Harry Potter and the Hidden Treasure (Volume 3)

Chapter 508 The Long-awaited Return To Hogwarts Castle

"As you know, at the end of the last semester, Dumbledore took me to Beauxbatons. It took some time to return to England with the Beauxbatons' headmistress, Madame Maxime, to discuss the matter," Evan explained. "It was also at that moment that I learned Hogwarts was about to host the Triwizard Tournament, a traditional event organized by the three major magical schools in Europe..."

"Wait, I remember this!" Hermione suddenly interjected. "I read about it in the book 'An Appreciation of Magical Education in Europe.' The Triwizard Tournament was first established about seven hundred years ago as a friendly competition between the three major schools in Europe: Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Beauxbatons Academy of Magic, and Durmstrang Institute. A champion was chosen to represent each school, and the three champions would then compete in three magical tasks. Held every five years, the competition would rotate among the schools. It was seen as an excellent way to foster friendship among young witches and wizards from different countries."

"Every five years!?" exclaimed Ron in astonishment. "I never knew that Bill, Charlie, and Percy had seen such a game, let alone been to the other two magical schools."

"Given that the Triwizard Tournament was interrupted for centuries, I can't believe they are going to reinstate it," Hermione remarked.

Then, the four of them began to discuss various details about the Triwizard Tournament.

The sudden excitement and joy diluted Malfoy's unhappiness, and even Ron's mood improved.

Of course, both Harry and Ron desired to be champions of Hogwarts; Hermione was the only one who considered it potentially dangerous.

The rain intensified as the train moved northward. The sky was so dark, and the windows so fogged, that lanterns were lit at noon.

The lunch trolley clattered down the corridor, and Evan and Harry bought plenty of cakes and snacks.

In the afternoon, people began to flood the compartment.

Most came to see Evan, all aware of his exploits at the Quidditch World Cup.

For a moment, the small compartment was crammed with people. Evan recognized some and others he did not. Nearly all young witches and wizards gathered around him.

They talked endlessly to Evan about the magic he had cast and the attacks at the World Cup. Hermione, tired of it, immersed herself once again in the Standard Book of Spells, Grade 4, attempting to learn a Summoning Charm.

By the time Evan finally managed to send Colin away, the train was on the verge of reaching Hogwarts.

As soon as they changed into their school robes, the train doors opened, and thunderous noise was heard overhead.

The young witches and wizards left the train one by one, heads down, eyes squinting against the downpour. The rain now fell so dense and fast that it was as if buckets of icy water were repeatedly emptied over their heads.

"Hagrid!" Harry shouted, spotting a giant silhouette at the end of the platform.

Behind Harry, Evan, Ron, and Hermione also hurried to greet him.

"Hello!" growled Hagrid, waving. "See you at the feast if we don't drown!"

First-years traditionally arrived at Hogwarts Castle by crossing the lake with Hagrid.

Evan watched as Hagrid gathered some very young children by his side and led them towards the dark lake.

Since in their first year he, Harry, and Ron had arrived flying in a car, they had not experienced this tradition.

"Oh, I wouldn't fancy crossing the lake in this weather," Hermione said fervently, shivering as they slowly made their way along the dark platform with the rest of the crowd.

One hundred horseless carriages were awaiting them outside the station.

Evan, Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Neville gratefully boarded one of them and felt relieved.

The door slammed shut, and moments later, with a great jolt, the long procession of carriages began to rumble and splash uphill towards Hogwarts Castle.

Through the gates, flanked by statues of winged boars, and up the winding path, the carriages creaked precariously in what was quickly turning into a gale.

Ten minutes later, the immense outline of Hogwarts Castle loomed in the darkness, its numerous illuminated windows blurry and bright behind the thick curtain of rain.

A lightning bolt lit up the sky as their carriage came to a stop in front of the imposing oak doors, towering atop a stone staircase.

The occupants of carriages ahead were already rushing up the stone steps towards the castle.

Evan, Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Neville jumped out of the carriage and hurried up the steps, not looking up until they were safely inside the spacious torch-lit entrance hall with its magnificent marble staircase. Everything felt so familiar and welcoming.

"By Merlin," Ron exclaimed, shaking his head and soaking everything in his path, "if this keeps up, the lake will overflow. I'm soaked... ARGHH!"

A large red water-filled balloon fell from the ceiling onto Ron's head and burst.

Drenched and spitting water, Ron stumbled sideways, colliding with Harry.

"Watch out!" Evan hastily said, grabbing Hermione.

Hermione slipped, her body falling onto Evan, just as a second water bomb fell, narrowly missing Hermione, exploding at her feet.

People around them screamed and pushed, trying to avoid getting hit.

Evan looked up and saw Peeves the Poltergeist floating twenty feet above them, a mischievous figure with a bell-covered hat and an orange bowtie.

He made a nasty face at Evan, taking aim, while his wide malicious face twisted in concentration.

Before he could release the balloon in his hand, Evan whipped out his wand as quick as lightning.

The water-filled balloon didn't fall but floated alongside Peeves.

With a bang, the balloon exploded, icy water splashing the ghost without a drop hitting the ground.

Then, all the other balloons near Peeves popped one after another.

Peeves was left drenched. He was the only ghost at Hogwarts whose essence could be affected.

"Damn you, Evan brat!" Peeves yelled and vanished deep into the hallway.

Behind them, young wizards whispered and applauded Evan.

Evan was already quite famous at Hogwarts, but since the Quidditch World Cup, his reputation had clearly reached a new height.

Everyone seemed particularly expectant and admiring of his performances, acknowledging that Evan had become the most powerful young wizard at Hogwarts.