Chapter 8

The Irish Charm

The rest of the sorting passed quickly. Patrick joined us as did Orla Quirke, Avnash Rasim, Seymour Ratting, Samson Upton and Jasleen Warsame. The sorting ended with Wespert, Nigel (Gryffindor) and Professor Dumbledore took to the stand.

"Welcome, welcome to another year at Hogwarts. Now before we start dinner, I have an announcement to make. It is my pain to inform you that the inter-house Quidditch Cup will not be taking palce this year,"

"What?" I exclaimed in disbelief. Cancelling Quidditch? Shouts of protest echoed around the hall.

Dumbledore went on, "This is due to an event that will be starting in October, and continuing throughout the school year, taking up much of the teachers' time and energy - but I am sure you will all enjoy it immensely. I have great pleasure in announcing that this year at Hogwarts -"

He was cut off by the ceiling, which burst into a lightening storm. Screams filled the hall. Suddenly the great hall door banged open and a man stood there. He hobbled in, his magical eye spinning.

"That's Alastor Moody, better known as Mad-Eye" Patrick said, "the auror,"

"I've heard about him!" Cheyenne said, "Dad said that he's responsible for trapping a lot of death eaters in Azkaban!"

Mad-Eye shot a spell up to the ceiling and immediately, the sky cleared.

"May I introduce our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher?" said Dumbledore brightly into the silence. "Professor Moody." Not many people clapped, as everyone was transfixed by his appearance. There was the eye, as well as every inch of skin on his face that was scarred. He was kind of frightening to look at. Professor Moody didn't seem bothered by our less than warm welcome.

Professor Dumbledore cleared his throat, "As I was saying, we are to have the honor of hosting a very exciting event over the coming months, an event that has not been held for over a century. It is my very great pleasure to inform you that the Triwizard Tournament will be taking place at Hogwarts this year."

"YOU'RE JOKING!" a voice called loudly. Professor Dumbledore chuckled, "I am not joking, Mr. Weasley," he said, "though now that you mention it, I did hear an excellent one over the summer about a troll, a hag, and a leprechaun who all go into a bar."

Professor McGonagall cleared her throat.

"Er - but maybe this is not the time...no..." said Dumbledore, "where was I? Ah yes, the Triwizard Tournament...well, some of you will not know what this tournament involves, so I hope those who do know will forgive me for giving a short explanation, and allow their attention to wander freely.

"The Triwizard Tournament was first established some seven hundred years ago as a friendly competition between the three largest European schools of wizardry: Hogwarts, Beauxbatons, and Durmstrang. A champion was selected to represent each school, and the three champions competed in three magical tasks. The schools took it in turns to host the tournament once every five years, and it was generally agreed to be a most excellent way of establishing ties between young witches and wizards of different nationalities - until, that is, the death toll mounted so high that the tournament was discontinued."

"That's scary stuff," Alan commented.

Professor Dumbledore explained more about the tournament, saying that no champion would be in danger, and that precautions were being made to make the tournament as safe as possible. He also said that only students who were over the age of 17 were able to submit their name for the tournament, which caused uproar.

"SILENCE!" Professor Dumbledore yelled.

"This tournament is not for those of the faint of heart. Let me be clear: if chosen as a champion you stand alone. Only those who have demonstrated the ability to handle these dangerous situations will be able to put forth their name for the tournament. But more of that later, in any case, I have only two words to say to you, tuck in," With that, the platters around us filled themselves with food.

"Wow!" I exclaimed. There was everything from chicken, to turkey, to fish. It all looked delicious!

"This is amazing!" Alan dug in and we helped ourselves to dinner.

"I had no idea the Triwizard tournament was happening this year!" the girl next to Allegra exclaimed. She grinned at me, "I'm Cheryl, by the way. Cheryl Crawford,"

"Nice to meet you. And I had no idea either!"

"Is your sister old enough to try out?" Allegra asked. I shook my head.

"Alicon's only in sixth year and her birthday is in November,"

"Oh. I wonder if anyone from Ravenclaw is trying out." Word traveled back to us that Roger Davies, the Ravenclaw Quidditch captain might be and the rest of dinner was filled with excited babbling about the upcoming tournament.

Around eight o'clock, Professor Dumbledore dismissed us.

"First years this way!" a prefect called. I however, wanted to see my sisters before bed, and possible catch Seamus before he left to Gryffindor tower.

"Where are you going?" Cheryl asked.

"I'm just going to see my sisters," I said, "I'll catch up with you guys," I headed to the Hufflepuff table where Alicon was still seated, waiting for the crowd by the hall entrance to die down.

"Alicon!"

She whipped around, "Kat! Congratulations!" she gave me a hug, "Happy that you go into Ravenclaw?"

"Very," I grinned.

"You're doing fin? No one bothering you?"

"No," I told her, "it's all good. I met up with Cheyenne not long after you left on the train and she introduced me to some people, so I do have new friends,"

"That's great!"

"I'll see you tomorrow," I told her, "I'm going to catch Iris,"

Alicon nodded, "sounds good! Have a good night!"

"Good night!"

I headed to the Gryffindor table.

"Iris!"

"Katerina!" she said, "surprised to see you!"

"Well I wanted to see you and Alicon before bed," I shrugged.

"That's sweet!" Iris' friend Romilda gushed.

"What took you so long on the stool?" Iris asked.

"The hat was deliberating," I shrugged.

"Where did it want to put you?" Iris asked.

"I think maybe Gryffindor, but I'm happy I got Ravenclaw,"

"It's what you always wanted," Iris nodded.

"Yeah, I'm happy," I cast a glance down the table to where Seamus had risen to his feet.

"Are you gonna talk to him?" Iris asked.

"I-," she cut me off.

"HEY FINNIGAN!" he turned his head

"Shit! Iris what did you do that for?" I exclaimed, blushing. I turned around, looking up. He was standing right behind me.

"What's up Pettinato?" he asked.

"Managed to get through dinner without setting your pumpkin juice on fire?"
"Iris!" I chided. What was with her.

"Relax Kat," she said, "just yanking your wand, aren't I Seamus?" She looked up at him almost flirtingly. That's when I realized..

Oh shit.

My sister likes the guy I want.

"Yeah," he gave a good natured smile "when you're not yanking Goldstein's,"

"I do not!" Iris spluttered.

"Goldstein?" I asked, perplexed, "who-?"

Iris sighed, knowing I would only bother her if she didn't confess.

"Anthony Goldstein. But you DO NOT tell anyone, you hear me?" I relaxed, realizing that it wasn't Seamus she liked. She turned back to Seamus.

"AND YOU!"

"Only stating the obvious,"

"I'll, I'll,"

"Stutter at me?" Seamus asked. I laughed. Iris groaned.

"I will hex you!" she exclaimed, "if one word-,"

"My lips are sealed," Seamus reassured her. He turned to me.

"So How've you been?"

"Good," I answered, "The rest of summer after the Cup was great,"

"Good to hear," he smiled.

"What about you?"

"Well me mam was a bit upset after the cup, but she lightened up a bit, and it was pretty good. Lots of Quidditch,"

"Me too!" I exclaimed, "I play beater!"

"Chaser,"

"Too bad they cancelled the season," I said. Seamus nodded.

"I wouldn't have minded trying out," he said.

"I will," I told him, "next year,"

"Well, I'm sure you will be fabulous," He grinned, his charm never ceasing to amaze me.

"Thanks," I smiled, "but I am really excited for the tournament,"

"Me too," he grinned, "anyone from Ravenclaw trying out?"

"Roger Davies, may be,"

"Angelina Johnson is going to," Seamus told me, "and maybe a few other seventh years,"

"Yeah. Cedric Diggory from Hufflepuff is trying too," I had overheard discussion at dinner.

"Well as long as it's not a Slytherin champ,"

"Yeah," I agreed.

"HEY SEAMUS! YOU COMING?" his dark skinned friend called.

"Coming!"

"See you round, Trina,"

He did it again, his voice ringing in my ears. Oh him and his Irish charm.

I swear his charm chased me into my dreams that night.