Chapter 476: The Scene is Too Beautiful
"They can't do this!" Ron grumbled as they made their way to the doors after the feast. "I'll be fifteen in March—why can't I give it a go?"
"Yeah..." Harry added wistfully. He'd love the chance to compete too, but his birthday was in July, even later than Ron's.
Hermione, on the other hand, kept her head down, saying nothing.
"There's nothing you can do, Ron," said Fred, appearing suddenly behind them with a wide grin. "It's a rule set by the school and the Ministry, and you've got to follow it."
"Yep, be a good spectator," said George, popping up on the other side. "Just remember to cheer us on."
"Huh!" Ron scoffed, rolling his eyes. Fred and George claiming they had to obey rules was the funniest thing he'd heard all year.
"Why are you two allowed to sign up?" Ron asked sourly.
Fred gave him an incredulous look. "I always thought you were slow, but I didn't know you were this thick. We're allowed to sign up because we're old enough!"
"Sixteen, which is a year older than the minimum," George added. "You haven't forgotten our ages, have you? That'd just break our hearts."
"I haven't forgotten," Ron snapped. "I just don't think it's fair... That's a thousand Galleons!"
"You'd still have to win first," Fred pointed out. "Got any O's in Transfiguration or Charms?"