The Girl Who Lived ~Book 2~

Chapter 6

Delaney's POV

It wasn't long after the head boy and girl announcement's that Dumbledore stood back up again. Taking his usual spot at the beautiful gold Owl podium, he waited. This man had so much patience, standing quietly as he waited for the student's to quiet down. I noticed him waiting, kicking George under the table to tell him to shut up; turning in my seat slightly, I faced the headmaster eager to see what he had to say. "I'd like to make an announcement.." Dumbledore started and you could tell he had captured the curiosity of the student body. He smiled slightly before continuing.

"...This castle will not only be your home this year, but home to some very special guests as well. You see, Hogwarts has been chosen.." Dumbledore trailed off upon noticing Mr Filch run up to him, whispering something into his ear. The headmaster nodded and Filch ran off once more. Dumbledore cleared his throat before continuing his announcement. "As I was saying, Hogwarts has been chosen to host a legendary event; The Tri-wizard Tournament." The collective gasps that filled the Great Hall were brilliant. You could feel the excitement spread across the room; student's chatting to each other about the tournament. My eye widened and I turned my head, looking at Fred. The joy on his face and the mischievous look he threw towards his twin brother made me chuckle, shaking my head as I glanced as Makiah. She and I had similar thoughts, knowing exactly what our read-haired lovers would be up too. Dumbledore raised his hand and the talking stopped, everyone paying attention once more.

"For those of you who don't know; The Tri-wizard Tournament brings together three schools for a series of magical contests. From each school, a single student is selected to compete... but let me be clear; if chosen, you stand alone. And trust me when I say, these contests are not for the fainthearted." The great hall remained silent, a slight realization hitting some of the older student. Dumbledore shook his head. "But more of that later... for now, please join me in welcoming the lovely ladies of Beauxbatons Academy of Magic, and their headmaster Madame Maxine." Once Dumbledore finished speaking, the door opened and everyone turned their heads, looking at the beautiful girls in blue float their way in.

These girls has always amazed me... heck, I used to be once of them. But I was never as graceful as the rest of them. They looked like angels, fluttering in and entertaining us all with their little dance. I noticed some of the boys around the room just staring, love sick looks across all their faces. Chuckling, I went back to watching the girls from Beauxbatons, spotting one of my old friends, Fleur Delacour with her little sister Gabriella in toe. Where there was one, you'd always find the other. Gabriella spotted me as she walked pasted, waving excitedly. A bright smile spread across my face and I waved back, making a mental note to stop by their rooms later to say hi and catch up. The girls from Beauxbatons took their seats and Dumbledore continued talking.

"And now our friends from the North; please greet the proud sons of Durmstrang Institute and their headmaster, Igor Karkaroff." Our attention was once again focused upon the doors. Durmstrang started making their entrance, sparks flying from the ends of their wooden sticks. Ron gasped, pulling my attention away from the burly boys and I raised an eyebrows at him. "Blimey! It's him... It's Viktor Krum!" He whispered yelled and the group of students who turned to look at Ron were now looking back at the Durmstrang students and sure enough, Viktor Krum entered the room alongside his headmaster Igor Karkaroff. Gasps filled the room once more as other Hogwarts students noticed him. Durmstrang student didn't speak much as they sat down at their allocated table.

After all the excitement, the food finally popped up on the table and everyone started filling their plates, eating as much as they possibly can as if food was going out of fashion. I laughed at George stuffing his face and Makiah's disgusted look on her face. I felt a light tap on my shoulder and turned to face my boyfriend. Fred held out a spoonful of chocolate fudge pudding. He gestured for me to eat it and I couldn't help but playfully roll my eyes as I ate the delicious treat. "Hmm, my favorite." I said and he smiled, going back to eating his food. Dumbledore called for our attention once more, the great hall

"Your attention please, Id like to say a few words, Eternal Glory. That is what awaits the student who wins the Triwizard Tournament . But to do this, that student must survive three tasks. Three extremely dangerous tasks. For this reason, the ministry has chose to impose a new rule. To explain all this, we have Mr Bartemius Crouch." Dumbledore said and the ceiling starts to go crazy; thunder crashing, sparks flying. Someone gets out their wand and a bunch of red light shoots out of it and it controls the ceiling and everyone looks towards the door behind the teachers table. There stands Alastor Moody.

"Bloody hell. Its Mad-eye Moody" Ron says, a shocked looked on his face. Hermione furrowed her eyebrows and looks at Ron and then towards Moody. "Alastor Moody? The Auror?" Hermione asked, looking around at the group once more. The group looked towards Mad-Eye and I couldn't help but chuckle. "Dark wizard catcher. Half the cells in Azkaban are filled thanks to him. Hes said to be mad as a hatter... though these day's it's hard to tell." I say, sipping my glass of water as we watched on as Mad-Eye walked towards Dumbledore.

"My dear old friend, thanks for coming." Dumbledore says, shaking his hand. He shook back and muttered something about the stupid ceiling before taking a place in the corner of the room. I tilted my head as he pulled out a little vile and look a sip from it. Hmm. "What do you suppose his drinking?" Seamus asks and everyone's attention moved towards Mad-Eye. "I don't know," I started, narrowing my eyes a bit trying to get a better look. "But I don't think it's pumpkin juice." I finished as the headmaster called for everyone's attention once more. The Great Hall fell silent as we waited for Crouch to speak.

"After due consideration, the Ministry has concluded for your own safety, that no Witch or Wizard under the age of 17, shall be allowed to put forth their name for the Triwizard Tournament. This decision is final." Crouch said and the noise level in the hall rose greatly, most of the yelling coming from Fred and George.  "Thats rubbish! You dont know what your doing!" Fred yelled out and I threw my hand over his mouth to shut up him as George started yelling; Makiah rolled her eyes and did the same thing to him.

"SILENCE!" Dumbledore roared and the commotion came to a halt. "The Goblet of Fire. Anyone wishing to submit themselves for the tournament, will place their name in this goblet before this hour next Thursday night. If chosen there is not turning back. As from this moment, The Triwizard Tournament has begun!" Dumbledore stated and after much chatter, the students resumed their dinner.

After everyone finished eating Dumbledore stepped forward again. "Hogwarts, let us entertain our friends in the best way we can. All stand" He says and everyone stands up at the same time. Scary.

"After 3..... 1.....2...3"

"Hogwarts, Hogwarts, hoggy warty Hogwarts,

Teach us something please,

Whether we be old and bald,

Or young with scabby knees,

Our heads could do with filling,

With some interesting stuff,

For now they're bare and full of air,

Dead flies and bits of fluff,

So teach us things worth knowing,

Bring back what we've forgot,

Just do your best, we'll do the rest,

And learn until our brains all rot"

Everyone sings at different times, speed and beats and I couldn't help but laugh. What a wonderful start-of-term feast.

{EDITED 2020}