Back inside, Hermione carefully tidied Hagrid's cluttered hut with magic, while Harry washed the used teacups and put them away one by one.
Seeing this, Ron also took out his wand and waved it a few times, pretending to be busy.
Time passed quickly amid laughter and conversation. The glow of the setting sun gradually gilded Hogwarts Castle as dusk quietly descended.
The magical torches throughout the Castle lit one after another, bathing the corridors in warm, bright light.
The Great Hall was packed with people. The colours of the seven schools' uniforms mingled together, while whispers echoed between the stone walls.
The students from all seven schools sat at their respective long tables, yet even the exquisite Halloween delicacies before them seemed to have lost their appeal.
An irrepressible restlessness filled the air.
Everyone's gaze repeatedly drifted towards the staff table, eagerly awaiting the important moment.
At the staff table, Professor McGonagall, Snape, Sagres, and the other Hogwarts professors sat alongside the Headmasters of the six visiting schools.
Ludo Bagman was enthusiastically whispering with Mr Chang from Kunlun, while Barty Crouch sat beside them with an irritated expression. He looked somewhat pale and extremely tired.
When the last dessert disappeared from the golden platters, Dumbledore slowly rose.
He gently tapped his goblet, and the entire Great Hall immediately fell silent.
"The Goblet of Fire is about to make its choice."
His aged voice carried clearly to every corner of the hall.
Filch carefully carried the tall goblet, its blue-white flames flickering brightly, over to the Headmaster. Dumbledore thanked him quietly, then turned to face the students.
"I will now read aloud, one by one, the names of the Champions chosen by the Goblet of Fire. Those selected should proceed to the adjoining chamber, where you will wait briefly and receive your initial instructions."
Dumbledore surveyed the entire hall before drawing his wand and giving it a gentle flick.
In an instant, every source of light except the flickering candles inside the pumpkin lanterns went out.
The Great Hall sank into hazy darkness, with only the Goblet of Fire shining brilliantly.
Blue-white flames burned fiercely within the goblet, sending sparks arcing through the gloom.
Everyone held their breath and stared intently at the dancing fire.
Suddenly, the flames turned a deep red, crackling violently and throwing off sparks.
A great tongue of fire shot upwards, spitting out a nearly singed piece of parchment.
Dumbledore reached out and caught it in mid-air, holding it at just the right distance to read the writing by the light of the flames.
"The Durmstrang Champion," he announced in a ringing voice, "Viktor Krum!"
Thunderous applause erupted from the Durmstrang table.
Krum rose without expression and, under everyone's gaze, walked towards the adjoining chamber.
The flames turned red again, and a second piece of parchment flew from the goblet.
Dumbledore caught it neatly.
"The Beauxbatons Champion," he announced loudly, "Fleur Delacour!"
The silver-haired girl rose gracefully, while the Beauxbatons students applauded and called out their congratulations.
Then the Goblet of Fire continued spitting out slips of parchment.
"The Ilvermorny Champion, Cuthbert Kowalski!"
A cheerful, handsome boy sprang to his feet excitedly, exchanged high-fives with his classmates, and quickly left his seat.
"The Uagadou Champion, Bayoala Adesinji!"
A slender girl rose calmly, her pearly white teeth gleaming brightly in the firelight.
"The Castelobruxo Champion, Diego Rodriguez!"
A bronze-skinned boy stood, confidently adjusted his collar, and walked away amid applause.
"The Ukarlo Champion, Kylie Taraway!"
A girl with long braids covered her mouth in surprise before making her way towards the adjoining chamber under the encouragement of her companions.
Finally, when the flames turned red once more, the entire Hogwarts table seemed to hold its breath.
"The Hogwarts Champion..." Dumbledore paused slightly, his gaze sweeping across the expectant faces in the hall. "Cedric Diggory!"
A deafening cheer erupted from the Hufflepuff table, while the other Houses also broke into enthusiastic applause.
Cedric stood amid the congratulations of his friends, wearing a modest smile.
However, just as he stepped into the adjoining chamber, the Goblet of Fire suddenly turned red again.
An unusually brilliant tongue of flame shot upwards, carrying with it another piece of parchment that slowly drifted down.
The unexpected development stunned almost everyone.
Almost.
Sagres glanced across the staff table with a faint, knowing smile. Everyone was exchanging bewildered looks except Moody, who remained expressionless.
Sagres's gaze then swept across the Great Hall until it finally settled on the two students from the Kunlun School of Magic, who were seated at the Gryffindor table.
They were staring at each other in delighted surprise, a look of mutual understanding flashing between them.
Dumbledore instinctively caught the falling parchment.
He held it away from himself and carefully read the name written upon it.
A long silence followed.
Dumbledore stared at the parchment in his hand, while everyone in the Great Hall stared at Dumbledore.
At last, he cleared his throat and read the name aloud.
"Kunlun School of Magic, Jingxue!"
Confused murmurs spread through the Great Hall like ripples across water.
Mr Chang, seated at the staff table, froze for a moment before turning towards his two students, who had found an excuse to sit at the Gryffindor table.
He immediately understood what had happened.
The girl named Jingxue rose briskly, gave Dumbledore an apologetic smile, and strode towards the adjoining chamber, leaving behind a hall full of bewildered onlookers.
"What exactly is going on?"
The speaker was Moody. He narrowed his natural eye, while his magical eye remained fixed on Mr Chang beside him.
Knowing that he was partly responsible, Mr Chang immediately stood and apologised to everyone.
"My sincerest apologies. I failed to properly supervise my students. I will have her withdraw immediately..."
"I'm afraid that is no longer possible, Mr Chang," Dumbledore said calmly, showing no obvious anger. "Once selected, she has entered into a magical contract with the Goblet of Fire."
Mr Chang frowned.
"What are the consequences of breaking that contract?"
"The loss of one's magic," Dumbledore replied gravely. After a brief pause, he added, "At best, she would become a Squib."
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