Chapter 89
There was a sound of scurrying feet behind him, and Ludo Bagman entered the room. He took Harry by the arm and led him forward.
"Extraordinary!" he muttered, squeezing Harry's arm. "Absolutely extraordinary! Gentlemen... lady," he added, approaching the fireside and addressing the other three. "May I introduce – incredible though it may seem – the fourth Triwizard champion?" Viktor Krum straightened up. His surly face darkened as he surveyed Harry. Ryan knew this would.. Fleur Delacour, however, tossed her hair, smiling, and said, "Oh, vairy funny joke, Meester Bagman. " Ryan smacked her pert little b.u.t.t and whispered in her ear "Be nice bad stuff like this happens to harry alot plus he never put his name in he was with ginny most of last night plus he is a friend " she looked shocked at this revelation.
Joke?" Bagman repeated, bewildered. "No, no, not at all! Harry's name just came out of the Goblet of Fire!"
Krum's thick eyebrows contracted slightly.
"Well... it is amazing," said Bagman, rubbing his smooth chin and smiling down at Harry. "But, as you know, the age restriction was only imposed this year as an extra safety measure. And as his name's come out of the goblet... I mean, I don't think there can be any ducking out at this stage.... It's down in the rules, you're obliged... Harry will just have to do the best he -"
The door behind them opened again, and a large group of people came in: Professor Dumbledore, followed closely by Mr. Crouch, Professor Karkaroff, Madame Maxime, Professor McGonagall, and Professor Snape. Ryan heard the buzzing of the hundreds of students on the other side of the wall, before Professor McGonagall closed the door.
Madame Maxime had drawn herself up to her full, and considerable, height. The top of her handsome head brushed the candle-filled chandelier, and her gigantic black-satin bosom swelled.
"What is ze meaning of zis, Dumbly-dorr?" she said imperiously.
"I'd
Professor Dumbledore was now looking down at Ryan and Harry, who looked right back at him.
"Did you put your name into the Goblet of Fire boys? he asked calmly.
"yes/no" replied Ryan and Harry at the same time. the teachers looked at Ryan confused and Dumbledore asked. "May I ask how you got your name in the goblet?" Ryan let out a slight chuckle and said "well I just stood past the line and balled it in and threw it into the cup." they all looked dumbfounded at this and Dumbledore scrunched his brows for a moment before letting out a slight chuckle yes I suppose that would work." harry on the other hand told them he did not and Ryan told them he was with friends all night last night and never left the dorm and didn't do it this morning he told them he was up all night long exercising. He wasn't of course but who could prove it. they believed him and started to figure out someone else put Harrys name in but he still had to compete it was a legal magical binding contract and even if harry didn't do it himself his name in his handwriting from one of his papers was put in so it counted. there was alot of c.r.a.p from moody about someone trying to kill him ironically it was him Ryan had seen it on the marauders Map that he was Barty Crouch Jr. and thought it funny.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. "
"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."Well, shall we crack on, then?" he said, rubbing his hands together and smiling around the room. "Got to give our champions their instructions, haven't we? Barty, want to do the honors?"
Mr. Crouch seemed to come out of a deep reverie.
"Yes," he said, "instructions. Yes... the first task... "
He moved forward into the firelight. Close up, Ryan thought he looked ill. There were dark shadows beneath his eyes and a thin, papery look about his wrinkled skin that had not been there at the Quidditch World Cup."The first task is designed to test your daring," he told Harry, Ryan, Fleur, and Viktor, "so we are not going to be telling you what it is. Courage in the face of the unknown is an important quality in a wizard... very important....
"The first task will take place on November the twenty-fourth, in front of the other students and the panel of judges.
"The champions are not permitted to ask for or accept help of any kind from their teachers to complete the tasks in the tournament. The champions will face the first challenge armed only with their wands. They will receive information about the second task when the first is over. Owing to the demanding and time-consuming nature of the tournament, the champions are exempted from end-of-year tests. "Mr. Crouch turned to look at Dumbledore.
"I think that's all, is it, Albus?"
"I think so," said Dumbledore, who was looking at Mr. Crouch with mild concern. "Are you sure you wouldn't like to stay at Hogwarts tonight, Barty?"
"No, Dumbledore, I must get back to the Ministry," said Mr. Crouch. "It is a very busy, very difficult time at the moment.... I've left young Weatherby in charge.... Very enthusiastic... a little overenthusiastic, if truth be told... "
"You'll come and have a drink before you go, at least?" said Dumbledore.
"Come on, Barry, I'm staying!" said Bagman brightly. "It's all happening at Hogwarts now, you know, much more exciting here than at the office!"
"I think not, Ludo," said Crouch with a touch of his old impatience.
"Professor Karkaroff – Madame Maxime – a nightcap?" said Dumbledore.