Through The Veil「 The Veil Trilogy Part Ⅱ 」✔

[05] A Very Moody Feast

Waking up entirely soaked in cold water is not a comfortable feeling whatsoever. And I hope I made my point very clear to the twins to never pull such a horrendous prank on me. Never ever again.

I'm pretty sure they'll remember that whenever they look at their faces in the mirror because the spell I had used to elongate their hair was not going to wear off easily. And they won't be able to chop it off so I won't have to worry about that either.

Between you and I, the spell was what James had once used on Lockhart just to stop him from flaunting his golden hair, and since I absolutely loved the effect, I had asked him to teach me.

The bad side of it all was that even though I had chosen to give them a godawful haircut, they still managed to rock it off. I wish they don't notice that anytime soon though.

The effect this morning had been great since they were genuinely horrified by their long locks so for the time being, it's safe to say that I've got an upper hand. I had been laughing so bad when I saw them covering their heads with their beanies vowing not to take them off until they got used to the haircut.

However, all pranks aside, we were gathered to go to King's Cross by Muggle taxi this time and Mum, Charlie and Bill accompanied us as Dad had to leave for the Ministry.

This year, Percy was not going to be with us at school and trust me, it felt weird. He wasn't there at breakfast either as he had left off for work early. I mean, yeah it's good to be so dedicated, but he should scrape some time off for family too.

"Kat! There you are," I spun around to be met with Angelina Johnson. We gave each other a well awaited long hug. It was then I spotted Katie jogging towards us. I must say that I've missed both of them a lot.

I beamed in delight, "it's so good to be with you guys again!"

Fred and George had been giving me murderous looks throughout but I chose to ignore them and boarded the Express with the girls to find a compartment.

After all, I can deal with the twins later. For now I had such a lot of chatter locked up inside of me waiting to be released soon as we found a place to get seated. The foremost topic being the chaos caused at the World Cup. 

And I bet they have a lot to say as well about not only the topic I mentioned earlier, but also about the secret formal occasion which was going to be held at Hogwarts this year, for which we were all required to bring dress robes.

***

Hogwarts was the same as ever, beautifully decorated for the start of term feast. All of us had settled down on our respective house tables, the prefects being the last to do so because we had to round up all the students and make sure no one sneaked out.

I unwillingly confiscated the stash of newly invented Weasley explosives from my brothers. Because even though it would have been great fun to start off this year with a massive prank, still during the last part of the train ride when we were attending a Prefects meeting, the Heads had told us that people from the Ministry would be at Hogwarts for some special event. 

And if my brothers cook up a ruckus in front of Ministry officials, then we'll all be in great trouble.

After the Sorting Ceremony, according to the tradition, Headmaster Dumbledore took his position on the Owl Lectern to give a few notices. First of all, he informed the students that Screaming Yo-yos, Fanged Frisbees, and Ever-Bashing Boomerangs had been added to the list of objects banned in the castle much to Fred and George's disappointment.

Then he went on to tell that the Forbidden Forest was off limits to all students while Hogsmeade was off limits to those under third year. We already knew the notices by heart, but seldom followed them. But, this once there was an addition in the list of notices.

"This year, the Quidditch Season will not take place," he announced. A lot of disappointed groans and protests ensued from the students, the loudest being those from the Gryffindor Table. The protests lasted for a few minutes until Professor Dumbledore held up his hand for silence. "Instead of the Quidditch season, a very important event..."

However his speech was interrupted when the doors to the Great Hall opened with a loud rumble of thunder. Just like some scene from a horror movie, all the students turned around to be met with what seemed like a horrifying sight. A man with a wooden leg and a bulging whizzing eye stepped in.

His face was covered in scars and he looked much disgruntled. His one large eye was sickeningly moving around in the socket as if immediately memorizing all the faces present there. Slowly but unmistakably, Professor Dumbledore greeted him and ushered him to the High Table, regardless of how intimidated the rest of the teachers were feeling.

"Students, please welcome your new Defense Professor; Alastor Moody!"

There was silence in the Hall for no one clapped, as an effect of still feeling intimidated. Only Professor Dumbledore and Hagrid gave him applause but they too stopped soon as they saw that no one had joined them.

I had heard that name before, Bill had once mentioned a Mad Eye Moody who was a senior Auror and held in quite great esteem by the wizardfolk.

Gradually the unnerving silence which had gripped the Hall diffused as Professor Dumbledore resumed his conversation. "As I was saying, this year Hogwarts is playing host to a historical and very prominent event in the Wizarding World; the Triwizard Tournament."

Interested whispers broke among the students. So this was the event the Head Girl was talking about. And are we supposed to wear dress robes in that tournament? I doubt so. The Headmaster continued to give us a brief history about the tournament, the three tasks and three contestants as well as the Goblet Of Fire which was going to choose the worthy candidates.

Sounds quite mysterious but intriguing at the same time.

Fred and George looked quite excited when Dumbledore mentioned the prize money though. One thousand galleons. And for them it meant a shop in Diagon Alley along with enough money left to spend on improving their merchandise.

Now I'm quite certain they would be the first ones to drop their names in the Goblet.

But tragically enough, their dreams were shattered when Percy's boss, Bartemius Crouch stepped up to inform us that it was a very deadly tournament even though a great many safety precautions had been taken for it. And he added that only those of age could participate in the tournament.

Which meant the three of us could not since there is still an year left.

Fred and George had faces worthy of snapping a photograph as they booed and had to leashed by Professor McGonagall. The reaction was even hilarious than what they had come up with in the morning on discovering their shoulder length hairstyles.

I didn't mind though. It only meant we were safe from the Deadly Tournament. For once, Percy would not have to worry about me getting stuck in this kind of trouble. Because according to him, I'm a magnet for trouble and danger. And if I had put my name in, I would definitely have gotten chosen.

But guess now I'm spared the trouble of worrying about it. Even though the twins are quite disappointed at losing such a great opportunity yet again.

***