Was Harry Potter truly bound by the Goblet of Fire?
Since Harry didn't actually put his name in the Goblet of Fire, is it possible that he wasn't actually magically bound to compete?
Dumbledore didn't contradict Crouch's insistence that it was magically binding, but then again, Dumbledore let Harry take a lot of risks over the seven years in Hogwarts. And it is a little bit hard to imagine that magically binding contracts can be forced without consent.
Best Answer
He was bound to compete. TenthJustice points out in his answer to “Why was triwizard tournament continued even when Dumbledore knew that it was dangerous for Harry?” (on Sci Fi SE) Dumbledore himself talked about this contract. The information isn't only from Crouch. This is in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (book) chapter 16, when Dumbledore addressing everyone as he first presents the Goblet of Fire to the students.
‘Finally, I wish to impress upon any of you wishing to compete that this Tournament is not to be entered into lightly. 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 champion. Please be very sure, therefore, that you are whole-heartedly prepared to play, before you drop your name into the Goblet. […]’
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How was the Goblet of Fire binding?
Placing a name in the Goblet of Fire constituted a binding magical contract. The people whose names were chosen were obliged to participate in the contest Even Dumbledore couldn't undo this magic, since Harry was forced to compete in the Tournament when his name came out of the Goblet ( GF16 ).Why did everyone turn on Harry in Goblet of Fire?
Harry has to compete because if he doesn't, he'll die (probably). In what can only be described as the stupidest plot-twist ever, it turns out that in a competition designed to be entered by children, the Goblet is set to mete out a severe punishment to anyone who refuses to take part.What would have happened if Harry didnt compete in the Goblet of Fire?
That trio of Champions wasn't allowed to be under the age of 17 based on the age spell that Dumbledore put in place. Despite those restrictions, Harry's name was chosen as the fourth Champion from the Goblet of Fire, the impartial judge used to select contestants.Comparing Every Version of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
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Answer 2
I have asked the same question and this is the answer: It is called the Triwizard Tournament for a reason, meaning only three schools compete, one from each school. But as no one knew (not even Harry) that Harry's name was put in the goblet by an interschool teacher who had also put Harry down as the only entree into the tournament of a fourth school, as the goblet is completely unaware that Harry was in fact from Hogwarts and none of the others, it recognised his listing as a fourth school and so it selected Harry to compete despite the rule proclaiming only three schools to compete.
I hope this answers your question :)
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