Sophia Brandt and the Brooch of Isolt Sayre

The Quadrennial Magic Championships

AN: Thank you so much @PinkChiffon for voting on my first few chapters! You were one of my first readers and I really hope you're still reading!

Sophia and the other students were ushered down to the main floor, then towards the Dining Hall. As she walked across the greens, she realized that Ilvermorny hadn't changed a bit in her absence: the lawns were a vibrant green, surrounded by the stone walls of the castle. And once she stepped into the Dining Hall, she was surrounded by a bright, warm light, and a cheerful feeling.

She and her friends found a table quickly enough, but Sophia didn't stay there for long--she had so many other friends she wanted to catch up with, like Colette and Maia from her Thunderbird dormitory. She chatted animatedly with them about their summers until Professor Sandrina suddenly cut the silence with an airhorn noise that quieted the room.

"Thank you," she said, putting her wand away. "Now that I have your attention, I'd ask you all to return to your seats. The first years will be here shortly, and I'm sure you'd like to get this over with as soon as possible so the feast may begin."

"Hear, hear!" Someone shouted, and Sophia smiled to herself when she recognized it as Michael Black's.

Sophia quickly went back to her seat in between her two friends, although they hadn't left her much space. Still, she couldn't think of anywhere else she'd rather be squished. She was back at Ilvermorny, with her friends.

The doors of the Dining Hall burst open, and Sophia watched the eager-eyed first years pour into the room, all chatting happily about their new wands and houses. She felt so old looking at them: they were in the exact spot she had been in a year ago.

A few minutes later, once all the first years had found seats, Headmistress Calderon-Boot descended the staircase to find her natural spot at the podium. She looked around at everyone, perhaps a moment longer at Rosie, then smiled.

"Welcome, new students. And welcome back to all returning students, faculty, and stall. I'm proud to usher in the 2016 school year," she said, "which will be an exciting one."

"But first, some bad news: this year, the annual Wizard Cup has been cancelled to make way for another competition."

Sophia's expression wavered a little. How could there be no Wizard Cup? She shared a look with Callum, and knew he was thinking exactly the same thing. They had been thinking about it all summer, but suddenly, it was just gone?

"Although I'm sure many of our younger students may not recognize the competition, our older students will all remember the year of 2012, in which four of our brightest students traveled to compete with those selected from the Wizarding schools of Mahoutokoro and Castelobruxo in the Quadrennial Magical Championships." Headmistress Calderon-Boot smiled at the students in front of her. "This is one of our most cherished traditions in the western Wizarding world: to meet and compete with other witches and wizards."

"Now, I'm sure most of the older students remember the 2012 championships held at Mahoutokoro," she said. And, upon hearing grumbles, she pursed her lips together. "To those of you who weren't here, our Ilvermorny team was defeated in the quidditch match by the Mahoutokoro team, who went on to win the championships. I hope you're all itching to defeat them this time around."

Sophia looked around excitedly to see the Ilvermorny students around her start cheering, standing up in their seats and shouting. She joined in the cheer, swept up in the Ilvermorny pride.

"Good!" Headmistress Calderon-Boot said once the cheers died down. "However, you must do so with dignity. The 2016 Quadrennial Magical Championships will be held here at Ilvermorny, and we must all remember that we are representing our school. I will not tolerate any bad sportsmanship."

Sophia elbowed Callum to get his attention. "How do they decide who competes?"

"It's almost always sixth and seventh years," he said, frowning. "We've got no chance."

Sophia's spirits sank, until she thought about where they'd be in four years. "In 2020, we'll be in our sixth year! Maybe we can compete in the next championships."

Callum shrugged. "Maybe?"

"Now, I'm sure you've all had enough of the announcements," the Headmistress said. "Let us have a good and spirited year at Ilvermorny. Enjoy!"

The Pukwudgies came streaming out of the side doors, carrying trays of dinner. Within minutes, Sophia was scooping roasted potatoes onto her plate, and drinking the Ilvermorny apple cider that she'd missed so much. Although most of what she'd missed was her friends and teachers, she couldn't deny that the food they ate at Ilvermorny was also part of it.

"Aren't you two upset that they cancelled the Wizard Cup?" Rosie asked, looking at Callum and Sophia.

Sophia's mouth was entirely stuffed with food, so Callum answered. "Nah. This is just as cool as the Wizard Cup, if not cooler. I hear that the wizards who come from Mahoutokoro are the best quidditch players in the world."

"Of course," Rosie responded, rolling her eyes, "all you care about is quidditch."

Sophia, however, realized that she was excited about the competition for different reasons. Although she wouldn't be competing this year, she was excited to see who would be representing Ilvermorny: maybe Grace, Noah's oldest sister, or Michael, Callum's crazy older brother. And, she'd get to meet wizards from other Wizarding schools.

A month ago, she'd imagined her second year at Ilvermorny to be many things, but so far, it was turning out to be so, so much better.