Chapter 342 Top 3 Tournament Rules
As the students from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang took their seats, the welcome dinner officially began.
Dumbledore stood in front of the long table and introduced the guests from afar to the students of Hogwarts. He looked at the whole hall with gentle blue eyes through half-moon glasses, with a happy smile on his face.
"Tonight, we welcome the outstanding representatives of Beauxbatons and Durmstrang." Dumbledore opened his arms and spoke in a loud voice that echoed throughout the hall. "I hope you will have a wonderful time at Hogwarts and enjoy the upcoming magical event - the Triwizard Tournament!"
The hall erupted in applause, with students clapping excitedly, especially the Gryffindor table, whose cheers were deafening.
But the students of Beauxbatons were relatively quiet. Many students of Beauxbatons had complaints about the food at Hogwarts, especially Fleur Delacour. She picked up a piece of bread, looked at it, and finally snorted, obviously not very satisfied with the food.
When Dumbledore raised his glass to them, Fleur just raised her glass perfunctorily, but did not drink it. Instead, she laughed softly, with sarcasm.
Then she took off her scarf and sauntered towards the Gryffindor table, her eyes fixed on the bowl of bouillabaisse in front of Ron Weasley.
"Do you want this again?" she asked softly, with a slight French accent.
Ron stared at her stupidly, his mouth opened as if he wanted to say something, but nothing came out, as if he was completely overwhelmed by Fleur's charm.
Amanta glanced at Ron's expression and found it a little funny. The Veela bloodline was indeed powerful.
Fleur took the fish soup in front of Ron and turned back to the Beauxbatons table. As she walked, many boys followed her gaze. Even several seventh-year boys at the Slytherin table couldn't help but look back.
Draco snorted coldly, with disdain in his eyes: "A bunch of idiots."
Harry was watching with great amusement from the side and gently poked Amanta: "Ron seems to be about to faint."
Amanta smiled slightly and said nothing, but looked back at Dumbledore in the center of the hall.
Amidst the lively conversation and whispering, Dumbledore raised his hand for silence.
"Now, let's talk about the most important event of this year -" Dumbledore paused, the smile on his face deepening, "The Triwizard Tournament."
The entire auditorium was suddenly silent, and then broke into even louder cheers.
"As you all know, this year, Hogwarts will co-host this great event with Beauxbatons and Durmstrang." Dumbledore continued with a smile, "This competition was first established about seven hundred years ago. It is a friendly competition between the three major magic schools in Europe. Each school selects a champion representative to participate in three extremely challenging magic tasks."
"The one responsible for selecting the warriors is an impartial selector, and that is the Goblet of Fire."
As soon as he finished speaking, the door slowly opened and Filch walked in dragging an ancient wooden goblet. A faint blue flame was dancing in the goblet, illuminating Filch's wrinkled face.
The entire auditorium held its breath, staring at the cup.
"The rules of the Goblet of Fire are simple," Dumbledore said in a gentle voice. "Any student who wants to become a champion only needs to write his or her name and school on a piece of parchment and throw it into the Goblet of Fire. The Goblet of Fire will select three champions on Halloween based on the best candidates."
The students whispered to each other and talked a lot.
"This is so cool! I wish I was a warrior!" Harry whispered excitedly.
"It's indeed an opportunity to become famous." Draco said casually, but there was a hint of anticipation in his tone.
Amanta remained silent, tapping the table with her fingertips, her eyes fixed on the Goblet of Fire.
Dumbledore looked around and his eyes turned serious.
"However, due to the dangers of the Triwizard Tournament, after many discussions, we have confirmed that a new rule will be added this year - an age limit." He continued, "In order to ensure that only truly capable wizards participate, only students who are seventeen years old or above can sign up this time."
A burst of wailing sounded in the auditorium.
A Hufflepuff student wailed, "I want to join in, too! I'm not afraid of danger - can't the rules be changed?"
"I've been wanting to say this for a long time," Ron's eyes widened, "This isn't fair!"
"I'm only fifteen! Don't we even have a chance to try?" Seamus Finnigan complained loudly.
"It's a pity indeed." Hermione said calmly, "But historically, the mortality rate of this event is very high, so it makes sense for the Ministry of Magic to make such a rule."
Dumbledore raised his hand for silence and continued, "The Goblet of Fire will be placed in the center of the Great Hall foyer. Any student who wishes to sign up can submit their name in the next few days. However, please remember - once you are selected by the Goblet of Fire, you must complete the entire competition."
"In other words, once your name is chosen by the Goblet of Fire, you will be bound by the magical contract and cannot go back on your word."
Dumbledore's words made many students fall into deep thought, and their passionate emotions calmed down a little.
"Well, finally - I wish you all good luck." Dumbledore said with a smile, "Courage, wisdom, agility and determination will determine who will be the champion this year."
"The dinner party is about to begin."
Food instantly appeared on the golden plate, but compared to the sumptuous dinner, the students in the auditorium were obviously more interested in the upcoming Triwizard Tournament.
No one was in the mood to eat, but instead started talking about the candidates for the Triwizard Tournament warriors.
"Who will be the champion of Hogwarts?" Neville frowned and thought, "It should be Cedric, right?"
"Yes, he is one of the best students in our school." Parvati agreed.
"I don't think so," Seamus Finnigan shrugged. "I think Angelina Johnson is great, too."
"Who will be the champions of Beauxbatons and Durmstrang?" Luna came closer, tilted her head, her tone still vague.
"The most likely person from Beauxbatons is Fleur Delacour." Amanta also joined in the fun. "She is quite capable and has a strong aura, enough to represent Beauxbatons."
"If it's Durmstrang... it must be Krum!" Harry blurted out.
Everyone looked at each other and seemed to think that this possibility was very high.
"Who knows?" Amanta whispered, her eyes dark. "The game hasn't started yet, and nothing is known yet."
Julius sat not far from the Slytherin table, looking at Amanta quietly, with the corners of his mouth slightly raised, as if smiling.
He did not participate in the discussion, but his dark eyes were filled with emotions that were difficult to fathom.
Amanta noticed his gaze and pretended to glance at his face casually, but her eyes fell on several Durmstrang students not far from him.
The students of Durmstrang all sat at the vacant end of the Slytherin table, but their faces were gloomy and they seemed not very satisfied with the place.