Fleur Delacour had one-quarter Veela blood. Her mother was a pure-blood witch, and her father was an official in the French Ministry of Magic.
Her Veela blood gave her naturally enchanting beauty and magical allure, and combined with talent far beyond her peers, it made her a very proud young witch.
Ever since she was little, she had wanted the best things and wanted to do the best in everything.
That was why, when she heard that some people who acknowledged her beauty and talent were still slandering her as nothing but a pretty face, she did not hesitate to join the delegation heading to Hogwarts, preparing to take part in this year's Triwizard Tournament.
She wanted to prove that she possessed more than beauty, that she was also an outstanding witch.
And aside from proving herself, there was another reason she had joined the delegation. She was interested in the legendary Harry Potter.
Harry Potter was a young wizard several years younger than her, yet he had already become a legendary figure in wizarding history.
The youngest Potions Master, the person who had defeated Voldemort several times, the inventor behind many great creations, and more.
Any one of those honors placed upon a wizard would be enough to create a miracle, let alone when that wizard was only fourteen or fifteen years old.
That was why Fleur wanted to understand Harry and get closer to him.
After all, Fleur was a proud person, and she had very high standards for her other half. Perhaps once she became more mature, she would look for someone whose soul truly matched hers.
But right now, she only wanted someone better. The best.
That was right. Fleur proudly believed that among all her peers in the wizarding world, only Harry Potter was worthy of her.
So she left the Ravenclaw table, walked over to the Gryffindor table, came before the legendary young wizard, and gave him her most charming smile.
"You are Harry Potter, yes? I am Fleur Delacour. It is a pleasure to meet you."
"I'm Harry Potter. It's nice to meet you."
"I heard that you have defeated Voldemort several times. Is that true?"
"Yes, but Voldemort was not at his peak back then. I only won through tricks."
Fleur chatted with Harry for a few minutes before turning and leaving.
There was no need to rush. This time, she only needed to leave an impression on Harry. After that, she could take things step by step.
Fleur did not believe anyone could refuse her beauty.
After all, she was a Veela.
After Fleur left, Hermione finally whispered, "She's a bad woman. I don't like her."
Harry shook his head and rubbed Hermione's head. Just that one gesture was enough to make Miss Otter's mood improve again.
On the platform, Dumbledore's voice continued to ring out.
"The moment has finally arrived. The Triwizard Tournament is about to begin. I will explain the procedure. Before that, however, please allow me to introduce two guests, since some of you may not know them. This is Mr. Barty Crouch, Head of the Department of International Magical Cooperation at the Ministry of Magic. This is Mr. Ludo Bagman, Head of the Department of Magical Games and Sports at the Ministry of Magic.
"Over the past few months, Mr. Bagman and Mr. Crouch have worked tirelessly to arrange the Triwizard Tournament. Together with Professor Karkaroff, Madame Maxime, and myself, they will form the judging panel and evaluate the champions' efforts."
At the word "champions," the students seemed to become even more focused.
Dumbledore seemed to notice their sudden silence as well. He smiled faintly and said, "Mr. Filch, please bring up the casket."
No one had noticed that Filch had been lurking in a corner of the Great Hall. Now he walked toward Dumbledore with a large wooden casket in his arms.
Dumbledore took the wooden casket and said, "This year's champions will compete in three tasks, held at different points throughout the school year. These tasks will test the champions' magical ability in many different ways, as well as their courage and their reasoning ability. And, of course, their ability to overcome danger."
At that last sentence, the Great Hall fell utterly silent. It was as if everyone had stopped breathing.
"As you already know, three champions will participate in the tournament," Dumbledore continued calmly. "Each will represent one participating school. After the three tasks are complete, the champion with the highest score will win the Triwizard Cup. The one responsible for selecting the champions is an impartial selector, the Goblet of Fire."
As he said this, Dumbledore reached into the wooden casket and pulled out a wooden goblet.
The goblet itself was not eye-catching at all, but it was filled with leaping blue-white flames.
Dumbledore closed the casket, placed the goblet on top of the lid, and let everyone in the Great Hall see it clearly.
"Every student who wishes to be considered as a champion may write their name and school on a piece of parchment and place it into the Goblet of Fire. You must submit your names within twenty-four hours. On Halloween night, the goblet will choose the three students best suited to represent the three schools in the Triwizard Tournament.
"Of course, to prevent some underage students from being unable to resist temptation, I will draw an Age Line around it. Anyone below the required age will be unable to cross.
"Finally, I wish to say that the Triwizard Tournament is no game. It is filled with danger and challenges. Once someone is selected by the Goblet of Fire, they must compete. This is an unchangeable rule.
"Very well, that is all for tonight. Students from every house may return to your common rooms and sleep."
On the way back to the common room, everyone else was discussing the Triwizard Tournament.
But Harry was thinking about Dumbledore's performance just now.
Because Dumbledore had been the first to propose reforming the wizarding world, his relationship with the Ministry of Magic was currently very tense. Yet just now, even Harry had not been able to see the slightest clue of it from his behavior.
He had to admit, Dumbledore truly was an old monster. Apart from being inferior to the Ancient One in power, he was not lacking in any other regard.
The next day was Saturday. A light rain fell all day, leaving the air moist and damp.
By the time Harry, Ron, and Hermione went downstairs into the entrance hall, many people were already gathered around the Goblet of Fire.
The moment Harry appeared, Fleur, who had clearly been waiting there for some time, immediately walked over.
She ignored Hermione, twined a finger around her hair, and asked, "Harry, do you want to try entering the Triwizard Tournament?"
Harry, of course, would not participate. He had no interest in playing games with children.
The ultimate purpose of the Triwizard Tournament was to win glory, but Harry already had too much glory. He did not care about this one.
So Harry shook his head and denied it. "No, I won't be entering."
"That is truly a shame." Fleur sounded rather regretful. If Harry could also take part in the Triwizard Tournament, perhaps she could use the competition to grow closer to him.
As for why she was certain she would be chosen, that was naturally because she had confidence in herself.
Just then, Fred and George came down the stairs, both looking very excited.
The instant they saw Harry, the twins' eyes lit up, and they said excitedly, "Harry, we did it!"
"You mean the Aging Potion?"
"That's right. George and I each drank one drop. We're absolutely old enough now," Fred said.
The twins quickly walked toward the Goblet of Fire and pulled a piece of parchment from their pockets. Written on it were the twins' names and their school, Hogwarts.
Under everyone's watchful eyes, they very easily crossed the Age Line and tossed the parchment in their hands into the Goblet of Fire.
For an instant, everyone thought they had succeeded, and several people were already preparing to try using Aging Potion themselves so they could enter the Triwizard Tournament.
But soon, with a hissing sound, the twins seemed to be struck by a tremendous force and were blasted outside the Age Line.
Clearly, they had failed.
Everyone looked at the twins lying unconscious on the floor, their faces covered in grizzled beards, and instantly gave up on the idea of using Aging Potion.
After witnessing the twins' foolish appearance, Fleur covered her mouth and laughed. "What a pair of idiots."
Over the next period of time, one student after another placed their names into the Goblet of Fire.
Of course, many students also tried to cheat like the twins had, but they all failed.
During this time, one thing surprised Harry quite a bit. Hagrid and Maxime's relationship had actually grown deeper and deeper.
They were always together. Anyone who did not know the situation might even think they were in love.
In fact, that was exactly what Hagrid thought, but Harry always felt that Maxime's purpose in approaching Hagrid was not so simple.
Perhaps she wanted to obtain information about the Triwizard Tournament from Hagrid, but as she spent more time with him, her feelings toward him might have become more sincere.
Still, that was not a romantic relationship, but more like the relationship between close friends.
After all, although Maxime was also extremely tall and would find it difficult to find a partner, she had an excellent appearance and was a rare, refined witch. It was unlikely that she would fall in love with a sloppy giant of a man like Hagrid.
Harry did not remind Hagrid to stay away from Maxime.
After all, Hagrid could hardly be any more miserable. What if, during the time Maxime spent with Hagrid, she gradually fell in love with him?
If he missed out on a tall witch like Maxime, Hagrid would probably remain single for the rest of his life.
Soon, Halloween night arrived. Many students headed to the Great Hall, and of course, the Durmstrang and Beauxbatons students also arrived.
Today was the day the Triwizard Tournament champions would be revealed.
By the time Harry, Ron, and Hermione entered the Great Hall, it was already almost full.
The Goblet of Fire had now been moved to the staff table, and shimmering blue flames were still burning inside it.
The process was the same as the usual Halloween feast. Dumbledore gave a speech, and then the students began eating.
Once the students finished dinner and the golden plates returned to their original spotless state, Dumbledore suddenly stood up, and the Great Hall immediately became silent.
Everyone was looking forward to what Dumbledore was about to say.
Professor Karkaroff, Madame Maxime, all the students from the three schools, and of course, Harry as well.
In the wizarding world where time had been solidified, Harry could no longer use time magic or prophecy magic. He did not know what the result would be either.
Dumbledore looked around. After confirming that everyone was ready, he revealed his usual kindly smile and said, "Very well, the Goblet of Fire is about to make its decision. I estimate that it will take only one minute before we receive the results.
"Before that, I would like to state one thing. Once a champion's name is announced, I hope they will walk to the front of the Great Hall, then along the staff table, and enter the room next door. There, they will receive our initial instructions so they do not lose their lives in the dangerous Triwizard Tournament."
Then Dumbledore took out his wand and waved it broadly.
The lights in the Great Hall went out one by one. Apart from the dim candles inside the jack-o'-lanterns, there was not a single trace of light.
In the darkness, the flames inside the Goblet of Fire shone even brighter, more dazzling than anything else in the hall.
Dumbledore waved his wand again. The flames inside the Goblet of Fire suddenly changed from blue to red, and then crackling sparks burst out.
Only a few seconds later, a scorched piece of parchment shot out of the Goblet of Fire. At the sight, every witch and wizard in the hall held their breath.
Dumbledore caught the parchment and read its contents. Once he saw the name clearly, he called out loudly, "Then I shall announce tonight's first champion. From Durmstrang, Viktor Krum!"
Viktor stood and walked into the room next door.
No one was surprised that Viktor had been chosen. He was already an outstanding wizard. If Harry had not been such an overwhelming example before him, Viktor could even have been called the leader among young wizards.
After the applause and chatter gradually died down, everyone turned their attention back to the Goblet of Fire.
A few seconds later, the second piece of parchment leaped out of the goblet, pushed by the flames.
After reading it, Dumbledore said loudly, "The champion for Beauxbatons is Fleur Delacour!"
The girl with Veela blood stood elegantly, tossed her silver hair, and walked lightly between the Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff tables.
As she entered the next room, she threw Harry a flirtatious wink, making the young wizards around him extremely excited.
Hermione, meanwhile, puffed out her cheeks and became unhappy again.
This time, Ginny was also beside Hermione. This former enemy of Hermione's had now become her firm ally, and together they criticized Fleur's affected behavior.
Once the Great Hall fell silent again, the Hogwarts students grew excited to the extreme.
This time, it was Hogwarts's turn.
Tongues of flame surged high out of the Goblet of Fire, sweeping through the air.
The third slip of parchment was ejected by the flames and landed in Dumbledore's hand.
Dumbledore read the contents. "The champion for Hogwarts is Cedric Diggory!"
Cedric belonged to Hufflepuff. At that, every Hufflepuff student jumped up and down, screaming and stomping wildly.
They were absolutely delighted. So the most overlooked Hufflepuff was actually the strongest house in Hogwarts.
After the three champions had been chosen, Dumbledore called out happily, "Very well, our three champions have all been selected…"
Before Dumbledore could finish speaking, the flames in the Goblet of Fire suddenly surged wildly.
This time, the Goblet's flames leaped far more violently than the previous three times. Like a fiery vortex, they swept across several yards around it.
Then, with a sudden burst, a fourth slip of parchment shot out of the flames!
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