Hogwarts: I will not become the Dark Lord

Amidst a thunderous roar of cheers and applause, Jerry, clutching the heavy golden egg, arrived at the makeshift medical tent.

As soon as Jerry entered, he sensed that the atmosphere inside was off. Fleur and Hermione were subtly vying against each other, an undercurrent flowing between them. Gabrielle, the little rascal, was actually cheering and shouting, completely enjoying the spectacle, even though one of the participants was her own sister!

The moment Fleur and Hermione saw Jerry enter the tent, their gazes locked onto him from the left and right.

Just as Jerry was feeling lost, Ludo Bagman walked in from outside the tent, completely oblivious to the strange atmosphere within, and greeted everyone enthusiastically.

"Greetings, everyone! You have all completed the first task of the Triwizard Tournament, congratulations!" Ludo Bagman said excitedly, as if he himself had just competed.

"Brave champions, listen closely! The second task is scheduled for next year, officially starting at nine-thirty in the morning on February twenty-fourth. Until then, you will have a long period of rest."

"But don't relax just yet, because we've also left a series of riddles for your wisdom to unlock! Take a look at the golden egg in your hands. Observe it carefully. Have you noticed that subtle seam? Before the second task begins, your task is to decipher the clues within the golden egg. It will tell you about the second task, allowing you to prepare in advance and be well-prepared!"

"Understood? Any questions? If not, then you may all disperse!"

On the way back to the castle, Harry and his friends ran off early, leaving Jerry alone.

Hermione and Fleur remained silent the whole way, only Gabrielle chattering incessantly, pointing this way and that.

"Wait, please hold on!" A familiar but slightly hurried voice suddenly rang out from behind them, interrupting their progress.

The two of them walked along the edge of the Forbidden Forest and arrived at the shore of the Black Lake.

"Alright, Mr. Bagman, what exactly do you want to talk to me about?" Jerry asked curiously. This wasn't the first time Ludo Bagman had acted strangely!

"Mr. Green, aren't you curious about who put your name in the Goblet of Fire?" Ludo Bagman smiled mysteriously.

Upon hearing this, Jerry suddenly turned around, his eyes sharply scrutinizing Ludo Bagman's plump and bloated figure. Seeing that he didn't seem to be joking, Jerry became even more puzzled, and at the same time, somewhat skeptical. Could you really use a Confundus Charm to tamper with the Goblet of Fire?

"Please, don't think of me so poorly. I am, after all, the Head of the Department of Magical Games and Sports," Ludo Bagman seemed to have sensed Jerry's doubts. "During the Triwizard Tournament preparations, I naturally had the opportunity to get up close to the Goblet of Fire. During the time the Ministry of Magic was inspecting it, it was placed in our Department of Magical Games and Sports. I had plenty of time to study it!"

"But why would you put my name in it?" Jerry asked directly, voicing his doubts.

"Alas, there's no other way. I'm drowning in debt and can only take one last gamble!" Ludo Bagman sighed.

Jerry: ??

What does that have to do with me? If you're drowning in debt, go sell your ass!

"But, I remember you won during the Quidditch World Cup, didn't you?" Jerry continued to press.

"That's right, you're right, but that night, in the woods next to the campsite, those damned goblins, all my money was used to pay off my gambling debts to them. I didn't even have enough to return the principal and winnings to those who bet with me. Now I receive debt collection letters almost every day!"

"So, you put my name in the Goblet of Fire? You have that much faith in me?" Jerry looked at this gambling addict speechlessly. "You could have just bet all-in on me winning, why involve me?"

"Ahem," Ludo Bagman's smile of feigned sympathy instantly vanished, replaced by his signature beaming expression. He lowered his voice, "Mr. Green, are you… short on money?"

"No!"

"I knew it, you must be short… not short?" Ludo Bagman clearly hadn't expected this answer. Aren't those two girls your girlfriends? How could you not be short on money? Did Dumbledore give him his own vault?

Seeing that Ludo Bagman was still fixated on this question, Jerry couldn't help but feel impatient: "Stop beating around the bush, what exactly do you want?"

"Mr. Green, do you know what your odds are right now?" Ludo Bagman took a deep breath, a glint flashing in his eyes. "Especially after today's task, almost all predictions say you'll win in the end!"

He paused deliberately, staring intently at Jerry, and continued: "So, if you're willing… suppose there's a little 'accident' at the final moment of the competition… can you imagine how much 'profit' that would bring?"

"You want me to throw the match?" Jerry looked at Ludo Bagman in shock. The gambling addict is resorting to fixing the match because he can't afford to lose?

"But that's honor!" Jerry said righteously, with a look of contempt.

"What bullshit honor, Mr. Green, when you get to my age, you'll know that honor is nothing compared to glittering Galleons!"

Jerry hesitated. Although he wasn't short on money, who would complain about having more money in their vault? Besides, he couldn't possibly compete for the final championship, or Voldemort would be furious with him!

"Mr. Green, trust me, don't hesitate. No amount of honor is worth more than a pile of Galleons!" Ludo Bagman thought Jerry was still hung up on honor and began to persuade him.

"No," Jerry stroked his chin, "What I mean is, you have to add more money!"

…

"By the way, do you know who put Potter's name in the Goblet of Fire?" Jerry asked casually on the way back to the castle.

"That's simple. It must be someone who couldn't pay their debts, just like me, wanting to take a gamble! But obviously, his eye for talent isn't as good as mine! How can Potter compare to Mr. Green!" Ludo Bagman said smugly.

This gambling addict… Jerry shook his head inwardly.

"Of course, if Mr. Green is interested in knowing who that person is… it's actually very simple," Ludo Bagman paused, "Just observe secretly and see who's secretly helping Potter!"

Damn! Jerry, who had just been looking down on Ludo Bagman, suddenly glanced at him in shock. Hey, I didn't expect you to actually be a genius!