Pansy immediately lowered her head in chastened acknowledgment. "Yes, my lord, I understand perfectly. I sincerely apologize for my outburst!"
She sat down obediently and properly, as did the other previously excited and protesting students throughout the hall.
Erwin rose smoothly to his feet, his penetrating gaze sweeping deliberately across the assembled crowd with measured authority.
"The decision not to participate in this Tournament was entirely my own choice," he stated clearly. "You must all understand that the fundamental purpose of the Triwizard Tournament has never been merely to win championships and claim hollow glory—its true purpose is providing valuable experience and growth opportunities for developing wizards! Do you genuinely believe my personal strength requires validation through a mere student competition? If I participated as a competitor, there exists absolutely no doubt whatsoever that no one else would represent even a remote match for my capabilities. Hogwarts would undoubtedly claim first place decisively, but is that truly the kind of hollow victory you actually desire? For Hogwarts to win exclusively through my overwhelming individual force rather than collective achievement?"
The Great Hall fell into contemplative silence as students processed his words.
Erwin continued, his voice remaining calm but carrying undeniable conviction. "Therefore, my voluntary decision to withdraw from competition represents a joint agreement negotiated between all four participating schools, the Ministry of Magic's Tournament organizers, and myself personally. It serves to provide others genuine opportunities to compete and grow through legitimate challenge rather than inevitable defeat."
The visible excitement and protest drained steadily from the students' expressions as understanding dawned. They finally comprehended the deeper reasoning.
Erwin nodded respectfully toward Dumbledore. "Professor, please proceed with your announcement."
The atmosphere throughout the hall remained tense with anticipation, but Dumbledore's expression shifted to his characteristic gentle smile.
"It seems Mr. Cavendish's words carry considerably more persuasive weight with you all than mine do these days!" he observed with mild amusement. "Now then, I will formally announce the modified rules for this year's restructured Tournament. Mr. Erwin has successfully negotiated a significant change to the traditional format: this year, the Tournament will be conducted as a team competition rather than individual champions!"
The assembled crowd released a collective gasp of surprise.
"Each of the four participating schools will select precisely ten champion representatives through the Goblet of Fire's impartial selection process," Dumbledore announced clearly. "These champions will then form coordinated teams to represent their respective institutions throughout the challenges!"
A fresh wave of genuine excitement rippled powerfully through the Great Hall.
Ten champion positions per school meant dramatically more participation opportunities and considerably more exciting competitive dynamics.
"Now then, those students who wish to enter their names for consideration," Dumbledore continued, gesturing toward the corridor doors, "may proceed immediately to the designated side classroom to cast your names into the Goblet of Fire. However, I must emphasize and remind you all most seriously—the mortal dangers presented by the Tournament's challenges are far beyond what your youthful imaginations can possibly comprehend or prepare for. Proceed with appropriate caution and genuine consideration!"
But his grave warnings fell predictably on deaf ears filled with competitive excitement.
The students practically stampeded out of the Great Hall, rushing eagerly toward the side classroom housing the legendary Goblet.
Nearly the entire student body somehow managed to cram themselves into the relatively modest room where the Goblet of Fire rested prominently on a raised table in the chamber's center.
Distinctive blue flames flickered and danced hypnotically from within the ancient cup, and a softly glowing circular line was precisely etched onto the floor surrounding it—Dumbledore's famous age restriction barrier.
Tiered observation seats lined the chamber walls, thoughtfully arranged by Professor McGonagall specifically for students to watch the submission proceedings comfortably.
Erwin claimed a seat in the middle tier, a faint smile playing across his features.
He knew from his metaknowledge that a particularly memorable scene was about to unfold, and he absolutely didn't intend to miss witnessing it firsthand.
Sure enough, the Weasley twins—Fred and George—were predictably the very first to step forward boldly. They brandished crystal vials prominently, beaming with obvious pride at the assembled crowd.
"Look what we've brilliantly prepared!" Fred announced dramatically. "A genuine age-defying potion! With this ingenious concoction, we'll instantly become eighteen years old. It should bypass the Headmaster's restriction completely and effortlessly!"
The audience watched with rapt anticipation and excitement.
Many of the assembled students had desperately wanted to discover some method to circumvent the age restriction, and the enterprising twins seemed to have developed the perfect solution.
The Eastern delegation students, however, remained notably calm and unimpressed by the display.
Initially, their group had planned to permit only Sunny Finch to volunteer as their single representative, but with ten available positions, they needed to conduct proper internal selection voting.
Unlike the other schools' students who were desperately hungry for personal glory and recognition, the Kunlun-trained practitioners understood the principle of collective honor: the genuinely strongest and most capable should compete for the group's benefit, while the rest shouldn't selfishly hold the team back with inadequate skills.
Fred and George clinked their crystal vials together with a sharp, theatrical sound, then drank the dubious potion simultaneously in a dramatic synchronized toast.
Instantly and dramatically, they grew noticeably taller, their youthful faces gaining rugged, mature edges and features.
They jumped enthusiastically in place, testing and enjoying their artificially aged forms with obvious delight.
"I feel absolutely incredible!" George laughed with genuine excitement.
"Right then," Fred grinned confidently. "Let's get our names properly submitted."
They produced prepared parchment scrolls bearing their names and, clasping hands together for moral support, leaped boldly across the glowing blue circle marked on the floor.
They threw their hands up triumphantly in premature celebration. "See? It actually wor—"
They never finished the sentence.
The protective circle flashed violently with blinding blue light, and both twins were hurled backward with tremendous force, slamming painfully into the stone wall with sickening thuds.
They groaned in obvious pain while picking themselves up unsteadily, only to discover with mounting horror that their hair was rapidly bleaching pure white.
Long beards sprouted instantly from their previously smooth chins, growing so absurdly long within seconds that they actually dragged along the floor.
The assembled crowd erupted into absolutely uncontrollable laughter at the ridiculous spectacle.
The humiliated twins, looking utterly defeated and ridiculous with their transformed appearances, scrambled desperately over to Erwin's position.
"Mr. Erwin, please help us!" they pleaded desperately.
Erwin chuckled warmly and waved his wand with practiced ease.
A soft, golden restorative light washed gently over both twins. Instantly, their artificially aged appearances reversed themselves completely—the excessive beards shrank rapidly and disappeared, the wrinkles smoothed away entirely, and they returned to their normal youthful appearances.
"Thank you sincerely, Erwin," they muttered sheepishly, thoroughly chastened by the embarrassing failure.
"Don't attempt to cheat or circumvent established protective systems," Erwin addressed not just the twins but the entire room clearly. "That age restriction spell isn't particularly sophisticated in its construction, but it absolutely cannot be bypassed by some cheap, improvised potion purchased from Zonko's. If you genuinely want to attempt circumventing it, you'll require something considerably more powerful and sophisticated. Otherwise, the magical rebound effect will be entirely your personal burden to bear, and I won't always be available to reverse the consequences."
His calm warning effectively dampened the ambitious schemes of many watching students.
With the brief entertainment concluded, the genuinely serious candidates began stepping forward to submit their names properly.
The delegations from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang Academy—who had pragmatically brought only approximately ten carefully selected students each to Hogwarts—efficiently placed their prepared names into the Goblet without incident.
From the Eastern delegation, Sunny Finch stepped confidently out of her observing group and submitted her parchment to the flames. The remaining available positions would be decided through their internal merit-based selection process.
Finally, Hogwarts' own turn arrived.
Amidst enthusiastic cheering from his fellow Hufflepuffs, Cedric Demos stepped boldly into the protective blue circle and dropped his name into the dancing flames. Several other confident students followed his example successfully.
Erwin nodded subtly to Charlotte, who stood ready nearby.
She walked up purposefully to the Goblet, and without any hesitation or ceremony, threw her prepared parchment directly into the swirling magical flames.
It was consumed instantly by the blue fire, confirming her successful entry.