Harry Potter, #4

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

by J.K. Rowling

Genre

Children's, Fantasy, Young Adult

Year

2000

Pages

672

Contents

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

Previous: CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO Next: CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

Overview

At the Yule Ball, tensions flare as Hermione attends with Viktor Krum, provoking Ron’s jealousy and a public row. Percy substitutes for an ailing Mr. Crouch, while Snape and Karkaroff share a worrying, secretive exchange. Hagrid reveals he is half-giant; Madame Maxime angrily denies the same. Cedric repays Harry’s help with a cryptic clue: open the egg in a bath.

Summary

Holiday hijinks fill Gryffindor Tower as Canary Creams circulate. Dobby visits on Christmas morning with handmade socks; Harry reciprocates with old ones. Sirius’s letter warns vigilance. The trio enjoy the feast and prepare for the Yule Ball, where Ron’s shabby robes and anxiety about Hermione’s date fuel his mood.

In the entrance hall, Harry discovers Hermione is Viktor Krum’s partner, transformed and confident. Champions process into the decorated Great Hall; Percy Weasley appears in Mr. Crouch’s place, boasting of a promotion and Crouch’s ill health. During dinner, Karkaroff hints at secrets and Dumbledore jokes about Hogwarts’ hidden rooms, while Fleur criticizes Hogwarts and Hagrid exchanges smiles with Madame Maxime.

On the dance floor, Harry fulfills the opening dance with Parvati, then retreats. Ron fixates on Hermione and Krum; he accuses Hermione of “fraternizing with the enemy” and seeking help with the egg. Hermione defends herself and reaffirms support for Harry, leaving in anger after Ron mocks her. Parvati and Padma abandon their neglected dates.

Harry and Ron slip outside and overhear Karkaroff anxiously warning Snape about ominous signs; Snape brusquely tells him to flee. Nearby, Hagrid confides to Madame Maxime that he is half-giant and assumes she is too. Maxime, enraged, denies it and storms off, leaving Hagrid desolate. Ron explains giants’ feared reputation and why Hagrid kept it secret.

As the ball ends, Hermione coldly bypasses Ron. Cedric Diggory stops Harry to repay the dragon tip: take the golden egg to the prefects’ bathroom and mull it over in a hot bath. Back in the common room, Hermione and Ron explode into a final argument; Hermione reveals Ron should have asked her earlier, not as a last resort, and storms to bed.

Who Appears

Harry Potter

Champion attending the Yule Ball with Parvati; overhears secrets; receives Cedric’s bath clue for the egg.
Ron Weasley

Jealous and sulking over Hermione and Krum; neglects Padma; argues fiercely with Hermione.
Hermione Granger

Arrives transformed with Krum; clashes with Ron; affirms support for Harry; storms off after argument.
Viktor Krum

Durmstrang champion; Hermione’s date; cordial, practicing her name; later seeks her with drinks.
Cedric Diggory

Hufflepuff champion; thanks Harry and advises opening the egg in a bath, using the prefects’ bathroom.
Parvati Patil

Harry’s date; initially enthusiastic, then leaves to dance with another after Harry’s disinterest.
Padma Patil

Ron’s date; ignored and frustrated; later joins Beauxbatons boys.
Percy Weasley

Fills in for ill Mr. Crouch; boasts about promotion; chats pompously with Bagman and the boys.
Albus Dumbledore

Presides over the ball; lightheartedly discusses Hogwarts’ secrets; dances with staff.
Igor Karkaroff

Anxious, secretive talk with Snape in the gardens; uneasy when seen by Harry and Ron.
Severus Snape

Patrols the gardens, penalizing students; curtly advises Karkaroff to flee.
Rubeus Hagrid

Confides he is half-giant; rebuffed by Madame Maxime; leaves upset.
Madame Olympe Maxime

Offended when Hagrid suggests she’s half-giant; angrily denies it and storms off.
Fleur Delacour

Critiques Hogwarts; attends with Roger Davies; startled during Maxime’s outburst.
Ludo Bagman

Merry at the ball; discusses joke-product marketing with Fred and George; chats with Percy.
Cho Chang

Attends with Cedric; her presence needles Harry.
Alastor Moody

Dances awkwardly; remarks on Harry’s socks; echoes vigilance theme indirectly.
Dobby

Wakes Harry on Christmas, gifts handmade socks, helps in kitchens.
Roger Davies

Fleur’s dazzled date; seen in the gardens during Maxime’s outburst.
Minerva McGonagall

Organizes champions’ procession; dances; maintains decorum.