am-books Ch345- Tournament
Ch345- Tournament
Ch345- Tournament
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Once the Sorting was over, Dumbledore stood, raising his hands to quiet the Hall. His speech was brief and typical, welcoming the students back and reminding them of the school’s rules.Then, with a wave of his hand, the golden plates filled with food, and the feast began.
The Great Hall buzzed with conversation as students caught up after the summer break. The clatter of silverware and the occasional burst of laughter created a lively atmosphere. Harry filled his plate, listening idly as Daphne and Tracey debated whether the treacle tart this year was better than last year’s, while Pansy complained about the lack of variety in the vegetable selection.@@@@
Across the room, the first-years were still looking around in awe, their nervousness gradually giving way to excitement. The Gryffindor table was particularly loud, with Fred and George leading what sounded like a very off-key rendition of the Irish Quidditch team’s victory chant. McGonagall looked as though she might intervene, but Dumbledore simply chuckled, letting the chaos continue.
After the feast, Dumbledore rose again, his hands raised slightly to quiet the chatter. The Hall slowly settled, attention drifting toward the Headmaster as he smiled down at the sea of students.
"It is my painful duty to inform you that the Inter-House Quidditch Cup will not take place this year."
"What?" Ginny gasped. She looked around at Fred and George, her fellow members of the Quidditch team. They were mouthing soundlessly at Dumbledore, apparently too appalled to speak. Dumbhedore went on, "This is due to an event that will be starting in October, and continuing throughout the school year, taking up much of the teachers' time and energy - but I am sure you will all enjoy it immensely. I have great pleasure in announcing that this year at Hogwarts," Dumbledore began, his voice carrying easily across the room, “we are to have the honor of hosting a very exciting event over the coming months, an event that has not been held for over a century. It is my very great pleasure to inform you that the Triwizard Tournament will be taking place at Hogwarts this year.”
The Hall erupted with noise. Conversations broke out at every table, students craning their necks to talk excitedly to their neighbors.
“You’re JOKING!” Fred called out from the Gryffindor table, loud enough to carry over the din.
Laughter rippled through the Hall at his outburst, and even Dumbledore chuckled softly. “I am not joking, Mr. Weasley,” he replied. “Though now that you mention it, I did hear an excellent one over the summer about a troll, a hag, and a leprechaun who all go into a bar—”
“Headmaster,” McGonagall interrupted, clearing her throat with an unmistakable tone of warning.
Dumbledore paused, then smiled sheepishly. “Ah, perhaps another time.” His eyes twinkled as he refocused. “Now, where was I? Ah, yes. The Triwizard Tournament.”
Students leaned forward, their attention locked onto him.
“For those of you unfamiliar,” Dumbledore continued, “the Triwizard Tournament was established around seven hundred years ago as a friendly competition between the three largest European schools of wizardry: Hogwarts, Beauxbatons, and Durmstrang. Each school selects a champion to represent them, and these champions compete in three magical tasks. The tournament was designed to foster international cooperation and camaraderie among young witches and wizards.”
He paused, letting the history sink in.
“Doesn’t matter,” Fred muttered, his eyes narrowing. “They’re not stopping me. The champions get to do all sorts of things we would never be allowed to try otherwise. And a thousand Galleons?” He shook his head in disbelief. “That’s too good to pass up.”
As the students filed out, the chatter grew louder, with most conversations centered on the tournament. Harry walked toward the Slytherin common room, surrounded by his usual group.
“You think Dumbledore’s age protection will hold?” Blaise asked, glancing over at Harry.
“Probably,” Harry replied. “He’ll have protections in place. Nothing you can slip past with a simple spell.”
“Doesn’t mean people won’t try,” Daphne added, glancing toward the Gryffindors ahead of them. “The Weasley twins look like they’re already planning something.”
“They’ll fail,” Blaise said with a smirk. “Gloriously, if we’re lucky.”
Astoria, walking a few paces ahead, spun around to face the group, her eyes alight with excitement. “Do you think the champions will duel? Or maybe fight dragons? That’d be amazing!”
“You’re not entering, Astoria,” Daphne said flatly.
Astoria rolled her eyes. “I’m not an idiot, Daphne. I’m just saying it’d be fun to watch.”
“Fun to watch someone get mauled by a dragon?” Tracey asked, raising an eyebrow.
“Obviously,” Astoria replied with a grin.
Harry tuned out their banter, his thoughts drifting to the tasks. He didn’t need to wonder what the champions would face—he already knew. But the question that lingered in his mind was how Voldemort planned to manipulate the tournament. The Dark Lord’s involvement was a certainty, but Harry had no intention of walking into a trap blindly.
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