The scarlet train glistened against early morning light as me and the Weasleys swiftly entered Platform 9 ¾. I took one last look at the people around me, supplying hugs and laughs. We had just celebrated my birthday the day before, and I it seemed the mood was only brightened. Then I climbed aboard the train, the twins in front of me, and Harry, Hermione and Ron following. The younger students headed to the back of the train while Fred and George led us to a compartment with Lee Jordan. As soon as we stepped in we were bombarded with Dungbombs courtesy of Lee, which the twins dodged effortlessly and I couldn't help but release a small yelp as I narrowly avoided it by ducking. All three of the boys laughed. I stuck out my tongue.
The ride was, as was expected, boring. We spent most of the time laughing and goofing off, though our conversation did turn to the 'surprise' that awaited us at Hogwarts, the ride was uneventful. Once we arrived, it was already pouring buckets. I ducked against the downpour as we all scrambled into the carriage.
"PEEVES!" Roared Professor McGonagall as Peeves threw a series of bulging water balloons at entering students. "Get down here at ONCE!" She shouted at the chuckling figure above us.
"Get down here NOW!" She continued.
"Not doing anything!" He cackled, lobbing another at a group of fifth years that shrieked and scattered. I couldn't help but snigger into my hands at the site.
"Already wt aren't they? Little squirts. Wheeeee!" He hurled another at a group of second years. I heard McGonagall threaten him with something about getting the headmaster as I shuffled inside and took a seat in between Fred and George.
"I hope they hurry and get the sorting over with, I'm starving!" Fred announced, laying his head against the table. At that precise moment the Sorting Hat was brought up, singing a song about the four houses followed by the sorting itself.
"This seems to get more boring every year!" George complained.
"Seems to? It does." I sighed, propping myself on one elbow.
When the sorting was finished, Professor Dumbledore stood, walking graciously to the stand at the front. "Tuck in!"
The hall erupted in chatter as the food appeared on the platters and the clanging of silverware could probably be heard from a mile away. Everyone piled their plates high with the meal, and I noticed Hermione looking rather upset about something. I shot Harry a questioning look, but he only shrugged. Finally, after desert was consumed and students seemed to look more exhausted than ever, Dumbledore swept over to the stand and silenced the hall.
"So, now that we are all fed and watered, I must once more ask for your attention, while I give out a few notices.
"Mr. Filch, the caretaker, has asked me to tell you that the list of objects forbidden inside this castle has this year been extended to include Screaming Yo-yos, Fanged Frisbees, and Ever-Bashing Boomerangs. The full list comprises some four hundred and thirty seven items, I believe, and can be viewed in Mr. Filches office, if anybody would like to check it." The twins and me snorted in unison.
"A ever, I would like to remind you all that the Forest in the grounds in out of bounds to students, as is the village of Hogsmeade to all below third year.
"It is also my painful duty to inform you that the inter-house Quidditch Cup will not take place this year." All those dim-witted students who weren't paying attention were totally now. I eyed the faces of our Gryffindor Quidditch players, who all looked appalled at the thought.
"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 –"
It was at that moment when a large man stood in the doorway, leaning upon something. He shook his hair out of his cloak just as a flash of lightning illuminated the Great Hall, sending his face into focus. Several people gasped audibly. A loud clunk accompanied every other step of his as he made his way to the teachers' table. Now I could clearly see the mans eyes. One; small, black and beady, but the other was large and blue, that swiveled every which way and that, sometimes turning all the way backward. Honestly, this guys gives me the creeps. He reached Dumbledore, shook his hand, and made his way to the empty seat next to Dumbledore's. He lifted a sausage, speared by his own knife, to his nose and sniffed it before eating. I raised my eyebrows at the twins.
"May I introduce our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher" Dumbledore said brightly, breaking the silence. "Professor Moody." At this I choked on my pumpkin juice.
"Mad-eye-Moody?" I asked in awe. The twins just nodded.
"As I was saying, we are to have the honor of hosting a very exciting event over the next coming months, an event which has nor 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."
"You're JOKING!" Fred shouted loudly, breaking the tension.
"I am not joking Mr. Weasley" Dumbledore chuckled. "Though, now 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 –"
McGonagall cleared her throat.
"Er – perhaps this isn't the best time …no…Where was I? Ah, yes, the Triwizard Tournament…well, some of you will not know what this Tournament involves, so I hope those who do know will forgive me for giving a short explanation, and allow their attention to wander freely." He then launched into a brief explanation. I listened intently. So, Beauxbatons and Durmstrang are coming, huh? I still think Hogwarts will win.
"I'm going for it!" Fred whispered, his features alight with excitement. I nodded in agreement, and it seems we were not alone in our plans. Most of the students were whispering and staring at Dumbledore. I was busy daydreaming about the kind of tasks, until I heard the words 'Ministry' and 'Age restriction'. I nearly choked on my own tongue.
"…Only students who are of age – that is to say, seventeen years or older - will be allowed to put forward their names for consideration. This is a measure we feel is necessary given that the Tournament tasks will still be difficult and dangerous, whatever precautions we take, and it is highly unlikely that students below sixth and seventh will be able to cope with them. I will personally be ensuring that no underage student hoodwinks our impartial judge into making them Hogwarts champion." His eyes passed over Fred and George slightly. "I therefore beg you not to waste your time submitting yourself if you are under seventeen." I risked a glance at the twins, who were both as furious as ever. Dumbledore then told us that the other schools will be arriving in October before sending us to bed. We all rose, and began swarming to the doors.
"They can't do that!" George brought me to a halt beside him so he could glare at the stand. "We're seventeen in April, why can't we have a shot?"
"They're not stopping me from entering!" Fred pouted. "The champions'll get to do all sorts of stuff you'd never be allowed to do normally. And a thousand Galleons prize money!"
"Yeah. A thousand Galleons…" Ron added, staring into space.
"Come on, we'll be the only ones in here if you don't move." Hermione shooed us to the Entrance Hall. I listened to Fred and George discuss ways to enter. I was vaguely aware of their conversation with Harry about the judge, mulling over the thought of entering. We came upon the Fat Lady.
"Password?" She questioned.
"Balderdash." George mumbled. We entered quietly, saying goodnight to the younger students. I stayed in the common room with Fred and George, trying to avoid the obvious question hanging in the air.
"You're going to enter, aren't you Dee?" Fred asked, taking a seat next to me on the couch.
"Oh, I don't know…" I murmured. In truth, I was thinking about it, but the more I thought about it, the more exciting it became an the more exciting it became, the more dangerous it seemed.
"Dee! You have to!" George shouted.
"That way, if me and George don't get chosen for champion, you'll have a shot!" Fred explained quickly. I rolled my eyes.
"How do you know you two will even get in?" I questioned.
"Easy." Fred answered triumphantly.
"Aging Potion!" They said in unison, easy grins spreading in their faces.
"You're never gonna fool Dumbledore with something as simple as an Aging Potion!" I informed them, rolling my eyes.
"Aw, come on Dee. Have a little faith!" Fred scrounged, pecking me on the cheek. I fought back the rising blush, and laughing, went to bed.
All right, so maybe I did blush. A little.
A/N: Forgive me readers. It has been FAR too long since I updated! Sorry about the really long Dumbledore speech, I'm trying to keep this one closer to the books.
Special thanks to People-Are-Crazy for reviewing! I'm really glad you like the story so much!
Reviews make me happy, and a happy me brings quicker updates!
