Dumbledore spoke at the appropriate moment.
"I propose that the judging panel hold an emergency meeting immediately to review the regulations and establish a strict system of oversight, ensuring that Hogwarts gains no unfair advantage from this unusual situation. If any Headmaster believes that an aspect of the Tournament is unjust, they may raise an objection, which will then be decided jointly by all the judges."
Ludo Bagman seemed to find the atmosphere unbearably tense and hurriedly tried to smooth things over.
"Yes, yes, what's done is done. We have to find a solution! Albus is right. The contract cannot be broken, but we can still make sure the Tournament remains fair, don't you think, Barty...?"
Barty Crouch Sr. pressed his lips together tightly. His face looked paler and more rigid than usual.
He glanced around at everyone before speaking in an official tone.
"Procedurally speaking, since the Goblet of Fire has made its choice and the selection is protected by a magical contract, we have no authority to disqualify Mr Potter."
He cleared his throat and continued.
"The only feasible solution at present is to accept that Hogwarts has two Champions and strengthen oversight at every subsequent stage. I suggest that we revise the scoring rules immediately."
"I object!" Karkaroff shrieked, his expression exceedingly ugly. "If Hogwarts is allowed two Champions, then I insist that my other students be permitted to enter as well."
"Headmaster Karkaroff, what exactly do you mean?" Ludo Bagman asked uneasily, wiping the beads of sweat from his forehead.
"You must summon the Goblet of Fire again and allow us to continue entering names until every school has two Champions. Only then will it be fair."
"I'm afraid that won't be possible, Headmaster Karkaroff," Ludo Bagman said with difficulty, shaking his head. "The Goblet of Fire has gone out and will not reignite until the next Triwizard Tournament."
"Did you hear that?"
Karkaroff turned towards the other Headmasters with a mocking smile.
"We prepared for so long and held so many meetings, yet in the end, such a serious blunder still occurred!"
"And now you speak of reviewing the rules and strengthening oversight? How is that any different from setting a fox to guard the henhouse? Hogwarts is the host. How many of the judges are your people? What value does such oversight have?"
"Igor, mind your language!" Professor McGonagall snapped immediately, her face flushed with anger.
"My students' right to fair competition is being trampled upon, and you are telling me to mind my language?"
Madame Maxime also rose to her feet, the shadow of her enormous figure falling across half the staff table.
"Albus, this is not a problem that supervision can solve. It is a matter of principle. The fact that the Goblet of Fire selected two names from Hogwarts is itself a violation of fairness and justice!"
"We must begin again!"
The Headmaster of Ukarlo joined the argument, his colourful braids shaking violently.
"The Goblet of Fire must be restarted, and every school must select another Champion. That is the only fair solution!"
"I've already told you, it can't be done!" Ludo Bagman's voice was almost a wail.
He looked frantically towards Crouch.
"Barty, tell them! Explain the rules of the Goblet of Fire!"
Barty Crouch Sr.'s lips moved as though he were trying to restore order, but his voice was completely drowned out.
The situation descended into chaos.
Almost every Headmaster was on their feet, leaning across the table, waving their arms and shouting at one another.
Accents from different countries mingled together as the angry voices grew louder and louder.
Below them, the Durmstrang students pounded their fists against the tables in support of their Headmaster, while the Beauxbatons girls booed in protest. Students from the other schools loudly cheered for their own Headmasters, and the entire Great Hall became a boiling cauldron of confusion.
Harry stood among the Champions, feeling like a tiny boat caught in the eye of a storm, surrounded by a raging sea of anger.
He saw Ron and Hermione anxiously trying to shout something to him from the Gryffindor table, but he could not hear a word.
"Albus, Hogwarts' international reputation may suffer because of this!"
"We at Uagadou will never accept this result!"
"Castelobruxo demands an immediate vote!"
"Please be quiet..."
"We will not participate in the next Triwizard Tournament!"
"I am tempted to turn around and leave this very moment!"
"I said, quiet!"
A wave of invisible magic suddenly swept through the Great Hall, and everyone who had been shouting felt their throats tighten.
In an instant, everyone felt as though an invisible hand had closed around their throats, leaving them unable to make a sound.
The noisy Great Hall was forcibly plunged into silence.
Sagres rose to his feet, his calm gaze sweeping across every face flushed with agitation before he slowly spoke.
"Must I remind you of your positions?"
He pointed towards the students craning their necks at the long tables, his voice carrying unquestionable authority.
"Or have you completely forgotten how you appear in their eyes?"
"If that is truly the case, then you might as well settle this with a duel instead of arguing like fishwives."
Snap!
With a crisp snap of his fingers, the Silencing Charm vanished at once.
The Headmasters exchanged glances, while the students' eyes shone with anticipation.
"Sagres, what is your view?" Dumbledore asked calmly.
"It is not a view," Sagres replied indifferently. "I also believe that Hogwarts having two Champions is unfair."
Harry's heart sank, and a chill spread through his body.
"Then what do you suggest?" Professor McGonagall pressed.
"Solve the problem," Sagres said simply. "While ensuring Mr Potter's safety, find a way for him to withdraw from the Tournament without harm."
Harry's taut nerves relaxed slightly. At first, he had thought the professor would simply demand his withdrawal.
"I thought you might have some brilliant insight!" Karkaroff scoffed.
The Black Headmistress of Uagadou also could not help saying, "If it were as simple as you make it sound, we would not have been arguing for so long."
Sagres replied expressionlessly, "You are not even willing to draw your wands and try."
At that, he shook his head.
"Honestly, I am rather disappointed. As Wizards, your method of solving problems appears to consist of nothing but pointless emotional outbursts."
"Sagres, are you confident that you can break this magical contract?" Professor McGonagall asked tentatively.
"Not entirely, but I can try," Sagres replied, already drawing his wand.
"If you cannot be certain, then I believe Harry should compete," Moody said in a deep voice.
"Alastor is right. We cannot gamble with a student's safety," Dumbledore agreed.
"In that case, only the second solution remains," Sagres said calmly, making no attempt to persuade them.
"The second solution? What is it?"
Sagres pointed towards the extinguished Goblet of Fire on the table.
"Relight it."
"Ah, another truly 'brilliant' suggestion..." Karkaroff sneered again.
The others also frowned inwardly.
Under everyone's questioning gazes, Sagres's eyes sharpened.
"Igor Karkaroff, this is the second time you have questioned my words. If there is a third, I assure you that you will personally discover just how 'brilliant' I can be."
He swept a cold gaze across the others.
"The same applies to everyone else."
Before he had even finished speaking, his wand shot forwards like lightning, sending a streak of light directly towards the wooden goblet before Dumbledore.
Whoosh!
Brilliant blue flames burst to life, their dancing tongues casting flickering light and shadow across everyone's faces.
The entire Great Hall fell deathly silent.
"Now you may choose a second Champion for each of your schools."
Sagres calmly put away his wand, then inclined his head towards Harry.
"Come with me, Mr Potter."
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