After turning things over in his mind, Bagman was just about to offer the champions some guidance.
But Fudge jumped in first, eager to make an impression. His large belly thrust forward, he addressed the champions at length.
"The first task will take place on November 24. We cannot reveal its exact nature to you yet.
It will test your courage in the face of the unknown. Your only weapon will be your wand.
Only after the first task is over will you receive a clue for the second task.
Since the tournament is so demanding and lasts so long, the champions will be exempt from their end-of-year exams."
Ignoring Bagman's disgruntled expression, Fudge delivered all of this in one breath, then turned to the headmasters.
"That was quite thorough, wasn't it? Do any of you have anything to add?"
Dumbledore replied with a cheerful smile.
"Thank you, Cornelius. You couldn't have put it better."
He then intended to invite everyone to enjoy the latest desserts as a late-night snack, but no one was particularly in the mood, so they went their separate ways.
The hall stood empty. The candle flames had dwindled, making the jack-o'-lanterns' broad grins look eerie and sinister.
Shawn strolled along the dim corridor, with Harry and Draco following behind.
Both hesitated, wanting to ask their chief just who was trying to harm them.
They had certainly fantasized about representing Hogwarts as champions before, but that had only been for fun-idle flights of fancy, mere daydreams.
Neither had ever seriously considered becoming a champion. After all, everything they had read indicated that the Triwizard Tournament was extremely dangerous.
Unlike their counterparts in the original story, they were not naive boys with no understanding of how cruel reality could be.
Eventually, Draco could no longer hold back.