The Christmas holidays had come round again, and people were packing their bags to return home for the holidays. Only a few Gryffindors were staying. Harry and Ron were the only third years remaining. Hermione was going home for Christmas, but seeing the number of books she was taking with her, Harry and Ron doubted her parents were going to see her much. Out of the Weasleys, Fred and George were also staying, if only to stay away from Percy for a few weeks. The only other people staying were the twins' friend, Lee Jordan, and a boy the year above Harry and Ron called Cormac McLaggen.
Monday morning dawned, and the sun shone weakly through the common room windows. All six boys who'd stayed behind were lounging round the common room. Harry and Ron were playing Wizard's Chess, while Cormac was looking on. Cormac constantly gave the younger boys advice on how to play and boasted about how good a chess player he was. (When Cormac later played Ron in chess, Ron won in ten moves.) Fred and Lee were playing Exploding Snap, while George was staring out the window.
"I'm bored", said George, suddenly. "There's still another two weeks and there's already nothing to do!"
"We could play a game", suggested Fred. "One of those long games with challenges and stuff like that. We can all play."
"We could make it a competition", Lee added. "Everyone has to complete a number of challenges, and whoever can complete them the best before everyone else gets back in two weeks wins."
"Not a bad idea", said George.
Harry and Ron looked at each other. Anything that was planned by Fred and George would be problematic at best. But there was still nothing to do, except for all the homework and reading that they promised Hermione they would do. Anything to avoid that!
"Alright", said Ron. "We're in."
"I'm so good at challenges", drawled Cormac. "None of you stand a chance." Harry and Ron looked at each other. They were starting to dislike Cormac more and more.
After dinner, the six boys returned to the common room. Fred ran up to his room and came down with a large goblet.
"Here's what will happen", he explained. "Each person will take out a parchment from the goblet. On it will be a challenge and a name. To complete the challenge, you must complete it in regards to that person. Once you are done, the writing on the parchment will change into your next challenge. I've put a spell on the parchment so they can't be read by anyone other than the person whose challenge it is, and the person will find themselves unable to speak about the challenge to anyone else. The goblet itself will keep tally of the scores. On the last night, it will reveal who has won."
"Definitely me", boasted Cormac.
One by one, each of the boys reached into the goblet and took a parchment from within. Fred placed the goblet on the mantelpiece.
"Ok",' he said. "The game starts now."