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"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 in place, his eyes hard in their stare, not only towards Adrian, but on Harry too. "And yet, here we have not one, but two!"
"We had better stop arguing if we want to work this out." Said Severus, taking control of the conversation with a strong and collected voice. He looked towards his son once before he sighed and continued. "First of all, Harry is emancipated and thus an adult. He had every right to compete in this tournament and he did. Professor Dumbledore was already aware of this fact." The Headmaster nodded in agreement and so did Harry.
"And how do you explain the second champion then?" Karkaroff asked, his glare deadly.
"Adrian could not have placed his name in the Goblet alone." Severus stated, his tone disallowing his words to be contested. "No underage witch or wizard could." Albus nodded again and took a step towards Adrian, his blue eyes serious.
"Thank you Severus," the Headmaster said, his eyes taking in the now slightly calmer atmosphere in the room after the potions master's intervention. He moved yet closer to Adrian, his eyes boring into the hazel gaze of the older Potter twin. Adrian was fidgeting but managed to hold the Headmaster's gaze. "Did you place your name in the Goblet of Fire, Adrian?" He asked calmly.
"No." Adrian said, his frame shaking even more, the implications of what had just happened finally obvious in his mind.
"Did you ask an older student to place your name in the Goblet for you?" The Headmaster continued; Adrian was so stunned, he could barely form a coherent sentence.
"No." He finally stated, shaking his head decisively. Karkaroff snorted, earning himself a glare from the potions master.
"Ah, but of course 'e is lying!" cried Madame Maxime.
"Didn't you listen to a word Severus just spoke? 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," insisted Madame Maxime, shrugging.
"It is possible, of course," said Dumbledore politely. McGonagall snorted loudly, her eyes on Dumbledore once more.
"Albus, you very well know you didn't make a mistake!" said she angrily. "Really, what nonsense! Adrian 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 everybody else!" Her accusatory gaze was now turned to Karkaroff who promptly ignored her.
"Mr. Crouch . . . Mr. Bagman," said Karkaroff, his voice oily 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." Said Crouch, making Harry's head spin; of course, he knew that the magical bond the goblet imposed on a contestant upon entering the tournament was binding but surely, the judges could see the danger!
"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!"
"No, you won't." Severus interjected, cocking an eyebrow and looking at the once Death Eater condescendingly. "We all know it."
"Exactly! 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.
HI GUYS IF YOU WANT READ 400 + CHAPTERS THEN VISIT
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