AN: Sorry so long since the last update. Real life has been getting in the way, and editing hasn't gone the way I want. Thanks for the follows and reviews.
Marked as His equal Ch 8
The welcoming feast has always been the Harry's favorite part of returning to Hogwarts. Watching the sorting, he looks over to Ron and asks, "Were we ever that small?"
"Mate, you're still kind of a runt," Ron replies with a smile.
Hermione looked on aghast "Ron don't be rude!"
"I'll have you know that I'm perfectly average height for a 14-year-old British male!" Harry replied.
"That sounds suspiciously like something a runt would say."
"Just because you're a lanky git doesn't mean all of us are freaks. The 50th percentile for males is 164 cm, and I come in at a whopping 166 according to my practitioner in Surrey thank you very much."
"Yeah, but what are you, like 5 stone?"
"Seven Thank you."
"Still a runt"
Harry took this opportunity to swipe a biscuit from Ron's plate. "Oi Potter!"
"Since I'm such a runt, I figured I needed it more than you" Harry looked down at his plate and noticed that his treacle was half eaten. He looked over at Hermione as she was still stuffing HIS treacle tart in her mouth. "I'd expect this from Ron, but you Hermione? You're supposed to be the responsible one. And I'm the runt! I need all the food I can get." She just finished Harry's desert and smiled, "I am responsible. While you were discussing the finer aspects of boyhood with Ron, I was ensuring that your food did not go to waste. Treacle tart just isn't as good after it cools."
"Debatable. Treacle is always good."
As Harry and Hermione continued to debate the merits of warm versus cool treacle, Dumbledore stood up at the head table. "If I can have everyone's attention, please. Now that we've all been fed and put the finishing touches on forgetting all of what we've learned in the last year, I have a few announcements before you're all dismissed for the evening. First of all, welcome back everyone. September 1st may be my favorite day of the year. It truly brings joy to my heart to see the next generation of magicians enter these halls and see how our oldest students have grown over the last six years. As always, the forest is out of bounds for all students unless accompanied by staff, yes even you are either the handsome twin or the smart twin Misters Weasley. The interhouse quidditch cup will not be taking place this year" He had to pause as the hall erupted in protests. Dumbledore allowed a solid minute of protest before he attempted to calm the crowd. "As I was saying, the interhouse cup will not be taking place this year in it's normal format due to a prestigious event that Hogwarts was chosen to host. There will be more information to follow next week as the staff finalizes our plans for the year. For the first time in a very long time, the Tri-Wizard Tournament will be restarted." Again, Dumbledore had to pause as the student body's excitement overcame their sense of decorum.
"You're joking!" one of the Weasley twins exclaimed.
"As a matter of fact, I am not. Though I did hear a really good one recently regarding a warlock, goblin, and a house elf…"
"Albus!" Professor McGonagall interrupted.
"What my dear lady? This one isn't even truly inappropriate."
Professor McGonagall looked at Dumbledore skeptically.
"Well, perhaps there's a bit of coarse language…"
McGonagall pursed her lips and Dumbledore decided that discretion was the better part of valor. He looked back at the Weasley twins and said, "Perhaps I can share this particular joke with you Misters Weasley during the first of I'm sure many detentions this year" He looked over at Minerva and stage whispered, "I think they have a chance to score more than 50 apiece this year." Minerva did not look impressed. "As I was saying, Hogwarts has been chosen to host the Tri-Wizard tournament. It is an international competition between the three biggest magical schools in Europe, ourselves, Durmstrang, and Beuxbatons. The tournament ran from 1294 until 1792. We will be receiving delegations from these two schools on October 1st, and on October 31st, each school will have a champion selected to participate in the tournament. For those of you who are interested in the history of the tournament, the library has several books related to the tournament and its champions. I recommend you seek out The Last Age of Heroes by Aurora Black. She has a firsthand account of the tournament, winning in 1756, and was a judge in the following tournaments until it was discontinued in 1792. Hardwin Potter and his wife Iolanthe also have a few books and papers on the first Triwizard tournament."
As the professor finished his statement, the great hall doors burst open revealing quite possibly the most frightening man Harry had ever laid his eyes on. He was fairly tall, red hair, a face that could have been carved from wood. He walked with a cane due to his peg leg on his left leg, but his most unsettling feature was the bright blue eye that seemed to constantly rove about the room.
Professor Dumbledore smiled and waved at the newest arrival. "Allow me to introduce the new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, Alastor Moody."
Moody gave a small nod and made his way up to the staff table, his electric blue eye constantly roving the hall.
"Wow, I can't believe they got Mad Eye Moody!" Ron exclaimed.
Harry looked on confused "Who is he?"
"Only one of the most famous Aurors ever! Half the death eaters in Azkaban are there because of him. Dad says he single handedly took down Evan Rosier, Cantankerous Knott, and Amadeus Hightower after they set an ambush for him. Evan Rosier took his eye though. He also said he once held off You Know Who for a solid minute to buy his team time to escape. This year should be amazing. He's really been there, ya know. I can't wait. Aside from Lupin, we haven't had much in the way of defense professors." Harry's face darkened after he mentioned the marauder.
"I know what you mean. Remus definitely knew his stuff."
"It's a shame Snape was a dick and told everyone about his monthly affliction."
"Ron! Language!" Hermione shouted. "And it's Professor Snape. Have you heard from Professor Lupin since the end of the year Harry?"
"No. I do know he's with Sir… Snuffles. Well, when he's around anyway. He hasn't thought enough of me to write me since the school year ended."
"Ouch mate,"
"Yeah, I know. It's eating Snuffles too. He doesn't mention it much, but it does bug him that he leaves for as long as he does and doesn't keep in touch. I thought they were going to come to blows a little while ago. They were discussing my childhood, and Snuffles was livid that I didn't meet him until last year. That's really the first time I heard either of them shout."
"I'm sure he has his reasons," Hermione said.
"Yeah, and I think that reason is that I'm just not the top of his priority list."
Hermione chewed on her lip and started to speak again, but Harry cut her off. "It's ok. I've made peace with that. I'm sure he has it rough. I can't fault him for how he deals with his struggles. We all fight our own battles, and unless I'm willing to walk a mile in his shoes, I can't really judge him. It doesn't mean I have to like it or anything. It's frustrating. I'd like to think I'd be around for yours or Ron's kids if something happened, but I don't know. Can we talk about something else, like Caretaker Knott or whoever Ron mentioned? Any relation to Theodore in our year?"
Ron guffawed, "Cantankerous Knott Harry. That was priceless. I'm going to use that from now on. But yeah, he is Theodore's grandfather. He never was a death eater or anything, but he's still a So traditionalist. Quite the powerhouse if rumors are to be believed."
"Why was he on the wrong side of Moody with the others you mentioned?"
"I don't know the whole story. Dad has just mentioned he was involved.
So mate, you gonna enter the tournament?"
"I don't think I will. I mean, it ought to be a good show, but I don't think I would be competitive with most of the older students."
"Really? You're probably the most powerful person in the room, aside from Dumbledore of course."
"I doubt that. Maybe in our year, and the 5th years if you stretch it, but even if I were, there's a lot more to being a wizard than being a powerhouse."
"He's right, Ron. Not to underestimate you or anything Harry, but most complex transfigurations and animations require such a level of control from our magic that's just not usually possible at our age. Very rarely do wizards and witches our age exhibit that kind of control."
"Maybe the tournament will have a dueling competition. You could do that, Harry"
"I'm still not sure. I do alright, but again, there's more to it than just standing across the pit and launching blasting hexes at each other."
Ron got a wistful look in his eyes. "Can you imagine it? Being our school champion."
"It would be a lot of hard work Ronald," Hermione state. "It's hard enough to get you to do a proper essay for Herbology, let alone the work it would take to be in this tournament."
"I don't believe there will be an essay portions on the tournament Hermione," Harry said cheekily.
"Oh, shut it you!"
As dinner was winding down, Dumbledore stood to make his customary announcements. "I would like to remind everyone that the Forbidden Forrest is still actually forbidden. Do not venture into forest unless accompanied by a member of staff. Mr. Filch has asked me to remind everyone that magic is not to be used in the corridors, and the list of banned items has now been expanded to include bottle rockets, M-80s, and a large assortment of fireworks. The comprehensive list is listed on the door of his office if you are curious." He paused to gather his thoughts. He started the next statement with a small smile on his face. "Now, about this tournament: It is a very prestigious event, and I expect all of you to be on your best behaviors while we entertain our guest. The overall goal, aside from the bragging rights, and proving that Hogwarts is in fact the finest magical institution in Europe, is to foster international cooperation and comradery between our institutions. We are to build lasting friendships and friendly rivalries with our peers. I must warn everyone thinking of participating, this tournament is dangerous. People have been killed before. It is not for the faint of heart. Due to these concerns, only those students who are of age on or before October 31st will be allowed to enter their name. If you are selected, it is a binding magical contract. You must compete and give your best effort or suffer the consequences."
The great hall was silent as they contemplated the weight of his words. "On a much lighter note, since tomorrow is Friday, we shall only be passing out timetables and making last minute adjustments to our schedules tomorrow. The first day of class will be Monday. Goodnight, everyone and let's have a good weekend. Prefects, lead your houses up to your common rooms."
With that, the students started filing out of the great hall. Harry looked over at Ron, "That settles that then. I couldn't enter if I wanted to."
"Yeah, too bad, that. I think it's a shame"
"Not me. I think I'd be in over my head."
"Maybe not mate. You still set on taking Runes?"
"I think I am. I'm going to talk to McGonagall tomorrow. I may give Arithmancy a shot. From what I gathered, the first couple of years are a lot of algebra, geometry, and such. Solving equations and such. We were introduced to the concepts in primary. We wouldn't get into the real heavy stuff until after OWL year And runes and arithmancy are good steppingstones to warding and enchanting. After talking to Snuffles, I think it sounds interesting."
"Better you than me, mate. Math was never my strong suit"
"I think its wonderful that you're going to start applying yourself. You've got so much potential Harry" Hermione stated.
"I'll see the two of you tomorrow morning. I'm going to unpack"
"G'night, Hermione," the boys stated in unison. They looked at each other and Ron said, "I think she has the right of it. Let's go get unpacked."