𝐌𝐈𝐃𝐍𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓 𝐌𝐔𝐒𝐄

II

- HARRY POTTER -

I sat through the sorting silently, clapping when needed but mostly quiet. Lost in thought. Pansy. Glancing across, i see her, head rested on the palm of her hand, staring down at nothing. She looked troubled, it took all i had not to go over, to crack a joke, see her smile, wide and intruding.

"Harry? What are you looking at?"
I'm snapped out of my trance, a confused Hermione look at me. "Nothing, Mione" i lie "Just Malfoy, looking as devious as usual" This seems to convince her, as she turns back to Ron.
"And you! You should have told me about what happened at the Quidditch game! You could've at least written!"

"I'm sorry Mione! How many times do i have to bloody apologise!"

Ron and Mione argueing like this always made me laugh, causing them to glare at me. "Don't laugh?!" They said at the same time, made for eachother.

Dumbledore starts his speech. Welcoming us home, as usual. Pansy's words bombard my mind,
Not everyone is worth saving...
My eyes rake over her, admiring her. Before my gaze is ripped from me as someone put's their arm around her. Malfoy.
Pansy visibly stiffens, before he bends down and whispers something to her, and she leans into him, smiling maniacally. Laughing at what he says, sneering at whoever look at them. She fawns over him, what did he say? What has he got over her? Surely no one would voluntarily date Malfoy?

She looks away from him. At me. Me. Her eyes soften, Then cloud over and look away. But she looked at me, if only for a second.

"...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." A tournament? That caught my attention, and i looked back at the Headmaster. "The Triwizard Tournament was first established 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."

"There have been several attempts over the centuries to reinstate the Tournament," Dumbledore continued, "none of which have been very successful. However, our own Departments of International Magical Co-Operation 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."

Whispers echoed across the hall, Fred and George already talking about entering.

"Eager though I know all of you will be able to bring the Triwizard Cup to Hogwarts," he added, "the heads of the participating schools, along with the Ministry of Magic, have agreed to impose an agreed 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 slightly for several people had made noises of outrage at these words – "is a measure we feel is necessary, 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." The twins sunk in their seats, seemingly defeated. "I therefore beg you not to waste your time submitting yourself if you are under seventeen,"