[111] Beneath the Hollow Moon

"Putting aside the fact that Hogwarts has three champions, aren't they too young?" Fleur's tone was harsh. "One is already fifteen, and these two — how old are they? Twelve? Or thirteen? They can't participate. Too young. Too dangerous."

"That's indeed hard to believe..." Bagman tried to smooth things over, gesturing with his hands to ease the tense atmosphere.

Just as he was about to offer some words of comfort, Krum, who had been standing by the window, walked over. He extended his hand to Hall. "I believe in Hall. He can do it. Don't underestimate him." He winked at Hall as he spoke.

Hall had reason to suspect this big guy had put his name in. He tilted his head slightly, his eyes fixed on Krum, silently considering various possibilities.

Fleur realised she couldn't reason with them and turned to look at Cedric. But no one was on her side. She stomped her foot in frustration.

The door opened again. More people poured in: Dumbledore, Karkaroff, Madame Maxime, Professors McGonagall and Snape, Sirius and Lupin. They entered and immediately closed the door tightly. However, the noise outside was still loud, seeping through the crack like a swarm of buzzing bees.

"Madame Maxime!" Fleur exclaimed, her eyes lighting up as if she'd seen a saviour. She strode over. "They said those two children are going to participate in the tournament too."

Hall raised an eyebrow. A child? No one who knew him treated him like a child. He crossed his arms, as if he'd heard something amusing. Krum, standing beside him, seemed to have heard a ridiculous joke and chuckled loudly.

Madame Maxime, tall and imposing, looked down at the white-bearded old man in the crowd. "Tell me, what does this all mean, Headmaster Dumbledore?"

"Please explain, Dumbledore," Karkaroff chimed in. But the moment he entered, he exchanged a quick glance with Krum, the two seemingly communicating with their eyes. These subtle movements didn't escape Hall's notice. His eyes narrowed slightly as he silently analysed their possible intentions.

"Why are there three champions at Hogwarts? I don't recall it being written in the rules. Does the organiser have some special privilege?" Karkaroff challenged Dumbledore, his tone full of provocation and skepticism.

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"This shouldn't be! This is completely unfair!" Madame Maxime grasped Fleur's hand and patted it reassuringly.

"I thought you set that age limit to select suitable candidates, but what is this?" Karkaroff said, extremely dissatisfied. "If there weren't a seventeen-year-old restriction, we could have brought many more people to participate. We would have had more choices!"

"This is all Potter's fault, Karkaroff," Snape said coldly, his hostility and bias all too obvious. "There's no need to blame Dumbledore. Potter broke the rules, and Mr. Weasley is just a scapegoat. After all, this isn't the first time he's done this —"

"Severus," Dumbledore began, interrupting Snape. He didn't answer the questions but focused his gaze on Harry and Hall. "Did you put your names in the Goblet of Fire, Harry and Hall?"

Harry found his voice. "No, Headmaster."

"No," Hall said, his voice firm and steady.

Everyone was looking at them. Dumbledore continued. "Then did you ask any classmates of the appropriate age to put your names in the Goblet?"

"No," they answered in unison.

"It's impossible for us to cross that age limit," Hall said calmly. "Headmaster, I swear I didn't do it, and I have reason to suspect someone put my and Harry's names in."

Dumbledore's expression was inscrutable; his eyes behind his crescent-shaped spectacles were like deep, still lakes. Behind him, Snape, Sirius, and Lupin all looked grim. Snape's face was dark, his thin lips pressed into a tight line. Sirius looked anxious, his eyes darting back and forth between Harry and the others. He rushed to Harry's side, pulling him toward Dumbledore, but before he could speak, someone else interrupted.

"I think there's something wrong with this." Karkaroff cleared his throat. "While I don't think this is fair to us, we still have to follow the rules, don't we?" His eyes gleamed. "The rules are very clear: anyone whose name comes out of the Goblet of Fire must participate in the tournament. Isn't that right, Mr. Crouch?"

"Yes," Bagman said for Barty Crouch. Hearing Karkaroff's change of heart, his gaze fell on Madame Maxime, as if he thought that if he could persuade her, the matter would be resolved.

Karkaroff's change of attitude was too quick, and Madame Maxime clearly looked down on him for it. She scoffed. "I think we should re-enrol and select new candidates. You should bring out the Goblet of Fire again. We need to add more names — until each school selects three champions."

"But Madame Maxime, we can't do that. The flame of the Goblet of Fire won't be rekindled until the next tournament begins," Bagman explained helplessly.

Madame Maxime continued to argue, and Bagman and Crouch tried their best to persuade her.

Karkaroff was observing Hall. Hall turned, met his eyes, and offered a generous smile. Karkaroff showed no embarrassment at being caught, returning a stiff smile.

Just then, a voice echoed in the room.

"Someone wants to give Hogwarts multiple chances! I absolutely disagree —"

"That person wants Potter and Weasley to participate!"

"He wants them dead!"

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