Author's Note : It's Tuesday, why am I updating? BECAUSE I HAVE INTERNET AT HOME AGAIN! I am so happy to be connected again, meaning I con continue updating over the holidays too. Which is good thing as I do break up from college on Thursday. So, I will update a bit more now. Apart from chapter 35, I want to update that on Christmas day, you can probably guess why. So, I hope you enjoy this chapter, because I am in such a good mood today and I want to share that happy. Enjoy, R&R (Oh, I am going to typed up the first chapter of the new fanfic I keep on about and post it this week as a preview. just to warn you all.)
Chapter 29 – The Hogwarts Express and the Big Surprise.
Lee ended up sitting with Cedric and some older Hufflepuffs. Whilst they talking about the world cup incident, Lee read one of her new school books.
"What's your opinion Lee?" One asked, Lee looked up confused.
"What?" She said
"About the Dark mark?" They told her
"Oh, not sure. Not even sure what it means." Lee admitted
"Really?" They all gasped, Cedric said nothing.
"I'm Muggle-born. I still don't know much about You-Know-Who, only that he tried to kill Harry when he was a baby."
"Oh, well, back in the time of the first wizarding war, the dark mark was found over places that had been raided by death eater and people had died." One told her
"R-really?" Did someone get kill at the cup?" Lee gasped
"I don't think so Lee. It was probably just to scare us." Cedric reassured her.
"Okay..." Lee nodded
"Any idea why we needed formal clothes this year." Another friend asked
"No, what do you think is happening at Hogwarts this year?" Cedric replied.
Lee joined Harry, Ron and Hermione on the Carriage to Hogwarts. Before sitting between Rena and the Fat Friar. She listened to the sorting.
Stewart Ackerly – Ravenclaw
Malcom Baddock – Slytherin
.
Eleanor Branstone, Owen Lauldwell, Laura Madley and Kevin Whitby all joined the Hufflepuff house. Kevin Whitby sat across from Lee, she could see how nervous he was.
"Welcome to Hufflepuff." Lee told him, he looked up at her.
"T-thanks." He said
"I know how you feel. Don't worry though, you'll find you can make friends easily in Hufflepuff." Lee assured him.
"Thanks." Kevin cheered up.
"I only have two words to say." Dumbledore said "Tuck in." Food magically appeared on the plates. Everyone in the hall began to dig in.
"what year are you in?" Kevin looked at Lee, she looked back in surprise.
"Oh, I am just starting my fourth year." Lee replied.
"Wow..." Kevin smiled, he then looked around. "So, why does everyone sit apart like this?"
"Each house was started by one of the four founders of Hogwarts." Lee pointed at the Slytherin table. "Slytherin was founded by Salazar Slytherin, only takes pure blooded wizard's. Gryffindor was founded by Godric Gryffindor." She pointed at the table of red. "Accepts all types of blood status, they are brave." She then pointed at the table of blue. "Ravenclaw, founded by Rowena Ravenclaw, like Gryffindor they accept all blood status, they are really clever."
"So, what about Hufflepuff?" Laura Madley asked. Lee noticed how all the new first year Hufflepuff's were listening closely. The older Hufflepuffs were smiling.
"Well, we were founded by Helga Hufflepuff. You'll find the other houses don't really think much of us, they thin we are just people who didn't fit in anywhere else. They think we are duffs. But, the truth is we are loyal, we stay true to ourselves, to who we really are. Never forget that. You should be proud to be in this house." Lee said, the First years nodded.
"Good motivational speech." Rena told Lee.
"Thanks." Lee smiled, after dinner, Dumbledore rose and began to speak.
"So, now we are all fed and watered, I must once more ask for your attention while I give out a few start of year notices." Dumbledore said "First, Mr. Filch, the caretaker, has asked me to tell you that the list of object banned inside the castle now included Screaming Yo-yo's, Fanged Frisbees and ever-blasting Boomerangs. The full list that has some four hundred and thirty -seven items can be viewed in Mr. Filch's office, for anyone who would like to check. Also, as I ever I would like to remind you all that the forest in the grounds is out-of-bounds to all students, as is the village of Hogsmead to anyone below third year."
"Hogsmead?" Eleanor asked in a hushed voice.
"A wizard village near by, you'll get to visit it in your third year." Lee whispered.
"It is also my painful duty to inform you that the inter-house Quidditch cup will not take place this year." Dumbledore continued. Lee glanced around the great hall, all the Quidditch teams were outraged. "This is due to an event that will begin in October and continue throughout the year, taking up a lot of the teacher's time and energy. But, I am sure you'll all enjoy it. I have great pleasure in announcing that this year at Hogwarts…" A deafening rumble echoed around the hall, interrupting him, and the great wooden doors opened. A man leaning on a staff began walking up to the teachers table. One every other step there was a loud clung, Lee guessed he must have had a wooden leg.
"Who is that?" Lee asked
"That's mad-eye moody. One of the best Aurora's the ministry ever had." Cedric explained. "I wonder what he's doing here though, I thought her had retired…" Mad-eye moody shook hands with Dumbledore.
"May I present our new Defence against the dark arts teacher, Professor Moody!" Dumbledore said, no one clapped, still shocked from his entrance and his appearance. Lee shivered, part of his nose was gone, and his magical eye made her feel sick. Dumbledore just continue with what he was saying as if he had never been interrupted, Hogwarts was going to be playing host to the triwizard tournament. He explained about it a little, about the other schools that would be coming, and that only those who were of age could enter. That didn't go down well with most of the younger years.
"Hey, Cedric, you're of age. Are you going to enter?" Lee looked up at him questioningly. He looked thoughtful.
"Maybe, it would be nice to try out for it anyway. "He replied, he smiled at her. "It would be nice to have a Hufflepuff representing the school."
"Yes, it would." Lee nodded. "Well, whoever gets chosen, I hope we do well in it."
"Me too." Cedric agreed. They all headed to their common rooms, Lee changed and got into bed to finish reading her book. Rena was discussing possible ways to enter herself. Lee smiled, the Triwizard tournament, who would be Hogwarts Champion?
