Chapter 2
Watching the Hogwarts train get closer to the castle is my favorite thing to do. It just makes me so happy because I'm finally back where I belong. The time I'm at Hogwarts, are the only happy times in my life. I never look forward to holidays because it means I hsve to go home and see my family. But by how my parents acted when I left home, I won't be seeing them anytime soon. Thank God for that.
"Oi George, can you please grab my trunk? It's a wee bit heavy for my little body to get down." I gave him my best puppy dog eyes which I knew always worked on him.
He took one look at my eyes and gave a defeated sigh, "Of course, anything for you. How can I resist those eyes! Fuck woman, stop looking at me like that!
''Thank you my dear Georgie!" I kissed his cheek and skipped off the train laughing.
I stood on my tip toes, trying to see over all the other students heads, to find at least one of my friends. Eventually I spotted Angelina's braided hair and ran to her. "Cheers for ditching you tosser. I nearly got trampled by everyone trying to find you!"
She just laughed at me. "If you were but a little taller Annie, maybe they wouldn't trample you because they would actually see you."
I scowled at her and stuck my tongue out. "I'm not that short! I'm simply fun size."
Angeline rolled her eyes and shook her head at me. "Keep telling yourself that babe. Now hurry up so we can all get a coach together! Don't want to be stuck with some bloody Slytherin again! I shudder at the thought the slimy gits." She grabbed my wrist and practically dragged me in the direction of the carriages. She was extremely determined to get a carriage.
"Ange stop! You're hurting me! My legs aren't as long as yours, I can't keep up! Slow down!"
"Don't get your wand in a knot. We're here. And look, an empty carriage. Perfect! How lucky!"
We jumped into the carriage and before we could fully shut it, the door swung open again. In hopped the twins and Katie. George shook his hair to shake off the first drops of rain. "Did you really think you could get away from us that easily? Ha! You cannot hide from us, we will always find you." He jammed himself in between me and Fred, making sure he got comfortable.
I rolled my eyes at him. "Really George? Do you wanna wriggle around anymore? I'm pretty sure you'll put a permanent groove in that seat if you aren't careful. Now settle down you're acting like a bloody child."
As we made the slow ride up to the castle, Katie suddenly had a thoughtful look on her face. She looked like she wanted to tell us something but couldn't bring herself to.
"Oh spit it out Katie. You're obviously dying to tell us something!" I couldn't take it any longer.
"Ok fine! After we got back from the world cup, I overheard mum and dad talking in the lounge. It was all very hushed but I managed to get closer and hear what they were saying. Dad was telling mum about something that was going to happen at Hogwarts this year. Something about a tournament. Mum was absolutely horrified saying it was too dangerous, especially with what happened at the World Cup. And the only thing I can think of that this could be is the Tri-Wizard World Cup."
Everyone's mouths were hanging open, except mine. I had no idea what that was, since I hadn't been part of the wizard world that long. I didn't underdstand. I looked around at everyone. "What? I don't get it. What's a Tri-wizard tournament? What the fuck does that even mean?"
It was George who spoke first. "The Tri-Wizard tournament hasn't been held for a very long time. It's between 3 schools that partake in magical tasks, where one person wins and brings glory to their school. They stopped them because there were so many deaths and young school kids were getting injured."
"But why would they bring it back now? What's changed?"
Katie spoke up. "Thats the thing, I have no idea. They stopped it for a reason, because it was too dangerous. Maybe they figured a way around this, brought in new rules."
That was all we could discuss on our way to the castle. How exciting! This is what I love about the wizarding world. There are so many fascinating things that happened in it's History. Not always good but they shaped it to be the world I live in now.
When the carriages pulled up to the gates of Hogwarts, you could hear the rain bucketing down. It obviously wasn't going to stop anytime soon, brilliant. I made sure to put my hood up when we exited the carriage but it hardly made a difference. The rain soaked through my robes as soon as we stepped out. We all ran the short distance up the driveway and through the entrance hall.
As soon as we walked through those doors, I instantly felt warm. Sure I was still soaked but there was something about all the welcoming fires on the walls. We made a bee line for the Great Hall and took a seat at the Gryffindor table. As usual, we had to wait for all the first years to be sorted into their houses. I just wanted it to all hurry up so I could enjoy the feast that I had missed so much! Food is my life!
Dumbledore stood up from his chair and raised his arms in a welcoming gesture. "Let the feast begin!"
There were cries of joy as the tables groaned from all the food that appeared. The house elves had once again out done their selves for the welcoming feast. There was just too much, I didn't know what to eat first.
"Oh hurry up and eat Annie. You look like such a predator! You look like you're about to pounce on the food and attack it!" George gave me a friendly shove and started piling food on.
"You know my love for food. I have to carefully think about how I will attack this meal in order to eat as much as possible!"
I knew I had eaten way too much when I felt like I was pregnant with a food baby. I groaned and placed my hands on my belly. "Once again, I have eaten too much. I think I'm having twins!" My head slumped and fell forwards onto the table with a dull thud. No body paid me any attention, all very used to me putting myself into a food coma after every meal.
After all the food and plates vanished from the tables, Dumbledore once again stood from his chair and raised his arms, silencing everyone in the hall. "So! Now that we are al fed and watered, I must once again 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 the castle has this year been extended. The full list comprises some four hundred and thirty-seven items and can be viewed in Mr Filch's office."
Everyone had a little chuckle at this. Filch was forever trying to ruin everyones fun as much as possible. Such a twat.
"It is also my painful duty to inform you that the inter-house Quidditch cup will not take place this year."
Fred and George looked at each other in disbelief, "What? Why the fuck not?"
Dumbledore continued, "This is due to an event that will be starting in October, and continuing througout the school year, taking up much of the teacher's time and energy - but I am sure you will all enjoy it immensley. I have great pleasure in announcing that this year at Hogwarts -"
Before Dumbledore could finish, there was a great flash of lightning and a deafening rumble of thunder, and the Great Hall doors banged open. In limped a dis-figured man, leaning on a long staff, making his way up to the teachers table. Another flash of lightning shot across the sky in the hall, illuminating his garrish face.
Dumbledore looked like he was expecting the intruder. "May I introduce our new Defence against the Dark Arts teacher, Proffessor Moody."
Usually new staff members were greeted with applause, but none of the students nor staff members clapped, except for Hagrid and Dumbledore. Everyone else was in too much shock.
Dumbledore turned back to face the students and cleared his throat, "As I was saying, we are to have the honor of hosting a very exciting and legendary event over the coming months, which has not been held for over a century. It is with great pleasure to inform you that the Triwizard Tournament will be taking place at Hogwarts this year. "
Everyone lost it at this. Katie was right! Fuck, this is massive! But why the hell would they have it again if it is as dangerous as the others saif it was.
Dumbledore rambled on about the history of the Triwizard Tournament, explaining the events and how things will be changed. They were raising the entry age to 17, so as to try and stop the younger students getting killed or injured. This was not recieved well by anyone, particularly the twins. They were so keen to bring glory to their house and familiy!
"The delegations from Durmstrang and Beauxbatons will be arriving in October and will remain with us for the greater part of this year. And now, it is late, and I know how important it is to you all to be alert and rested as you enter your lessons tomorrow morning. Bedtime! Chop chop!"
Angelina grabbed my hand and hurried me out of the great hall, ahead of everyone else, so we could discuss in privacy what had just taken place. It was sure to be a late night for us tonight.
