The Girl Who Was Forgotten

Chapter 19.

Chapter 19.

Magnolia was sat at the Slytherin table in the Great Hall, between Daphne and Malfoy with Pansy and Tracey sat opposite them next to Theo and Blaise. They had just finished eating, Magnolia had felt Malfoy's eyes on her as she ate. Professor Dumbledore was giving the school the usual start of term announcements.

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

"What!?"

"No!"

"You can't do that!"

The table around Magnolia had erupted at the announcement, Magnolia could see the appalled faces of the Slytherin team members that were near her.

"This is due to an event that will be starting in October, and continuing through the school year, taking up much of the teachers time and energy. I am sure you will enjoy it immensely. I have the great pleasure in announcing that this year at Hogwarts-"

The Headmaster was interrupted by a clap of thunder and lightning that shot across the ceiling of the Great Hall making Magnolia jump. The door to the Great Hall banged open at the same time and Magnolia looked over to see a man holding a large cane and wearing a cloak.

Lightning flashed across the ceiling again as the man began to walk through the Great Hall towards the teachers table. Magnolia shivered as the man looked towards her, and felt an arm wrap protectively around her waist pulling her close to the warm body next to her.

The man made Magnolia feel uncomfortable, his face was scarred and one of his eyes was bright blue and moved around independently of the other. That eye seemed to rest on Magnolia, and she recoiled from its gaze as Malfoy's arm tightened around her waist. She glanced at Malfoy who was glaring at the strange man.

"May I introduce our new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher, Professor Moody."

Magnolia gawked at her new Professor. This was the man that Mr Weasley and Mr Diggory were talking about that morning. No wonder people called him Mad-Eye. She watched as he stepped behind the teachers table and sat next to Snape, his bright blue eye seemed to linger on Magnolia.

"As I was saying," Professor Dumbledore continued, "we have the honour of hosting a very exciting event over the coming months, an event which has not been held for over a century. It is my great pleasure to inform you that the Triwizard Tournament will be taking place at Hogwarts this year."

"You're joking!"

Fred's overexcited voice broke through the Great Hall, diminishing the tense atmosphere that had hung over the students since Moody's arrival. Magnolia and Malfoy glanced at each other, shifting apart and Malfoy retracted his arm quickly.

Professor Dumbledore continued, telling the school about the Triwizard Tournament and how it will be run at Hogwarts. Magnolia remembered girls at the Quidditch World Cup talking about Beauxbatons, one of the schools that would be joining Hogwarts along with Durmstrang.

Magnolia was glad when the students were excused, and she was back in her Dorm room with Kaida and her friends. Moody's appearance had shaken Magnolia, and she was sure that a lot of others were feeing the same; Pansy had been quiet since Moody had arrived.

"What do you girls think of Moody?" Magnolia asked.

"Cree-py." Daphne sang.

"Defence is definitely not going to be my favourite class this year." Tracey agreed.

Magnolia nodded and looked over to Pansy who was sat on her bed, reading a book, and scowling.

"Pans, are you ok?"