Harry Potter and the Secret Treasures

Chapter 557: Hermione’s Trust and Argument

“Ron didn’t put his name into the Goblet of Fire!” said Hermione.

“Not necessarily. He probably put his name into the Goblet of Fire last night, so no one would find out, couldn’t he?!”

“Then how did he do it?!” Hermione said sharply, looking at Harry with anger. “He couldn’t have broken through Dumbledore’s magical line.”

“He might have thought of Evan’s method long ago, but it’s hard to say,” Harry said hesitantly, avoiding Hermione’s gaze.

Although reason told him to trust Ron, he was still somewhat uncomfortable about the matter.

The thought of Ron becoming a champion gave him a sense of inexplicable betrayal.

“I don’t think Ron would be so smart. Evan is right. It’s a conspiracy. We have to help him explain it!” Hermione said quickly.

She made up her mind to pull up Evan and Harry and run to the teachers’ table.

Professor Moody, whom Caresius pretended to be, was still there, and he was their only chance to help Ron.

Despite Hermione’s usual quarrel with Ron, she was the first to rush to his help at a critical moment.

In order to prove her friend’s innocence, Hermione was such a person to proceed without hesitation.

“Professor, Ron has been with us all day. He couldn’t have put his name into the Goblet of Fire.” Hermione said anxiously.

Moody took out his hip flask and took another sip. His normal eye was fixed on Hermione, but his magical eye was tightly fixed on Evan.

Judging from the expression on his face, it seemed that he didn’t care whether Ron had become a champion.

“Miss Granger, please understand that his name came out of the Goblet of Fire, which means that Mr. Weasley signed a contract with it. This is a very strong magic contract; no one could crack it. He’s bound to compete in the tournament!” Moody said coldly.

“But Professor, Ron didn’t put his name in it!”!”

“That’s not the point; you just need to know…”

“Professor, this is obviously a conspiracy, someone is trying to frame Ron!” Evan interrupted Moody and winked at him. “I think we should go in and stop it, or at least persuade everyone to accept this reality.”

Seeing Evan’s eyes, Moody nodded reluctantly and his movement was stiff.

“All right, all right, you three come in with me and help Mr. Weasley prove his innocence!” He said gruffly.

Evan, Harry and Hermione followed Moody to the door of the room.

They entered the room where Dumbledore was questioning Ron and a debate was ongoing.

Ron had completely lost his mind and couldn’t even say a single complete sentence.

Snape, standing on the outermost side, turned his head and frowned at the four of them.

After seeing Moody, he said nothing, only becaming more disgusted.

Moody originally wanted to express his opinion directly, but Evan gave him a gentle pull and motioned him to listen first.

“Evidently there has been a mistake,” next to the fire, Fleur lifted her chin and looked at Ron contemptuously. She said haughtily, “He cannot compete, he is too young. I know there is a strong young fellow at Hogwarts, but it is obviously not him.”

“Well … it’s amazing,” said Ludo Bagman, rubbing his smooth chin and smiling down at Ron, as if he had some plans. “But, as you know, the age restriction was only imposed this year as an extra safety measure. And as his name’s come out of the goblet … I mean, I don’t think there can be any ducking out at this stage … It’s down in the rules, you’re obliged … Ron will just have to do the best he …”

“This is ridiculous, ridiculous!” Madame Maxime interrupted Bagman’s words. The top of her handsome head brushed the candle-filled chandelier, and her gigantic black-satin bosom swelled. She said angrily, “Dumbledore, what is the meaning of this?! I thought we made it clear in the rules to keep this kind of thing from happening. We specifically emphasized that underage young wizards were not allowed to compete in the tournament, but Hogwarts still has one.”

“I’d rather like to know that myself, Dumbledore,” said Professor Karkaroff. He was wearing a steely smile, and his blue eyes were like chips of ice. “Two Hogwarts champions? I don’t remember anyone telling me the host school is allowed two champions … or have I not read the rules carefully enough?!”

He gave a short and nasty laugh.

“C’est impossible!” said Madame Maxime, whose enormous hand with its many superb opals was resting upon Fleur’s shoulder. “Last time it was Evan Mason, this time it is him. Hogwarts has repeatedly provoked Beauxbatons. You have to give an explanation.”

“Durmstrang also needs an explanation. We were under the impression that your Age Line would keep out younger contestants, Dumbledore,” said Karkaroff, his steely smile in place, though his eyes were colder than ever. “Otherwise, we would, of course, have brought along a wider selection of candidates from our own schools.”

“Please don’t worry, we will explain!” Dumbledore said softly, turning to look at Ron, who was scared, “Mr. Weasley, did you put your name into the Goblet of Fire?”

“No!” Ron hurriedly shook his head.

“Then, did you ask an older student to put it into the Goblet of Fire for you?” Dumbledore continued. 

“No, no!” Ron hesitated before stuttering.

“He is lying!” cried Madame Maxime.

“I’m not lying. I’ve learned this method from Evan, but I… I didn’t have a chance!” Ron gasped and said, “We went to Hagrid. I didn’t put my name into the Goblet of Fire.”

“Evan?!” Everyone was stunned, “Evan Mason?!”

Then, their eyes all turned to Evan, who had just walked in.

Evan looked at them expressionless, and his eyes eventually fell on Barty Crouch standing by the fire.

He stood there arms crossed, his shadow drawn by the fire.

“Dumbledore, I remember you said your magic was foolproof.” Karkaroff sneered. “Now it was cracked by a child; really interesting.”

“The matter is already obvious. It’s no one’s fault but Weasley’s and Mason’s, Karkaroff!” said Snape softly. His black eyes were alight with malice. “Weasley, with an empty head, could not have thought of it, but our Mr. Know-it-All is different. He had always been clever, a little too clever. Ever since he arrived here, he has been breaking the rules of the school. I think our Savior must have been involved in this, but he wasn’t selected.”

“No, we didn’t put our names in the Goblet of Fire!” Harry said loudly, looking at Snape angrily.

“It’s hard to say. You know the way, don’t you? Let me see.”

“Severus!” said Dumbledore firmly.

Snape went quiet, though his eyes still glinted malevolently through his curtain of greasy black hair.

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