"They can't do this!" After the banquet, Ron followed the crowd towards the door, complaining: "I'll be fifteen next March, why can't I give it a try!"
"Yeah..." Harry said.
Of course, he also wants to become a champion, but his birthday is later, in July.
Hermione lowered her head and didn't speak.
"There's nothing you can do, little Ron." At this moment, Fred suddenly walked over from behind, smiling: "It's the rule of the school and the Ministry of Magic, you have to abide by them."
"Yeah, you can just be a good audience." George walked over from the other side, "Remember to cheer us on when the time comes."
"Huh!" Ron curled his lips.
Fred and George actually said to follow the rules... this is the funniest joke he has heard this year.
"Why can you sign up?" Ron said sourly.
"I always thought you were just dumb, but I didn't expect you to be so brainless." Fred looked at him with a strange expression, "The reason we can sign up is obviously because we are old enough!"
"Sixteen, a whole year older than the requirement." George said, "You can't have forgotten our age... if that's the case, we're really disappointed."
"I haven't forgotten!" Ron said, "I just think it's not fair... that's a thousand Galleons!"
"You'd have to become the champion to get that." Fred said.
"Have you ever gotten an O in Transfiguration Technique and Charm exams?"
Ron's face reddened a bit, but he stretched his neck and said: "The Triwizard Tournament isn't an exam, it has nothing to do with grades, what if I just can become the champion."
"Ha..." George couldn't help but laugh aloud.
"What a pity... you're not old enough, future champion." Fred raised an eyebrow.
Then the two stopped paying attention to Ron, buddying up and walking forward, loudly discussing how they must be the first to sign up.
And Ron was still complaining that the competition was unfair and everyone should be able to participate.
"But a lot of people died in the competition." Hermione whispered outside the entrance hall: "Didn't Dumbledore just say that it's for this reason the tournament had been stopped for a century."
"Yeah," Ron said carelessly, "but that was a long time ago, right? Plus, Dumbledore also said they did a lot to ensure every champion won't be in danger, didn't he?
If fifteen-year-olds can participate, then surely we should be able to as well."
Hermione uncharacteristically didn't argue, instead continuing to think about something with her head down.
"Hahaha..."
At this point, she suddenly heard a bout of laughter, it was from the nearby Hufflepuff team.
Mikel was waving his hand, laughing and saying: "What do you think, who will become the champion representing Hogwarts, Kael or Cedric?"
"It must be Kael, his special contribution awards to the school can almost fill the entire trophy display room!" Someone said.
"No, I think it's Cedric." A sixth-year student shook his head, "He's in sixth year, has an age advantage."
"But Kael received a second-class medal from the Merlin Knight Order..."
"Oh..." Suddenly, amidst the heated discussion, a different voice emerged.
"I think the champion should come from Ravenclaw, because we are the smartest students in Hogwarts, not you mediocre Hufflepuffs!"
The heated argument came to an abrupt halt, like a bucket of cold water poured over, extinguishing the previously lively atmosphere.
Although, many had previously thought of Hufflepuff as synonymous with mediocrity, but in recent years, due to their consecutive wins of Quidditch Cup and House Cup for four years, fewer people said so.
Of course, they might still think it, but at least they didn't say it aloud.
Mikel looked towards the speaker, "Oh, I thought, who is this, isn't it Davis..."
He curled his lips and said: "I don't deny what you said, Ravenclaw mostly are smart, but I only have one question... does any of you have the same consecutive first-place grade as Cedric for five years.
Or like Kael, have a full score, and received three special contribution awards to the school... no, just one will do."
As soon as he finished speaking, everyone around laughed.
Roger Davis's face turned red, "Rob... he's the first of seventh year!"
Several Ravenclaws beside him echoed, believing Rob to be the best candidate for the champion.
Constantly held back by Kael and Cedric, they wished to overturn the situation, this Triwizard Tournament is a good opportunity, if Rob can stand out as the champion, it just proves they are better than Hufflepuff.
"Oh, I thought you were going to mention yourself, Davis, your age is probably over fifteen too, right."
Ryan said with a smile: "Don't deny it, you also want to be the champion... but it's a pity, if you had won a Quidditch Cup once, maybe you could have some impressive achievements at this time."
Speechless and embarrassed, Davis's face turned an even deeper red, he wanted to argue but didn't know what to say, he could only mumble "Let's see who becomes the champion" then turned and went up the stairs.
But he was walking too fast and didn't notice a step in the middle of the stairs.
Hogwarts had many of these prank steps, as an older student, Davis should be able to avoid these peculiar steps, but evidently, he was too upset to remember.
Everyone around laughed even more happily. Even the suit of armor at the top of the stairs also made wheezy and clanking sounds, laughing breathlessly.
"Shut up!" Some Ravenclaw students rushed forward to pull Davis from the step, quickly walking upstairs.
On the other side, returning to the common room with the new students, Kael still didn't understand why the age line for the Triwizard Tournament had dropped so much.
Cedric called three times before he snapped out of it.
"Sorry." Kael let the new students go back to their dorms on their own, turned around and asked: "I was thinking, what did you say?"
"I was asking if you'll sign up for the Triwizard Tournament." Cedric asked again.
"Of course, I'll sign up." Kael nodded.
Though he doesn't know why, if he meets the age requirement, there's no reason to miss this grand event, especially since there is something in this competition that concerns him.
Kael glanced at Cedric.
"What, is there something dirty on my face?" Cedric rubbed his face in confusion.
"No." Kael shook his head, "So, you'll sign up too?"
"Of course, I feel like I have a pretty good chance of being chosen." Cedric said, "Though it's a bit impolite, my rivals aren't many.
Ravenclaw's Rob counts, you, Conna, and Cho... apart from them, there doesn't seem to be anyone else."
"If Fred and George find out you left them out, they won't let it slide." Kael said.
"I certainly didn't forget them, but..." Cedric tried to stifle a laugh, saying: "To be honest, I can't quite accept the image of Hogwarts champions pulling out Dungbombs at the Triwizard Tournament."
"That scene would be explosive." Kael said with a laugh, "I don't think Professor McGonagall would accept it either."
...