Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire: Chapter 17 Summary.
The Four Champions
Chapter 17 of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, titled ‘The Four Champions’ deals with the aftermath of Harry being chosen as the fourth Triwizard champion.
The Fourth Champion
After the Goblet of Fire spits his name out, Dumbledore calls Harry forward. Confused but left without an option, he approaches the teachers table. Dumbledore sends him to the room of the Champions. Harry enters the chamber, and Fleur thinks he has come to deliver a message.
He is about to say something, when Ludo enters the room and explains the situation. Fleur argues Harry is too young to compete, but Bagman replies that Harry has been bound by the Goblet to participate. The gate behind them opens once again, and the headmasters enter the room, accompanied by Snape and Professor McGonagall.
Both Karkaroff and Madam Maxime express their anger at Hogwarts getting two champions. Snape blames Harry, but Dumbledore silences him and calmly asks Harry if he put his name in the Goblet of Fire. Harry denies, and Dumbledore believes him.
Karkaroff, still in protest, asks Bagman and Crouch if this should be allowed. Crouch thinks for a while, before declaring that according to the rules Harry is obliged to compete. Karkaroff announces his wish to leave the tournament, but Moody enters the room and calls it an empty threat.
Moody argues in favor of Harry, declaring that only a very skilled wizard could have put Harry’s name in and confused the Goblet of Fire. Perhaps it is someone who wants to endanger or even kill Harry.
Karkaroff does not agree, and insults Moody’s paranoia of being attacked at any time. Moody makes a comment on how his job is to think the way Dark Wizards do, but Dumbledore breaks the argument up. He announces that the situation may be unexplainable and unfortunate, but since nobody has an alternative, they must proceed with things as they are. Disappointed but powerless, both Karkaroff and Madam Maxime leave with their champions.
The Champion of Gryffindor
Dumbledore asks Harry and Cedric to go to their dormitories and celebrate with their houses. As they leave, Cedric smiles at Harry and asks how he managed to pull it off. Harry repeats that he did not out his name in, but Cedric does not believe him.
Harry bids Cedric goodbye as he turns to go towards his dormitory. While he walks, Harry wonders who could have put his name in the Goblet, and why. Did someone really want him dead? Would anyone other than Ron or Hermione even believe that he did not put his name in the Goblet?
Harry walks into his common room, and is greeted by a blast of noise that almost knocks him backwards. The entire house cheers for him, and the twins ask him how he managed to pull it off. Harry explains, but nobody cares that he didn’t volunteer.
The crowd feeds him butterbeer and snacks, not listening to a word he says. Finally, Harry yells that he is going to bed, and somehow manages to leave.
He meets Ron lying on his bed. Ron grins as he greets Harry, but it is a weird grin. Ron congratulates him, and asks him the same question- how did Harry pull it off. Harry explains yet again that he did not volunteer, but just like everybody else, Ron does not believe him. On the contrary, Ron is offended that Harry found a way to enter and did not tell him about it.
Harry gives up and snaps at Ron. In response, Ron tells Harry that he should probably go to bed, since the next morning is bound to be a big one for him.
The chapter ends as Ron shuts the hangings around his bed, leaving Harry alone in front of Ron’s bed.
