The Cupboard Series 4: The Fourth School

Chapter 13

"We'll need to pick the flowers and fruit of the rue bush within the next couple of days," Neville was saying as he walked into the dining room.

Beside him, Jaxom, the stocky house elf in charge of the greenhouses, nodded sagely. "The day after tomorrow would be best, but it can probably wait until Tuesday. It can be the lesson for the day."

As Neville pulled out his chair to sit, Jaxom gave a brief nod to the room before popping away.

"Morning, Neville," Harry greeted. "I thought you were still in bed."

"Nah, been out with Jaxom in Greenhouse One the last couple of hours," Neville replied. "That elf sure knows his plants."

"That's why I hired him," Harry smiled.

Movement from the head of the table drew Harry's eye and he turned to see Headmistress McGonagall standing at her place, her hands resting on the tabletop.

"Now that you are all here," she began, "I have an announcement to make."

Harry straightened slightly in his chair even as he shared a look with those around him. Neville and Colin only looked slightly interested, while Hermione, Daphne and Fiona all looked to be intensely staring at their Headmistress. Luna, on the other hand, seemed to find something outside the window of more interest.

"Yesterday, I received an invitation for our school to attend the TriWizard Tournament," Headmistress McGonagall announced.

"The TriWizard Tournament," she continued, "is a contest held between the three largest magic schools in Europe: Hogwarts, Beauxbatons Academie of Magic and The Durmstrang Institute. Each school is represented by a single Champion who competes in three tasks which test their bravery, courage, ingenuity, intelligence, and of course, their magical ability. The winner is generally awarded a trophy and a sum of money and the winning school gains significant notoriety."

Neville's hand rose uncertainly and, at the Headmistress' nod, he nervously voiced the question that had his face so puzzled.

"I didn't think the TriWizard Tournament happened anymore."

"You're correct, Mister Longbottom, in that the TriWizard Tournament hasn't been held for quite a number of centuries," Headmistress McGonagall replied. "However, traditionally, it was held every six years."

"If it's for the three largest schools, then why were we invited?" Susan asked.

"We've been invited to watch," Headmistress McGonagall replied. "None of you need have any fear that any of you will be competing. The Ministry has added a new rule with this revival of the Tournament – that only those of legal age, that is to say, at least the age of seventeen, will be permitted to even enter their names, let alone compete. Our involvement will strictly be as part of the audience."

Harry's eyes narrowed slightly. The instant that Minerva had mentioned Hogwarts, the hairs on the back of his neck had risen and he'd felt his body tense as though either ready to fight or to flee.

"So we'd only be going to watch three events?" he clarified.

Headmistress McGonagall nodded. "Yes, along with the Choosing of the Champions and the Yule Ball, which you should all enjoy."

At the mention of a ball, the girls around the table all began grinning while several of them quickly bent their heads together causing a susurration to break out around the room.

Ignoring the girls, Harry kept his narrowed eyes focussed on Minerva. "And where will this Tournament be happening?"

"The Tournament is being hosted by Hogwarts," she said, confirming the dreaded feeling that had already settled into the pit of his stomach.