The Great Hall wasbuzzing with excitement, as students lined up to place their names into theGoblet of Fire.

Loud cheers eruptedwhenCedric Diggoryconfidently strode forward, placed his name inside, and turned back with acharming smile.

Igor Karkaroff arrives with Viktor Krum and other Durmstrang students.

Krum submits his name into the Goblet.

The clock chimes, signaling the selection process is about to begin.

Ron watched in awe.

Ron:"In three years, that'll be us, mate!"

Harry (less enthused):"If we live that long."

Hermione (rolling her eyes):"Honestly, you two..."

The moment wasruined spectacularlywhen—

BOOM!

The doorsburst open, revealing Raja,draped in a midnight-black cape lined with golden embroidery, walking in like he wasattending his own coronation.

The hallfell into silence, as everyone turned to stare.

Raja (dramatic voice):"Behold! The Shadow King has arrived to claim his throne!"

Fred and Georgeclapped enthusiastically.

Fred:"Brilliant entrance, mate."

George:"Truly regal."

Dumbledore (pinching the bridge of his nose):"Raja, please—"

Too late. Rajasauntered up to the Goblet, and with aflourish, hecasually flicked his name into the flames.

The Gobletshimmered,flickered, and then—

Nothing.

It simplyacceptedRaja's name.

The entire hall collectively gasped.

Draco Malfoy:"That's not fair!"

Raja (smirking):"Life's not fair, my dear Draco."

Thegossip eruptedlike wildfire.

Hermione:"That shouldn't be possible! The Age Line—"

McGonagall (exasperated):"I don't even want to ask."

Dumbledore (muttering to himself):"Why am I not surprised?"

With Raja'sbold movemaking waves,Fred and Georgecouldn't be left behind.

Fred:"If Raja can do it, so can we!"

George:"Besides, our plan is flawless!"

Hermionesighed heavily, closing her book.

Hermione:"You DO realize that the Age Line isn't just a simple barrier, right?"

Fred (smugly):"Yes, dear Hermione, which is why we took an Aging Potion!"

George:"Brilliant because it's simple!"

The twinsdrank their potion, smirked at each other, andstepped over the Age Line.

Forthree glorious seconds, theythought they had won.

Then—

BOOM!

They wereviolently hurled backwards,crashed into each other, and landedin a tangled mess—now withlong white beards and wrinkled faces.

Thehall exploded with laughter.

Raja (dramatically falling to the ground, laughing):"Behold! The Wise Old Weasley Twins!"

Fred and Georgelooked at each other and screamed.

Fred:"GEORGE, YOU LOOK LIKE A SHRIVELED PLUM!"

George:"SO DO YOU!"

They immediatelystarted bickeringandrolling around on the floor, wrestlinglike toddlers in old-man bodies.

The studentschanted in delight—

"Fight! Fight! Fight!"

Dumbledore (massaging his temples):"Merlin help me."

When the clockchimed, Dumbledoredimmed the fires, and all eyes turned to theGoblet of Fire.

The firstname shot out—

"VIKTOR KRUM!"

Durmstrang studentscheered wildly, while Ron lookedready to faint.

The secondname emerged—

"FLEUR DELACOUR!"

The Beauxbatons studentsgracefully clapped, and Ron lookedready to propose.

Then, the third name— Dumble's chocked a little.

"HAVEN'S EQUAL... RUDRA D. RAJA KUMARA!"

Thehall went dead silent.

Harry:"Oh no."

Ron:"Oh yes."

Draco Malfoy (horrified):"I REFUSE TO ACCEPT THIS!"

The Slytherin tableerupted into chaos.

Raja, ever thetheatrical menace,gracefully rose from his seat, bowed like aroyal prince, and strutted up to take his parchment.

Raja (smirking at Dumbledore):"Well, well, well... Looks like I AM Hogwarts' champion."

Dumbledore:"Yes, I gathered that."

But before the celebrations could continue—

BOOM!

The Gobletflared up one last time.

Afinal nameshot out.

"HARRY POTTER!"

The roomdescended into absolute madness.

Hagrid:"Blimey, this ain't right."

Draco Malfoy (sputtering):"YOU'VE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME!"

The Gryffindor tableerupted in confusion.

Harry justsat there, stunned.

Dumbledorecalmly picked up the parchment, turned to Harry, and—

Dumbledore (casually):"Harry, did you put your name in the Goblet of Fire?"

Harryopened his mouth—

Raja (interrupting, draping an arm over Harry's shoulder):"Mate, let's enjoy this life-and-death adventure!"

Harry:"I HATE YOU!"

Inside thechampions' chamber,absolute chaosunfolded.

Madame Maxime (outraged):"Zis is unacceptable!"

Karkaroff (furious):"Hogwarts is CHEATING!"

Moody (gruffly):"I smell dark magic."

Meanwhile, Raja wassipping tea in the corner, completely unbothered.

Dumbledore:"Harry, did you put your name in the Goblet?"

Harry (annoyed):"NO!"

Moody (nodding):"A powerful Confundus Charm. Someone wanted Potter in this tournament."

Karkaroffglared at Moody.

Karkaroff:"You're always jumping to dark wizards!"

Moody:"I'm an ex-Auror, mate. That's literally my job."

Barty Crouch Sr.stepped forward.

Crouch:"Rules are rules. Potter must compete."

Rajastood up, stretching.

Raja:"Ah, politics and danger—two of my favorite things."

The argumentcontinued, but Raja simplywalked over to Harry and smirked.

Raja:"Welcome to the chaos, mate."

Harrygroaned.

After everybody left only Snape and Minerva were in the room

McGonagall's Concerns over the situation.She insists that Harry and Raja should not compete, especially after the recent events:

The appearance of theDark Mark.Harry's unexpected selection as a fourth champion.

She urges Dumbledore to put an end to the situation

Dumbledore's Responses,He reminds McGonagall thatBarty Crouch Sr. stated the rules are absolute—Harry must compete and Raja chooses to participate.

McGonagall's Frustration shown visible on her face,She dismisses the Ministry's rules, questioning when Dumbledore started accommodating them.

Snape finds it difficult to believe thatHarry's selection is mere coincidence.

He stated, that he was absolute sure Raja will be the Hogwarts Champion but Harry also getting selected is little concerning.

He suggests that,to uncover the true meaning behind these events, they must allow them to play out.

McGonagall is outraged at the idea ofdoing nothing, arguing that they are treating Harry and Raja as bait.

Dumbledore "You don't need to worry about Harry. Raja already informed he will take care of it."

They both look surprised by Dumbledore words "Raja is an enigma that he can't understand, what is more surprising is his intellect and researching abilities unmatchable, do you know Nicholas wants to be his assistant and what Baffles me more is Raja's Raw magic and his absolute control over it and lastly his will power."

Dumbledore with serious face "If my guess is correct that kid has already has plan to take over Britain Magical society with his wit and magic in his 20's and revolutionize magic, I can confirm with absolute confidence he can really become firstWizard king of the World."

Somewhere in the castle room of requirements Raja doing experiments and laughing like a mad scientist.

Dumbledore reflects on the uncertainty ahead, pulling a strand of his hair and placing it into thePensieve.

That night, in the Gryffindor dormitory—

Ron (furious):"How could you not tell me?!"

Harry:"I DIDN'T PUT MY NAME IN but i know who might be!"

Ron:"Do you think its Raja."

Harry (pausing):"Who else even you guessed it."

Ron thought about Raja'schaotic nature, hisobsession with drama, and howtrouble followed him like a lost puppy.

Ron (shaking his head):"At least I wasn't his target."

Harrysighed.

This year was going to beabsolute hell.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by lotustale.com