If You Can't Change the Past, Why Not Smell the Flowers? (Third Update!)

The two university presidents took turns having heart-to-heart talks with their students.

Whether through coercion or bribery, everyone said the same thing:

Champion who became one through his own strength!

How could he possibly admit it? He had signed the agreement, and it was said that Stark had cast a curse.

Once it's leaked, who knows what unspeakable things might happen.

Since we've embarked on the cheating path of spending money to become Champion, we need to stick to a unified story.

The two are like a Niffler in a vault; a Ashwinder in a fire; a Horklump with a wand core... If something's going to happen, something's going to happen, so they absolutely cannot admit it.

But Karkaroff persisted, saying:

"I have another question. All of my students are adult wizards."

They could put their names into the Goblet of Fire, and perhaps that broken goblet malfunctioned and selected them.

But most of the Champion at Hogwarts are underage wizards.

He scoffed, "So Dumbledore's Age Line is useless now?"

"Of course, that's possible," Dumbledore said politely.

"Nonsense! Dumbledore, you know perfectly well that your magic works!"

Seeing Karkaroff question Dumbledore, Professor McGonagall glared at him angrily.

"Hermione, how did you get that ball in?" William asked softly. "Does the Age Line even matter?"

"The Age Line certainly works," Hermione smiled. "So, I folded a piece of parchment into a paper airplane, stood outside the Age Line, and dropped it in."

"..."

Everyone stared at Hermione in disbelief... This actually works?

William snapped his fingers and laughed, "So strictly speaking, we haven't crossed the Age Line, we haven't broken any rules."

He then changed the subject, saying, "But I also have a perplexing question that I'd like to ask Headmaster Karkaroff."

Karkaroff remained silent, seemingly unwilling to answer.

"William, you speak!" Madame Maxime said quickly.

"I just noticed... Hogwarts and Beauxbatons both only have seven Champion."

William didn't mention cheating; instead, he focused on the number of questions.

"But Durmstrang has nine Champion. How so?"

I don't remember which school had more Champion than the others.

Is that right, Madame Maxime?

"That's right!" Madame Maxime glared fiercely at Karkaroff.

"You Durmstrang cheated! How despicable!" she shouted. "You only know how to bully Beauxbatons and Hogwarts!"

"I insist that my students re-enroll." Maxime looked at Ludo and Crouch.

"You must put the Goblet of Fire back on the table and keep adding names to it until we and Hogwarts each produce two Champion."

That's fair, don't you think, Dumbledore?

Dumbledore didn't speak, but Ludo shook his head and said:

"Madam, I'm afraid that won't work. The Goblet of Fire has just been extinguished. This contract has ended."

"It was reignited, and the contract signed this time was not the same as before."

"Beauxbatons will not participate in the next Triwizard Tournament!" Madame Maxime said angrily.

"We've had so many meetings, so many negotiations and consultations, and we never expected something like this to happen!"

"You even have wizards in their thirties registering, and you still have two more spots than us!"

"Durmstrang disgusts me! Disgusting! I want to leave right now!"

"I agree with you, Madame Maxime," William countered sternly.

"I will file a complaint with the Ministry of Magic and the International Confederation of Wizards."

As Youth Representative of the Wizengamot, United Kingdom!

Karkaroff was dumbfounded.

Wait a minute, you two were just targeting Hogwarts, how come you've teamed up and are pointing your guns at me?

Hermione glanced at William.

William winked at her furtively. Anyone can brag.

Ludo wiped the sweat from his brow and turned to look at Crouch.

Crouch stood outside the circle of firelight, and after a long pause, he spoke:

"Beauxbatons cannot leave. We must abide by the charter."

The rules clearly state: anyone whose name emerges from the Goblet of Fire must participate in the Triwizard Tournament.

Dumbledore nodded slightly and said, "We don't know how this situation came about."

"However, in my opinion, we have no choice but to accept it. Everyone has to participate in the competition."

Maxime glared at Karkaroff again, seemingly convinced that he was the despicable man.

"Alright, shall we continue?" Ludo rubbed his hands together and looked at the people in the room with a smile.

"You're going to give our Champion some guidance, aren't you? Barty, why don't you do it?"

"Okay," Crouch said sternly, "The First Task is to test your courage, so we're not going to tell you what it is."

The courage to face the unknown is an important quality of a wizard... extremely important...

"The First Task will be held on November 24th, and will be completed in front of the other students and the judging panel."

"Champion must not ask for or accept any assistance from their teachers while completing the competition events."

When the Champion faced the first challenge, his only weapon was his magic wand.

Because the competition is demanding and lengthy, the Champion will not participate in the academic year exams.

After Crouch finished his announcement, everyone left. Ludo and Crouch deliberately stayed behind.

Ludo's face turned pale as he said:

"Dumbledore, I've suddenly realized something... the dragon we prepared for our First Task... is seriously insufficient!"

Originally, only three fire dragons were needed, but now twenty-three are required... Who can possibly get so many?!

Damn Karkaroff!

Besides, after the Quidditch World Cup mascot attack, who would dare to release so many fire dragons into schools?

Dumbledore said calmly, "I already have some ideas. Our First Task will definitely need to be modified."

"Alright, since you have an idea." Mr. Crouch turned to Dumbledore. "It's getting late, I'll head back now."

Dumbledore looked at Crouch with a slightly concerned gaze.

"You really don't want to stay at Hogwarts tonight, Barty?"

"Yes, Dumbledore, I must go back to the department," said Mr. Crouch. "It's a very busy time right now."

I put young Weatherby in charge temporarily... He's very enthusiastic... to be honest, a little too enthusiastic...

"Well then, at least come and have a drink before you leave," said Dumbledore.

"Come on, Barty, I'm staying here!" Ludo was in high spirits.

"The Xwizard Tournament is much more exciting and fun here than sitting in the office!"

"I disagree with you, Ludo," Crouch said, his tone revealing his usual impatience.

Ludo didn't care and saw Crouch out, leaving Dumbledore standing there alone.

Soon, Snape walked over from the corner and immediately asked, "Why did you have Shidake create so many Champion?"

They're a bunch of underage wizards!

Don't you know how dangerous the Triwizard Tournament is?!

Dumbledore didn't answer, but instead asked, "How is Karkaroff?"

"He doesn't trust me and is deliberately avoiding me!"

"He's terrified—terrified of Voldemort's return, terrified of you, his former 'colleague'." Dumbledore's eyes were deep.

"Keep a close eye on him and talk to him more."

"You should just give up already, he'll never be one of us!" Snape snorted, bringing the conversation back to the beginning.

"You'd better pay more attention to the competition than Karkaroff, or your precious students might die in the Triwizard Tournament!"

"Severus, don't dwell on what's already happened."

The old man smiled and patted Snape on the broad shoulder.

A wizard once said something very poetic, "If you can't change the past, why not smell the flowers?"

"Could it be something Mr. Nicolas Flamel said again?"

"No, I said it."

"..."

(Please vote for this post, everyone!)

The third update is here.

One more chapter to go, currently thirty-one chapters still owed.