Okay first of all I would like to deeply apologise for the terrible and quite frankly insane length of time I've left it between updates. Unfortunately both my personal life and University life decided to jump into the toilet...anyway...all sorted now so I'm back!

Hogwarts this chapter, yeah!

Disclaimer: I OWN NOTHING!

Chapter Eight

By Rosa241

Percy POV:

"Confrigo!" My body reacts before my mind has had time to process what's happening. Even with the speed of my counter attack I'm still too slow.

"Oliver no!" His body goes limp as the light fades from his eyes. The world begins spinning and everything suddenly bursts into a white light. From somewhere in the light a high pitched and chilling laughter seeps into the air, making my bones ache as carries through my body.

All of a sudden the world snaps back into focus with alarming speed, so much so that my stomach churns violently. A few deeps breaths and thankfully I manage to stop myself from throwing up, but how I do is beyond me!

"You alright?" A voice breaks through my mind as a hand clamps down on my shoulder making me jump about three foot in the air, which considering I'm still sat in bed is quite a feet. "Woah easy mate."

Gazing round my eyes lock with Bills who looks worried, whilst at the same time managing to look smug at having caught me off guard. Breathing a sigh of relief that it's Bill's hand and not that of a death eater I give him a small smile whilst attempting to regulate my breathing.

"You alright?" He questions again, evidently having failed not to notice my quite obvious terror. "Bad dream?"

"Yeah." I finally reply. "Something like that." He squeezes my shoulder slightly before he heads out of the door, stopping just once and giving me a questioning look. Ever since I was little I've been prone to getting bad dreams, although I'd call this one more of a nightmare. Finally Bill leaves and I can't help but be thankful. Don't get me wrong I love my family and everything but sometimes I just don't want to talk about it. This is one of those times.

I've been having a variation of that dream/nightmare for the last week, since the world cup. Dad took Oliver to St Mungo's and got him patched up, naturally as soon as mum found out she insisted on letting his parents know. Of course his parents had, quite expectantly, freaked out. From Oliver's letters his parents were actually considering not letting him come back to Hogwarts, although they had finally relented since it was his last year. But that's not what was bothering me.

I already know why I've been having the dream...the prospect of losing Oliver is a haunting prospect. He's my best friend...although lately I've been hoping we could be more than that. Ever since the end of last year, Oliver had a little too much butter beer and kissed me, we've been dancing round the subject of us. Eventually we're going to have to deal with it but I think we're both afraid, heck I know I am. Even in the wizarding world being gay isn't always everyone's cup of tea. I know the people who matter accept it, Oliver and the family know I'm gay already, but there are some who don't like it.

Sighing heavily as I gaze out the window, watching as the rain patters down on the window pane. Thankfully light is burning over on the horizon and beginning to spill out over the fields behind the house. I almost sigh in relief as I realise I won't have to go back to that nightmare again for another day.

By the time the sun has fully risen and mum is yelling for us to get up because we're going to be late I've had plenty of time to double check all my packing and clean Hermes' cage out again. One benefit to nightmares – I get plenty done.

"You alright Perce? You look tired." Charlie questions whilst Bill gives me a knowing look. I merely smile at him and tell him I'm fine, ignoring the feeling in the pit of my stomach. Don't ask me why but I've got a strange feeling that something horrible is on its way.

Harry's POV:

"Bloody hell!" Ron muttered as we finally made into the safety of the dry school – admittedly we only had to walk from the carriages into the school but even walking that short distance we were wet enough. "Wonder how long this'll last?"

Gazing outside I couldn't help but shudder at the sight. Rain was splashing down onto the already sodden ground, thunder echoed through the air and lightening lit up the sky every few seconds. Even through the thick castle walls I can still here the howling wind...I hope Hagrid and the first years will be okay on the lake.

"Urgh!" Ron's voice broke me from my thoughts. "Oh for Merlin's sake!"

I couldn't help the bark of laughter that escaped my mouth at the sight that stood before me. Ron was standing there completely covered from head to foot in water with the remnants of what looked like a balloon trailing off his head. Hermione reached up and picked the balloon off, hiding a giggle behind a well placed hand. Her humour was cut short as a second balloon burst just inches away from her, covering her legs in water.

Just like that it was like a damn burst and balloons began falling from everywhere above them. Neville jumped sideways to avoid an incoming balloon and in typical Neville fashion he managed to jump straight into a suit of armour and sent the whole thing clattering to the ground. Lavender was screaming loudly as three balloons collided into her all at once. Malfoy was shrieking in an ever so manly way as he tried and failed to avoid a rather large balloon.

"PEEVES! Get down here at ONCE!" McGonagall screamed over the madness. Peeves merely blew her a raspberry and threw one final balloon. McGonagall halted sharply to avoid the balloon but her efforts were futile as she skidded on the now soaked stone and with a hoot collided into Dean.

"Oh Mr Thomas I do apologise." She muttered whilst struggling to her feet."PEEVES I SHALL INFORM THE HEADMASTER!"

"Wheeeeeeee!" Peeves responded whilst barrelling towards a group of third year girls. "Rather wet aren't they!" He blew one final raspberry before shooting off into the ceiling.

"Get moving then!" A rather damp looking professor McGonagall said sharply.

"Is everything alright?" Percy's voice floated in and I could have sworn I saw a flicker of relief in Mcgonagalls eyes.

"Would you escort everyone into the great hall Mr Weasly?" With very little effort Percy rounded everyone into the great hall.

Before long everyone was in the great hall and silence filled the air as a somewhat dryer Professor McGonagall entered the great hall followed by a rather long line of nervous looking first years. Hagrids giant frame ended the line and I couldn't help breathe a sigh of relief at seeing that he made it across the lake okay.

Finally the sorting ended and food appeared in front of them all. Everyone tucked in happily – myself included – whilst those of us that could hear listened to Nick's tale about Peeves. Honestly the things that poltergeist got up to it was really amazing. Hermione practically fell off of her chair at the news that there were house elves in Hogwarts, before refusing to eat any more and she didn't (despite Rons best attempts).

After everyone was fed and watered sufficiently – with the exception of Hermione – Dumbledore stood before them and began the yearly ritual of notices.

"Screaming Yo-yos, Fanged Frisbees, and Ever-Bashing Boomerangs have all been added to the list of forbidden items, the list of 437 items can be viewed in Mr Filch's office." From the corner of my eye I see Fred give him twin an evil grin. "Also it is my regret to inform you that the Inter-House Quidditch cup will not be taking place this year."

The room filled with groans of anger and shouts of disbelief, but none of them were as loud as Olivers.

"WHAT!" Oliver bellowed as he stood up from the table, his chair clattering down behind him. "You can't do that!" Pretty much everyone was staring at him, some highly amused – I'm sure Professor Sprouts hiding a smile – whilst others were looking positively fuming – Professor Mcgonagall!

"Oliver for heavens sake sit down!" Percy whispered harshly to his best friend. Oliver however was in no mood to listen, instead he was shouting his protests as loud as he could. Percy practically had to wrestle Oliver into his chair before sending an apologetic glance Dumbledore's way.

"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 -" Whatever Dumbledore had planned on saying was cut off as an ear splitting roar of thunder echoed throughout the room and a red fork of lightening lit everywhere up.

A man I had not previously noticed limped to Dumbledore's left side, leaning heavily on a long staff, before shooting a red streak up into the air. Within minutes the echoeing thunder stopped and the red lightening disappeared. As the room returned to normal all eyes were on the mysterious stranger who was now shaking Dumbledore's hand.

The strangers face was covered in scars and gashs but they looked more like old war wounds. He had something strapped to his face, it...looks almost like an eye...but it can't be...can it!

"Bloody hell...that's Mad-Eye Moody!" Ron whispered in what sounded like awe. "The Auror!"

"Auror?" Dean questioned, I couldn't help but be grateful that there was at least one more person who didn't have a clue what he was talking about.

"Dark wizard catcher. Half the cells in Azkaban are filled thanks to him." Azkaban, now there's a name I recognise...Sirius.

"As I was saying, we are to have the honour 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 Tri-wizard Tournament will be taking place at Hogwarts this year."

A gasp of shocked followed by mumbles and whispers of disbelief ran through the air. Nearly everyone in the room – even the house ghosts – looked on in total surprise at Dumbledores words.

"The tri-wizard tournament? Is he serious?" Percy said.

"No reason to cancel Quidditch..." Oliver muttered only for Percy to elbow him.

"The Tri-wizard 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 Tri-wizard 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."

Dumbledore continued explaining about the Tournement but my mind was already reeling. An ancient tournament was going to be held here? More wizard schools were joining us? More wizard schools existed? I had so many questions.

As we finally reached the dorms I had to admit I was exhausted. Fred and George were still moaning about being too young to enter the tournament, Oliver was still complaining about not having any Quidditch this year...I really don't know how he's going to cope...and the rest of the common room was just in awe.

Going to sleep that night my dreams were filled with tournament champions, Cho Chang and – probably wierdist of all – Mad-Eye Moody. For some reason I couldn't quite work out I just couldn't get the Auror out of my head. There was something about him...something...

Hope you liked it. Tried to put a bit of humor in there.

So Percy's got a bad feeling about this year? Harry's not sure about Moody? And just how will Oliver cope without any Quidditch?