That day, after the last Herbology class in the afternoon, Ino followed the rest of the Slytherin students as they slowly exited the greenhouse.
Among his current courses, he felt that only Herbology and Potions offered new knowledge. The rest—whether it was Transfiguration, Charms, or even his elective Ancient Runes—seemed like a waste of time. However, regardless of his thoughts, a student's duty was to attend classes and learn. What might seem like boring school life now would one day become cherished memories.
Perhaps it was because today would reveal the names of the champions, but everyone quickened their pace as they returned to the castle.
...
Time soon slipped into the evening.
Although the banquet was scheduled for 8 p.m., by 7 p.m., the castle had already emptied. Students from Hogwarts, as well as those from the other two schools, had all gathered in the Great Hall. Some were chatting in groups, others were playing wizard's chess, or engaging in games of Gobstones. No one was idle.
In the Great Hall, Draco sat confidently on a bench, enthusiastically discussing various popular topics and occasionally glancing over at the Gryffindor table. He already knew that Ino had placed his name into the Goblet of Fire, and the suspense that had been hanging over him had finally lifted.
With no more worries on his mind, Draco relaxed completely, evident in the way he indulged in food and drink. His newfound ease was noticeable to many, including other Slytherins.
"What's gotten into him? He's acting like a Niffler set loose from its leash!" Daphne remarked with amusement as she watched Draco's behavior, although she didn't fully understand the cause.
"Hahaha, he's just relieved of pressure, that's all," Pansy chuckled in response. In her view, Draco was too easy to read. Coupling that with the recent betting rumors that had been circulating, the answer was clear.
Thinking of this, Pansy turned her head slightly and glanced to the other side of the long table. Feeling someone's gaze on him, Ino also looked up. When he saw it was Pansy, he returned a faint smile before quickly turning his attention elsewhere.
"Draco, if I were you, I wouldn't go over there right now. If you cause trouble and end up getting sent abroad, even Professor Snape won't be able to protect you. Really! If Professor McGonagall gets serious, no one dares cross her," Ino advised, after overhearing a rather absurd plan.
Draco, feeling overly confident after his supposed victory, had planned to take Goyle and Crabbe over to taunt Ron. It seemed to him that the victory wouldn't be complete without a bit of mockery.
But honestly, in the current excitement-filled atmosphere of the Great Hall, one misstep could easily lead to a conflict. If things got physical and escalated into a brawl, Professor McGonagall wouldn't let anyone off lightly.
On hearing McGonagall's name, Draco, who had been full of bravado moments ago, visibly deflated, like a balloon losing air.
...
Although Draco quieted down, there was someone at the Gryffindor table who remained in high spirits.
"Really? Someone walked into a pillar again today? Unbelievable…" Hermione chatted happily with her roommates. Although the topics weren't particularly interesting to her, she still shared her thoughts.
Parvati, ever the peacemaker and happy to chat with anyone, was intrigued by Hermione's unusually lively mood.
"Aren't you… I mean, don't you usually dislike these kinds of conversations? What changed today?" Parvati asked with a puzzled expression.
"It's not that I've changed. It's just that when I'm happy, I feel like talking!" Hermione responded with a smile.
Earlier that day, a chance encounter in the corridor had revealed Ino's thoughts to her. And from what she could tell, even Parvati—usually so well-informed—had no idea about it. This meant she was the only Gryffindor who knew. Though it was a small thing, it still made Hermione happy. She even considered brewing some useful potions before the tournament and finding an opportunity to give them to Ino.
...
In the lively atmosphere, time passed unnoticed.
Evening arrived, and at 8 p.m., as the headmasters and Ministry of Magic officials began to gather, the Great Hall gradually quieted down.
Under everyone's gaze, Dumbledore stood up. Seemingly aware of everyone's anticipation, he skipped the usual lengthy opening speech and instead decisively waved his wand.
Instantly, hundreds of candles in the Great Hall dimmed, and the Goblet of Fire floated in from the side chamber.
As the Goblet settled on the table, its blue-white flames suddenly blazed brightly, the flames shooting three feet high and changing from blue-white to a dazzling orange-red.
With sparks flying, a half-burnt piece of parchment shot out of the goblet.
Catching the falling paper, Dumbledore, under the watchful eyes of everyone, read out its contents: "The Durmstrang champion... Viktor Krum!"
Thunderous applause erupted in the Great Hall.
"Mr. Krum! Please go to the adjoining room to wait for a moment!" Dumbledore gestured to a door behind the head table.
As Krum left, it wasn't long before the Goblet once again spat out another piece of parchment.
"Beauxbatons... Fleur Delacour…"
This time, the applause was noticeably weaker compared to Krum's, but Hogwarts' male students clapped enthusiastically, some even to the point of reddening their hands without realizing it.
When Fleur heard her name, she stood up excitedly and gracefully made her way through the tables, her silver hair swaying lightly behind her.
Such a simple gesture captivated many in the hall, who only snapped out of their trance once her figure had disappeared behind the door.
It seemed likely that today's scene would be etched into the memories of many boys, perhaps never to be forgotten.
With two champions chosen, the next name was obvious.
Unlike before, when everyone had been mere spectators, the atmosphere in the hall now grew tense—this time, it was Hogwarts' turn.
The flames flared up once again, but instead of parchment, a notebook page with lines on it emerged.
While others might not notice the difference, Dumbledore, who was closest, saw it clearly. Although he had already expected this, seeing the paper still made him smile slightly.
"Finally, the Hogwarts champion…" Dumbledore picked up the paper and read aloud: "Ino Swinburne!"
The hall erupted into applause, far louder than for the previous two champions.
At the head table, Professor McGonagall's mouth dropped open in surprise, but then she quickly became excited, murmuring to herself: "Ha! I knew it… he wouldn't… he wouldn't just abandon it."
Ino smiled as he stood up and slowly made his way to the head table amidst the applause.
However, just as he reached the door, the Goblet of Fire changed color once again.
Seeing this, Ino immediately stopped and glanced back at the head table.
The inertia of fate seemed to manifest itself in this moment. Yet, what intrigued him was the cause of it all. Mad-Eye Moody was indeed the real deal, and none of the other people present seemed out of place either.
Besides, unlike the original story where the Goblet remained active for a week, this time, only a day had passed. He doubted anyone would dare to tamper with it so boldly.
Most importantly, last night, he had stayed with Dumbledore in the side chamber until late…
Suddenly, an unexpected person came to mind.
With that thought, Ino didn't linger in the hall any longer and turned to enter the room behind.
"No wonder the Confundus Charm came up last night…"
...
Sorry for the late update, everyone. I was busy with exams, but I'll do my best to update regularly from now on.