[Outfit Above]

After the annual sorting and the feast, Dumbledore had stood up towards the podium and addressed the students. "So! Now that we are all fed and watered." Dumbledore began with a smile. "I must once more ask for your attention, while I give out a few notices. Mr. Filch, the caretaker, has asked me to tell you that the list of objects forbidden inside the castle has this year been extended to include Screaming Yo-yos, Fanged Frisbees, and Ever-Bashing Boomerangs. The full list comprises some four hundred and thirty-seven items, I believe, and can be viewed in Mr. Filch's office, if anybody would like to check it."

The corners of Dumbledore's mouth twitched as his eyes flicked over to the twins and Kat. "As ever, I would like to remind you all that the forest on the grounds is out-of-bounds to students, as is the village of Hogsmeade to all below third year. It is also my painful duty to inform you that the Inter-House Quidditch Cup will not take place this year." Kat prepared herself for an uproar from her friends around her. Harry, George, and Fred all looked at Kat who gave them a sheepish smile in response.

"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—" Cutting Dumbledore off was a loud clap of thunder and the Great Hall doors banging open. A large man stood there leaning upon a staff and clad in a black cloak. Everyone's heads turned as he began to trudge to the front of the hall.

Many students whispered in wonder and fear at the scarred man. "May I introduce our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher?" said Dumbledore brightly into the silence. "Professor Moody." No one clapped for him except Dumbledore and Hagrid leaving the hall silent after they came to a quick stop. "As I was saying," Dumbledore began again. "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!" Fred bellowed loudly. Almost everyone laughed, breaking the tension from Moody's arrival. "I am not joking, Mr. Weasley." Dumbledore 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 loudly, cutting him off. "Er—but maybe this is not the time...no...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."

Hearing more about the past deaths Kat started to worry, she knew Viktor planned to enter as soon as he arrived at the school and was able to. "There have been several attempts over the centuries to reinstate the tournament," Dumbledore continued, "none of which has been very successful. However, our own departments of International Magical Cooperation and Magical Games and Sports have decided the time is ripe for another attempt. We have worked hard over the summer to ensure that this time, no champion will find himself or herself in mortal danger."

"The heads of Beauxbatons and Durmstrang will be arriving with their short-listed contenders in October, and the selection of the three champions will take place at Halloween. An impartial judge will decide which students are most worthy to compete for the Triwizard Cup, the glory of their school, and a thousand Galleons personal prize money."

"I'm going for it!" Fred Weasley hissed down the table, his face lit with enthusiasm at the prospect of such glory and riches. Kat shook her head and gripped George's hand tightly in fear that they both would. "Eager though I know all of you will be to bring the Triwizard Cup to Hogwarts," Dumbledore said, "the heads of the participating schools, along with the Ministry of Magic, have agreed to impose an age restriction on contenders this year. Only students who are of age—that is to say, seventeen years or older—will be allowed to put forward their names for consideration. This-"

Dumbledore raised his voice, for several people had made noises of outrage at these words, and George and Fred were suddenly looking furious. "—is a measure we feel is necessary, given that the tournament tasks will still be difficult and dangerous, whatever precautions we take, and it is highly unlikely that students below sixth and seventh year will be able to cope with them. I will personally be ensuring that no underage student hoodwinks our impartial judge into making them Hogwarts champion." His light blue eyes twinkled as they flickered over George's and Fred's mutinous faces. "I, therefore, beg you not to waste your time submitting yourself if you are under seventeen."

"The delegations from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang will be arriving in October and remaining with us for the greater part of this year. I know that you will all extend every courtesy to our foreign guests while they are with us, and will give your whole-hearted support to the Hogwarts champion when he or she is selected. Due to the language barrier between us and the students and staff of Durmstrang, Ms.Bistra has offered to be a translator." Kat smiled politely as many eyes turned towards her.

"And now, it is late, and I know how important it is to you all to be alert and rested as you enter your lessons tomorrow morning. Bedtime! Chop chop!" Dumbledore sat down again and turned to talk to Mad-Eye Moody as everyone got to their feet and began leaving the hall. "They can't do that!" George said with a glare towards Dumbledore. "We're seventeen in April, why can't we have a shot?"

"They're not stopping me entering," Fred said stubbornly. "The champions'll get to do all sorts of stuff you'd never be allowed to do normally. And a thousand Galleons prize money!" Kat shared a glance with Ginny, the two of them already knowing there was no way for the twins could enter but they would surely try and it would be amusing. "Come on. We'll be the only ones left here if you don't move."

Hermione said gesturing for them all to move on. "Oh! Before I go, the password's Balderdash." Kat pressed a quick kiss to George's lips before rushing off to meet the other Gryffindor Prefect and lead the first years around on a tour and then to the Common room.

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Things are happeningggg the next few chapters are gonna be great. Chapter 11 we will see our favorite Bulgarian seeker again and I cannot wait for you all to see everyone's expressions. And that is all I will say about that 😏😉
~A