Walking into this building, William realized:

It wasn't built temporarily for the International Congress of Wizards, but it has been around for a long time.

In particular, the various splendid decorations are not only not bad, but even more magnificent than the headquarters of the British Ministry of Magic.

William is not Italian, and Professor Binns's classes often skip classes, and the professor does not go into detail about Italy.

He had to ask Nemelia a little bit about the situation.

It turns out that there are complex historical reasons for this.

Italy's Ministry of Magic is headquartered in Rome, but there are several branches underneath.

It is easy to understand that this land of Italy was originally the territory of Rome.

After the fall of Western Rome, there was a long period of confederation. The real Italy, on the other hand, was completely unified only after the establishment of the kingdom in 1861 and the capture of Rome, the capital of the Papal States, in 1870.

Before the advent of the Ministry of Magic, nations existed as wizards' councils.

But in 1692, the International Confederation of Wizards passed the Law of Secrecy.

The wizarding world is in dire need of a more organized and complex management system to support and regulate the secrecy of wizards.

As a result, the functions of the Council of Wizards were abolished in 1707 and expanded into the Ministry of Magic.

However, at this time, Italy was still a scattered federation and had not yet completed complete unification. Several powerful nations, each with its own Ministry of Magic.

The Ministry of Magic of Venice is located in St. Mark's Basilica. It is still in use today.

As for why the Ministry of Magic was built in St. Mark's Basilica......

This is the same as the Magical Congress of the United States, the relationship between people and the U.S. government is so bad, and they once built the Magical Congress in the Capitol in Washington.

Presumably they also understand one thing: the more dangerous the place, the safer it is.

The elevator quickly reached the second floor, and Nymelia knocked on a birch door.

"[Book Fun Pavilion] come in."

The three of them entered a large room in which five wizards were seated.

An old man with gray hair was sitting on a chair, explaining something solemnly.

The old man paused and motioned, "Well, Stark and Miss Granger, you can sit down for a moment." ”

There are many antique seats in the room—a Renaissance velvet couch, a rustic eagle claw rocking chair, and a pair of chairs that seem to be from Byzantine-style backrests.

Hermione didn't know where to sit for a moment, but William pulled her and sat down peacefully on the couch.

He surveyed the room.

The room has a lot of antiques, and the black wood-paneled walls are decorated with works by various masters of Renaissance painting.

Especially a woman, who has no eyes, is held up on a plate, but there is a smile on the corner of her mouth.

On the mantelpiece, there is a plaster bust. Underneath the statue, there are two stone "monster dripping spouts" that serve as wood stands in the fireplace.

They open their mouths wide open, baring their frightening throats.

William tilted his ears sideways, and in his three-and-a-cent Italian, barely understood the content of the conversation of several men.

They are all officials of the Department of Weather Control and Management of the Ministry of Magic. The old man made a request to cast his magic as soon as possible to improve the rainstorm.

The four wizards soon left.

The old man stood up and walked towards William and Hermione, taking a seat in the Byzantine-style chair.

—Oberon Martell.

He was also a respected wizard, having served as a senior secretary to three ministers, but never as a minister of magic.

He was very old, a little older than Newt, and there were rumors that Martell was not in good health and was about to retire.

It was only after getting closer that William noticed. On Martell's right hand, there was a strange whitening, with obvious traces of flames.

He was dressed in a crumpled robe, draped over his thin body, like a loose pocket.

The open neckline exposes the neck, and there are also severe burn marks.

William pulled the letter out of his pocket and handed it over.

"This is a letter from Professor Dumbledore, I think he mentioned it to you."

Martell reached out his withered hand, grabbed the letter, and slipped it into his pocket before opening it.

"The three principals have decided to restart the Triwizard Tournament?" He asked.

"Yes, but the final venue has not been determined, and there is still a meeting in France for consultations." William explained.

"But...... I think it will be completely decided before the federation starts. ”

Martell muttered, "What's there to discuss, just at Beauxbatons." ”

Most of the countries surrounding France completed their studies in Beauxbatons. Italy is no exception.

Martell was clearly a Beauxbatons.

"Let's go, go get the Goblet of Fire." The old man stood up and led the way in front.

Noticing that William was observing Martell's scars, Nemelia, who had been following her, explained in a low voice:

"See the St. Mark's Bell Tower?"

"I saw it when I came."

"In 1902, it collapsed suddenly."

William and Hermione looked at each other, and the tour guide, whom he had met twice, had also said about it.

"That collapse, no Muggles died, only one cat died."

Nemelia reverented, "It was Mr. Martell, who had just graduated, who saved everyone with magic.

However, he himself was burned. ”

"Because of this, he became the youngest recipient of the Order of the Doge of Venice."

"Why did you get burned?" Hermione wondered.

"I don't know, there was a strange flame at that time." Nemelia shook her head.

"The Ministry of Magic still hasn't figured out why the clock tower collapsed suddenly."

Collapsed suddenly?

William always felt that something like that seemed to have been heard somewhere.

Martell led the way, and he turned a corner, and the group ascended a wide golden staircase.

At the end of the staircase, there is a large foyer decorated with Italian marble and stucco walls with gold leaf.

"You're waiting here."

A group of Aurors stood guard on either side of the foyer, and Nymeria stayed behind.

Martell opened the door, and William and Hermione followed him inside.

William's gaze first fell on the remarkable central circle of the dome, decorated with flowers and motifs, spiraling down from the dome to the floor.

A large bronze "portrait", perched on the ground, peering down against the railing.

The statue is also an old man, dressed as a governor. He held a large wooden box inlaid with jewels in his hand.

Martell's wand waved, and the box floated on the table.

"This magical item hasn't left Venice for more than two hundred years since the last Goblet of Fire." He said softly.

The old man was about to open the box when there was a knock on the door.

Captain Auror pushed open the door and said seriously, "Sir, there is an urgent matter that you must deal with immediately. ”

Martell frowned and looked at William. "The Goblet of Fire is here, you guys check it first. I'll be back in a minute. ”

The old man quickly left, following Captain Auror.

The door to the room was closed again.

William and Hermione stood there silently, staring at the large wooden box.

It was a polished wooden box with beautiful hinges. The wood is white with a dim glow and has a grain of thick lines on it.

Oak trees, William recognized.

There is only a ring inlaid on the lid of the box, and inside is an English M with a flower body.

William turned to the side and picked up the box to take a closer look.

Surprisingly, it turned out to be very heavy!

William carefully placed the box on the large table. Hermione stood beside him, staring intently at the tiny box with him.

This is what Dumbledore asked them to help with!

"Hurry up and open it." Hermione was a little excited.

This thing is a magic item that can choose Champions.

William nodded, pulled out his wand, and tapped it three times on the ring of the lid of the box.

The lid slowly creaked open, and William reached in and pulled out a large, rough-cut wooden goblet.

The cup itself is not at all inconspicuous, even very rough, and it is hard to imagine that this thing is a goblet of fire.

If you drop it on the street, you will definitely choose a box with gems instead of this cup.

"How do you light it?" Hermione asked curiously.

"I don't know, I'll have to let Dumbledore come." William shook his head.

Hermione lifted her heavy cup, one eye closed, one eye open, and tried to look inside.

It's like looking through a telescope.

She's looking for a source of fire.

After a moment, Hermione stumbled and shouted, "William! ”

"What's wrong?" William looked at Hermione, whose face was full of horror.

“…… This cup...... It seems to be ...... Fake! ”

"What?!"

William hurriedly took the cup, followed her as well, and looked inside.

Soon, William knew that what Hermione said was true.

Because at the bottom of the cup, there is a row of small printed characters:

Made in England！

1994！

……

……

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