"We can accept this outcome and the fact that there are nine Champions. Then, most importantly, we need to adjust the tournament so it remains challenging and everyone has a fair chance to compete."
Dumbledore finished speaking and gave the other two headmasters time to think.
Karkaroff's expression shifted. He looked at the two other students chosen from his school, the brothers Ivan Petrov and Semyon Petrov, then at the students from the other schools.
After a moment's thought, Karkaroff nodded. "Fine."
He had been weighing the competition. Ivan and Semyon were a year apart: one was in sixth year, the other in fifth.
Beauxbatons' Marc Pierre and Sophie Robert were both sixth-years, but Sophie was a girl, as was Fleur Delacour. Their team was two girls and one boy.
And Hogwarts? Karkaroff almost laughed. Two fourth-years. Harry Potter might be famous, but Karkaroff's task was to target Potter. As for Will Behrens, just look at the boy's scrawny frame. He would probably be crushed the moment he stepped onto the field.
Madame Maxime frowned, apparently deep in thought.
She stared for a long time at Marc and Sophie, the two Beauxbatons students chosen later, then turned to Dumbledore.
"Dumbledore," she said, her voice calmer than before, "if I agree to accept this outcome, can you guarantee a fair tournament? I mean truly fair, not one that favors Hogwarts."
"Oh, of course I can," Dumbledore said, with unmistakable conviction in his voice. "Madame Maxime, I give you my word as Headmaster of Hogwarts."
Madame Maxime was silent for a moment before slowly nodding. "Beauxbatons accepts as well."
Ludo Bagman breathed a sigh of relief, and the smile returned to his face. "Wonderful! Wonderful! Since all three headmasters agree, shall we make the announcement?"
No one objected. Dumbledore turned to face