Dumbledore and Socks, Magical Contracts, and Bertie Botts Beans

[dcgmck]

No: HPFGUIDX 109907

[snip]

dcgmck:
> > Harry's name comes out of the Goblet, it is Dumbledore who 
asserts that there is no way out for Harry, that he must now go 
through the contest to fulfill the contract someone of greater power 
and authority has enacted for him.  
> 
> Kneasy:
> Not quite true. It's Bagman that burbles on about the need to comply
> with the rules. DD listens to all the arguments and goes along.
> The only time DD mentions magical contracts is earlier when he's 
> explaining the seriousness of placing ones name in the Goblet.
> I've never considered that there was a contract. 

dcgmck:
Dumbledore, explaining the rules for the selection of champions: 

"Once a champion has been selected by the Goblet of Fire, he or she 
is obliged to see the tournament through to the end.  The placing of 
your name in the goblet constitutes a binding, magical contract.  
There can be no change of heart once you have become a champion."  
(GoF U.S. pbk 256)

The wording is such that the name, not the placer of the name, is the 
one bound by the magical contract.