"W-what? I—I'm going with—with you?"
When Harry excitedly told Ron that the three of them would be appearing together in a Triwizard Tournament event, Ron's eyes immediately widened in shock, his mouth hanging open wide enough to fit an egg.
That was the Triwizard Tournament!
It was the Triwizard Tournament, broadcast live to the entire European wizarding world, with countless wizards closely following the competition.
Simply showing one's face in the tournament was an immense honor. If they won, they would receive an enormous Galleon prize as well.
Ron would never forget that at the start of the school year, when Hermione had been chosen as a Tournament champion, he had even fallen out with Hermione and Harry out of jealousy.
But he had never imagined that one day, he would be able to stand on the competition grounds openly and rightfully!
It was not just Ron. Even Lavender, Seamus, and Dean, who had overheard the conversation, looked utterly stunned.
"Have you—you really decided?"
Ron, whose intimate moment with Lavender had just been discovered by Harry and Hermione, did not grow any redder. Instead, his flushed face turned pale as he looked at Hermione and stammered,
"You considered me? You want me to be your teammate?"
"Unless you don't want to?"
Hermione raised her brows.
"Oh, no, of course I do, but—"
Ron bit his lip.
"But your teammate in physical education class... Neville might be the best choice. His sword might be more useful than I am."
Lavender immediately grew anxious, but before she could say anything, Harry stopped her with a stern look.
"Neville has already been picked by Cedric, Ron—"
Harry said.
"Then Ginny..."
Ron's breathing quickened slightly. He sounded less like he was trying to persuade Harry and Hermione than he was trying to convince himself.