Pre-Match Guidance: He Really Was Relentless

"There's no problem with the number of participants, right?" Ludo Bagman asked, looking at Maxime and Karkaroff.

The two principals exchanged a glance and nodded silently.

"Then here comes another question." Dumbledore looked at Harry Potter with a serious expression. "Harry, you really didn't put your name in the Goblet of Fire?"

"No, really, I don't have any yet," Harry said with a look of melancholy.

"It's obvious that someone registered him." Aaron gave a reasonable explanation. "Someone wanted him to participate in the competition; this was premeditated."

"But I don't want to participate," Harry said, on the verge of tears.

"Don't want to participate? Why don't you want to participate?" Phoebe couldn't help but ask. "Participating in the competition is something many people dream of, bringing glory to the school, and there's also a prize of one thousand Galleon."

"Not everyone values honors that much, and most fourth-year Warlock aren't capable of handling those competitions, but that's not important." Aaron waved his hand and laughed. "In my years at Hogwarts, I've discovered two very peculiar curses. One is that Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor never last a year before resigning for various reasons."

Another one was on Halloween Eve. The first-year student Troll, the second-year student a Basilisk, and the third-year student a runaway prisoner Sirius Black. I was just thinking about what we'd get for the year-end party a few days ago, and then... someone who didn't want to participate in the Triwizard Tournament ended up participating without even realizing it.

"Thank you, Mr. Gaius," Dumbledore dark face, feeling somewhat embarrassed that the other two headmasters would find out about this.

"But even if someone puts Potter's name in, the Goblet of Fire might not choose him!" Maxime said.

"Confundus Charm," Moody said. "A very powerful Confundus Charm, but it won't fool a monster with such immense power as the Goblet of Fire."

"Your idea seems to make some sense, Mad-Eye," Karkaroff said coldly. "But I think it's more likely that Potter. Porter wanted to use this method to lull us Durmstrang Champion into a false sense of security."

Think about it! Who would care about an 'innocent victim'? That would probably reduce the pressure on Potter to win the championship significantly.

Upon hearing this, Harry's eyes widened.

How could anyone think like that? How did Karkaroff become the principal?

"The important thing now is how to solve the problem?" Dumbledore looked at the three referees, including Barty Crouch, and said, "Tell me your thoughts."

"The rules cannot be changed," Barty Crouch said. "The choice of the Goblet of Goblet of Fire must be followed and cannot be altered."

Potter had no choice; from this day forward, he was the Triwizard Tournament Champion.

"There might be a way to break the Goblet of Fire of Fire contract, but..." Adrian said with a faint smile, "But the price would be too high, and Potter certainly couldn't afford it."

"What price?" Harry asked tentatively, a faint glimmer of hope rising in his heart.

"After being baptized by the flames of the Goblet of Fire, your body will turn to ashes, but your Soul Stone will be preserved."

You can live at Hogwarts as Ghost.

"Forget about that, I'll just attend," Harry said reluctantly. He had attended the death anniversary banquet of Nearly Headless Nick the Headless before and knew how boring and tedious Ghost life was.

If anyone asked him how he died, he would be too embarrassed to say it.

"Then let's continue!" Ludo Bagman rubbed his hands excitedly. "Now it's time to give our Champion some pointers, right, Barty?"

"Yes, instructor." Barty realized what was happening and walked up to the Champion. "The First Task will test your courage, but we won't tell you what it is. Daring to face unknown things is an important quality of Warlock."

The First Task will take place on November 24th, and will be completed in front of the judges and other audience members.

When completing the project, the Champion must not ask for or accept any help from other teachers; their only weapon is their magic Wand...

"Wait a minute." Aaron frowned slightly, unable to resist interrupting Crouch.

"Gaius, is there a problem?"

"I want to ask if it means I can only use Wand? And I can't use other weapons?"

"As expected of my brother," Adrian praised. "To put it simply, each person can only bring Wand when they enter the arena, but how they use it depends on their performance."

"So I understand now." Aaron suddenly realized, "You can use other weapons, but they must be summoned using magic."

"That's exactly what I mean," Barty Crouch continued. "You only learn about the Second Task through the First Task."

Because the competition is very demanding and lasts a long time, the participating Champion will not take the academic year exams.

"This is the only good news I've heard these past few days," Aaron exclaimed.

That's all I have to say.

"Barty," Dumbledore said, noticing Crouch's dark circles, "Why don't you rest at Hogwarts for a day before you leave?"

"No, Dumbledore."

I have to go back to the Ministry of Magic; it's very busy and very difficult right now.

I temporarily put a new young employee in charge. He was very enthusiastic, but perhaps a little too enthusiastic.

"Alright! Let's at least have a drink before you go!"

"Maybe next time, I really don't have time this time," Crouch said, pulling the reluctant Ludo Bagman away.

Adrian walked up to Aaron, a playful smile on his lips. "The First Task is going to be amazing, absolutely amazing. You just better not die!"

"Thanks for your concern." Aaron rolled his eyes. "Don't forget what you promised me."

"And don't forget what I asked of you," Adrian chuckled. "If you can't do it, then... there's nothing I can do."

Aaron gritted his teeth. "I understand."

"What did she ask of you?" Phoebe asked curiously.

"A potentially deadly request," Aaron said with some distress. "In short, it's quite unfriendly to me."

"Professor Karkaroff, Madam Maxime, and Miss Klein, would you like a bedtime drink?" Dumbledore asked.

"No, I have something to do and need to leave for a few days." Adrian waved his hand and headed towards the Great Hall on his own.

Maxime remained silent, leading Phoebe up the stairs, while Karkaroff quickly left with Krum.

"Then, only Hogwarts remains." Aaron shrugged, then looked at Dumbledore. "Does Headmaster have any further instructions?"

"I suggest you go back to sleep," Dumbledore said with a smile. "I'm sure the students of Gryffindor, Slytherin, Hufflepuff are waiting for you to celebrate together!"

The three exchanged a glance and then left the room together.

The Great Hall was now empty, with pumpkin lanterns flickering on and off and candle flames dancing, creating a somewhat eerie festive atmosphere.

"I really didn't expect to become your opponent," Cedric said with a smile.

"I've thought about becoming your rival," Aaron said calmly. "Among all the high school Warlock who have signed up at Hogwarts, most of them are just there to make up the numbers, except for the Prefect. You are the best of the four Prefect."

"I'm actually a little embarrassed to say that."

"But I really didn't expect Harry Boots to become a Triwizard Tournament Champion." Aaron looked at the bewildered Harry speechlessly. "What are your thoughts?"

No, this is too sudden.

I wasn't prepared at all; I never imagined someone would sign me up.

Cedric gave him a deep look, then a nonchalant smile spread across his face. "No need to be so nervous. Since you've signed up, just strive for that Glory. I won't go easy on you just because you're young."

After Cedric finished speaking, he turned and went through the small door on the right to the Hufflepuff public lounge.

"He seemed to distrust me," Harry said, sounding aggrieved.

"It's only human nature. Let alone Cedric, even Hermione and Ron probably wouldn't believe you," Aaron teased. "You explained this morning that you secretly registered last night, so you won't feel embarrassed if you don't get selected."

The problem is, you happen to have the perfect tool for the crime: Invisibility Cloak.

Harry's lips twitched slightly. He had only made a simple guess at the time, but he never expected it to happen to him.

"You said before that someone wanted me to participate in the competition, but why?"

"How would I know?" Aaron was speechless. "The only thing I'm sure of is that he has ill intentions. The Triwizard Tournament is still very dangerous for you."

"Danger?" Harry murmured, then his pupils widened instantly as if he had just realized something, and he stood there stunned.

"What's wrong with you?"

"I remembered a dream I had during the Summer Holiday." A hint of panic flashed in Harry's eyes. "Voldemort, I dreamt about him."

He was very weak, and even speaking required heavy breathing, but the Wormtail were attending to him; they were plotting to kill me.

"Yeah, I understand." Aaron nodded indifferently.

"This could be true; you know Professor Trelawney's Prophecy."

"Don't get me wrong, I mean your dream might be true, and the Prophecy might also be true."

But even if you hadn't had this dream, Voldemort would still want to kill you, wouldn't he?

Harry:...

That makes perfect sense.

I actually worried for months about a fact that everyone knows.

"Oh right, he seemed to mention you in the dream too."

Aaron immediately lost his composure and grabbed Harry's arm, shaking it violently. "What did he say?"

"Don't worry, he doesn't mean to kill you," Harry said quickly.

Aaron breathed a sigh of relief and slowly released Harry's arm, but the next sentence made Aaron stumble and almost tumble down the stairs.

"After killing me, he wants to capture you alive."

"Heh!" A bitter smile appeared on Aaron's lips. "Once, twice, and three times, it seems the great Dark Lord is really persistent with me!"

Harry, you absolutely can't get hurt! If you die, Voldemort's attention will all be on me.

Harry Potter:...