Viktor Krum.
In Latin, "Viktor" carries the meaning of conqueror and victor.
Whether it was thanks to that name or not, Viktor Krum's recent performance in the World Cup had already earned him a growing reputation as the world's top Seeker.
Students from both Hogwarts and Beauxbatons kept their eyes fixed on this world-class Seeker's every move. To most of them, he was one of the strongest contenders to become a Champion.
So the moment Viktor Krum stood and began walking toward the Goblet of Fire, all eyes in the hall followed him.
Beyond the glow of his fame, what everyone truly wanted to see was how the Goblet would choose a Champion…
...
The first person to step forward always drew the most attention.
"Did anyone else throw their parchment in before this?"
"Didn't see anyone. Don't doubt me—I've been here since morning without leaving.
My eyes have been glued to the Goblet. Unless someone turned invisible right in front of me."
"…You're surprisingly reliable."
"Stop talking and look—Durmstrang's about to register."
Under dozens of curious and expectant gazes, Viktor Krum reached the Goblet of Fire. He stopped just a step away from the golden line on the floor. All it would take was one step forward to cross it and drop his parchment into the flames.
"Nothing's going to happen… right?"
Unlike the others, Harry Potter stood a little ways off, feeling strangely worried.
Though this new friend always mispronounced his name, behind that fierce exterior Viktor Krum was actually very easy to get along with.
He was also the first wizard to approach Harry for reasons other than the scar on his forehead.
"Relax. If there's any kind of test, it'll just be the age restriction Dumbledore mentioned.
Follow the rules and it'll be fine."
"Cedric?"
"Long time no see, Harry."
"Yeah, uh…"
Turning around, Harry finally noticed Cedric Diggory standing behind him with a few others. At some point, they had gathered without his noticing.
But Harry's eyes were quickly drawn to the witch beside Cedric.
Cedric seemed not to notice Harry's dazed expression as he began introducing her.
"This is Cho Chang from Ravenclaw—my girlfriend."
"Hello, Harry Potter."
"Ah… uh."
Harry Potter, who could face Voldemort and mortal danger without flinching, suddenly couldn't string together a single coherent sentence. It was as if he'd eaten something that sat wrong in his stomach.
Cho Chang, who didn't quite understand what was happening, frowned slightly and withdrew the hand she'd been about to extend.
The awkwardness thickened—until movement by the Goblet of Fire caught Cedric and the others' attention, sparing Harry further humiliation.
Harry, stiff-limbed and mortified, quietly exhaled in relief.
No one noticed how his eyes were still sneaking glances at the dark-haired witch before him...
...
In truth, things were not quite as most wizards had imagined.
Because when Viktor Krum stepped over the golden line and tossed his parchment into the flames, nothing dramatic or awe-inspiring happened at all.
No magical blast flinging him backward for lacking power.
No crushing surge of gravity forcing him to his knees and stripping him of eligibility.
None of that.
Viktor Krum simply dropped his parchment into the Goblet of Fire, then calmly stepped back out over the golden line.
The whole process was painfully ordinary—so much so that it looked as if he'd merely walked up and tossed away a bit of rubbish...
Once Krum succeeded, the rest of the Durmstrang students followed one after another and completed their entries as well.
The sight was so devoid of challenge that the wizards who had been eagerly waiting for some spectacle could only look at each other in disbelief.
The sudden anticlimax left the air oddly still...
"So… nothing happened?"
"No idea. They didn't break any of Dumbledore's rules."
"Maybe it was all just meant to scare people?"
"Draco, why don't you try it?"
Draco couldn't be less interested in testing Pansy and Hermione's theories.
His attention stayed fixed on the golden line. He'd already noticed that whenever someone stepped into its boundary, the magic in the air grew more active, and the golden thread faintly glowed.
He doubted that was a coincidence.
A long-sustaining spell… this definitely needs close study.
Barrier-type spells weren't rare, but casting them was extremely demanding, as they required constant maintenance to remain stable.
And clearly, Dumbledore had used some special method to keep his spell active.
That was exactly what made Draco curious.
Just as he stepped closer to examine it, Fleur Delacour's voice reached his ears...
"Well then, it's my turn now. I hope certain people don't plan to stand there doing nothing. Hmph!"
Whether she passed by Draco on purpose was anyone's guess.
Either way, when she reached the Slytherin table, Fleur Delacour delivered the remark with unmistakable intent.
With a soft little sniff and her pale neck lifted high, she swept past Draco like a proud swan.
It seemed that now that Durmstrang had finished registering, it was Beauxbatons' turn...
"That woman is provoking us on purpose!"
"Draco, I have parchment—hurry, write your name down. Quick!"
"..."
Watching Pansy and Hermione beside him, bristling like cats whose tails had been stepped on, Draco finally pulled his eyes away from the golden line and shifted them to the tall, elegant figure walking ahead.
In that instant, the sensation of being watched by a hunter made Fleur Delacour's expression freeze ever so slightly as she neared the Goblet of Fire.
Her instincts whispered a very bad premonition...
...
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