The mess hall was as loud as usual. The students excited chattering filling the halls outside the doors. Bella sat next to Draco and his friends looking around.
She caught Dumbledore's eyes on her but he quickly looked away when their eyes met. Little alarms going off in her head. It felt like something was about to happen.
Ignoring him for the moment she continued to take in everyone, risking it she glanced over at her 'brother.' Harry's back was to her but Granger as usual was glaring daggers at her. Bella rolled her eyes. The Ron boy would look over every now and then with an awkward smile on his face.
She sighed and went to spin back around in her seat when she noticed Snape looking at her. His eyes boring into her fiercely with a look that most would take for a glare but she knew better. Bella smiled at him and he nodded his head subtly at her before turning to focus on Dumbledore and McGonagall who were now in a deep discussion. The headmaster and deputy headmaster eyes glancing over all the students. Bella wondered what that was about and thought to ask Draco if he knew anything but Dumbledore stood up and walked up to the podium.
"Attention everyone." The headmaster called out making all the conversation and chatter stop immediately. All the students turned to face him. "Hogwarts has been chosen to host a legendary event. The Tri-Wizard Tournament. Now for those of you that don't know, the Tri-Wizard Tournament brings together three schools for a magical contest. To each school, a single contestant is selected to participate. Let me be clear, those that are chosen stand alone. Trust me when I say these contests are not for the faint of heart. However more of that later. For now please join me in welcoming the lovely ladies of Beauxbaton's Academy and their Headmistress madam Olympe Maxime."
"Wow." Bella whispered as she watched a dozen female students dance into the mess hall in light blue silk dresses followed by a very tall short-haired woman in a fancy dress with a fur collar. The woman was taller than Hagrid! And her students flowed in like ballerinas. It seemed a little eccentric to Bella but she had to admit it certainly got her attention.
All of the Hogwarts students clapped loudly and most of the boys whistled making Bella snort.
Draco smirked at her, "They are pretty."
"Obviously but whistling? Come on… They're too fancy for that."
Zabina laughed, "Fancy or not every girl likes to know someone thinks she's pretty and it's not like we can walk up to them right now and compliment them. So whistling it is." He shrugged with a smile until Pansy popped him in the back of the head making Bella and Draco snicker.
Bella had to admit that he had a point though but she wasn't going to tell him that. So she turned back around to watch the new students line up in front of Dumbledore.
"And now our friend from the North. Please greet the proud sons of the Durmstrang Institute of Magical Learning and their headmaster Igor Karkaroff."
Bella's brows shot up as this time a dozen male students entered with large staffs in their hands. They banged the staffs on the ground so hard there were sparks as they chanted and marched like they were in the army. Even their uniforms were plain brown. Some wore fuzzy hats and Bella wondered if these students were Russian. That's what they reminded her of.
Their Headmaster came in last wearing a long white coat and black hat. She thought he looked incredibly intimidating. One male student by his side that wore a fur jacket and had a scar on his face. She couldn't help but wonder how he got it.
All the new students were now lined up in front of where the teachers sat. Both schools looked so different from Hogwarts and she found herself happy that she didn't end up there. Hogwarts at least had a homey feel to it.
Everyone around her was talking excitedly about this event. She
"Draco what's this tournament?"
"It's basically several dangerous magical challenges. A competition. It's to test the magical powers of students and to see how much they've learned."
"If it's dangerous then why do it though?"
"The world is dangerous Bella. It's usually upperclassmen that join to prove to themselves and others that they're ready for the world. Also, some just do it to show off or because they like the challenge. It's completely voluntary though."
Bella didn't bother asking anything else because she knew he was right. The world was dangerous.
She looked up to see four men carry in a tall golden statue that was shaped like a tower. They placed it down in front of the steps by the teachers.
Dumbledore once again asked for everyone's attention.
"Attention please. I'd like to say a few words."
She rolled her eyes. "He loves to hear himself talk." She muttered making Draco chuckle.
Dumbledore placed his hand on the golden tower. "Eternal glory is what awaits the student that wins the Triwizard Tournament. But to do this that student must survive three tasks. Three extremely dangerous tasks." His eyes running across all of the students as he spoke. "For this reason, the ministry has seen fit to pose a new rule. To explain all this we have the head of the Ministry Bartemius Crouch here to speak."
Just than a man that suspiciously looked like Hitler came walking out of a door behind the teacher's table. That thought made Bella snort.
Mr. Crouch stopped to stand next to Dumbledore before speaking.
"After due consideration the Ministry has concluded that for their own safety no student under the age of seventeen shall be able to put forth their name of the Triwizard tournament." All ready boos and complaints were starting to echo throughout the mess hall drowning out the rest of Mr. Crouch's speech.
"SILENCE!" Dumbledore bellowed immediately hushing the students growing irritation. He then waved his wand in front of the golden tower. Bella watched in awe as the tower melted away revealing a large golden goblet than gasped as beautiful sky-blue flames appeared shooting up from the cup. "The goblet of fire. Anyone wishing to submit themselves to the tournament must write their name upon a piece of parchment and throw it in the flame before this hour Thursday night. Do not do so easily. Once entered, there is no turning back." The warning gave Bella chills and an ominous feeling surrounded her. "As of this moment, the Triwizard Tournament has begun."