Chapter 544: The Goblet of Fire and the Giant in Love

The next day is Saturday, and normally most students will have breakfast later. But it wasn't just Harry and Ron who got up earlier than usual on weekends.

When the four of them entered the entrance hall, they found that there were dozens of people wandering around in the hall, some eating toast, but everyone was carefully observing the burning goblet.

It was on the stool in the middle of the hall where the sorting hats were usually placed.

A thin golden thread was drawn from the floor around it, forming a circle with a radius of ten feet centered on it.

"Has anyone put a name in?" Ron asked a 1-year-old girl.

"The Durmstrang guys have been let go," she replied, "but I haven't seen anyone from Hogwarts put their names in yet."

"I bet some of them threw names in after we left last night," Harry said.

"If it were me, I would do that too, but I don't want everyone to see it. What if the cup spits out your name right away?"

Someone laughed behind them.

Fan Lin turned around and saw Fred, George and Lee Jordan rushing down the stairs. They looked very excited.

"Done." Fred said proudly to Harry, Ron, Fanlin and Hermione in a low voice, "I just took it."

"What?" Ron asked.

"Ageing agent, brain dead," Fred said.

"One drop for each person." George rubbed his hands excitedly. "We only need to be a few months older."

"If any one of the three of us wins, we will share the thousand gold galleons equally." Jordan grinned.

"It's hard to guarantee whether it's effective, you know." Hermione warned: "That's Dumbledore, what do you think..."

"Maybe Dumbledore is old and confused, or maybe he doesn't even bother with such a simple thing..." Fred said.

Fan Lin came over and said nothing. He patted Fred on the shoulder in respect.

"You think so too?" Fred's eyes lit up.

Fan Lin said nothing, he wanted to see something more interesting.

"I don't think you'll succeed," Hermione said

Fred, George and Lee ignored her.

"Are you ready?" Fred asked the other two, trembling with excitement, "Come on then, I'll go first."

Harry watched, extremely curious. Fred pulled out a piece of parchment from his pocket, wrote "Fred Weasley - Hogwarts" and then walked straight to the edge of the line and stood there, Move your ankles like a diver preparing to jump from 50 feet.

After the exercise, under the gaze of everyone, he took a deep breath and stepped in.

At that moment, Harry thought he had succeeded...

George must have thought so, because he let out a cry of victory and jumped in after Fred...

The two of them high-fived and celebrated, standing in the age circle and showing off.

"Wait, there's something good to watch." Fan Lin said secretly.

"What's wrong, how is the ghost?"

"Fred, why didn't you put your name in?" Fan Lin suddenly shouted.

"That's what I'm going to do." Fred said, and the two looked at each other, and then they threw their names into the Goblet of Fire.

The flame of the fire cup expanded suddenly, and the blue flame was very coquettish.

"Perfect." said the two men, looking extremely proud of themselves.

Li was also a little moved, and he was ready to enter.

However, the Goblet of Fire's reaction was a little too... well, too strange.

At that moment, there was a hissing sound, and blue sparks erupted from the Goblet of Fire, hitting Fred and George. The two twins were thrown out of the golden coil as if they were thrown by an invisible lead ball. As if thrown out, they fell heavily on the cold and hard stone floor ten feet away from the circle, making two loud bangs. What was even more unfortunate was that both of them grew long white beards at the same time.

The whole hall burst into laughter. After they stood up and looked at each other, they also laughed.

"I warned you before." A deep, laughing voice sounded. Everyone turned around and saw Professor Dumbledore coming in from the outside. He looked at Fred and George and smiled. "I suggest that you both go to Madam Pomfrey. She is already looking after Miss Fickoff of Ravenclaw and Mr. Himasi of Hufflepuff, and those two have also decided to grow older, but I have to say , their beards are not as good as yours."

Lee Jordan was laughing so hard that he accompanied Fred and George to the hospital, while Harry, Ron, Verlin and Hermione also went to have breakfast giggling.

The decoration in the hall had been changed in the morning. Since it was Halloween, a swarm of bats fluttered around the enchanting canopy, and hundreds of carved pumpkins peeked out from every corner. Harry walked towards Dean and Finnigan. The two of them were discussing those students from Hogwarts who were over the age of 18 and who might be competing.

"Rumor has it that Warrington got up early in the morning and threw his name in," Death told Harry. "It's that big guy from Slytherin who looks like a sloth."

Harry, who had played Quidditch with Warrington, shook his head in disgust, "One can't ask for someone from Slytherin."

"All the Hufflepuffs are talking about Diggory," said Finnigan contemptuously. "But I don't think he has the guts to risk his pretty face."

"Listen!" Hermione said suddenly.

People in the entrance hall were cheering and circling their chairs, and Angelina walked into the hall, grinning awkwardly.

Angelina, the chaser of the Gryffindor Quidditch team, was tall and dark-looking. She walked over to their side and sat down.

"Okay, done, I just put the name in!"

"You're kidding!" Ron was surprised.

"So you are over 17?" Harry asked.

"That's nonsense, she didn't grow a beard, did she?" said Ron.

"My birthday was last week," Angelina said.

"Well, I'm glad that someone in Gryffindor has finally signed up," Hermione said. "I really hope you can be chosen, Angelina."

"Thank you, Hermione." Angelina smiled at her.

"Yes, you are better than that golden fly Diggory." What Finnigan said made several Hufflepuff students who passed their table frown at him.

Ron asked Harry, Fanlin and Hermione, "Then let's leave the hall after breakfast. What are we doing today?"

"We haven't visited Hagrid yet," said Harry.

"Okay," said Ron, "as long as he doesn't ask me to give a few fingers to those Blast-Ended Skrewts."

"I just want to take a look at Nobo. As for the Blast-Ended Skrewt..." Fan Lin muttered, "That thing is too bad."

Hermione's face suddenly lit up with excitement.

"I just realized that I haven't asked Hagrid to join S.P.E.W yet!" She said happily, "Wait for me, okay? I'll go upstairs and get the badge box."

As Hermione ran up the marble steps, Ron said angrily, "What does she look like?"

"Hey, Ron," Fan Lin suddenly said, "That's your friend..."

The Beauxbatons students walked in through the front door.

The Veela girl was among them.

The people around the burning goblet gave them a way out, and everyone watched eagerly.

Madame Maxime followed her pupil into the hall. She lined up the students in single file. Then one by one they stepped into the age circle and threw the parchment into the blue and white flames. As soon as each name entered the forest, the cup of fire immediately turned red and splashed with sparks.

Wait, red sparks...

Well……

Gabrielle didn't come, she wasn't old enough.

Fleur raised her head confidently, Beauxbatons would only choose her, and the rest would be foils.

Fleur glanced provocatively in Fanlin's direction, and then...and then nothing more. So far, the people of Beauxbatons have been doing group activities.

"What do you think will happen to those who are not chosen?" Ron whispered to Harry as the Veela girl threw her name into the fire: "Do they go back to school or stay to watch the game? ?”

Fortunately, Ron didn't notice Fleur's gaze.

It would undoubtedly be very embarrassing if he looked like a nymphomaniac. These were his friends, and Fleur would definitely make fun of him.

Fan Lin thought so, and then, this was not too far from the truth.

"I'm not sure." Harry said, "I guess she'll stay... isn't Madame Maxime going to stay as a referee?"

"You should have noticed that they have to stay here for a whole school year, and the exchange meeting has not yet started. It is impossible for these people to leave so soon." Fan Lin said helplessly.

"Exchange meeting?" Ron asked differently.

"According to the regulations, these are necessary things." Fan Lin said.

After all the Beauxbatons students signed up, Madame Maxime led them out of the hall and into the venue.

Ron moved toward the front door and stared at them. "Where do they sleep?" he asked.

A rattling sound behind them indicated that Hermione had already retrieved the box containing the S.P.E.W. badge.

"Oh, okay, come on." Ron said as he jumped down from the stone steps. His eyes were still fixed on the back of the Veela girl, Fleur and Madame Maxime walking across the lawn.

They approached Hagrid's cabin on the edge of the Forbidden Forest.

The secret of Beauxbatons Camp is revealed. The huge pink and blue carriage that had brought them was parked 300 yards from the front door of Hagrid's cabin. Students are getting on the bus. The giant pegasus pulling the cart grazed in a makeshift paddock on the edge.

Harry knocked on Hagrid's door, and Hagrid answered. He opened the door to see who was knocking, and when he saw it was them, he said, "I thought you guys had forgotten where I lived!"

"Hagrid, we're really busy." Hermione started but stopped immediately. She looked up at Hagrid, speechless.

Hagrid was wearing his best (and scary) fuzzy brown coat and a yellow and orange plaid tie. That's not too bad. What's worse is that he apparently rubbed his head with a large amount of something that looked like axle lubricant in an attempt to cut his hair. Maybe he had already tried a ponytail like Zabier, but unfortunately there was too much hair, so he couldn't do it and tied his hair into two strands, hanging straight down. Come down. This look didn't suit Hagrid at all.

To be honest, Fan Lin really wanted to complain. This feeling should be the same for everyone.

Maybe they didn't realize what Hagrid was trying to do, but...

Well, the spring of giants is here.

Remember what Hagrid called Madame Maxime, Madame Maxime?

Fanlin felt that if Madam Maxime were not so tall, Hagrid would not be the only suitor.

No one is competing with him, at least, not in the UK.

Hermione giggled at him for a long moment. Then, resisting the urge to comment, he asked, "Hey, where's the Blast-Ended Skrewt?"

"Out near the pumpkin patch," said Hagrid cheerfully, "and they're getting bigger and bigger. They're about six feet long now. The only trouble is that they're starting to kill each other."

"Oh, God, really?" Hermione said, giving a few people a look and telling them not to say anything about it.

"Yes," Hagrid said sadly, "but it doesn't matter, now I put them in different boxes. There are probably 0 of them."

"Oh, quite lucky," said Ron. Hagrid didn't catch the sound of his words.

Hagrid's hut has only one room. There is a large bed in the corner of the room, and the bed is covered with a mattress made of rags.

In front of the stove, a large table and several chairs were set up, and a large number of smoked hams and dead birds were hung from the ceiling above the table.

They sat at the table and Hagrid started making tea. They were soon immersed in discussions about the Triwizard Tournament. Hagrid seemed as excited about it as they were. "Just wait and see." He said with a smile. "As long as you wait, you will see something you have never seen before. The first mission...ah, I can't say."

"Go on, Hagrid." Harry, Ron and Hermione urged him, but he just sighed and shook his head.

"I don't want you to break the rules?" Hagrid said, "But I can tell you, the scene will be spectacular. I never thought I would live to see the Triwizard Tournament again."

"Yes..." Fan Lin wanted to say something, but if he broke the rules, Ron's big mouth...

"When can we see Nobo?" Fan Lin asked.

"Soon, he will be back." Hagrid said without thinking.

What's more regrettable is that no one heard what Fan Lin meant and thought Fan Lin was just caring about Nobo.

They ended up having breakfast with Hagrid, not eating much. Hagrid made what he called a beef casserole, and then, Hermione found a large claw in the dish, and the four of them suddenly lost their appetites.

They like to ask Hagrid to tell them what tasks will be in the competition, and they like to speculate on which of the applicants may be selected. They also wondered whether Fred and George would get rid of their beards.

This can be regarded as the most leisurely time. There is no learning and no magic. This should be the most relaxing moment. For Fan Lin, it is the pleasure that can only be enjoyed under the leadership of three people at Hogwarts.

Around three o'clock in the afternoon, the sky started to rain. Fan Lin sat by the fire, with some blue light dots dancing on his fingertips, listening to the gentle patter of the raindrops hitting the window, and watching Hagrid mending his socks while talking to He. After Min argued about the servant elves, he flatly refused to join S.P.E.W. when the badge was shown to him. It was all very satisfying.

"It's cruel to them, Hermione," he said with a serious expression, threading a thick yellow sandy thread through the giant bone needle. "Taking care of humans is their nature, it's what they like to do, and paying them money would be a huge insult to them."

"But Harry and Fanlin gave Dobby his freedom, and Dobby is happy." Hermione said. "And Dobby has been receiving salary from Fan Lin for one month..."

"Three gold galleons." Fan Lin said quickly. After being reprimanded and enslaved by Hermione, Fan Lin forcibly added two gold galleons to Dobby.

...It can be imagined that Dobby looked like he was dying at the beginning.

"Yeah, yes, you can find exceptions in every category. I'm not saying there aren't weird elves who want to be free, but you'll never be able to convince most of them to do that. No, it's impossible. Yes, Hermione."

Hermione looked angry and stuffed her badge back into her cloak. She looked a little sulky and picked up her book, as if she didn't want to continue talking.

It got dark after 5:30, and Ron, Harry, Fanlin and Hermione felt it was time to go back to the castle.

Not just for the Halloween dinner, but mainly when the players from each school will be announced.

"I'm coming with you," said Hagrid, putting his needlework aside. "Please wait a moment."

He stood up, walked to the bed, and rummaged around in the cabinet with drawers to find something.

At first they didn't pay much attention, then they smelled a bad smell.

Ron coughed and asked, "Hagrid, what is it?" "Huh?" Hagrid turned around and held a big bottle, "You don't like it?"

"Is it cologne?" Hermione asked a little bored. "Uh...it's cologne," Hagrid muttered, blushing. "Maybe a little too much," he slurred, "I'll wash it off later..."

He thumped out of the hut. They saw him washing vigorously in a bucket outside the window.

"Cologne?" Hermione was very surprised, "Rubber Hagrid?"

"What's that in the hair and clothes?" Harry whispered.

"Look!" Ron suddenly shouted pointing out the window.

Hagrid just stood up and turned around. If he was going to blush, it was nothing compared to what he was doing now. Harry, Ron and Hermione carefully stood up and looked through the window so that Hagrid wouldn't notice them. Mrs. Maxim and the group of Bill Beton students had just gotten off the carriage, and they were obviously ready to start the banquet.

Hagrid was talking to Madame Maxime. They couldn't hear what he said but they could see the obsessed, dreamy look on his face as he spoke. Harry had only seen that look once, when he looked at the young dragon Nob.

"He plans to go to the castle with her!" Hermione was a little angry, "I thought he was waiting for us."

Hagrid followed Mrs. Maxim without looking back, and they trudged up the grounds. The Beauxbatons students followed in their footsteps, trotting to keep up with their long strides.

"He likes her!" Ron felt incredible. "Then if they got to the point where they had babies, they would set a world record - I bet their babies would weigh a ton each."

"This is too exaggerated. They are not real giants." Fan Lin said, "Maybe there will be a normal human baby."

"The premise is that Madam Maxime wants to see Hagrid." Hermione was speechless, "Mrs. Maxime is very beautiful and has a very elegant temperament."

"That's not certain," Harry said. "There aren't many people that tall anymore."

Fan Lin shrugged his shoulders. He remembered that in the past, Hagrid had no relationship with Mrs. Maxim. Even if there was, it would take a long time.

"Maybe we should beat him." Fan Lin said.

"Help him?" Hermione asked, "You?"

"I...what's wrong with me?"

Hermione blushed, "Forget it, I think it's better for girls to do it. If it's up to you..."

"Have you ever been in love?" Ron suddenly asked.

"How is that possible?" Hermione shouted, "But girls know girls best, you shouldn't..."

The next words are just nonsense...

They walked out of the cabin and closed the door. It was dark outside. Wrapping their cloaks tighter, they walked up the sloping grass.

"Oh, look, it's them!" Hermione whispered.

The group of Durmstrang men rose from the lake towards the castle.

Viktor Krum and Karkaroff walked side by side, with other students following scattered behind.

Ron looked at Krum excitedly, but Krum didn't look around. He got to the front door earlier than the four of them and went in before them.

The four people arrived at the huge hall, which was filled with candlelight and filled with candlelight. The burning goblet had been moved to the teachers' tables and placed in front of Dumbledore's chair.

Fred and George...well, their beards were gone...appeared to have made peace with their defeat.

"I wish it was Angelina."

The four of them sat down, Fred said.

"Me too," Hermione panted.

"You'll find out soon."

The Halloween dinner seemed to last longer than usual, probably because it was their second feast in two days and everyone wasn't enjoying the elaborate food as much as usual. Everyone craned their necks to look around with impatient expressions, and stood up from time to time to see if Dumbledore had finished eating.

Like them, Harry just wanted to finish eating quickly to hear who had been chosen.

Those gold dishes were finally cleaned and returned to spotless condition.

The noise in the hall continued unabated. But as soon as Dumbledore stood up, all the noise disappeared. Professor Karkaroff and Madame Maxime stood on either side of him, looking as nervous and hopeful as everyone else.

The exposed Bagmon smiled and winked at many students, but Mr. Crouch seemed very cold, even annoyed.

"Well, the goblet is almost ready, and we can make a decision," Dumbledore said. "It will probably take another minute. Those students whose names are called, please go to the end of the hall and walk along the staff desk through this door. Go to the next room."

He pointed to the door behind the staff, "That's where they will receive their first orders."

He took out his wand and with a powerful wave, all the candles went out except for the one in the carved pumpkin.

Everything is in darkness.

Only the burning goblet emits bright light in the entire hall, the light flowers flicker, and the dazzling blue and white fire stings the eyes. Everyone was watching and waiting, some looking at their watches.

"Time's up!" Li Jordan whispered, sitting two seats away from Fan Lin. (To be continued)