SABAISM | H. POTTER

SIX | COMPETITION IN MORE WAYS THAN ONE

The Gryffindor's descended to breakfast on the dawn of the thirtieth of October, uncovering that the Great Hall had been converted overnight. Colossal taffeta streamers adorned the walls, each portraying a Hogwarts House: a vibrant scarlet emblazoned with a regal gilded lion for Gryffindor, a deep cobalt adorned with a striking bronze eagle for Ravenclaw, a warm canary showcasing an audacious ebony badger for Hufflepuff, and an opulent verdant ornamented with a glistening argent serpent for Slytherin. Behind the teachers' table, the grandest banner of all exhibited the Hogwarts coat of arms: lion, eagle, badger, and snake united around a conspicuous letter H.

Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Draco—who was bearing a still-drowsy Gemini on his back—fixed themselves adjacent to Fred and George at the Gryffindor table. The twins, atypically isolated far from the rest of the pupils, were absorbed in a quieted conversation.

"It's truly a bummer, isn't it?" George lamented dismally to Fred as the younger Gryffindors settled around them. "But if he refuses to speak to us face-to-face, we'll have to transmit him a letter after all. Or perhaps we'll just thrust it into his hand. He can't evade us forever."

"Who's avoiding you?" Ron interjected as he daringly perched in-between the elder Weasleys.

"I wish you would," Fred rejoined, vexation gliding within his pitch, though he softened his expression with a tender smile directed at Draco, who was meticulously situating a disoriented Gemini down to settle alongside her brother.

"What's a bummer?" Ron barreled on, now glimpsing at George.

"Having a nosy git like you for a brother," George retorted, a smirk playing on his lips.

"Have you two thought of any schemes regarding the Triwizard Tournament yet?" Harry queried, keen to disseminate the increasing tension. "Have you considered entering?" — The impish Weasley twins had been on a frenzy, much like Gemini, about being barred from playing Quidditch this year. However, they had determined to examine alternative avenues and devise a loophole to participate in the tournament despite the age restrictions. They evidently required some format of obtaining a manner of releasing their brimming energy. 

"I asked McGonagall how the champions are chosen, but she wouldn't divulge anything," Fred acerbically acknowledged; prolonging, "She merely told me to be silent and focus on transfiguring my raccoon."

"And she'd be entirely justified in saying that, my dear," Draco admonished, upraising one perfectly plucked eyebrow at Fred's reprimanded countenance; persisting, "And in addition to that, I have no intention of emerging as a widow at the tender age of fourteen."

Fred spluttered in unexpectedness; it was infrequent for Draco to display such candidness in public of his expectations of their relationship. "My Angel —."

"I wonder what the tasks will entail," Ron mused thoughtfully; disconcerting his brother's incredulity, "You know, I bet we could manage them, Gem. We've faced perilous situations before..."

"Not in front of a panel of judges, you haven't," Draco interjected, his disapproval evident at the thought of his sister also being entangled in something so perilous, "I've noted McGonagall stating that the champions are awarded points based on their performance in the tasks."

"Who comprises the judging panel?" George inquired, curiosity piqued.

"Well, the Heads of the participating schools are always included on the panel," Hermione interposed, prompting taken aback glances from the others. "All three of them were injured during the Tournament of 1792 when a cockatrice, which the champions were supposed to capture, went on a rampage." Noticing the deepening of their astonished expressions, Hermione continued with an air of customary impatience, "It's all documented in 'Hogwarts: A History'. — Though, of course, that book isn't entirely reliable. A 'Revised History of Hogwarts' would be a more accurate title. Or perhaps 'A Highly Biased and Selective History of Hogwarts, Which Glosses Over the Nastier Aspects of the School'."