The names in the Goblet (Was: DD: an appreciation)

[caesian]

No: HPFGUIDX 96812

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "arrowsmithbt" <arrowsmithbt at b...> wrote:
> --- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "caesian" <caesian at y...> wrote:
> > 
> > I have to go with Dumbledore on this one, because, to paraphrase 
> > Hermione, if you can't trust him then who can you trust?  I believe
> > the contract is binding.  And from the writers perspective, can 
> > anyone think of a better solution than the binding contract explanation?    
> > This is (albeit highly-believable) Fantasy afterall - if she says it's 
> > binding, who are we to argue?  I don't hear gripping about the 
> >  realistic chances of portkeys, for example.
> > 
> 
> *Gasp* Trust Dumbledore? You must be joking!
> 
<snip> This little episode, for example. The Goblet threw out Harry's name.
> Fine. Which school was he competing for? Not Hogwarts, the name
> of the Hogwarts champion had already been drawn. Crouch!Moody
> witters on about confounding the Goblet with a fourth school for
> which Harry would be the only representative and therefore sure to
> be drawn. So, what was the name of the school? The name should
> have been there right below Harry's. DD never mentions it, but when
> you think about it, no such person as 'Harry Potter of Thingummy
> College' exists. No person, no contract.Yet everybody acts as if Harry
> is competing for the old Alma Mater when by the rules he can't be.
> Nobody asks. And DD doesn't say even though he read the slip.
> 
> Kneasy

Caesian:
Well - I do hate to nit-pick, especially at my seniors (I read your other posts Kneasy :).  
But, here goes:

I take issue with assuming that Harry's name on the slip of paper is accompanied by a 
school name when it comes back out of the Goblet of Fire.  Now - don't sharpen the wit-
knives just yet - I recall that the instructions to enter were "your name and the name of 
your school" - so, unless the Goblet alters the slips (other than charring them a bit) the 
other Champion slips do show both name and school.  Harry doesn't see the slips, and just 
because Dumbledore states the school of the other champions does not mean that a 
school is written on the slip - but it's probable.  But for his own slip?  Probably just his 
name.

Does that undermine the argument of your post?  Trustable but secretive Dumbledore? 
*Gasp*  (- I'm sorry, I couldn't resist but I do know you have a sense of humor.)  That's 
certainly possible.