Dumbledore To The Rescue
Summary: Dumbledore's school is hosting the Tri Wizard Tournament, emphasis on TRI, and it will have three participants, no more, no less. The champions just have to play a little game first.
Excerpt From Goblet of Fire
Professor Dumbledore was now looking down at Harry, who looked right back at him, trying to discern the expression of the eyes behind the half-moon spectacles.
"Did you put your name into the Goblet of Fire, Harry?" he asked calmly.
"No," said Harry. He was very aware of every body watching him closely. Snape made a soft noise of impatient disbelief in the shadows.
"Did you ask an older student to put it into the Goblet of Fire for you?" said Professor Dumbledore, ignoring Snape.
"No," said Harry vehemently.
"Ah, but of course 'e is lying!" cried Madame Maxime. Snape was now shaking his head, his lip curling.
"He could not have crossed the Age Line," said Professor McGonagall sharply. "I am sure we are all agreed on that -"
"Dumbly-dorr must 'ave made a mistake wiz ze line," said Madame Maxime, shrugging.
"It is possible, of course," said Dumbledore politely.
"Dumbledore, you know perfectly well you did not make a mistake!" said Professor McGonagall angrily. "Really, what nonsense! Harry could not have crossed the line himself, and as Professor Dumbledore believes that he did not persuade an older student to do it for him, I'm sure that should be good enough for every body else!"
She shot a very angry look at Professor Snape.
"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 fire light, 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 Kakaroff and Madame Maxime, as though the matter was now closed.
Story Start
"Indeed, which is why we shall have the Tournament now and simply entertain the audience with the events already planned." Dumbledore said softly, finally looking away from Harry to look around the room serenely.
"Er, I'm sorry, but what do you mean have the Tournament now Dumbledore?" Bagman asked uncertainly. Fleur and Madam Maxime traded an equally uncertain look between each other. McGonagall though looked relieved, smiling at her boss who had once again confirmed why she respected him.
"It's really quite simple Ludo." Dumbledore said, moving into the center of the room and conjuring a table along with four pieces of parchment lined up in a row, four graphite pencils, and a red plastic cup that you would have found in virtually any grocery store.
Gesturing with his hand, he said "Champions, if you would please gather on the other side of the table." Once the four students had did so, Dumbledore held up his hand and there were suddenly three six sided dice held between his fingers as he said This tournament shall be a series of knock out rounds. You shall all write down a number between three and eighteen. I will then roll these dice in this cup then place it rim down on the table. When the dice are revealed, whoever is furthest from the shown number is out. If there happens to be a tie for that person, then both contestants are out unless there are only two contestants left, in which case new numbers will be chosen and the dice will be rolled again. Do you understand these rules?"
"Yes Headmaster Dumbledore." four voices answered him.
Nodding, Albus said "Good, then write down your first numbers."
There was a brief moment of thought before the four wrote down their choices.
Harry: 8
Cedric: 4
Fleur: 13
Victor: 16
Once the four numbers were written, Dumbledore dropped the dice into the cup, picking it up and placing a hand over the rim before shaking the cup for ten seconds before he put the cup rim down on the table. When he lifted the rim up a moment later, the dice were revealed to be 5, 3, and 4, coming out to be 12.
Dumbledore decreed "Cedric Diggory has the number furthest from that of the dice, he is the loser of the first round. Contestants, choose your second number."
Harry: 11
Fleur: 4
Victor: 15
Dumbledore once more rolled the dice then set the cup down on the table. When it was lifted, there were a pair of 2s and a single 1, coming out to 5.
Once more, Dumbledore decreed "Victor Krum has the number furthest from that of the dice, he is the loser of the second round. Contestants, choose your third number."
Harry: 10
Fleur: 8
Dumbledore rolled the dice for the third, and hopefully last time. When he lifted the cup, there was a pair of 6s and one three, coming out to 15.
"Fleur Delaceur has the number furthest from that of the dice, she has lost the third round. Harry Potter is the Tournament Champion."
At Dumbledore's declaration, there was a flash of light from each contestant as the magical contracts they were under were completed and the Headmaster clapped his hands together as he said "Now then, now that that bit of unpleasantness is finished, Mister Potter, you are excused. Feel free to explain things to your housemates, I will make an announcement tomorrow to inform everyone else that you are no longer required to participate."
"Thank you Professor." Harry said, trying to put as much gratitude into those three words as he could.
Dumbledore nodded his head and gave a hand wave as he said "Off you go my boy."
Harry didn't need any more instruction to turn around and quickly march out of the room, relieved that for once an adult was on top of things.
END
Author's Notes: I had this idea at work today and figured I could go ahead and get it out of my head relatively quickly. I used google for the contestants chosen numbers and a dice app on my phone for the dice numbers. I do find it a bit ironic that like in canon Harry 'won' the tournament but I guess there's a reason why it's called 'Potter Luck'.
Anyways, standard reminder to vote on the poll on my bio if you haven't already. This is Tac signing out.
