"You all know that there will be three champions competing in this tournament. We will award each champion points based on their performance in every task.
"After all three tasks are complete, the champion with the highest score will win.
"The champions representing each school were chosen by the impartial judge—the Goblet of Fire."
The blazing fire cast a ruddy glow over Dumbledore's face.
The young wizards in the hall couldn't help holding their breath.
The students from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang hoped the Goblet of Fire would choose them.
But the students of Hogwarts, a school with a style all its own, silently called out one name in their hearts.
"I refuse to believe this."
Klein stared at the ancient wooden cup, his lips pressed together.
Perhaps it was because of the butterfly effect, but the registration process for the Triwizard Tournament had deviated from the original course of events. The Goblet of Fire had spent the first few months at Beauxbatons and Durmstrang, then the past month at Hogwarts.
Registration had already closed.
Once the Halloween Banquet began tomorrow, the three champions would be officially announced. They would each shoulder the honor of their school and take part in the Triwizard Tournament.
"Heh heh. Then, let's begin."
Dumbledore was quite pleased with the expressions on the young wizards' faces.
Meeting the countless expectant gazes, the old man tapped the Goblet of Fire with the Elder Wand.
"Whoosh!"
The flames shot skyward, prompting a chorus of gasps.
"It's me! It has to be me!"
"Pick Kiana!"
"It can't be me, can it? Please, no!"
"Klein! Klein! Klein!"
As the flames roared, the young wizards prayed silently.
Madame Maxime and the grim-faced Karkaroff watched the Goblet of Fire intently, too.
Just then, a slip of parchment flew out of the Goblet