The next morning brought an unusual Saturday. Breaking with their usual habits, the students rose early and headed to the Entrance Hall.
When Jerry entered the Entrance Hall, he found a lively scene: more than twenty people had gathered there, their laughter and chatter mingling with the faint sounds of people nibbling bread. His gaze naturally fell on the Goblet of Fire, which stood in the middle of the Entrance Hall on the three-legged stool used for the Sorting Hat during the Sorting.
On the floor, a fine golden line traced a perfect circle with a radius of ten feet, surrounding the Goblet of Fire like a protective boundary.
"Has anyone put their name in the Goblet of Fire this morning?" Jerry asked a third-year girl he did not know.
"Yes, the Durmstrang students have already put their names in," she replied, blushing at his question. "But so far, I haven't seen any Hogwarts students enter."
Jerry nodded slightly. Just then, a sudden burst of triumphant laughter rang out behind him.
He turned to see Fred, George, and Lee Jordan hurrying down the stairs, their faces alight with undisguised excitement. Harry, Ron, Neville, and Hermione followed close behind.
"Jerry, George and the others are going to put their names in the Goblet of Fire," Harry said as they came over to him.
Jerry nodded and glanced at Hermione. She seemed to notice his gaze, but kept her head lowered.
"We've done it!" Fred announced to those around him in a low voice, wearing a smug little smile. "All three of us have just taken Ageing Potion!"
"If one of us wins, we'll have to split those thousand Galleons three ways," Lee Jordan said, grinning, his voice full of anticipation.
"Of course! Ready, lads?" Trembling slightly with excitement, Fred turned to