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Kyle went through a side door behind the High Table area and entered a small room with walls covered with portraits of wizards.
Kyle also spotted Phoenix, who was standing behind a house with another bearded principal, peering at them.
"I just heard your name," Phoebe said, walking over from the fireplace. "The cheers were really loud; I didn't realize you were so famous at Hogwarts."
"It's just home-court advantage," Kyle said. "If it were in Beauxbatons, your cheers would definitely be much louder than mine."
"That's not necessarily true." Phoebe tossed her long silver hair, remaining noncommittal.
Kyle then looked at Krum, the legendary Seeker, who remained unchanged. Upon seeing Kyle, he simply nodded and then continued to lean against the fireplace, hunched over, lost in thought. It seemed that becoming Champion did not bring him much joy.
There was something being said outside, and the cheers continued for a long time without subsiding.
No one else came in during this time, not even Dumbledore, Chris, or Bagman; it was as if they had forgotten there were three people there.
During this time, Krum stayed by the fireplace without saying a word. Fortunately, Phoebe and Kyle were acquaintances and could chat with each other for a while.
Finally, after more than ten minutes, the door to the room was opened again from the outside.
A person rushed in in a panic, and everyone's eyes instinctively turned to look at them.
"What's wrong?" Phoebe looked at the thin figure. "Do they want us to go back to the Great Hall?"
"Oh... ah, yes." After a brief moment of stunned silence, Harry quickly looked away from Phoebe's face and nodded, "The Daily Prophet's people are here, and the headmaster has been talking to them."
Oh, and the Minister for Magic, he asked me to tell you all to go back to the Great Hall."
"That Cornelius Fudge?" Phoebe frowned.
Kyle, however, kept his eyes on Harry.
"Congratulations, Kyle," Harry said with a smile. "Fred and George said they'd make a hundred-foot-long flag, and we'll all be cheering for you during the game."
After saying that, he waved and jogged away.
Phoebe also stood up and reluctantly began to walk outside the door.
Kyle, regaining his senses, shook his head and followed.
"You seem to dislike Fudge," he asked. "You two haven't met before, have you?"
"No, but Madame Maxime mentioned him to me."
"Because of your sister Gabrielle?"
"Mm." Phoebe nodded.
"Has this matter been resolved?" Kyle asked curiously.
"I suppose so," Phoebe said, somewhat indignantly. "There were clearly six people there... but Fudge pinned all the blame on one of them and only agreed to lock him up in your wizarding prison..."
Of course, that's to be expected, since he used the Unforgivable Curses, but our demand is that everyone must be punished, yet he keeps making excuses."
As they spoke, the two had already arrived at the Great Hall.
They were greeted with cheers.
Kyle noticed that the Goblet of Fire that had been there had been completely extinguished.
After arriving here, Phoebe's face no longer showed the slightest dissatisfaction. She knew very well that negotiating with the Minister for Magic was Madame Maxime's business, and had nothing to do with her.
She only complains when no one else can see her.
"Welcome, Champion who have distinguished themselves," Fudge said with a smile.
He looked radiant, and his figure seemed to have become rounder than when he was in the courtroom.
Fudge walked over and warmly shook hands with everyone. When he got to Kyle, he shook his arm a couple of times with extra force.
"Well done, kid. I knew you could do it."
"Snap!"
Amidst a plume of purple smoke, the Daily Prophet's staff excitedly captured the scene on camera.
"Front page headline, the minister!" the short man carrying a camera exclaimed excitedly.
"No, Badock," Fudge shook his head and said, "I think the front page should be reserved for these Champion ...how about a group photo?"
"You've thought of everything, Minister." The photographer immediately ran over and pulled the three Champion, including Kyle, to the center of the Great Hall.
Although Olympe Maxime looked unhappy, he still gave up his seat.
"Don't move, ma'am." Photographer Badock was somewhat amazed by Olympe Maxime's tall stature, but still reminded him, "This is a group photo. You can stand next to the Champion, but be careful not to block them."
Olympe Maxime's face darkened further, and she turned to look at Dumbledore.
"Alright, of course, no problem," Dumbledore said, stepping behind Kyle. "How about this?"
"Very good," Badock said.
Olympe Maxime and Karkaroff also came over and stood behind their respective academy's Champion.
Next were Fudge, Chris, and Bagman, who represented the Ministry of Magic.
After everyone was in position, Badock didn't take a picture immediately. Instead, he ran back to the Gryffindor table and, without saying a word, dragged Harry to sit at the very front of the table.
"What are you waiting for? Let's cheer for the Champion!"
Amidst enthusiastic applause, Badock finally pressed the shutter.
The banquet ended there, and the students returned to the common room. Kyle, Phoebe, and Krum went back to their previous small room.
This time, the three principals, Fudge, Chris, and the others also came in.
"I truly hope that our time together has made you all feel more at ease," Dumbledore said with a smile. "The Triwizard Tournament is a brutal competition, but it's also a great opportunity for you to make friends... I've always believed that having a like-minded friend is sometimes more valuable than winning a championship."
Krum's expression shifted, but he remained silent.
"Alright, Albus, let's get down to business," Karkaroff said. "Viktor hasn't been feeling well lately and needs to rest early."
"Of course, that is to say," said Dumbledore. "Please allow me to recommend Madam Pomfrey of Hogwarts Hospital Wing; she is one of the finest healers I know."
"That's quite a high compliment," Karkaroff said.
"Alright, let's continue." Bagman rubbed his hands together, smiling as he looked at the people in the room. "Time to give our Champion some guidance, right?"
"That's right," Fudge said with a smile. "Chris, you tell the story."
"Okay." Chris nodded and took two steps forward.
"The First Task... is to test your courage, so I'm not going to tell you what it is. Daring to face the unknown is an important factor for a wizard... The only thing I can remind you of is 'passing the test'."
"There are three levels in total, each corresponding to a different school. Only by reaching the end can you obtain a clue to the Second Task."
"That's about enough, Chris," Bagman said with a smile. "We can't reveal any more, or the match will lose a lot of its fun."
"Okay, you're right." Chris smiled.
Kyle, Phoebe, Krum all looked at Bagman with hostile eyes... but he patted his belly smugly.
"Now let's talk about the timing," Chris clapped his hands and said, "The First Task will be held on November 30th, in front of all the students, and will be scored by the judging panel."
"When you finish the game, Champion must not accept any help from other professors. Your only weapon is the magic wand in your hand."
When Chris said the last two words, "magic wand," he emphasized them, as if reminding someone of something.
Fortunately, no one else noticed this.
"Because the demands of the game are already very high, the Champion don't need to take the school year exams," Chris continued. "You have a month to focus on preparing for the game, without worrying about anything else."
He then turned to Dumbledore. "I think that's all, Albus."
"Yes," said Dumbledore. "How about we have a drink together later? I have a bottle of fine whiskey."
"I'm afraid that won't work, Albus," Chris said. "This is the busiest time of year; there's a lot to do in the department."
"It's just a drink, it's fine," Fudge winked and said with a smile. "Besides, you probably want to celebrate, right?"
"Well... okay." Chris nodded, agreeing.
"That's wonderful," Dumbledore a smile.
He wanted to invite Olympe Maxime and Karkaroff to join him, but when he turned around, he found that the two had already left with their respective academy's Champion.