Chapter 12
"You are all very privileged to be attending Hogwarts this year as we have organized some surprises for all of you." Dumbledore had that damnable twinkle in his eye again and the Twins were about ready to tear his head off. "You will have the chance to participate in challenges against your peers. The areas competed in will be potions making, hand to hand combat, weapons, dueling, elemental magic and beast control. They will not start for another month to give all participants time to hone their skills. The potions skills will be tested with obscure recipes relating to blood magic, anyone who creates the potion correctly moves on to the next round, I suggest anyone wishing to participate study any and all material on the subject. Hand to hand will be a series of randomly picked one on one fights in which the victor moves on to the next round, there will be no disqualifying moves in this event, other than bringing a weapon into the ring. For the weapons event you may bring which ever weapon you believe you are best with, be it a long sword, daggers, or a scythe."
There was a loud cheer from the Gryfindor table as Ron stood up and proclaimed that he would be wielding a scythe in the competition, while the Slytherin's sat in almost silence so that the other houses could not figure out who they would be up against from the snake pit.
"Now I know that you must be thinking that someone will end up dead with the weapons that will be brought in to the ring. However I will personally be casting a charm on each weapon that will stop any life threatening blows from occurring. When the blade does hit the other person they will get exactly the same results, blood, pain, etc…, it just won't be fatal. Dueling will be much like hand to hand, there will be a series of one on one duels with the victor going on to the next round, there will also be NO disqualifying spells. If you wanted to you could use an unforgivable and still be in the competition. However you would have to compete from Azkaban if you were to do that. The Elemental magic will be held outside as I do not want lightning holes through the school walls. This will test a persons knowledge of ancient chants and methods of calling on the elements of nature for help in defeating a foe. For beast control you must bring any animal you may wish to use to Hogwarts
grounds were they will be cared for by Hagrid. All those entered in the competition will be given the same task you will then select which animal you wish to use for it. If you complete the task you will move on to the next round were you will be up against a harder challenge. I can not give you any more information about any of the areas that will be tested, if you do not already know what each subject entails you would not get very far and it would be dangerous for you to participate. Good luck!"
Dumbledore sat down and started to eat the salmon moose while everyone kept staring at him and muttering to each other trying to figure out why Dumbledore was not giving them more information. Until Ginny Weasley called out "How do we enter the competitions, sir." Mcgonigal promptly started to whispered in his ear while pointing to a piece of parchment on the table that Dumbledore picked up and skimmed through. The hall was silent as the Headmaster thought about the contents of the paper, after about 2 minutes he stood up, ready to address the school.
"I have just been informed that a statue of a dragon will appear opposite the great hall doors in 24 hours it will stay there for only four hours after that time is up I will accept no more entrees. You must fill out a sheet of parchment with your name, age, year, house, and the competitions you wish to enter, then you must place this into the dragons mouth. Anyone is allowed to enter, even first years but it is likely that anyone under 5th year will be severely hurt. Also The winner of each contest will receive 500 points for his or her house and will be sent to Durmstrang for the rest of the year to compete against the students there." There was a long pause and everyone thought that Dumbledore was done but just as people were about to begin talking he started up again. "Ah I almost forgot, those who participate in the contests will be exempt from classes and homework until they are defeated and no longer competing. GOOD LUCK TO ALL OF YOU!!"
"Wow he really does a good job of acting like an old incapable fool, he almost had me believing him." Emily laughed and looked up to see Hermione smiling a very secretive grin. "What is it 'mione? What are you planning?"
"We just found a way around our guardians dear sister of mine, they don't want us to get hurt well lets see them stop us from getting our own way now. We're going to Durmstrang."
"I like the way you think 'mione. Which contests are you entering?"
"All of them, do you think dad would mind us bringing the animals here? it's not exactly the best place for them to be but it is not the worst either."
"Na dad won't mind he's been a complete softy ever since you came back, he would let us do anything. Plus, he knows we would take good care of them and moonbreak and pensety are here to keep them under control. In a month we can spar with each other enough to get ourselves in to good shape for the hanhd to hand but it would be more efficient if there was a third person." Both of the girls turned to inspect their new acquaintance, Marcus, who started from his daydream with the inquisitive eyes staring at him.
"What did I do, do I have steak on my face or something??" Marcus was a little startled by the twins sudden interest in him and went on the defensive.
"We need a third person to train with for the competitions, we were wondering if you would be up to the challenge."
"Hmmmm, I assume you both are entering all of them," he received a two nods in the affirmative and went on "As long as there is no mercy shown on each other during practice and in the contest I see no problem training with you. But you better be taking this seriously because I am."
"We have never shown mercy in our entire lives, why on earth would we start now?" Emily scoffed at him, head held high with an air of power around her.
"And I can assure you we are deadly serious about getting to Durmstrang, you better hope you aren't the one left standing in our way." Hermione finished off with a death glare. "Practice starts at 7pm in our private rooms, they are one the fourth floor second corridor on the right behind the painting of the angel of darkness. Until then try and find as much information as possible on all of the subjects." Hermione said in a happy voice that was a complete opposite to the one she had just used. "Oh and our guardians will be there to help with
some of the recipes and fighting techniques."
Hermione and Emily got up from the table and headed for their rooms, however neither noticed the dark shadow following them……
Thanks for reading I really appreciate it. Especially after I haven't posted for so long. I'm sorry about that but I got bogged down with homework and barely found time to breath let alone write.
Thanks to those who reviewed, it ump started me to begin writing again, so yay, and thank you.
Oh and there is a Monty Python reference in this chapter so props to whoever sees it.
Review and I will give you lots and lots of cookies, PLEASE.