For The Love of Pranks! I Love You!

Start of a New Year

Bill and Charlie come to see us off at the platform. I'm gonna miss my two favorite "brothers", not sure when we're going to get to see them again.

"I might be seeing you all sooner than you think." Charlie says, surprising the lot of us. Seems like I'm seeing them a lot sooner than I thought.

"Why?" Fred asks curiously.

"You'll see. Just don't tell Percy I mentioned it, it's classified information until the Ministry decides to release it after all." We all snigger at his impersonation of Percy, but it spikes all of our interests.

"Yeah I sort of wish I'd be back at Hogwarts this year." Bill says with a sly smirk. Why won't they tell us what's going on?!

"Why?" George whines, wanting to know.

"You're going to have an interesting year—" Bill explains before being cut off by Mrs. Weasley.

"Alright you lot. Better get going, this'll be an exciting year." She says shoving us all on the train, no more time to ask questions.

"Jeez, better not ask them to keep any secrets..." I mutter as we board the train.

"I wonder what's going to happen his year, that could be so secretive..?" George asks and we nod in agreement.

The train ride to school is a cheerful one of course. Then the rain began, dampening some spirits, but I love the rain, so it only made it better.

Soaking wet and laughing we get shuffled into the Great Hall, the boys almost slipping in the mud from messing around with Peeves.

We all take our normal seats talking about the Quidditch cup and who might take it this school year, then the topic of the Weasley family secret gets us talking too.

"Now that we're all fed, I must ask for your attention, while I give a few notices." Mostly thing we don't ever listen to;  the Forbidden Forest is off limits, some pranking gear is banned..psh. We don't fully tune in until;

"It is also my painful duty to inform you that the inter-house Quidditch Cup will not take place this year."

Some people lash out with loud oppositions, all except our team which has gone completely silent. No words leaving our mouths, too shocked to even utter a sound of disapproval.

"This is due to an event that will be starting in October, continuing through the school year, but I'm sure you'll all enjoy it immensely. I have the great pleasure of announcing that this year at Hogwarts—"

Dumbledore gets interrupted by the Great Hall doors banging open to reveal a highly disheveled Mad-Eye Moody.

"May I introduce our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher," Dumbledore announces smiling brightly. "Professor Moody."

"As I was saying, we have the honor of hosting a very exciting event, one that hasn't been held for over a century." Dumbledore pauses for dramatic emphasis.

"It is my great pleasure to inform you that the Triwizard Tournament will be taking place at Hogwarts this year."

"You're JOKING!" Fred exclaims, making our table laugh at his out burst.

"I'm not joking, Mr. Weasley—" we tuned out his explanation, to excited to listen. Can it really?

"—We have worked hard over the summer to ensure this time no champion will find themselves in mortal danger. The heads of Beauxbatons and Durmstrang will be arriving here soon , and selection will take place on Halloween.

"I'm going for it!" Fred says excitedly, a big grin crossing his face.

"Now! If you'll all please join me in welcoming lovely ladies of Beauxbatons Academy and their headmistress Madame Maxime."

Dumbledore announces starting a round of applause, as the giant double doors slam open. And in come a swarm of girls all dressed in powder blue uniforms, prancing around and releasing butterflies. Almost instantly, the boys are completely captivated. Us girls on the other hand, have a hard time keeping our eyes from rolling out of our heads.

With each release of butterflies they sigh in what they must think to be an attractive, sensual way. In reality they just make themselves look dumb... This should be interesting, all of the guys around us were very inthralled with watching these pretty French girls twirl around, while Ginny and I start poking fun at them.

"You know. You do that much better than they do.." I hear whispered lightly I almost missed it. I turn in my seat to find Fred staring intently  at me with an impish grin gracing his features.

"You think so?" I ask quirking my eyebrow.

"Mhmm. How about, as a welcome back thing, wanna head to the Black Lake tonight?" He says waggling his eyebrows at me, making me giggle.

"Why Fred Weasley. Are you suggesting we go out after hours on the first night back?"

"I think so. It's only fair since they're taking Quidditch away from us this year." He says with a smirk, a mischievous look in his eyes.

"What's life without a bit of risk?" His grin grows as Dumbledore makes another announcement.

"And now our friends from the north! Please welcome the proud sons of Durmstrang and their high master Igor Karkaroff!" He announces and a herd of giant, burly men come in causing Ron to gasp a couple seats down.

"Blimey its him! It's Viktor Krum!" He says in awe, as well as most of the student body.

We all giggle until a Ministry official, that we hadn't seen, stands up and the hall grows silent again.

"After much thought, the Ministry has decided for their own safety, no student under the age of seventeen can submit their name into the tri-wizard tournament."

"That's rubbish!" The twins yell in outrage.

"You don't know what you're doing!" George yells again.

"We're going to be seventeen in April! They can't do that!" Fred states pouting, and I pat his knee slightly, not responding due to Dumbledore commanding silence.

He reveals an elegant chalice containing a magnificent blue flame.

"The Goblet of Fire! Anyone wishing to submit themselves into the tournament, must put their name on a piece of parchment and simply drop it into the flame before mid-October. Do not do so lightly, because if chosen there is no going back. As of now, the Tri-Wizard Tournament has begun!"

**Hello! I'm sorry it's been so long!! I had such bad writers block and then family came in for holiday and I haven't had time to sneak away and write! Let me know what you think! I'm hoping to be able to make the Black Lake scene my entire next chapter. We'll see!!

Thank you again for reading I love you all! :)