Children of Sin

Chapter 28

"The poor girl," Euphemia empathized, "Tina always did say her sister would have incredibly bad migraines as a child. Legillmency is never a blessing."

"Hogwarts cannot 'ave three championz," Madma Maxime insisted in her thick French accent, "this is a cheap trick."

"Harry," Dumbledore turned to the boy in question gently, "did you put your name in the Goblet of Fire?"

"No Sir," the boy's eyes shook, fear clearly evident, "I didn't."

"Then that settles it," Dumbledore smiles gently, "the boy didn't do it."

"He could be lying," Igor Karkaroff pointed his finger angrily, "why should we just take his word for it?"

"Everyone knows that Albus Dumbledore is an expert legillmens," Madam Ballard voiced quietly, "it would be foolish to simply dismiss his claims. Perhaps we should ask him to elaborate on why he believes Potter to not have cheated."

"It seems that Mademoiselle Ballard has as much diplomatic skill as her father," Antiope smiled, "our Prime Minister is well known for his diplomatic abilities."

"It doesn't matter whether the boy is innocent or not," Bartemius Crouch said matter-of-factly, "he is bound by the magical contract of the goblet. He couldn't get out of it even if he wanted to."

"Barty isn't wrong," Dumbledore sighed, "that's why the age-line was instituted."

"Well perhaps you made a mistake," Madam Maxime suggested, "even you cannot be perfect."

"Perhaps," Dumbledore placated, "it is definitely possible."

"Dumbledore, you know perfectly well you did not make a mistake!" Minerva Mcgonagall snapped, "Really, what nonsense! Harry could not have crossed the line himself, and as Professor Dumbledore believes that he did not persuade an older student to do it for him, I'm sure that should be good enough for everybody else!"

"Thank you for your belief Minerva," Albus turned to his once pupil, "always as strong minded as ever."

"No need for thanks Albus," Minerva gave a small smile, "you have made many mistakes, but that definitely doesn't seem to be one of them."

"Well we should redraw then," Karkaroff suggested, "then we could be even."

"The Goblet of Fire has already died down," Crouch shook his head, "it will not reawaken until the next tournament."

"Then how is this fair?" Madam Maxime insisted, "if the boy must participate due to the contract, then it gives Hogwarts two shots."

"What if the contract wasn't an issue?" Madam Ballard tentatively suggested, "what if there was a way of nullifying it somehow? Is it not worth a shot? The first task is on November twenty fourth, almost a month from now. If we get an expert to try and break it, that can be best case scenario. Worst case scenario, the boy participates."

"Who can possibly figure such a thing out?" Minerva McGonagall insisted, "if Dumbledore himself cannot figure it out, who can?"

"There went that idea," Lily sighed, "I had hoped that he'd maybe get out of it."

"I hope he'll be alright," James bit his lip, "that sounds really dangerous."

"Remember the magical poisoning incident?" Madame Ballard turned to her superior, "Leopold brought in Nicholas Flamel's apprentice. If there's any other person capable of such a thing, it's likely to be her. Besides, Layla told me that her mother has all of Monsieur Flamel's notes from over the centuries.