Harry Potter and the Hidden Treasure (Volume 3)

Chapter 556 The Fourth Champion

The applause and chatter died down, and now everyone's attention was once again focused on the Goblet of Fire.

Moments later, the flames turned red again. A second parchment was shot out of it, propelled by the flames.

"The champion of Beauxbatons," said Dumbledore, "is Fleur Delacour!"

Hibiscus elegantly stood up and tossed back her silvery blonde mane.

She didn't seem surprised by the outcome and walked between the Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff tables.

"Oh look, everyone looks disappointed," Hermione remarked over the noise, gesturing towards the rest of the Beauxbatons delegation.

Indeed, the word "disappointed" fell short. Two of the girls who were not selected had collapsed in tears, sobbing with their heads rested on their arms.

Gabrielle, in contrast, was extremely happy and continued to applaud for her sister.

When Fleur Delacour also disappeared into the side chamber, the Great Hall fell silent once more.

But this time it was a silence so thick with emotion that it could almost be tasted. The next Hogwarts champion...

And the Goblet of Fire turned red again. Sparks shot out of it; the flame rose in the air, and from its tip Dumbledore pulled out the third parchment.

"The champion of Hogwarts," he called out, "is Cedric Diggory!"

"No!" Ron exclaimed loudly.

The commotion at the neighboring table was overwhelming. Every single Hufflepuff stood up, shouting and clapping, as Cedric walked past them, smiling broadly, heading towards the chamber behind the teachers' table.

After Evan decided not to be a champion, Diggory was undoubtedly the best choice.

The applause for Cedric lasted so long that it took a while before Dumbledore could be heard again.

"Excellent!" Dumbledore called out happily when the tumult finally subsided. "Well, now we have our three champions. I'm sure I can rely on all of you, including the remaining students from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang, to provide all the possible support to your champions. Encouraging your champion will contribute in a very real way..."

Dumbledore suddenly fell silent, and it was evident to everyone what was distracting him.

The fire in the goblet had just turned red again, and sparks were flying in all directions.

A long flame suddenly rose in the air, and above it was another parchment.

Automatically, it seemed, Dumbledore extended a long hand and grabbed the parchment. He held it up and looked at the name written on it.

There was a long pause, during which Dumbledore stared at the piece of paper in his hands, and everyone in the Great Hall looked at Dumbledore.

This was truly too exciting. The three champions had already been chosen. Why did a parchment come out of the Goblet of Fire?

"Here it comes!" Evan focused on Dumbledore. Barty Crouch Jr. did it!

A few seconds later, Dumbledore cleared his throat and read, "Ron Weasley!"

What?! Ron is a champion?! How is that possible? Evan's mind went blank. Shouldn't it be Harry?!

Things had changed again. What kind of conspiracy was Barty Crouch plotting?!

He hastily looked at Ron, and everyone else turned to look at him.

Ron's name emerged from the Goblet of Fire, which was even more unexpected than if Evan himself had been the champion.

Ron looked frightened. He just stood there, feeling like he was in a dream.

Had he misheard? Had he truly become a champion?

After a brief bewilderment, there was a burst of ecstasy. He looked around eagerly but did not see a smiling face.

There was no applause. A hum, like that of angry bees, was starting to fill the Hall; some students were standing up to get a better look at Ron.

Ron remained where he was, his smile gradually freezing, and he suddenly found himself speechless. His face reddened; even his ears turned red.

"Go to that room," Evan whispered, gently nudging Ron.

He looked at Caresius, who shook his head slightly, looking equally surprised by the outcome.

No matter what happened, Ron had become a champion.

He heard Evan's reminder and wanted to go to the room at the top of the Great Hall, but his body was rigid, unable to move.

Professor McGonagall stood up and walked past Ludo Bagman and Professor Karkaroff to urgently whisper to Professor Dumbledore, who inclined his ear towards her, furrowing his brow slightly.

At the head table, Professor Dumbledore straightened up, nodding to Professor McGonagall.

"Ron Weasley!" she called again. "Ron! Up here, please!"

"Go on," Hermione whispered, giving Ron a gentle nudge.

"Go!" said Harry.

Ron stood up, tripped on the edge of his robes, and accidentally fell to the floor.

With the help of some people around him, he rose in a terrible embarrassment.

Ron began to walk up the aisle between the Gryffindor and Hufflepuff tables, with hundreds of eyes fixed on him.

The buzz grew louder, and the atmosphere in the Great Hall became increasingly strange.

They simply watched Ron pass by, their faces filled with uncontrollable anger.

But no one stopped Ron. Everyone avoided him like the plague, as if they had seen something dirty.

"Well... through the door, Ron!" said Dumbledore, his face devoid of a smile.

Ron looked expectantly at Dumbledore, seeming to await some response.

But Dumbledore's expression was especially grave. He had looked like this before. It seemed as though even the flames around him had frozen.

A few seconds later, Ron nodded slowly, as if he had understood something, and stumbled along the teachers' table.

After he entered the room, the other people at the head table, Dumbledore, Karkaroff, Maxime, Ludo Bagman, Barty Crouch, Professor McGonagall, and Professor Snape, followed suit and entered.

Before leaving, Professor McGonagall asked everyone to return to bed, and the celebration that night had come to an end.

The students did not leave immediately but suddenly erupted.

Discussions and noises almost made the roof shake, and everyone was furious.

"How could Ron become a champion?" Harry couldn't believe it.

"He's been with us all day and never had a chance to put his name in the Goblet of Fire!" Hermione frowned.

"Obviously, this is some kind of conspiracy," Evan said. He wondered if Ron could overcome those dangerous tasks.

In his opinion, Barty Crouch Jr. made Ron a champion, not much different from killing him.

Damn it, what kind of plot is he planning?!

Ron was different from Harry. Harry was very brave and had performed well in real combat. With Dumbledore's help, it was possible for him to get through the Triwizard Tournament.

But, Ron...

Evan sighed. He really didn't know how to help Ron and enable him to endure until the end with his current level.