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'What is going on? Mr. Potter is entering too?'
'What does he mean? Is he planning to compete with Mr. Dursley?'
'But why did Mr. Potter put his own name in so many times? Did he think one entry was not confident enough, so he put in several to guarantee he would be selected?'
'Is... is that it?'
'Then what is happening now? Is Mr. Potter the fourth champion, or the fourth, fifth, sixth, and ninth champions?'
The young wizards looked at one another. After a brief silence, they quickly gathered in twos and threes, whispering together. A buzzing sound began spreading through the Great Hall, like countless angry bees.
Compared with the young wizards' discussion, Karkaroff and Maxime looked grim. As for the reason, was there any need to say it? Durmstrang and Beauxbatons each had only one champion, while Hogwarts had produced two contestants at once. No matter how one thought about it, they would not feel pleased.
"I did not put my name in."
Harry's face looked terrible as he refuted loudly.
In truth, he had originally wanted to enter, but after learning that Brother D would enter, he had extinguished that idea.
Forget putting his name in. He had not even written it down.
So his name absolutely had not been put in by him. Someone had impersonated him and entered it.
"Harry, go in first."
Dumbledore pointed toward the room Dudley and the other champions had just entered. His face was expressionless, and his voice was completely emotionless. One could not tell whether he was happy or angry.
"This is an extremely boring prank. I absolutely refuse to acknowledge this result."
Karkaroff was extremely agitated. His entire face flushed red, and blue veins bulged at his temples. After his yellow teeth were exposed, he showed no sign of closing his mouth. His voice was extremely loud, making the whole hall buzz.
"This is absurd. Nothing like this has ever happened in the history of the Triwizard Tournament."
Perhaps realizing he should not lose his temper in front of the students, Karkaroff snorted and stormed into the small room where the champions were.
Madam Maxime, Dumbledore, and several professors followed.
They left behind a hall full of confused young wizards.
"Karkaroff, this is the content of the contract. We must follow it."
After entering the room, Dumbledore spoke. His face still did not change at all.
"Follow what? Follow Hogwarts having two contestants? Are you joking, Dumbledore? What Hogwarts has done is a blatant violation."
Although Karkaroff had calmed down, he wore a cold smile, and his blue eyes were icy.
"I do not remember the host school being allowed two champions."
"I would also like to know, Dumbledore."
Maxime's voice was cold, no longer as friendly as before. It was filled with hostility.
"What exactly is Hogwarts doing?"
In their eyes, Hogwarts had clearly cheated. Otherwise, how could two champions appear at once?
Two champions would undoubtedly double Hogwarts's chance of winning.
"In fact, we did nothing."
Dumbledore spoke to the two headmasters with an expression that suggested his own word settled the matter. Then his gaze turned to Harry.
"I will confirm this once more. Did you put your name into the Goblet of Fire, Harry?"
"No."
Harry answered firmly.
"Then did you ask an older student to put your name in for you?"
Dumbledore asked again.
"No. I had no reason to do that."
Harry said this impatiently, then looked at Dudley.
"Brother D, I swear I absolutely did not put my name in."
Compared with everyone else, he cared more about whether Dudley believed him.
He did not want Dudley to misunderstand.
"Harry, I believe you."
Dudley patted Harry on the shoulder.
That almost unconditional trust moved Harry so much that he nearly cried.
Of course Dudley knew Harry had not done it. As for who had...
His gaze casually fell on Professor Moody, who had stood silently in the corner after entering the room.
However, their "Professor Moody" must be feeling very troubled right now. Although events had followed the script he had set, the result had exceeded his expectations. He had only put in one piece of parchment with Harry Potter's name. Why had so many Harry names appeared now?
Had the Goblet of Fire gone mad?
"He must be lying!"
Madam Maxime pointed at Harry and shouted. Her enormous eyes glared at him, as if she wanted to swallow him in one bite.
"He has no need to lie."
The one who answered her was not Dumbledore, but Dudley.
He stepped out and silently used his body to block Harry, protecting him behind him as he had in primary school. He did not care at all about the murderous gazes from the two headmasters.
"Why?"
Karkaroff's eyes nearly spat fire. Baring his yellow teeth, he questioned Dudley.
"What right do you have to say he is not lying?"
Madam Maxime did not speak, but her questioning gaze was the same.
"Because the champion of the Triwizard Tournament will inevitably be me."
Dudley spoke calmly, as if he were stating something perfectly normal.
His gaze swept over Viktor and Fleur.
"This was decided from the beginning, the moment I chose to enter this tournament."
His tone was entirely matter-of-fact.
Viktor looked stunned. Fleur glared at him angrily.
As two of the most outstanding students of their schools, they had never been underestimated like this.
"Arrogant, conceited, and utterly blind to the world!"
Karkaroff gave an angry laugh. He had not liked Dudley to begin with. After hearing Dudley's words, his disgust deepened.
"It is truly difficult to imagine Hogwarts teaching such a student."
"Karkaroff, do you have some dissatisfaction with my teaching methods?"
A gloomy voice sounded. At some point, Snape had appeared beside Dudley.
His actions told Karkaroff clearly: this was his student, and he would protect him.
"Snape."
Karkaroff looked at Snape with a dark expression, but rarely, he did not continue pressing.
Karkaroff and Snape were old acquaintances. They had known each other when they had served a certain someone.
Dudley knew Snape was helping him, and his heart warmed slightly.
Aside from having a poisonous mouth and being somewhat fiercely protective, Snape was otherwise all right. As for his teaching level, if one could endure his venom and possess a strong heart that would not be affected no matter how viciously he spoke, one could actually learn a great deal from his lessons. Most importantly, when students encountered danger, he truly stepped forward.
That alone put him above countless professors and teachers.
"In the future, you will know that I was merely stating a fact."
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