Chapter 40: Raja, the Goblet, and the Unexpected Chaos
Raja, the Goblet, and the Unexpected Chaos
The Great Hall was buzzing with excitement, as students lined up to place their names into the Goblet of Fire.
Loud cheers erupted when Cedric Diggory confidently strode forward, placed his name inside, and turned back with a charming 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 was ruined spectacularly when—
BOOM!
The doors burst open, revealing Raja, draped in a midnight-black cape lined with golden embroidery, walking in like he was attending his own coronation.
The hall fell into silence, as everyone turned to stare.
Raja (dramatic voice): "Behold! The Shadow King has arrived to claim his throne!"
Fred and George clapped enthusiastically.
Fred: "Brilliant entrance, mate."
George: "Truly regal."
Dumbledore (pinching the bridge of his nose): "Raja, please—"
Too late. Raja sauntered up to the Goblet, and with a flourish, he casually flicked his name into the flames.
The Goblet shimmered, flickered, and then—
Nothing.
It simply accepted Raja's name.
The entire hall collectively gasped.
Draco Malfoy: "That's not fair!"
Raja (smirking): "Life's not fair, my dear Draco."
The gossip erupted like 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's bold move making waves, Fred and George couldn't be left behind.
Fred: "If Raja can do it, so can we!"
George: "Besides, our plan is flawless!"
Hermione sighed 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 twins drank their potion, smirked at each other, and stepped over the Age Line.
For three glorious seconds, they thought they had won.
Then—
BOOM!
They were violently hurled backwards, crashed into each other, and landed in a tangled mess—now with long white beards and wrinkled faces.
The hall exploded with laughter.
Raja (dramatically falling to the ground, laughing): "Behold! The Wise Old Weasley Twins!"
Fred and George looked at each other and screamed.
Fred: "GEORGE, YOU LOOK LIKE A SHRIVELED PLUM!"
George: "SO DO YOU!"
They immediately started bickering and rolling around on the floor, wrestling like toddlers in old-man bodies.
The students chanted in delight—
"Fight! Fight! Fight!"
Dumbledore (massaging his temples): "Merlin help me."
When the clock chimed, Dumbledore dimmed the fires, and all eyes turned to the Goblet of Fire.
The first name shot out—
"VIKTOR KRUM!"
Durmstrang students cheered wildly, while Ron looked ready to faint.
The second name emerged—
"FLEUR DELACOUR!"
The Beauxbatons students gracefully clapped, and Ron looked ready to propose.
Then, the third name— Dumble's chocked a little.
"HAVEN'S EQUAL… RUDRA D. RAJA KUMARA!"
The hall went dead silent.
Harry: "Oh no."
Ron: "Oh yes."
Draco Malfoy (horrified): "I REFUSE TO ACCEPT THIS!"
The Slytherin table erupted into chaos.
Raja, ever the theatrical menace, gracefully rose from his seat, bowed like a royal 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 Goblet flared up one last time.
A final name shot out.
"HARRY POTTER!"
The room descended into absolute madness.
Hagrid: "Blimey, this ain't right."
Draco Malfoy (sputtering): "YOU'VE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME!"
The Gryffindor table erupted in confusion.
Harry just sat there, stunned.
Dumbledore calmly picked up the parchment, turned to Harry, and—
Dumbledore (casually): "Harry, did you put your name in the Goblet of Fire?"
Harry opened 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 the champions' chamber, absolute chaos unfolded.
Madame Maxime (outraged): "Zis is unacceptable!"
Karkaroff (furious): "Hogwarts is CHEATING!"
Moody (gruffly): "I smell dark magic."
Meanwhile, Raja was sipping 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."
Karkaroff glared 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."
Raja stood up, stretching.
Raja: "Ah, politics and danger—two of my favorite things."
The argument continued, but Raja simply walked over to Harry and smirked.
Raja: "Welcome to the chaos, mate."
Harry groaned.
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 the Dark 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 that Barty 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 that Harry'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 of doing 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 first Wizard 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 the Pensieve.
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's chaotic nature, his obsession with drama, and how trouble followed him like a lost puppy.
Ron (shaking his head): "At least I wasn't his target."
Harry sighed.
This year was going to be absolute hell.