The Wind and the Wings of Hogwarts

At that moment, Professor Moody's Magic Eye began to rotate again, this time targeting Scott.

“I’m still very curious about your answer, Mr. Trollope.”

Scott looked up and met his gaze, then gave his answer.

"I think we are still just students."

He smiled as he said this.

"The Triwizard Tournament is just a competition between students from three magic schools. Why give it so much meaning?"

Moody laughed too. "Is this what you're thinking?"

Unfortunately, when this old Auror laughed, the layers of scars on his face were squeezed together, making him look quite terrifying, and it was even difficult to tell whether he was happy or sneering.

Scott nodded calmly. "That's right, we're just students. We just need to do what students are supposed to do. Laugh? Let them laugh all they want. We're not the ones running the British wizarding world."

He fully demonstrated his nonchalant attitude.

What does the chaos in the British magical community have to do with these students who haven't graduated yet?

They're not the Minister of Magic.

As long as students do what they're supposed to do, isn't that enough to represent Hogwarts?

Scott knew his remarks were a bit unconventional, but he felt there was nothing wrong with them and no need to lie, so he didn't care about the attention focused on him.

But Warrington, who spoke first, seemed unable to hold back any longer.

He pointed at Scott and began to attack, "Can such a disgraceful fellow really represent Hogwarts? I think the professors should disqualify him from the competition!"

His remarks seemed to resonate with some students, especially those who did not receive a spot, who probably wanted to see Scott disqualified from the competition.

Scott turned to look at Warrington's angry face. "I don't think it's your place to criticize me, Warrington. I don't think there's anything wrong with my thinking."

He suspected that Warrington wasn't very bright, which was why he was so eager to jump out.

Didn't you see that none of the professors criticized him?

Although he didn't voice his true thoughts, his eyes said it all.

"you……"

Warrington was so angry that his nostrils flared.

"All right."

Professor McGonagall interrupted Warrington's speech.

“Mr. Trollope is absolutely right. You are just students, and as long as you do what students are supposed to do, that is enough to repay the school’s expectations of you.”

"How could this be?" Warrington's eyes widened.

Professor McGonagall added, “Of course, there’s nothing wrong with what you’ve said, Mr. Warrington, Mr. Diggory.”

Professor Moody tapped his wooden cane on the ground, making a crisp sound.

"I just want to see your attitude," he said in a deep voice. "Whatever you really think, I hope you can maintain your confidence and not back down in any way. You are Hogwarts students!"

He gave Warrington a special look, implying that Warrington hadn't acted as confidently and calmly as Cedric and Scott under the pressure of his magic eye.

Warrington's expression darkened further.

“Oh, Scott,” Roger said softly, “Let Fred just beat Warrington out of the woods later.”

Scott glanced back and saw Fred behind him winking and smiling.

Just then, Professor Moody said, "Alright, I'm going to test your abilities now, little wizards. Who wants to go first? You can choose your own opponents."

Scott looked at Warrington again.

But Warrington didn't seem to have the courage to duel him; instead, he shrank back under his gaze.

Scott looked away, bored.

"Let me do it, Professor Moody!"

Fred, standing behind, raised his arm high.

"I want to represent everyone in verifying Warrington's abilities!"

“Weasley!” Warrington growled angrily.

"How's it going, Warrington?"

Before the professors could speak, Fred strode onto the stage.

"If you lose to me, give me your spot!"

“I don’t think we have such a rule, Mr. Weasley,” Professor McGonagall said immediately.

"Oh, sometimes rules are meant to be broken."

Fred stood there slouching, looking nonchalant.

Only those who are facing him can see how serious his gaze is as he looks at Warrington.

“If I lose, I’ll apologize to you right now in front of everyone and admit that I shouldn’t have looked down on you. Want to come on, Warrington?”

"you!"

Warrington glared at Fred, his eyes practically spitting fire.

He is now in a dilemma.

If he agrees to Fred's conditions, he might lose his spot. If he refuses, it will be considered an outright surrender.

Ultimately, it seems that lingering pride and a desire for revenge prevailed.

"I'll make you apologize properly, Weasley!"

Warrington stepped onto the dueling stage.

Professor McGonagall said angrily, "You can practice dueling, but the selection of participants is not something you can decide on your own!"

Fred had already leaped onto the stage and performed a wizard's salute in a mock manner.

“I know, Professor,” he said. “If I succeed in getting a spot this way, it’s unfair to the students who got the recommendation letters first, and others will also be tempted.”

He pointed to the students who were already itching to go.

Obviously, if he succeeds in securing a spot, many people will likely follow his example.

Professor McGonagall nodded. "You know that much, Mr. Weasley."

But Fred waved his wand and changed the subject, "But I still want to say that what you need to participate in the Triwizard Tournament is strength. If you can't hold onto your spot, you're not qualified to represent us."

Professor McGonagall looked hesitant.

“No, we don’t have such a plan,” she said. “It’s too chaotic!”

Professors Moody and Frivi looked at Fred with admiration.

“It’s not impossible,” Professor Moody said. “In any case, our goal is to select the best students…”

"Dueling is not the only criterion for judging whether a student is excellent!"

"This is a three-way battle for supremacy!"

Professor McGonagall and Professor Moody began to argue in hushed tones.

Roger whispered again, "Isn't Fred afraid that someone else will take Angelina's spot by doing this?"

Scott raised an eyebrow. "Perhaps he has confidence in Angelina?"

He carefully recalled the dueling club events he had participated in and the practical exams in the Defense Against the Dark Arts class, and had to admit that Angelina's dueling skills were indeed quite high.

However, it also depends on who you're comparing it to.

Among the students who didn't get a spot, there were those who couldn't beat her.

Scott was unsure of Fred's thoughts, so he decided to wait and see.

Fred suddenly raised his hand again and said loudly, "Professor, what I mean is that taking a spot requires the other party's consent. If they don't agree, you can keep your spot; that's a privilege of the students who have received recommendation letters."

He grinned as he looked at Warrington across from him.

"In short, Warrington has agreed, hasn't he?"

This time, his words did not garner support from most people; instead, they were met with boos.

“He’s really shameless,” Roger muttered.

Scott also said, "He even sold his own brother in order to go to Beauxbatons with Angelina."

He didn't miss the fleeting look of surprise on George's face just now.

But the angrier person among them was Warrington on stage.

Perhaps because Fred was so infuriating, the expression on his face had become somewhat ferocious.

He angrily pointed his wand at Fred and said, "I did agree, but do you think you've already won? I told you, I'd make you apologize to me in public, Weasley!"

But Fred didn't care about his anger.

He shrugged, still looking nonchalant.

"Can we begin, Professor? See? Our bet is done!"

"That's fine!"

Professor Moody leaned on his cane and delivered the final blow.

Professor McGonagall wanted to say something more, but in the end she didn't say anything more and turned to walk off the dueling stage.

"Very good, let's begin now."

Professor Moody walked to the center of the stage and raised one hand.

"three!"

"two!"

"one!"

"The duel begins!"