The Not Slytherin

Chapter 2

I fiddled anxiously with the black obsidian ring on my middle finger, trying to relieve the stress that was building with every moment that I stood in the corridors in front of the great hall. Until, I heard Dumbledore say "can we all welcome, miss Scarlet Riddle" the doors of the great hall flew open, startling me a little bit but, I regained my composure and walked up to Dumbledores podium ignoring the whispers and looks I got from the students on each side. I kept walking until I came to the podium. Dumbledore then raised his voice again and said "Miss Riddle will be joining the 4th years into the house that the sorting hat chooses for her" he then told me "would you please sit on the stool to be sorted" "of course professor" I sat on the stool once again anxiously screwing with my black ring. I felt the rough material of the hat on my head."hmm an riddle eh? If I couldn't see into your mind I would say Slytherin but... clever but not clever enough to be Ravenclaw not near kind enough to be Hufflepuff  you are both cunning and ambitious but not enough to be Slytherin, so that leaves one" I released a breath I haven't realized I was holding "GRYFFINDOR!!!" The hat shouted the entire great hall was applauding and I relished in it I went to sit next to Hermione at the Gryffindor table. I stuck out my hand to her, and said proudly " I don't believe we've been properly introduced, I'm Scarlet Riddle" she took my hand and grinned " Hermione, Hermione Granger thank you again for at the quidditch cup" both Harry and Ronald then shook my hand and thanked me "it's no problem I'm happy to help" a stern looking witch came up to me and introduced herself as professor McGonagall and told me I would be sharing a dorm with Hermione in the Gryffindor common room. When the puddings, too, had been demolished and the last crumbs had faded off the plates, leaving them sparkling clean, Albus Dumbledore got to his feet again. The buzz of chatter filling the Hall ceased almost at once, so that only the howling wind and pounding rain could be heard."So!” said Dumbledore smiling around at them all. “Now that we are fed and watered, 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,” Dumbledore continued, “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-“

But at that moment, there was a deafening rumble of thunder, and the doors of the Great Hall banged open. A man stood in the doorway, leaning upon a long staff, shrouded in a black traveling cloak. Every head in the Great Hall swiveled towards the stranger, suddenly brightly illuminated by a fork of lightning that flashed across the ceiling. He lowered his hood, shook out a long mane of grizzled, dark grey hair, and then began to walk up towards the teachers table.

A dull clunk echoed through the Hall on his ever other step. He reached the end of the top table, turned right and limped heavily towards Dumbledore. Another flash of lightning crossed the ceiling.

The lightning had thrown the man’s face into a sharp relief.

The stranger reached Dumbledore. He stretched out a hand that was as badly scarred as his face, and Dumbledore shook it, muttering something. He seemed to be making some kind if enquiry of the stranger who shook his head unsmilingly and replied in an undertone. Dumbledore nodded and gestured the man to an empty seat on his right-hand side.

“May I introduce our new Defence against the Dark Arts Teacher,” said Dumbledore brightly, into the silence, “Professor Moody.

It was usual for new staff members to be greeted with an applause, but none of the staff or students clapped except Dumbledore and Hagrid. Both put their hands together and applauded, but the sound echoed dismally into the silence, and they stopped fairly quickly. Everyone else seemed to transfixed by Moody’s bizarre appearance to do more than stare at him.

Dumbledore cleared his throat again.

“As I was saying,” he said smiling at the sea of students before him, all of whom were still gazing transfixed at Mad Eye Moody, “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!” said Fred Weasley loudly.

The tension that had filled the Hall ever since Moody’s arrival suddenly broke. Nearly everyone laughed, and Dumbledore chuckled appreciatively.

“No I am not joking Mr. Weasley,” 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.”

“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.”

“The Heads of Beauxbatons and Durmstrang have already arrived, and on Halloween we will have the Champion Selections. An impartial judge will decide which students, are most worthy to compete for the Triwizard Cup, the glory of their school and a thousand galleon personal prize money.”

“Eager though I know all of you will be able to bring the Triwizard Cup to Hogwarts,” he said, “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, 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 to Fred and George’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 staying 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. And now, it is late, and I know how important it is to you all to be alert and rested as you enter you lessons tomorrow morning. Bedtime! Chop Chop!” 

I had absolutely no idea where I was going, so I did what anyone else would do, I followed Hermione.