From the shadows, Snape joined in with a sneer.
"Headmaster Dumbledore isn't to blame for this. The fault lies entirely with Potter. He's just like his dead father.
Whenever there's a chance to show off, he'll stop at nothing-and now he's dragged my student down with him."
Harry had already been nervous. Now, faced with Snape's venom, he nearly dropped dead from rage on the spot, his fists clenched tight.
Fortunately, Draco held him back. Otherwise...
Dumbledore, who had been waiting for Shawn to cooperate, finally reacted. He turned to Snape and said politely,
"Thank you, Severus."
Snape smacked his lips and had the sense to shut up, though beneath his greasy black hair, his hollow eyes still glinted with malicious speculation-and a trace of worry.
Seeing that they were still at an impasse, Bagman rubbed his smooth chin and said with a genial smile,
"As you all know, the age limit was only introduced this year as an additional safety measure.
We all know why, don't we? It was a concession on Hogwarts' part.
Why don't we all meet halfway? Surely you don't think two third-year young wizards could threaten your top students, who are nearly ready to graduate?"
For a moment, the headmasters were left speechless.
"Well..."
"Of course not."
It was just then that Shawn and Fudge walked in.
The hulking Niekosov addressed Fudge as he entered.
"Mr. Fudge, as England's Minister for Magic and our impartial judge, do you consider this appropriate? And what reasonable solution can you offer?"
Fudge glanced discreetly at Shawn, then thrust out his ample belly and declared with righteous conviction,
"Anyone whose name comes out of the Goblet of Fire must compete in the Triwizard Tournament. That provision is written into the Contract and cannot be changed."
"A truly fair minister."