Kael passed through the side door behind the main guest seats and entered a small room, where the walls were lined with portraits of wizards.
Kael also saw Phineas, he and another bearded headmaster were peeking out from behind a house, scrutinizing them.
"I just heard your name." Fleur walked over from the fireplace and said, "The cheers were really loud, I didn't expect you to be so famous at Hogwarts."
"It's just the home advantage." Kael said, "If it were at Beauxbatons, your cheer would definitely be much louder than mine."
"Not necessarily." Fleur flicked her silver hair nonchalantly.
Kael looked at Krum, this legendary Seeker remained the same as ever, only nodding briefly at Kael and then continued to lean against the mantelpiece, lost in thought. It seemed that becoming a Champion hadn't made him particularly happy.
Outside, the cheering continued for a long time without calming down.
During this time, no one came in, as if Dumbledore, Chris, Bagman, and the others had forgotten there were still three people here.
During this time, Krum stayed at the mantelpiece without speaking. Fortunately, Fleur and Kael were familiar enough to chat.
Finally, after more than ten minutes, the room's door was opened from the outside.
Someone rushed in frantically, and everyone instinctively looked over.
"What's wrong?" Fleur looked at the skinny figure, "Are they asking us to go back to the Auditorium?"
"Oh... yes." After a brief daze, Harry hurriedly moved his gaze away from Fleur's face and nodded, "The Daily Prophet people have arrived, the Headmaster has been talking to them.
Oh yes, and the Minister of Magic, he asked me to notify you to go back to the Auditorium."
"Cornelius Fudge?" Fleur frowned.
While Kael kept looking at Harry.
"Congratulations, Kael." Harry said with a smile, "Fred and George said they're going to make a hundred-foot-long flag, we'll all cheer for you during the competition."
With that, he waved and ran off.
Fleur also stood up and reluctantly walked towards the door,
Kael, coming to his senses, shook his head and followed.
"You seem to dislike Fudge." He asked, "You shouldn't have met him before."
"No, but Ms.Maxime mentioned him to me."
"Because of your sister Gabrielle?"
"Yes." Fleur nodded.
"Was the matter resolved?" Kael asked curiously.
"Sort of." Fleur said angrily, "There were clearly six people... but Fudge blamed everything on one person, only agreeing to imprison him in your Wizard Prison...
Which is deserved, since he used an Unforgivable Curse, but our request was that everyone should be punished, yet he kept evading."
As they spoke, they had arrived at the Auditorium.
They were greeted by bursts of cheering.
Kael noticed that the Goblet of Fire placed there had been completely extinguished.
After arriving here, Fleur's face showed no displeasure anymore. She knew well that negotiating with the Minister of Magic was Ms.Maxime's job, unrelated to her.
She could just complain when no one was watching.
"Welcome, distinguished champions." Fudge said with a smile.
He looked glowing and seemed rounder than he did in the Trial Room before.
Fudge came over, warmly shook hands with everyone, and when he reached Kael, he shook his arm with extra force.
"Well done, kid, I knew you could do it."
"Click!"
Accompanied by a burst of purple smoke, the excited people from the Daily Prophet captured the moment.
"Front-page headline, Minister!" shouted the excited short man with a camera.
"No, Baddock." Fudge shook his head, "I think the front-page should be reserved for these champions... how about a group photo."
"You think of everything, Mr.Minister." The photographer immediately moved, gathering Kael and the other two champions to the center of the Auditorium.
Though Maxime looked displeased, she made way.
"No need to move, ma'am..." The photographer Baddock was awed by Maxime's towering stature but still advised, "This is a group photo; you can stand next to the champions, but be careful not to block them."
Maxime's face darkened further as she turned to look at Dumbledore.
"Alright, certainly." said Dumbledore, stepping behind Kael, "How's this?"
"Very good." Baddock said.
Maxime and Karkaroff also came over, standing behind their school's champions.
Then came Fudge, Chris, and Bagman, representing the Ministry of Magic.
Once everyone was in place, Baddock didn't take the photo immediately but instead ran to the Gryffindor table, pulling Harry to the front of the table without saying a word.
"What are you waiting for, cheer for the champions!"
Amid enthusiastic applause, Baddock finally pressed the shutter.
The banquet ended here, students returned to their common rooms, leaving Kael, Fleur, and Krum to return to the previous small room.
This time, the three headmasters, Fudge, Chris, and Baddock followed inside.
"I truly hope the interaction just now made you more congenial." Dumbledore said with a smile, "Though the Triwizard Tournament is a brutal competition, it's also a wonderful opportunity to make friends... I always think, having one more like-minded friend can sometimes be more precious than a championship."
Krum's expression shifted slightly, but he still remained silent.
"Alright, Albus, onto business." Karkaroff said, "Viktor isn't feeling well lately and needs some rest."
"Of course, that's reasonable." said Dumbledore, "I'd like to recommend Madam Pomfrey at Hogwarts Hospital Wing to you; she's one of the finest healers I know."
"That's quite a compliment." said Karkaroff.
"Alright, let's proceed." Bagman rubbed his hands together, smiling at everyone in the room. "We're going to guide our champions, right?"
"Yes." Fudge smiled, "Chris, it's up to you."
"Alright." Chris nodded, stepping forward.
"The first task... is to test your courage, so I'm not going to tell you what it is. Facing unknown challenges is an important aspect for a wizard... The only hint I can give you is 'obstacle courses.'
"There are three courses, corresponding to three different schools, only by reaching the end can you obtain the clue for the second project."
"That's enough, Chris." Bagman said with a laugh, "Any more, and it would take away much of the excitement."
"Alright, you're right." Chris laughed.
Kael, Fleur, and Krum looked at Bagman, eyes with hostility... but he triumphantly patted his belly.
"Now for the timing." Chris clapped his hands, "The first task will take place on November 30th, in front of all the students, subject to grading by the judging panel.
"During the competition, champions are not allowed to receive any help from other professors, your only weapon is your wand."
When uttering the word "wand," Chris emphasized it, seemingly hinting at something.
Fortunately, others didn't notice this.
"Since the demands of the competition are already high, champions don't have to attend the school-year exams." Chris continued, "You have one month's time, don't mind anything else, focus on preparing for the competition."
Then he turned to Dumbledore, "I think that's it, Albus."
"Indeed." Dumbledore said, "How about a drink afterwards? I have a fine bottle of whiskey."
"I'm afraid not, Albus." Chris said, "This is the busiest time, the department has many matters to attend to."
"It's just one drink, it's no problem." Fudge blinked and said with a smile, "Besides, you should also want to celebrate."
"Well... alright." Chris nodded in agreement.
"Great." Dumbledore said with a smile.
He was about to invite Maxime and Karkaroff but turned round to find them already preparing to leave with their school's champions.
...