a gorgeous blonde boy

The Big Announcement

"So, Draco, how was your holiday?" Asked Terry. Everyone was sitting down waiting for the entrance of the first years. Justin had gone to sit at the Hufflepuff table, even if all three wanted to stay together.

"It was... relaxing, for a change." Draco smiled (Harry saw it and his stomach did a little flip), "Father and I spent time on Quidditch, mother and I went shopping in Paris and New York, and we got a swimming pool installed inside and out. Father says it's going to be the next 'big thing', and I'm not going to disagree if I get to use a personal swimming pool.

"I reread Shakespeare's works, and Lockhart's. Knowing he is a fraud doesn't take away from the magnificent tales- those are someone's past, after all." Finished, Draco returned the question to Terry.

Finally, the great double doors opened. Another year and another set of a hundred or so students. Draco believed it wasn't so difficult to figure out why there were so little students around their year. The first Wizard War would mean many people would not be focused on reproducing.

All the first years had either wide mouths or wide eyes as they looked around the Great Hall. Some whispered "It's Harry Potter!" When they spotted him. It was like a curse: as soon as one says his name, everyone else follows.

"Welcome, First Years." Dumbledore warmly stated. "And welcome back, to everyone else. Firstly, I must ask once more 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 this year has 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.

He continued, "As ever, I would like to remind you that the Forest in 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." Draco thought the man was brave. Stupidly brave. A different kind of brave than killing a dark wizard, a brave for no reason kind of idiocy.

"SILENCE!" He bellowed. The amount of times Dumbledore has had to do that, Draco couldn't count. And everytime, Draco cringes after. "This is due to an event that will be starting in October and continuing though out 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." There was a collective murmur.

"we are to have the honor of hosting a very exciting event over the coming months, an event which 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" Exclaimed Justin from across the hall. He has always been an awkward person with a hidden bubbly and exaggerated personality.

No I am not joking Mister Finch-fletchley." he said, "Though 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.

"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 the a most excellent way of establishing ties between young witch's and wizards of different nationalities - until, that is, the death toll mounted so high that the Tournament was discontinued."