Voldermort's Grand-Daughter: Fates' Wager

Chapter 47: The Announcement

With their newfound knowledge, the group all make their way back into Hogwarts, sitting at their respective house tables for the sorting of the new First Years.

Unbeknownst to Lilith, Draco has had to send some glares towards the other boys in their year - and even some of the older ones - who have been eyeing Lilith since they got off the train.

Not that he can fully blame them, she is quite beautiful and her appearance only improved over the break. She has taken a liking to curling her hair a little like she did for the game, now adding two small braids on one side of her head that wrap around. She also has this new confidence that Luna says she auras nowadays.

Blaise and Theo had definitely noticed their friend's possessiveness and will certainly not use it for blackmail later. What kind of friends do you take them for?

After the ceremony was completed, the headmaster had a special announcement to make, "Mr Filch, our beloved caretaker, had informed me that the list of objects forbidden within the castle now includes Screaming Yo-Yos, Fanged Frisbees and Ever-Bashing Boomerangs".

Lilith smirks as she looks towards the Gryffindor table and sees Fred and George high-fiving each other with pride.

Dumbeldore continues, "The full list comprises some four hundred and thirty-seven items and may be viewed in Mr Filch's office".

Daphne shakes her head, "I swear those two could open up their own store one day with that amount of items".

"Now. There is, apparently, a rather nasty rumour flying about the school that Quidditch will not be played this year. That rumour, I'm here to tell you...is absolutely true".

The Great Hall erupts in indignation, Lilith and Draco being the only ones who were already privy to this information.

Dumbledore smiles in amusement, "There is an explanation. You see, Hogwarts will this year play host to a legendary event. An event that has not taken place in over a hundred years...The Triwizard Tournament!".

Murmurs are heard across the hall, most out of excitement for the event. Lilith turns towards the Professor's table to see her father shaking his head in disapprovement. Severus locks eyes with her and lets out a big sigh, Lilith knowing what it means.

Fred shouts out, "You're joking!".

Dumbledore smirks, "I am not joking, Mr Weasley. For those of you who do not know, the Triwizard Tournament originally conceived some seven centuries ago as a way for the three largest European wizardry schools to engage in a series of magical contests while their respective student bodies experience the benefits of cross-cultural social intercourse".

Theo and Blaise snicker and Pansy hits them both upside the head, "Oh, grow up".

"Unfortunately, due to a distressingly high death toll, the Tournament was cancelled...until now".

Lilith sighs, "This can only end badly".

"Tomorrow, delegations from the Beauxbatons Academy of Magical Arts and the Durmstrang School of Wizardry will journey to Hogwarts. This year, our home will be their home. I ask only that you endeavour to make it a happy one".

Once dinner was over, everyone made their way back to their common rooms. Lilith was angrily walking at the front of the group with the new Slytherin Prefects and Head Girl, who was also a Slytherin.

Lilith rubs her temples as she walks, "This is absolutely ridiculous. I cannot believe he actually got away with this...deathtrap. He even admitted it himself".

Alex, the Head Girl, shakes her head, "Trust me, no one in any influential role is happy about this decision. But believe me, Lil, he was worse before you came here".

Draco squints, "I'm sorry, worse?".

She nods, "Yep. Before you came along, Professor Snape was the only one to ever really question and challenge his decisions, but even then it wasn't enough".

The group stops in front of Salazar's portrait and Lilith asks, "In what way?".

Salazar awakens and responds, "Let's just say, my dear, he got away with a lot more than just the tournament".

Lilith lets out a big sigh and turns to the Slytherins, "Under no circumstances are any one of you to enter that tournament. It is my mission to protect my snakes". She turns to the Prefects, "Not just my babies".

They all nod, "As you wish, Lilith".