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Chapter 556: The 4th Champion

“The champion for Beauxbatons,” said Dumbledore, “is Fleur Delacour!”

Hibiscus got gracefully to her feet and shook back her sheet of silvery blonde hair.

She seemed not surprised by the result, and swept up between the Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff tables.

“Oh look, they’re all disappointed,” Hermione said over the noise, nodding toward the remainder of the Beauxbatons party.

In fact, the word “disappointed” was a bit of an understatement. Two of the girls who had not been selected had dissolved into tears and were sobbing with their heads on their arms.

Gabrielle, on the other hand, was extremely happy and kept clapping for her sister.

When Fleur Delacour too had vanished into the side chamber, the Great Hall was quiet again.

But this time it was a silence so stiff with excitement you could almost taste it. The Hogwarts champion next…

And the Goblet of Fire turned red once more. Sparks showered out of it; the tongue of flame shot high into the air, and from its tip Dumbledore pulled the third piece of parchment.

“The Hogwarts champion,” he called, “is Cedric Diggory!”

“NO!” said Ron loudly.

The uproar from the next table was too great. Every single Hufflepuff had jumped to his or her feet, screaming and stamping, as Cedric made his way past them, grinning broadly, and headed off toward the chamber behind the teachers’ table.

After Evan decided not to be a champion, Diggory was indeed the best pick.

The applause for Cedric went on so long that it was some time before Dumbledore could make himself heard again.

“Excellent!” Dumbledore called happily as at last the tumult died down. “Well, we now have our three champions. I am sure I can count upon all of you, including the remaining students from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang, to give your champions every ounce of support you can muster. By cheering your champion on, you will contribute in a very real …”

Dumbledore suddenly stopped speaking, and it was apparent to everybody what had distracted him.

The fire in the goblet had just turned red again, and sparks were flying out of it.

A long flame shot suddenly into the air, and borne upon it was another piece of parchment.

Automatically, it seemed, Dumbledore reached out a long hand and seized the parchment. He held it out and stared at the name written upon it.

There was a long pause, during which Dumbledore stared at the slip in his hands, and everyone in the Great Hall stared at Dumbledore.

This was really too thrilling. All three champions had been chosen. Why did a parchment come out of the Goblet of Fire?

“Here it comes!” Evan focused on Dumbledore. Barty Crouch Jr. did it.

A few seconds later, Dumbledore cleared his throat and read out, “Ron Weasley!”

What?! Ron is a champion?! How is that possible? Evan’s head went blank. Shouldn’t it be Harry?!

Things had changed again. What kind of conspiracy was Barty Crouch plotting?!

He hurriedly looked at Ron, and everyone else turned to look at him.

Ron’s name emerged from the Goblet of Fire, which was even more unexpected than Evan becoming a champion himself.

Ron seemed to be scared. He just sat there, feeling like he was in a dream.

Did he hear that wrong? He actually became a champion?!

After a brief blank, there was a burst of ecstasy. He looked excitedly, but did not see a smiling face. 

There was no applause. A buzzing, as though of angry bees, was starting to fill the Hall; some students were standing up to get a better look at Ron.

Ron stood where he was, his smile gradually solidified, and suddenly he was at a loss. His face turned red; even his ears went red.

“Go to that room!” Evan whispered, gently pushing Ron.

He glanced at Caresius, who shook his head slightly, looking equally surprised by the result.

No matter what happened, Ron had become a champion.

He heard Evan’s reminder and wanted to go to the room at the top of the Great Hall, but his body was stiff, unable to move.

Professor McGonagall had got to her feet and swept past Ludo Bagman and Professor Karkaroff to whisper urgently to Professor Dumbledore, who bent his ear toward her, frowning slightly.

At the top table, Professor Dumbledore had straightened up, nodding to Professor McGonagall.

“Ron Weasley!” he called again. “Ron! Up here, if you please!”

“Go on,” Hermione whispered, giving Ron a slight push.

“Go!” said Harry.

Ron got to his feet, trod on the hem of his robes, and accidentally fell to the ground.

With the help of a few people around him, he got up in a terrible embarrassment.

Ron set off up the gap between the Gryffindor and Hufflepuff tables, with hundreds of pairs of eyes fixed on him.

The buzzing grew louder and louder, and the atmosphere in the Great Hall was getting more and more strange.

They just watched Ron pass by, their faces filled with irrepressible anger.

But no one stopped Ron. Everyone was avoiding him like a plague, as if they had seen something dirty.

“Well … through the door, Ron!” said Dumbledore, and there was no smile on his face.

Ron looked at Dumbledore expectantly and seemed to want some response.

But Dumbledore’s expression was especially serious. He had looked like this before. It seemed that even the flames around him were frozen.

A few seconds later, Ron nodded slowly, as if he understood something and stumbled along the teachers’ table.

After he entered the room, the other people at the top table, Dumbledore, Karkaroff, Maxime, Ludo Bagman, Barty Crouch, Professor McGonagall and Professor Snape also followed and went in.

Before leaving, Professor McGonagall asked everyone to go back to bed, and the feast this evening was over.

The students did not leave immediately, but suddenly broke out.

Arguments and noises almost toppled the ceiling, and everyone was furious.

“How could Ron become a champion?!” Harry couldn’t believe it.

“He’s been with us all day, and he never had a chance to put his name in the Goblet of Fire!” Hermione frowned.

“Obviously, this is some sort of conspiracy,” said Evan. He wondered if Ron could pass those dangerous tasks.

In his opinion, Barty Crouch Jr. made Ron a champion, and it was no different from killing him.

Damn, what kind of plot is he planning?!

Ron was different from Harry. Harry was very brave and had performed well in actual combat. With Dumbledore’s help, it was possible for him to pass the Triwizard Tournament.

But, Ron…

Evan sighed. He really did not know how to help Ron and let him hold on to the end with his current level.

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