Faced with the collective questioning of the visiting Headmasters, Dumbledore's expression grew deeply solemn.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I understand your concerns and your anger."
His deep blue eyes passed over each displeased face, his voice remaining steady.
"Please believe me when I say that I am just as shocked as you are, and equally eager to find an explanation. But the choice made by the Goblet of Fire is bound by a contract. We all know this. The fact that Harry Potter's name was produced means that the contract has already been formed. None of us can violate it without subjecting the boy to unimaginable consequences. His magic could dissipate, or something even worse could happen."
He paused, allowing the words "his magic could dissipate" to sink in.
The Great Hall fell deathly silent.
The students held their breath, the professors looked grave, and the Headmasters exchanged glances.
At last, Karkaroff broke the silence.
"Everyone must pay the price for their own choices."
His tone was cold, making it clear that he did not accept Dumbledore's explanation.
"As for losing his magic... he should have considered that the moment he put his name into the Goblet of Fire."
"That would suit you perfectly, wouldn't it?" Moody suddenly roared, startling several younger students.
"I don't understand what you're implying, Moody," Karkaroff replied icily, not even looking at him as he picked up the goblet before him.
"Isn't it obvious enough?" Moody continued. "The boy doesn't have the ability to fool Dumbledore's Age Line, much less manipulate the Goblet of Fire's selection."
His magical eye spun wildly in its socket, sweeping across everyone seated at the staff table.
"To put it plainly, someone deliberately placed his name into the Goblet of Fire. Either they wanted him to die during the dangerous tasks, or they intended to have him disqualified from the very beginning, which is exactly what is happening now. If he breaks the contract, his magic could dissipate and leave him a Squib!"
"Is that so?"
Madame Maxime looked down at Moody and asked coolly, "Then may I ask what evidence you have?"
"It's simple. Ask Potter himself!"
Moody stepped forward, his wooden leg striking the floor with a heavy thud.
"We could even use Veritaserum. Though I must say, if anyone here has reason to feel wronged, it is Potter. Yet so far, apart from waiting quietly for a decision in the adjoining chamber, he hasn't made a single complaint."
"Why should he complain?"
A clear voice suddenly came from the doorway of the adjoining chamber.
It was Fleur Delacour.
The other chosen Champions stood behind her, including Harry.
Fleur met Moody's terrifying gaze without fear, her silver hair gleaming in the candlelight.
"He has been given the chance to compete, hasn't he?"
Her tone was firm, every word carrying weight.
"Every one of us has longed to be chosen over these past few days. We wanted the chance to win glory for our schools. This is an opportunity many people can only dream of!"
"But he may die because of it," Moody growled.
"We could all die in the Tournament!"
Fleur did not retreat.
"We understood that the moment we placed our names into the Goblet of Fire!"
She looked at Moody's twitching face and continued,
"We are risking our lives, yet we cannot even be guaranteed basic fairness. Why?"
"We only want fairness," Krum added in a low voice, frowning deeply. "As for the truth, we don't care."
Ilvermorny's Champion, Cuthbert Kowalski, also shook his head.
"Let him withdraw. That would be fair to everyone."
"But it wouldn't be fair to me!"
Harry had long since recovered from his daze. He was just as bewildered by this undeserved disaster, and he knew what punishment he would face if he withdrew from the Tournament.
He could not, and would not, simply sit back and accept it.
Taking a deep breath, Harry straightened his back and met everyone's gaze firmly.
"If you insist that I withdraw, then you must first dissolve the magical contract between the Goblet of Fire and me," Harry said calmly. "Otherwise, I will compete."
Several Headmasters and Champions raised their eyebrows.
At last, Castelobruxo's Champion, Diego Rodriguez, sneered.
"You've got some nerve. You'll stop at nothing to show off."
Harry seemed not to hear the taunt.
His gaze slowly swept across the room, first settling on Moody, who had repeatedly spoken in his defence, then passing over the silent Sagres.
It moved to the frowning Professor McGonagall and the solemn Dumbledore before finally resting on Ron and Hermione, who watched anxiously from the Gryffindor table.
"I did not put my name into the Goblet of Fire in any way."
His voice rang clearly throughout the silent Great Hall.
"I am willing to take Veritaserum or even undergo an examination of my memories to prove it."
His declaration plunged everyone into silence, except Professor McGonagall.
"I believe you without Veritaserum, Potter," Professor McGonagall said firmly. "You do not need to submit to anyone's examination, and no one has the right to treat my student in such a manner."
Harry looked at Professor McGonagall gratefully, but then shook his head.
"Professor, if anyone doubts me, then I'm willing to be tested..."
Seeing that Professor McGonagall was about to speak, Harry quickly added,
"But if I am proven innocent, then whoever demanded the test must be punished."
"What punishment?" Jingxue of the Kunlun School of Magic asked curiously.
"Whoever demands that I prove myself must withdraw from the Tournament," Harry said coldly.
"Do I need to remind you?" Bayoala Adesinji, Uagadou's Champion, raised her chin disdainfully. "We are legitimate Champions. We have every right to question you. Why should we bear any risk?"
"Then perhaps I should remind you," Harry replied without flinching, "that I was also chosen by the Goblet of Fire. You are no more legitimate than I am."
"Well said, lad!"
Moody let out a loud cheer and slammed his staff heavily against the floor.
"Potter must compete!"
"Thank you, Professor Moody," Harry said sincerely.
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