Chapter 9: Goblet of Fire
–Thank God, thank God!
Mrs. Weasley, who had been waiting for them in the front garden, ran toward them, still shod in her slippers to get out of bed, her face pale and tense, and a squeezed copy of The Daily Prophet in her hand.
–Arthur, I was so worried!
She threw her arms around her husband's neck, and the Daily Prophet fell out of her hand.
Looking at him on the ground, Harry made out the headline "Horror Scenes at Quidditch World Cup," accompanied by a twinkling black-and-white photograph showing the Dark Mark above the treetops.
–You're all right, – muttered Mrs. Weasley as if she had gone, letting go of Mr. Weasley and looking at them with red eyes. You're alive, kids...
And, to everyone's surprise, he grabbed Fred and George and hugged them so tightly that their heads collided.
–Oh, Mum... You're drowning us...
–To think that I scolded them before they left! – Mrs. Weasley said, beginning to sob. –I haven't thought of anything else! That if they were caught know who, the last thing I'd told them was that I hadn't gotten good grades. Oh, Fred... George...
–Come, Molly, you see we're all right, – Mr. Weasley said reassuringly, tearing her from the cufflinks and leading her into the house. –Bill, – he added quietly, –picks up the paper. I want to see what it says.
When they had all entered the little kitchen, and Hermione had prepared a very strong cup of tea for Mrs. Weasley, into which her husband insisted on pouring a few drops of "Ogden's Old Firewhisky" Bill handed the paper to his father.
He glanced at the first page as Percy peered over his shoulder.
–I imagined it, – said Mr. Weasley, snorting. –"Ministry blunders...culprits not apprehended...lax security...Dark wizards running unchecked...national disgrace… Who wrote this? Ah...of course...Rita Skeeter.
–That woman is against the Ministry of Magic! – Percy exclaimed angrily. –Last week she said that we were wasting our time with trifles about the thickness of the cauldrons instead of killing the vampires. As if it were not expressly established in the twelfth paragraph of The Guidelines for the Treatment of Non-Wizard Part-Humans...
–Do us a favor, Percy, – Bill said, yawning, –Shut up.
–I'm mentioned, – said Mr. Weasley, opening his eyes behind his glasses at the end of the Prophet article.
–Where? – Mrs. Weasley stammered, choking on her whiskey tea. –If I had seen it, I would have known you were alive!
–They don't say my name, – said Mr. Weasley. –Listen: "If the terrified wizards and witches who waited breathlessly for news at the edge of the wood expected reassurance from the Ministry of Magic, they were sadly disappointed. A Ministry official emerged sometime after the appearance of the Dark Mark alleging that nobody had been hurt but refusing to give any more information. Wherever this statement will be enough to quash the rumors that several bodies were removed from the woods an hour later remains to be seen."
Oh, frankly, – said Mr. Weasley exasperatedly, handing the paper to Percy. –There were no injuries, what was I supposed to have said? "Rumours that several bodies were removed from the woods..." Of course, there will be rumors after this is published. –He heaved a deep sigh. –Molly, I have to go to the office. Something will have to be done.
–I'll go with you, Father, – Percy announced gravely. –Mr. Crouch will need all the hands available. And I'll be able to deliver my report on the cauldrons in person.
He hurried out of the kitchen.
Mrs. Weasley looked disgusted. –Arthur, I remind you that you're on vacation! This has nothing to do with the office. Can't they get by without you?
–I must go, Molly, – Mr. Weasley insisted. –It's my fault that things are getting worse. I put on my robe and go...
Harry, still holding Ginny's hand, asked Hermione and Ron if they could accompany him. Soon the 4 of them were in Ron's room.
–What's the matter, Harry? – Ron asked as soon as they closed the door to the attic room behind them.
–There's one thing I haven't told you, –Harry explained, as he gave Ginny an apologetic squeeze on the hand: –When I woke up on Saturday morning, the scar was hurting again.
Ron and Hermione's reaction was much the same as he had imagined it in his room on Privet Drive, as well as Ginny's, who didn't change any expression on her face. Hermione stifled a scream and immediately began to make proposals, mentioning several reference books and everyone who could be called to, from Albus Dumbledore to Mrs. Pomfrey, the Hogwarts healer. Ron had been stunned.
–But... He wasn't there, was he? Was Who-You-Know? I mean... the last time your scar hurt was because he was at Hogwarts, right?
–I'm sure he wasn't on Privet Drive this time, – Harry said. But I had been dreaming about him... with him and Peter... you know, Wormtail. Now I can't remember the whole dream, but I do remember that they were talking about killing... someone.
He had hesitated for a moment before saying "me," but he didn't want to see Hermione even more frightened than she already was.
–It was just a dream, – Ron said to encourage him. –A nightmare, nothing more.
–Yes... But surely it wasn't anything else? – Harry replied, looking out the window at the brighter sky. –It's strange, isn't it? My scar hurts, and three days later the Death Eaters set off and the symbol of Voldemort appears in the sky.
–¡Don't... pronounce... that... name! – Ron said through clenched teeth.
–And do you remember what Professor Trelawney said at the end of this course? – Harry went on, ignoring Ron.
Hermione's face wore a look of terror, and she snorted mockery.
–Harry, you won't pay attention to what that old fraud said!
–She's not a fraud. – Harry was surprised to hear Ginny defend the professor, he knew she wasn't her biggest fan, but he also knew the great animosity she felt for Hermione.
–Ah, well, she's not the most trustworthy person, I'm sorry if I offended you. – It looked like Hermione was swallowing the Polyjuice Potion when she spoke.
–You weren't there, – Harry said. –You didn't hear it. This time was different. I told you, she went into a trance. In a real trance. And she said that the Dark Lord would rise again... bigger and more terrible than ever... and that he would succeed because his vassal was going to return with him. And that same night Wormtail escaped.
There was a silence during which Ron inadvertently poked around in a hole in the Chudley Cannons' quilt.
–I wrote to Sirius about my scar, – Harry said, shrugging. –I look forward to his reply.
At this conversation, Ginny got up and walked towards the door, she still was planning to give him his privacy in his plans.
–Did you know Ginny? – Hermione said before she could leave, she had just understood that Ginny knew what was going to happen. –I can't believe you allowed Harry to be blamed for the brand, we were all in danger!
–Besides, she probably knows what's going on with Harry. – Ron said in an apparent fit of brilliance. –I know that expression of her, the more serious her face is, the more she knows things.
–It's none of your business what agreements I have with my boyfriend. – Ginny said, arching an eyebrow and glaring at Hermione, who gave her a look that Harry didn't understand. –However, since Harry won't tell you and you'll be bothering him, I'll explain. Harry and I agreed a year ago that I would not intervene in anything that happened to him and would avoid consciously finding out anything about his future. The only situation I would intervene in would be if it put his life at risk.
Then she left the room.
–I'm sure Sirius knows what to do! – Ron said, ignoring the awkward silence in the room.
–I expected him to answer right away, – Harry said.
–But we don't know where Sirius is... It could be in Africa or who knows where right? – Hermione said coldly. –Hedwig isn't going on a trip like that in a few days.
–Yes, I know, – Harry admitted. –Besides, Hermione, please don't mention anything to Ginny again about divination and what do you think of it.
–Ginny is a fortune teller, Hermione, none of us have ever questioned her abilities, and if she says Trelawney has that ability, you must believe her.
Hermione left the room, muttering something that sounded something like, "Men!"
o-o-o-o
Molly watched the days pass quickly as summer ended and her children began to get excited about returning to Hogwarts, and she was busy preparing everything she would need, including the gala robe. She was able to buy Harry with money from his vault a sleek and modern dance robe that would look spectacularly on him, however, for his little Ron, she could only set aside a small amount to buy an old-fashioned second-hand robe.
Ginny, dusted off from her trunk a beautiful robe that she had worn in her younger days. It would look perfect on Ginny, as Molly was of similar build at her age. It was an exquisite blue-gray color that would look beautiful on her long hair, plus it was a fine material, silk, Molly had not used anything so expensive since her first pregnancy, when her weight prevented her from wearing again those expensive clothes stored in her souvenir trunk.
It was necessary to give those clothes to his daughter, and she would start with the robe, after all, it was certain that she would go as Harry's companion
Of course, Ron wasn't the happiest in his robe, as soon as he saw it, he let out a snort of disgust.
–What is this supposed to be?
He had grabbed what Harry thought was a long dark red velvet dress. Around his neck was a musty-looking lace ruffle, and matching lace cuffs.
Mrs. Weasley was entering the room with a few freshly washed and ironed Hogwarts robes.
–Here you go, – she said, stacking the clothes in front of Ron. –Now dear, arrange your clothes in the trunk well. Harry, Ginny has already taken yours.
–Mum, you give me a new Ginny's dress, – Ron said, showing it to her.
–Certainly, I haven't given you any of Ginny's dresses, – Mrs. Weasley denied. –On their school list it says that in this course you will need gala robes... tunics for solemn occasions.
–You've got to be kidding, – Ron said, not believing his ears. –I'm not going to wear that, no way.
–Everybody's wearing them, Ron! – Mrs. Weasley replied angrily. –They all go like this! Your dad has one for important meetings, too!
–I'd rather go naked than wear this, – Ron said stubbornly.
–Don't be silly, – said Mrs. Weasley as she peeped up the stairs. –You've got to have a gala robe, it puts it on the list! I bought another one for Harry...
–Ginny! My dear, come a moment, please bring Harry's ball gown, – She cried aloud towards the room.
Ginny came out a moment later with a package in her arms. She walked over to Harry and handed it to him.
–Show it to him, child...–
With some trepidation, Harry opened the package his girlfriend had handed him. But it was not so terrible as had been feared, at least his gala robe had no lace; In fact, it was more or less the same as the daily ones at school, except it was bottle green instead of black.
–I thought it would match your eyes, honey, – Mrs. Weasley said affectionately.
–Well, that's all right! – Ron exclaimed, annoyed, staring at Harry's robe. –Why couldn't you bring me one like that?
–Because... Well, I had to buy yours second-hand, and there wasn't much to choose from! – Mrs. Weasley explained, blushing.
Harry looked away. He would gladly have given the Weasleys half of what he had in his vault at Gringotts, but he knew they would never accept it.
–I'm never going to wear it, – Ron repeated stubbornly.
–Well, – his mother replied sharply, –Go naked. And, Harry, please take a picture of him. It won't hurt me to laugh for a while.
She stormed out of the room in a rage. They heard a curious snort behind them. Pigwidgeon had just choked on a goose knick-knack.
–Why don't any of my things count for anything? – Ron said angrily, crossing the room to shake it from his beak.
o-o-o-o
When Harry woke up the next morning, there was a definite end-of-holiday sadness in the air. The heavy rain continued to splash against the window as he put on his jeans and a sweatshirt. They would dress in school robes when they were on the Hogwarts Express. Ginny was no longer by his side; she must have been changing in the bathroom.
They had just reached the first floor, when Mrs. Weasley appeared at the foot of the stairs, with a worried expression.
–Arthur! – Se called, looking up. –Arthur! Urgent message from the Ministry!
Harry leaned against the wall as Mr. Weasley made a great deal of noise, his robe turned inside out and disappeared in a hurry. When Harry and the others entered the kitchen, they saw Mrs. Weasley fumbling nervously through the drawers of the sideboard ("I've got a feather somewhere!" she muttered) and Mr. Weasley leaning over the fire, talking to Amos Diggory through the fireplace.
—... The Muggle neighbors heard explosions and screams, and so they called those—what do they call them...?" "Bolyse" Arthur, you've got to go there...
When Mrs. Weasley returned, she began to herd them all, and while they were eating breakfast Harry learned all about "Mad-Eye" Moody. Mr. Weasley had to go, and only Mrs. Weasley and the elder brothers were left to take them.
The journey was very uncomfortable because they were squeezed into the back of a taxi with the trunks, even though they had split in two, Harry, Ron, and Hermione going with Mrs. Weasley and Ginny in another taxi with her brothers. It was a relief to get to King's Cross, the Hogwarts Express, a gleaming scarlet-colored steam engine, was already there, and clouds of steam came out of it, turning the many Hogwarts students and their parents gathered on the platform into dark ghosts.
Harry, Ron, and Hermione went in to get their seats and soon placed their luggage in a compartment of one of the middle carriages of the train. Then they sprang down again to the platform to say goodbye to Mrs. Weasley, Bill, and Charlie.
o-o-o-o
Ginny's trip was pleasant, the day before she had said goodbye to Percy, who she would thankfully still see when the Tournament started. Now she was in the company of her older brothers, she was between Charlie and Bill, she still felt too uncomfortable next to her older brother, so she leaned towards Charlie going practically under his arm.
–Baby, you didn't tell me you were dating, – Charlie said suddenly, with a plaintive tone that made Ginny laugh.
–We've only been a year in, brother, I thought Fred and George told you, I know they usually send you reports on me. – She replied as she glanced sideways at the twins.
–We told him, but he didn't believe us, we wanted him to come and defend your honor as soon as we found out you were sleeping in the boys' room. – George said, squinting at Charlie.
–And why didn't you defend my honor? – Ginny asked, laughing.
–We like Harry, and he's our seeker, we couldn't hit him. – Fred said, and everyone started laughing.
–I don't think you're dating anyone, Ginny, you're too young. – Bill interrupted, with a seriousness uncharacteristic of him, as he caressed his sister's head affectionately.
–Well, it's fortunate then that it's none of your business, you know better than anyone that nothing could happen between us, right? – Ginny said coldly as she brushed her brother's hand off her as if he were a cockroach. Bill had a wounded expression on his face and looked at her sadly, the atmosphere of the taxi, which had been warm and lively, became cold and uncomfortable.
No brother dared to break the ice, as they all knew about the ritual. Once they reached the age of fifteen, the legal age for a man in the wizarding world to marry, it was customary for pure-blood families to pass on knowledge of the ritual. So, everyone in that vehicle knew what had been done to Ginny and also who had done it.
Soon they reached the station and made their way to the exit of the train. When they reached the train, they stood next to their mother and began to say goodbye.
Ginny forced herself to say goodbye with a smile to her mother, as she let herself be hugged and kissed, mother cried when she let her go. Then she began to squeeze the twins. Bill walked up to his sister and hugged her tightly, kissing her head, even though she had stiffened, and didn't let go until she hugged him back. Ron joined the group accompanied by Harry and Hermione.
–Maybe we'll see each other sooner than you think, – Charlie said to Ginny, smiling, as he hugged her.
–Why? – Fred asked interestedly, as he got rid of his mother.
–You'll see tonight, – Ginny replied as she hugged her brother back and kissed him on the cheek.
–So, you know, don't you? Baby, – Charlie replied with a snort as he kissed her on the forehead. –But don't tell Percy that I've said anything, because, after all, it's "confidential information, until the minister sees fit to lift the secrecy. "
–Yes, I'd like to go back to Hogwarts this year, – Bill said with his hands in his pockets, looking at the train wistfully.
–Why? – George asked, intrigued.
–Because you're going to have a very interesting school year, – Bill explained, blinking. –Maybe I could make some time to go and take a look at...
–For what?
But at that moment the whistle blew, and their mother pushed them toward the doors of the carriages. Harry immediately grabbed the trunk Charlie was holding and put it on the train.
–Thank you for the stay, Mrs. Weasley, – Hermione said after they got on the train, closed the door, and leaned out of the window to talk to her.
–Yes, thank you for everything, Mrs. Weasley, – said Harry.
–The pleasure has been mine, – she answered. –I would invite them to spend Christmas too, but... well, I think they'd rather stay at Hogwarts, because with one thing and another...
–Mum! –Ron exclaimed angrily. –What do you all know and we don't?
–You'll find out tonight, I hope, – Mrs. Weasley replied with a smile as she looked at her daughter to confirm her words, at what she felt. –It's going to be very exciting... Of course, I'm very happy that the rules have changed...
–What rules? – Harry, Ron, Fred, and George asked at the same time.
–I'm sure Professor Dumbledore will explain… Now, behave yourselves, huh? Huh, Fred? Huh, George?
The train whistled very loudly and began to move.
–Ginny will tell us what's going to happen at Hogwarts! – Fred shouted from the window as the figures of Mrs. Weasley, Bill, and Charlie began to recede. –What rules are changing?
But Mrs. Weasley only smiled and waved goodbye. Before the train had rounded the bend, she, Bill, and Charlie were gone.
They tried to convince her to talk, but she refused despite their pleas and threats. Harry carried her trunk and carried it to the carriage that she told him would sit on the journey next to Luna and Colin.
Harry, Ron, and Hermione sat for a while with her and Luna, while they waited for Colin.
–How were the Death Eaters, Ginny? Are they as stupid as you said they would be? – Luna asked with sleepy eyes. –I wanted to see them with you, but my father couldn't get tickets, he said he didn't want to sacrifice the trip we had planned.
–Did you know we'd be attacked? – Hermione was elated at this, unable to hold back in the face of this information that put Ron's sister in a worse and worse light, she had come to reconcile herself to the idea that divination existed, but one thing she could not accept was the complete indifference that this woman showed in the face of all the problems they faced. She couldn't accept that someone as good as Harry was with someone so malevolent. –AND YOU DIDN'T TELL ANYONE! How is it possible that someone like...
–Hermione, stop, – The girl stopped at Harry's angry tone, he had never spoken to her like that, it even made her want to cry. –I'm not going to allow you to talk to her like that, neither you nor anyone else, we have already talked about this, she doesn't have to tell you anything, if she had to say everything that will happen, she would never stop talking.
Harry was a little upset that she hadn't said anything to him, but his behavior throughout the World Cup matched, he was full of fear and unease, even so, he hadn't been harmed and she respected the agreement they had made.
–Ginny can't intervene in such important events; it would be a disaster if she only threw herself into preventing events. – Colin said at the door of the carriage, he went in and closed it, and he was accompanied by a child very similar to him –There are canonical events that cannot be modified, doing so would be a disaster for the development of everything.
–That's silly Colin, you've read too many comics. – Hermione replied condescendingly.
–You don't know everything Ginny has seen and how we've debated what is an event and what is not, what can be modified, and what can never be modified. – Colin said undeterred, it wasn't the first time someone had made fun of his taste for comic books and superhero stories. On the contrary, with Ginny and Luna it was the first time anyone had listened to him with interest and taken his opinions seriously, and they, after listening to him, had assigned him the task of deciding what they could and could not say. Something he was proud of, and he would never allow his friends to be criticized in his presence. –Some facts make us who we are and determine our lives, there are events that we have no right to change.
–Hush! – Hermione whispered suddenly, putting a finger to her lips and pointing to the compartment next door. The seven of them pricked up their ears, and through the half-open door, they heard a familiar voice slurring the words.
—... My father thought of sending me to Durmstrang rather than Hogwarts. He meets the director. Well, you know what he thinks of Dumbledore: he likes mudbloods too much... On the other hand, the Durmstrang Institute does not admit that type of rabble. But my mother didn't like the idea of me going to school so far away. My father says that in Durmstrang they have a much more sensible attitude than at Hogwarts regarding the Dark Arts. The students at Durmstrang learn them: they don't just have that crap defense against them that we have...
Hermione got up, tiptoed to the compartment door, and closed it to keep Malfoy's voice out.
–So, you think Durmstrang would have been better, don't you? – She said irritably. –I wish they had taken him there. That way we wouldn't have to put up with it.
–Is Durmstrang another school of magic? – Colin asked curiously.
–Yes, – Hermione said contemptuously, –and it has a horrible reputation. According to the book An Appraisal of Magical Education in Europe, it attaches great importance to the Dark Arts.
–I think I've heard something about it, – Ron said thoughtfully. –Where is it? In which country?
–Well, no one knows, – Hermione said, raising her eyebrows.
–Hey, why not? – Harry wondered.
–There's a traditional rivalry between all the schools of magic, my love. The ones from Durmstrang and Beauxbatons like to hide their whereabouts so that no one can steal their secrets, – Ginny explained matter-of-factly.
–Just as the location of Hogwarts is hidden, the other schools of magic hide their own
After that, tempers calmed down and the trio returned to their wagon. Leaving Ginny with her friends, and also meeting Colin's little brother, Dennis.
o-o-o-o
Harry sat in the dining room in his usual place, with Ginny next to him, and Ron and Hermione in front of them, Ginny smiling at him and laughing at Harry's thoughts on the big event that would happen. At one point, Hermione began to get upset upon learning of the existence of house elves at Hogwarts her contact with Winky the elf had affected her greatly.
Finally, the dinner was over, and Dumbledore rose to say a few words to them.
–Like every year, I want to remind you that the forest within the castle grounds is an area forbidden to students. The same is true of Hogsmeade for all first and second-graders. It is also my painful duty to inform you that the Quidditch Cup will not be held this year.
–What? – Harry said breathlessly. He looked at Fred and George, his Quidditch teammates. They said something to Dumbledore with only their lips moving, without uttering a sound, for they must have been too dismayed to speak.
Dumbledore continued: –This is due to an event that will begin in October and continue throughout the course, taking up a large part of the teacher's time and energy... But I'm sure you'll enjoy it immensely. It gives me great pleasure to announce that this year at Hogwarts...
But at that moment there was a deafening clap of thunder, and the doors of the Great Hall burst open. A gloomy man burst into the dining room, his face disfigured by scars and a rather terrifying false eye. They all followed him with their eyes and saw him make his way towards Dumbledore, who greeted him and invited him to sit in an empty chair next to him.
–Let me introduce you to our new Defence Against the Dark Arts professor, – Dumbledore said animatedly, in the silence of the room: –Professor Moody.
Normally, the new teachers were greeted with greetings and applause, but no one applauded this time, neither among the teachers nor among the students, except for Hagrid and Dumbledore. The sound of their clapping resounded so sadly amid the silence that they immediately stopped applauding. Everyone else seemed too impressed by Moody's strange appearance to do anything but look at him.
–Moody? – Harry whispered to Ron. – "Mad-Eye" Moody? Who did your father go to help this morning?
–It must be him, – Ron said, his voice frightened.
–What happened to him? – Hermione asked very quietly. –What happened to his face?
–I don't know, – Ron said, looking at Moody with fascination.
–They're wounds from his battles against the Dead Eaters. – Ginny said quietly, herself quite impressed by the man's appearance.
Dumbledore cleared his throat again. –As I was saying,– he continued, smiling at the crowd of students in front of him, all of whom were still staring at Mad-Eye Moody, –We are honored to host an exciting event that will take place over the next few months, an event that has not been held for more than a century. It is my great pleasure to inform you that this course will take place at Hogwarts the Triwizard Tournament.
–He's making fun of us! – Fred said loudly. Suddenly the tension that had gripped the Great Hall since Moody's entrance was broken. Almost everyone laughed, and so did Dumbledore, as if appreciating Fred's intervention.
–I'm not making fun of anybody, Mr. Weasley,– he said, –Although, speaking of humor, Someone told me a very good joke this summer about a troll, a witch, and a leprechaun going into a bar…
Professor McGonagall cleared her throat noisily.
–Hey... Well, maybe this isn't the most appropriate time... No, that's true, – said Dumbledore. –Where was I? Oh yes, the Triwizard Tournament! Well, some of you surely don't know what the Triwizard Tournament is, so I hope those of you who do will forgive me for giving a brief explanation while thinking about something else.
"The Triwizard Tournament was first established some seven hundred years ago as a friendly competition between the three largest European schools of wizardry: Hogwarts, Beauxbatons, and Durmstrang. A champion was selected to represent each school, and the three champions competed in three magical tasks. The schools took it in turns to host the tournament once every five years, and it was generally agreed to be a most excellent way of establishing ties between young witches and wizards of different nationalities — until, that is, the death toll mounted so high that the tournament was discontinued."
–The number of deaths? – Hermione whispered, a little frightened. But most of the students in the Great Hall didn't seem to share that fear: many of them whispered excitedly, and Harry himself was more interested in hearing more details about the Tournament than worrying about deaths that had occurred more than a hundred years ago.
–In all this time there have been several attempts to hold the Tournament again, – Dumbledore went on, –None of which were very successful. However, our Department of Magical Games and Sports and Department of International Magical Co-operation have decided that this is a good time to try again. We've been hard at work this summer to make sure no champion is in mortal danger this time around. In October, the directors of Beauxbatons and Durmstrang will arrive with their list of candidates, and the selection of the three champions will take place on Halloween. An impartial judge will decide which students have the most merits to compete for the Triwizard Cup, the glory of their school, and the prize money of a thousand galleons.
–I will try! – Fred Weasley muttered, his face lighting up with excitement at the prospect of such glory and wealth.
He must not have been the only one who was imagining himself as a champion of Hogwarts. At each of the tables, Harry saw students staring at Dumbledore with rapturous expressions, or whispering to the neighbors in complete excitement.
But Dumbledore spoke again, and there was silence again in the Great Hall. –Although I imagine that everyone wants to win the Triwizard Tournament Cup, – he said, –The principals of the three participating schools, in agreement with the Ministry of Magic, have decided to establish an age restriction for this year's contestants. Only students who are of the required age (seventeen years old) may be proposed for consideration. Thus, – Dumbledore raised his voice slightly as some made protest noises in response to his last words, especially the Weasley twins, who suddenly seemed furious, –Is a measure that we deem necessary given that the tasks of the Tournament will be difficult and dangerous, no matter how many precautions we take, and it is very unlikely that students in grades below six and seven will be able to cope with them.
–I will personally assure you that no student under that age deceives our impartial judge into becoming a champion of Hogwarts. – His light blue eyes sparkled especially when he winked at Fred and George's faces, which looked defiant. –I therefore ask you not to waste your time.
Everyone was retreating to their homes, walking while they talked.
–They're not going to stop me from coming in, – Fred said stubbornly, glancing at the staff table. –Champions will have to do a lot of things that they would never allow us to do under normal conditions. And there are a thousand prize galleons!
–Yes, – Ron nodded, his expression dreamy. –Yes, a thousand galleons...
–None of you will enter, brothers, and I advise you not to try, you will only hurt yourself and make a fool of yourself. – Ginny said smiling, waving goodbye to Luna in the distance and then taking Harry's hand, who smiled at her. They all began to protest and demand that she had told them that.
–Who is this impartial judge who is going to decide who will be the champions? – Harry asked.
–I don't know, – said Fred, –But he's the one we've got to fool. I suppose a couple of drops of aging potion might suffice, George...
–But Dumbledore knows you're not the age, – said Ron.
–Yes, but he's not the one who decides who's going to be the champion, is he? – Fred said slyly. –I have the impression that when that judge knows who wants to participate, he will choose the best of each school and will not care much about age. Dumbledore pretends that we don't get to introduce ourselves.
–But there have been deaths! – Hermione said in a worried voice as they walked through a door hidden behind a tapestry and began to climb another, narrower staircase.
–Yes, – Fred admitted, shrugging it off, –But that was years ago, wasn't it? Besides, can there be fun without a bit of risk? Hey, Ron, and if we figure out how to fool Dumbledore, wouldn't you like to participate?
–What do you think? – Ron asked Harry. –It would be nice to participate, wouldn't it? But I guess they'll pick someone older... I don't know if we're ready...
–None of you will do such a foolish thing, – Ginny said, losing her humor, unable to bear the thought of one of them being chosen in Cedric's place and taking his place in Voldemort's resurrection. –The champion of Hogwarts will die during the competition, and I won't allow it to be any of you.
At this phrase there was a silence, in her exaltation, she had not realized that she had raised her voice and everyone around her had heard her, even from other houses they saw her with horror at what she had said.
–Ginny, you weren't supposed to talk about it. – Colin mumbled as he took her free hand and dragged it out of the dining room so no one had a chance to get close. When they left, the rumors started, and the teachers even found out that same night about Ginny's prediction.
She had a solid reputation even before she entered Hogwarts, at least among the pure-blood families, who knew about her gift, but in the wake of her business to divine the (usually love-telling) future that she had begun a couple of years ago, that reputation had spread even among Muggle-born seniors. Ginny had never made such statements before, and every young witch over the age of 17 (all of whom had ever consulted her on love, family, or academic matters) firmly believed her and refused to even think of participating.
The boys, on the other hand, believed her on a certain level, but they were also too eager to prove that they were not afraid and every young man over the age of 17 was determined to sign up.
Over the days, she was called into Professor Trelawney's classroom, who scolded her for saying that and interfering with someone's fate of dying, which Ginny ignored. However, she was also called to Dumbledore's office, who tried to extract more information from her and had to resign himself to her refusal. She was protected by the same ritual and luckily no one could access her thoughts without her consent, she knew that she would be no rival for the old man if he decided to use occlumency on her. But that mental intent was a violation, which had killed Tom Riddle's diary.
She even went to the trouble of sending a letter to his mother to tell her bluntly about the fate of the Hogwarts champion. Mother, of course, went into a ruckus, and sent furious letters to her children expressly forbidding them to even try to enter the competition: "If you dare to do so, I will kill you faster than the tournament," she said in the three letters she sent. Her brothers were furious, but they did not demand anything from her, for after what she had said, they had resigned themselves to trying.
Harry was too curious, but Ginny reminded him dryly of the deal he had made and stopped asking. So, they both continued with the same routine as before, with her going to his bed every night, making all their meals together and finally that year they could both have a full-fledged date as Ginny would be allowed to go to Hogsmeade for the first time.
Usually, Harry was very observant, a sad skill that every abused child developed to survive, but with Ginny, that ability fell, however, from Hermione's words full of suspicion; he decided to pay more attention, and he trusted Ginny with his life, but there were things that she knew and refused to say.
He noticed that she hardly asked about the new professor, nor did she comment unless he asked, which was very strange because she never shut up about anything or anyone and had not even issued an opinion or been angry about him when he told her about the unforgivable curses. She also never asked about Sirius, so he realized that she disliked him, something that made him sad, since he hoped that they would come to like each other, he did not want to have to choose between them.
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I'm trying to improve my spelling :D