Demigods Vs Magic.

Triwizard Tournament.

Continuing from last chapter,  

"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." 

"Death toll?" Hermione whispered, looking alarmed. But her anxiety did not seem to be shared by the majority of students in the Hall; many of them were whispering excitedly to one another, and Harry himself was far more interested in hearing about the tournament than in worrying about deaths that had happened hundreds of years ago. 

"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 shortlisted 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. He was not the only person who seemed to be visualizing himself as the Hogwarts champion. At every House table, Harry could see people either gazing raptly at Dumbledore or else whispering fervently to their neighbors. 

"Should we try?" Harry heard Connor asking his brother. 

"We can't have two champions." Travis looked towards the Slytherin table. "Besides I think our dear leader wants that trophy all to himself." 

Harry glanced in the direction Travis was looking, instantly regretting it. His eyes met Percy's, who was smirking brightly as a 5th Year Slytherin talked to him animatedly. The smirk vanished instantly, and Harry could feel his blood starting to pound in his veins. His heart began to feel heavier, almost as if it was about to tear itself in half. Harry grabbed his chest with one hand, the other gripping the table as sweat dripped down his forehead. 

Suddenly, the feeling vanished. Harry took a deep breath and looked back. Percy was laughing again, almost as if he had never looked in Harry's direction. Harry's eyes drifted to the boy next to Percy, who had placed his hand on Percy's shoulder now, and also had a small smile on his face. He looked towards the Stolls, who were laughing amongst each other. 

Was it real? Or had he imagined the whole thing?  

"Eager though I know all of you will be 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 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 slightly, for several people had made noises of outrage at these words, and the Weasley twins 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 Fred's and George's mutinous faces.