The Hogwarts Founders Return

Chapter sixteen The Triwizard Tournament

All the students were back at their tables. The sorting of first years has ended and the feast is over. Dumbledore stood up.

"Welcome everyone to another year at Hogwarts, first off I wanted to say is that Professor L. Potter will not be teaching Muggle Studies this year as she is expecting a baby as such Professor Black has agreed to teach Muggle Studies this year. I would also like to say even though some of you remember him from his posters last year as a murderer and an escapee from Azkaban he was and is an innocent man and deserves to be treated that way anyone who treats him poorly because of his past charges will be in a lot of trouble with me personally," said Dumbledore.

"Also Mr. Filch, the caretaker, has asked me to tell you that the list of objects forbidden inside the castle 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. He continued, "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."

To this the students that played Quidditch yelled "What" and boos from all around the Great Hall.

"Also, the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher is Professor Moody," said Dumbledore. Shaking a man hand that just came in that looked old and scary looking.

"Now back to the reason the Quidditch cup is canceled, 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-"

"We are to have the honor of hosting a very exciting event over the coming months, an event that hasn't 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."

This got a lot of cheers from the students.

"You're JOKING!" said Fred Weasley loudly.

"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 loudly.

"Er- but maybe this is not the time.... no....." said Dumbledore.

"Oh no Dumbledore now is the perfect time please tell," said James.

"Yes, Dumbledore it's a great one everyone will get a good kick out of it tell," said Sirius.

"Both of you shut up now I'm serious," said Professor McGonagall.

"NO, your Professor McGonagall I'm Professor Sirius," said Sirius.

"Seriously Dumbledore last year dealing with James was bad enough now I got to deal with him to," said McGonagall.

Dumbledore chuckled softly. "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 school 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 wat 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."