, someone 'oo wished to give 'Ogwarts two bites at ze apple!" said Madame Maxime.
"I quite agree, Madame Maxime," said Karkaroff, bowing to her. "I shall be lodging complaints with the Ministry of Magic and the International Confederation of Wizards -"
"If anyone's got reason to complain, it's Lydell-Black," growled Moody, "but… funny thing… I don't hear him saying a word…"
"Why should 'e complain?" burst out Fleur Delacour, stamping her foot. "E 'as ze chance to compete, 'asn't 'e? We 'ave all been 'oping to be chosen for weeks and weeks! Ze honor for our schools! A thousand Galleons in prize money - zis is a chance many would die for!"
"Maybe someone's hoping Lydell-Black is going to die for it," said Moody, with the merest trace of a growl.
An extremely tense silence followed these words. Minister Kishi shot Moody a suspicious Bagman, who was looking very anxious indeed, bounced nervously up and down on his feet and said, "Moody, old man… what a thing to say!"
"We all know Professor Moody considers the morning wasted if he hasn't discovered six plots to murder him before lunchtime," said Karkaroff loudly. "Apparently he is now teaching his students to fear assassination too. An odd quality in a Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Dumbledore, but no doubt you had your reasons.
"Imagining things, am I?" growled Moody. "Seeing things, eh? It was a skilled witch or wizard who put the boy's name in that goblet…"
"Ah, what evidence is zere of zat?" said Madame Maxime, throwing up her huge hands.
"Because they hoodwinked a very powerful magical object!" said Moody. "It would have needed an exceptionally strong Confundus Charm to bamboozle that goblet into forgetting that four schools were competing in the tournament… I'm guessing they submitted Lydell-Black's name under a fifth school, to make sure he was the only one in his category…"
Minister Kishi shot him another look, and then turned and whispered to Secretary Fujiwara, who looked at Moody and frowned.
"You seem to have given this a great deal of thought, Moody," said Karkaroff coldly, "and a very ingenious theory it is - though of course, I heard you recently got it into your head that one of your birthday presents contained a cunningly disguised basilisk egg, and smashed it to pieces before realizing it was a carriage clock. So you'll understand if we don't take you entirely seriously…"
"There are those who'll turn innocent occasions to their advantage," Moody retorted in a menacing voice. "It's my job to think the way Dark wizards do, Karkaroff - as you ought to remember…"
"Alastor!" said Dumbledore warningly. Moody fell silent, though still surveying Karkaroff with satisfaction - Karkaroff's face was burning.
"How this situation arose, we do not know," said Dumbledore, speaking to everyone gathered in the room. "It seems to me, however, that we have no choice but to accept it. Both Cedric and James have been chosen to compete in the Tournament. This, therefore, they will do…
"Ah, but Dumbly-dorr -"
"My dear Madame Maxime, if you have an alternative, I would be delighted to hear it."
Dumbledore waited, but Madame Maxime did not speak, she merely glared. She wasn't the only one either. Snape looked furious, but more at the situation than any anger towards James; Karkaroff livid; Bagman, however, looked rather excited.
"Well, shall we crack on, then?" he said, rubbing his hands together and smiling around the room. "Got to give our champions their instructions, haven't we? Barty, want to do the honors?"
Mr. Crouch seemed to come out of a deep reverie.
"Yes," he said, "instructions. Yes… the first task…"
He moved forward into the firelight. Close up, James thought he looked ill. There were dark shadows beneath his eyes and a thin, papery look about his wrinkled skin that had not been there at the Quidditch World Cup.
"The first task is designed to test your daring," he told James, Hiroshi, Cedric, Fleur, and Viktor, "so we are not going to be telling you what it is. Courage in the face of the unknown is an important quality in a wizard… very important.
"The first task will take place on November the twenty-fourth, in front of the other students and the panel of judges. The champions are not permitted to ask for or accept help of any kind from their teachers to complete the tasks in the tournament. The champions will face the first challenge armed only with their wands. They will receive information about the second task when the first is over. Owing to the demanding and time-consuming nature of the tournament, the champions are exempted from end-of-year tests."
Mr. Crouch turned to look at Dumbledore. "I think that's all, is it, Albus?"
"I think so," said Dumbledore, who was looking at Mr. Crouch with mild concern. "Are you sure you wouldn't like to stay at Hogwarts tonight, Barty?"
"No, Dumbledore, I must get back to the Ministry," said Mr. Crouch. "It is a very busy, very difficult time at the moment… I've left young Weatherby in charge… Very enthusiastic… a little overenthusiastic, if truth be told…
"You'll come and have a drink before you go, at least?" said Dumbledore.
"Come on, Barty, I'm staying!" said Bagman brightly. "It's all happening at Hogwarts now, you know, much more exciting here than at the office!"
"I think not, Ludo," said Crouch with a touch of his old impatience.
"Professor Karkaroff - Madame Maxime - Headmistress Watoma- a nightcap?" said Dumbledore.
But Madame Maxime had already put her arm around Fleur's shoulders and was leading her swiftly out of the room. James could hear them both talking very fast in French as they went off into the Great Hall. Karkaroff beckoned to Krum, and they, too, exited, though in silence. Headmistress Watoma politely declined, saying that she had to discuss some things with Minister Kishi and Hiroshi.
"James, Cedric, I suggest you go up to bed," said Dumbledore, smiling at both of them. "I am sure Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff are waiting to celebrate with you, and it would be a shame to deprive them of this excellent excuse to make a great deal of mess and noise."
James glanced at Cedric, who nodded, and they left together.
The Great Hall was deserted now; the candles had burned low, giving the jagged smiles of the pumpkins an eerie, flickering quality. Outside the doors, Mari and Kyle were waiting, looking solemn. "Cedric, you do believe that James didn't enter his name in the Quartet Quest?" asked Kyle urgently.
"Of course," said Cedric, looking slightly surprised. "He was with Unity all day, and in the Hospital Wing last night, so there's no way he could've entered without someone catching him."
When he had walked away, Kyle and Mari turned to James. "Unity is behind you, including the Japanese members," said Mari. "They all know that you can't have entered on your own. Anyway, we're all going to figure out what is going on, James."
"And I suspect this has something to do with that dream you had about Riddle plotting against you," said Kyle. "Now, we have to go to our common rooms. James, we'll get through this, and we'll all help you. The other Ravenclaws in Unity will talk with you, and I doubt anyone in Ravenclaw is in the mood to celebrate this."
"They were all in shock and were discussing this furiously when we were leaving the Great Hall," added Mari. "Well, good-night James, and we'll talk tomorrow."
James nodded slowly and then made his way to the Ravenclaw common room.
