A Certain Magical Hogwarts

Chapter 604 If the past cannot be changed, why not enjoy the fragrance of the flowers? (Third update!)

The two principals took turns having heart-to-heart talks with their students.

Whether through coercion or bribery, everyone spoke in unison:

A warrior who becomes a hero through his own strength!

How could I possibly admit it? I signed an agreement, and it's said that Stark cast a curse.

Once it's leaked, who knows what unspeakable things might happen?

Since we've embarked on the cheating path of spending money to become warriors, we need to stick to a unified story.

The two are like a sniffler in a vault; a fire snake in a fire; a hairy crab with a wand core... If something's going to happen, something's going to happen, so they absolutely cannot admit it.

But Karkarov persisted, saying:

"I have another question. All of my students are adult wizards."

They could put their names into the Goblet of Fire, and perhaps that broken goblet malfunctioned and selected them.

But most of the champions at Hogwarts are underage wizards.

He scoffed, "So Dumbledore's ageline is useless now?"

"Of course, that's possible," Dumbledore said politely.

"Nonsense! Dumbledore, you know perfectly well that your magic works!"

Seeing Karkaroff question Dumbledore, Professor McGonagall glared at him angrily.

"Hermione, how did you get that in?" William asked softly. "Does the age line even matter?"

"The age line is certainly useful," Hermione smiled. "So, I folded a piece of parchment into a paper airplane, stood outside the age line, and dropped it in."

"..."

Everyone stared at Hermione in disbelief... This is possible?

William snapped his fingers and laughed, "So strictly speaking, we haven't crossed the age line, we haven't broken any rules."

He then changed the subject, saying, "But I also have a perplexing question that I'd like to ask Principal Karkarov."

Karkaroff remained silent, seemingly unwilling to answer.

"William, you speak!" Mrs. Maxim said quickly.

"I just noticed... Hogwarts and Beauxbatons both only have seven champions."

William didn't mention cheating; instead, he focused on the numbers.

"But Durmstrang has nine warriors. How so?"

I don't remember which school had more warriors than the others.

Is that right, Mrs. Maxim?

"That's right!" Mrs. Maxim glared fiercely at Karkarov.

"You Durmstrangers cheated! How despicable!" she shouted. "You only know how to bully Beauxbatons and Hogwarts!"

"I insist that my students re-enroll," Maxim said, looking at Ludo and Crouch.

"You must put the Goblet of Fire back on the table and keep adding names to it until we and Hogwarts each produce two champions."

That's fair, don't you think, Dumbledore?

Dumbledore didn't speak, but Ludo shook his head and said:

"Madam, I'm afraid that won't work. The Goblet of Fire has just been extinguished. This contract has ended."

The fire was lit again, and the contract signed was not the same as this time.

"Beesbatton will never participate in the next tournament!" Mrs. Maxim said angrily.

"We've had so many meetings, so many negotiations and consultations, and we never expected something like this to happen!"

"You've already got wizards in their thirties to register, and you even have two more spots than us!"

"Demstrang, he disgusts me! Disgusting! I want to leave right now!"

"I agree with you, Mrs. Maxim," William said sternly, turning the tables on her.

"I will file a complaint with the Ministry of Magic and the International Federation of Wizards."

As a representative of the youth of Wisconsin-Gorgemo, UK!

Karkarov was dumbfounded.

Wait a minute, we were just targeting Hogwarts, how come you two have teamed up and are pointing guns at me?

Hermione glanced at William.

William winked at her furtively. Anyone can brag, right?

Ludo wiped the sweat from his brow and turned to look at Crouch.

Crouch stood outside the circle of firelight, and after a long pause, he spoke:

"Beauxbatons cannot leave. We must abide by the charter."

The rules clearly state that anyone whose name emerges from the Goblet of Fire must participate in the Triwizard Tournament.

Dumbledore nodded slightly and said, "We don't know how this situation came about."

"However, in my opinion, we have no choice but to accept it. Everyone has to participate in the competition."

Maxim glared at Kakarov again, seemingly convinced that he was the despicable man.

"Alright, shall we continue?" Ludo rubbed his hands together and looked at the people in the room with a smile.

"Time to give our warriors some guidance, right? Battier, you're the one to do it?"

"Okay," Crouch said sternly. "The first project is to test your courage, so we're not going to tell you what it is."

"The courage to face the unknown is an important quality of a wizard... extremely important..."

"The first project will be held on November 24th, and will be completed in front of other students and the judging panel."

"Warriors must not ask for or accept any assistance from their teachers while completing the competition."

When the warrior faced the first challenge, his only weapon was his magic wand.

Because the competition is demanding and lengthy, the warriors will not participate in the academic year exams.

After Crouch finished his announcement, everyone left. Ludo and Crouch deliberately stayed behind.

Ludo's face turned pale as he said:

"Dumbledore, I've suddenly realized something... the dragons we prepared for our first project... are seriously insufficient!"

Originally, only three fire dragons were needed, but now twenty-three are required... Who can possibly get so many?!

Damn Karkaroff!

Besides, after the mascot attack at the World Cup, who would dare to put so many fire dragons into schools?

Dumbledore said calmly, "I already have some ideas. Our first project will definitely need to be modified."

"Alright, since you have an idea." Mr. Crouch turned to Dumbledore. "It's getting late, so I'll head back now."

Dumbledore looked at Crouch with a slightly concerned expression.

"You really don't want to stay at Hogwarts tonight, Barty?"

"Yes, Dumbledore, I must go back to the department," said Mr. Crouch. "It's a very busy time right now."

I put young Weatherby in charge temporarily... He's very enthusiastic... To be honest, a little too enthusiastic...

"Well then, at least come over and have a drink before you leave?" Dumbledore said.

"Come on, Batty, I'm staying here!" Ludo said excitedly.

"The X-Strong Championship is much more exciting and fun here than sitting in the office!"

"I disagree with you, Ludo," Crouch said, his tone revealing his usual impatience.

Ludo didn't care and saw Crouch out, leaving Dumbledore standing there alone.

Soon, Snape emerged from the corner and immediately demanded, "Why did you let Big Peck create so many warriors?"

They're still a group of underage wizards!

Don't you know how dangerous the Triwizard Tournament is?!

Dumbledore didn't answer, but instead asked, "How is Karkaroff?"

"He doesn't trust me and is deliberately avoiding me!"

"He's terrified, terrified of Voldemort's return, terrified of you, his former 'colleague'." Dumbledore's eyes were deep.

"Keep a close eye on him and talk to him more."

"You should just give up now, he'll never be one of us!" Snape snorted, bringing the conversation back to the beginning.

"You'd better pay more attention to the competition than to Karkaroff, and watch out for your precious students... dying in the championship!"

"Severus, don't dwell on what's already happened."

The old man smiled and patted Snape on the broad shoulder.

"A wizard once said something very poetic: If you can't change the past, why not smell the flowers?"

"Could it be something Mr. Nicolas Flamel said again?"

"No, I said it."

"..."

……

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(Please vote for this post, everyone.)

The third update is here.

One more chapter to go, currently thirty-one chapters still owed.

(End of this chapter)