The names in the Goblet

[justcarol67]

No: HPFGUIDX 97376

Sue wrote:
<snip>
> If not the loss (temporary or permanent) of power then what could 
> compel DD to allow Harry to continue?  We do not know the power of 
> the Goblet of Fire, it was never explained.  We only know that 
> entering a name is a binding contract.  Perhaps the Goblet simply 
> pulls any contract breakers through the veil or some other magical 
> form of death penalty.
> 
> Here's a question...Will the Goblet of Fire be back?  Does it, like 
> the Sorting Hat, have other powers which will prove useful to one 
> side or the other?

Carol:
I think it was Harry who was compelled to compete, not DD who was
compelled to allow him to continue. As we've already discussed, he
knew it was a binding contract and neither of them had any
alternative. (I agree with Steve that the paper with Harry's name on
it probably didn't list a school--he would still be the only one in
his category--and maybe Crouch!Moody's explanation of what the
"powerful Dark witch or wizard" did might not be *exactly* what the
did, though it was certainly close enough.)

As for what the compulsion was, I think it was simply being compelled
to compete. That is, your feet will take you to the tournament, wand
in hand, whether you want to be there or not and whether or not you're
ready. (We might have seen something along those lines if Dobby hadn't
shown up, gillyweed in hand, ten minutes before the second task.)

My guess regarding the goblet is that it's usually given to the
winning school, which hosts the next tournament, and Dumbledore had it
on hand because Gryffindor won the earlier tournament. It might even
have been on display in the trophy room during Harry's earlier years
at Hogwarts, but unmentioned because he didn't notice it (and it had
no role to play in those books). I don't imagine it's on display now,
though, because of the death of Cedric and other unfortunate events
surrounding this particular tournament. And I don't think Cedric's
parents would want it as a souvenir. 

IMO, we won't see it again; it's played its role, and the next
tournament, if any, would not be held for at least five years--after
the HP series is over. I can't see Dumbledore trying again at that
point, anyway. His motive this time around was to try to recruit
allies to help him oppose Voldemort. In five more years, VW1 will be
over. As we know, it ends some time in the summer after Harry's
seventh year!

Carol, who certainly didn't expect to write four paragraphs about a
goblet!