Chapter 85: Triwizard Tournament

"Hey do you've a seat for one?" Chris asked Luna as she stood beside her.

Luna startled, looked at her.

"Make it two." Ginny said coming beside Chris.

"Why did you came?" Chris asked.

"You see, you're not the only one who was angry with Hermione." Ginny said rolling her eyes. "Colin was also trying to follow you but I asked him to stay with Dennis."

"Sit and tell me what happened?" Luna asked making room for both of them. She asked the girls beside her to shift a little and Ginny and Chris sat on their table.

"We had a fight with Hermione." Ginny said without waiting.

"Preciously, I had a fight with Hermione." Chris replied.

"About?" Luna asked seriously. "I mean, everyone knows, she is a little stubborn but it's not like Chris to lose her temper."

"Oh she didn't. She snapped at her as calmly as possible." Ginny said rolling her eyes again.

Chris sighed as Ginny explained the rest of the story about Divination and House-elves. Chris only now realized why she get so angry after hearing Hermione. When Hermione said she's not intelligent or sympathetic enough, Chris remembered that cold voice, which told her to go back as she doesn't belong there. 'I deserve this world. I'm a freaking witch. I belong here.' Chris repeated in her mind.

The rain was still drumming heavily against the high, dark glass. Another clap of thunder shook the windows, and the stormy ceiling flashed, illuminating the golden plates as the remains of the first course vanished and were replaced, instantly, with puddings.

"Have some." Luna said with a bright smile as she noticed Chris's gloomy face.

Chris nodded and instantly changed her expression, 'I can't let a creepy cold voice get in my way. I'm better than that.' And with a determined smile she started to eat the ice-creams.

"Are you talking about Hermione Granger?" A dark, long haired girl, who was sitting opposite to them, asked.

"Yeah." Ginny replied. "Why?"

"Oh I know her. My twin sister is her roommate. Even she doesn't like her that much." She replied.

"Your twin sister is in Gryffindor?" Chris asked.

"Yes. Well she prefers bravery and I prefer intelligence. Like that we're different but we both believe in doing the right thing so we're also kind of same." She said smiling. "Oh I forgot to introduce myself, I'm Padma Patil."

"O you're sister is Parvati Patil, right?" Ginny said. "I've seen her few times. Nice to meet you Padma. I'm Ginny Weasley."

"Yeah nice to meet you. I'm Christina Norton." Chris said finishing her ice-cream.

"Yeah I know. You both are Gryffindor Chasers. I've seen the matches last year." Padma replied.

Just then the pudding also vanished, and Albus Dumbledore got to his feet again. The buzz of chatter filling the Hall ceased almost at once, so that only the howling wind and pounding rain could be heard.

"So!" said Dumbledore, smiling around at them all. "Now that we are all fed and watered, I must once more ask for your attention, while I give out a few notices. Mr. Filch, the caretaker, has asked me to tell you that the list of objects forbidden inside the castle has this year been extended to include Screaming Yo-yos, Fanged Frisbees, and Ever-Bashing Boomerangs. The full list comprises some four hundred and thirty-seven items, I believe, and can be viewed in Mr. Filch's office, if anybody would like to check it."

"Every year Fred and George check it so they could bring more of those things." Ginny said grinning.

Chris and Luna laughed, as the corners of Dumbledore's mouth twitched. He continued, "As ever, I would like to remind you all that the forest on the grounds is out-of-bounds to students, as is the village of Hogs­ meade to all below third year. It is also my painful duty to inform you that the Inter-House Quidditch Cup will not take place this year."

Chris and Ginny both looked shocked as they looked back the Gryffindor table, where the other team members, Fred, George and Angelina were also looked surprised. On the Ravenclaw table few students were mouthing soundlessly at Dumbledore, apparently too appalled to speak. Dumbledore went on, "This is due to an event that will be starting in October, and continuing throughout the school year, taking up much of the teachers' time and energy — but I am sure you will all enjoy it immensely. I have great pleasure in announcing that this year at Hogwarts —"

But at that moment, there was a deafening rumble of thunder and the doors of the Great Hall banged open.

A man stood in the doorway, leaning upon a long staff, shrouded in a black traveling cloak. Every head in the Great Hall swiveled toward the stranger, suddenly brightly illuminated by a fork of lightning that flashed across the ceiling. He lowered his hood, shook out a long mane of grizzled, dark gray hair, then be­gan to walk up toward the teachers' table.

A dull clunk echoed through the Hall on his every other step. He reached the end of the top table, turned right, and limped heavily toward Dumbledore. Another flash of lightning crossed the ceiling. Padma gasped.

The lightning had thrown the man's face into sharp relief, and it was a face unlike any Chris had ever seen. It looked as though it had been carved out of weathered wood by someone who had only the vaguest idea of what human faces are supposed to look like, and was none too skilled with a chisel. Every inch of skin seemed to be scarred. The mouth looked like a diagonal gash, and a large chunk of the nose was missing. But it was the man's eyes that made him frightening.

One of them was small, dark, and beady. The other was large, round as a coin, and a vivid, electric blue. The blue eye was moving ceaselessly, without blinking, and was rolling up, down, and from side to side, quite independently of the normal eye — and then it rolled right over, pointing into the back of the man's head, so that all they could see was whiteness.

"Mad-Eye!" Chris whispered as she remembered Mr Diggory and Mr Weasley's conversation.

"What?" Luna asked.

"I think that's the Mad-Eye Moody, Ginny's parents were talking about this morning." Chris replied.

The stranger sat down, shook his mane of dark gray hair out of his face, pulled a plate of sausages toward him, raised it to what was left of his nose, and sniffed it.

"And he was about to start his first job today which is..." Chris added.

"Our DADA professor." Ginny completed.

The man took a small knife out of his pocket, speared a sausage on the end of it, and began to eat. His normal eye was fixed upon the sausages, but the blue eye was still darting restlessly around in its socket, taking in the Hall and the students.

"And he literally have a Mad Eye." Chris said still looking at him.

"May I introduce our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher?" said Dumbledore brightly into the silence. "Professor Moody."

"Mad-Eye Moody. You were right." Luna squealed.

It was usual for new staff members to be greeted with applause, but none of the staff or students clapped except Dumbledore and Hagrid, who both put their hands together and applauded. Chris looked around and then, clapped, Ginny and Luna joined her and soon the entire Ravenclaw table clapped still staring at Mad-Eye. Few other students clapped from other tables and Professor Dumbledore gave a smile looking at Chris, she smiled back.

Moody seemed totally indifferent to his this warm wel­come. Ignoring the jug of pumpkin juice in front of him, he reached again into his traveling cloak, pulled out a hip flask, and took a long draught from it. As he lifted his arm to drink, his cloak was pulled a few inches from the ground, and Chris saw, below the table, several inches of carved wooden leg, ending in a clawed foot.

Dumbledore cleared his throat.

"As I was saying," he said, smiling at the sea of students before him, all of whom were still gazing transfixed at Mad-Eye Moody, "we are to have the honor of hosting a very exciting event over the coming months, an event that has not been held for over a century. It is my very great pleasure to inform you that the Triwizard Tour­nament will be taking place at Hogwarts this year."

"You're JOKING!" said Fred Weasley from Gryffindor table loudly.

The tension that had filled the Hall ever since Moody's arrival suddenly broke. Nearly everyone laughed, and Dumbledore chuck­led appreciatively.

"I am not joking, Mr. Weasley," he said, "though now that you mention it, I did hear an excellent one over the summer about a troll, a hag, and a leprechaun who all go into a bar …"

Professor McGonagall cleared her throat loudly and Chris chuckled.

"Er — but maybe this is not the time … no …" said Dumble­dore, "where was I? Ah yes, the Triwizard Tournament … well, some of you will not know what this tournament involves, so I hope those who do know will forgive me for giving a short expla­nation, and allow their attention to wander freely.

The Triwizard Tournament was first established some seven hundred years ago as a friendly competition between the three largest European schools of wizardry: Hogwarts, Beauxbatons, and Durmstrang. A champion was selected to represent each school, and the three champions competed in three magical tasks. The schools took it in turns to host the tournament once every five years, and it was generally agreed to be a most excellent way of es­tablishing ties between young witches and wizards of different na­tionalities — until, that is, the death toll mounted so high that the tournament was discontinued."

Hearing this Chris remembered the last two years, when she was so near to death. A weird smile came across her face. 'Life threatening situations are very normal in Hogwarts.'

"There have been several attempts over the centuries to reinstate the tournament," Dumbledore continued, "none of which has been very successful. However, our own departments of Interna­tional Magical Cooperation and Magical Games and Sports have decided the time is ripe for another attempt. We have worked hard over the summer to ensure that this time, no champion will find himself or herself in mortal danger.

The heads of Beauxbatons and Durmstrang will be arriving with their short-listed contenders in October, and the selection of the three champions will take place at Halloween. An impartial judge will decide which students are most worthy to compete for the Triwizard Cup, the glory of their school, and a thousand Galleons personal prize money."

And at every House table, Chris could see people either gazing raptly at Dumbledore, or else whispering fervently to their neighbors.

"It's a great opportunity to show my talent." A fifth or sixth year Ravenclaw boy said. But then Dumbledore spoke again, and the Hall quieted once more.

"Eager though I know all of you will be to bring the Triwizard Cup to Hogwarts," he said, "the heads of the participating schools, along with the Ministry of Magic, have agreed to impose an age restriction on contenders this year. Only students who are of age — that is to say, seventeen years or older — will be allowed to put for­ward their names for consideration. This" — Dumbledore raised his voice slightly, for several people had made noises of outrage at these words, "..is a measure we feel is necessary, given that the tournament tasks will still be difficult and dangerous, whatever precautions we take, and it is highly unlikely that students below sixth and seventh year will be able to cope with them. I will personally be ensuring that no under­age student hoodwinks our impartial judge into making them Hog­warts champion." He said particularly looking at the Gryffindor table. "I therefore beg you not to waste your time submitting yourself if you are under seventeen.

The delegations from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang will be ar­riving in October and remaining with us for the greater part of this year. I know that you will all extend every courtesy to our foreign guests while they are with us, and will give your whole-hearted sup­port to the Hogwarts champion when he or she is selected. And now, it is late, and I know how important it is to you all to be alert and rested as you enter your lessons tomorrow morning. Bedtime! Chop chop!"

Dumbledore sat down again and turned to talk to Mad-Eye Moody. There was a great scraping and banging as all the students got to their feet and swarmed toward the double doors into the en­trance hall.

Many looking furious, many looking disappointed and few looking relived.

"Do you think you've given your name if there was no rule on the age thing?" Ginny asked Chris.

"No." Chris replied simply as they started to walk out.

"Why?" Luna asked.

"Because I'm not prepared to face the unknown." Chris answered.

Soon they said bye to Luna and Padma; and made their way towards the Gryffindor tower. They climbed the stairs and came behind Fred, George, Ron, Harry, Neville and Hermione. Ginny looked at Chris but Chris didn't say anything. They walked silently behind them, and Hermione didn't notice them.

"What d'you reckon?" Ron asked Harry. "Be cool to enter, wouldn't it? But I s'pose they might want someone older. … Dunno if we've learned enough. …"

"I definitely haven't," came Neville's gloomy voice, who was just in front of Chris and Ginny. "I expect my gran'd want me to try, though. She's always going on about how I should be upholding the family honor. I'll just have to — oops. …"

Neville's foot was about to sunk right through a step halfway up the staircase. Chris and Ginny pulled him back.

"Wh... wh... oh! Chris! Ginny!" Neville was startled by this sudden commotion. "Thanks."

Neville went pink while a suit of armor at the top of the stairs creaked and clanked, laughing wheezily.

Everyone looked back and noticed Chris and Ginny. Harry and Ron exchanged looks and Chris didn't bother to look at Hermione's expression as she almost guessed it.

They made their way up to the entrance to Gryffindor Tower, which was concealed behind a large portrait of a fat lady in a pink silk dress.

"Password?" she said as they approached.

"...er...." Ginny remembered they didn't get the new password.

"Balderdash," said George, "a prefect downstairs told me."

The portrait swung forward to reveal a hole in the wall through which they all climbed. A crackling fire warmed the circular com­mon room, which was full of squashy armchairs and tables. Chris tried to make her way towards her dorm but Harry stopped her.

"Wait a little." He whispered.

And after Hermione went upstairs, he sighed.

"You all go on. I'm coming." He said to Ron and Neville.

They all walked away leaving Chris, Ginny and Harry alone.

"Look I'm sorry, we didn't say anything in front of Hermione," said Harry. "Trust me we tried but Hermione was too angry to control."

"It's fine. Anything else?" Chris said with a urgent tone. "I'm feeling sleepy actually."

"Oh, sorry. I should've thought that. I just wanted to say though Hermione showed some disapprovals about the article, Sirius ask me to go on. So, I've decided, I'll tell you what happened in the woods." He said smiling.

"Really?" Ginny asked.

"Yeah."

"Cool. I'll inform Luna. When will you get free time to talk about it?" Chris asked.

"This Friday night? Like always?" Harry asked expectantly.

"Ok. Deal. Good night." Chris said and walked towards her dormitory.

She changed and collapsed on the bed immediately, some warming pans were placed between the sheets. It was extremely comfortable, lying there in bed and listening to the storm raging outside. Chris remembered the House-elves should've made those arrangements. 'They're so good at what they do, but without wanting something in-return; we should respect them.' And Chris drifted into sleep.

___________________________________

The storm had blown itself out by the following morning, though the ceiling in the Great Hall was still gloomy; heavy clouds of pewter gray swirled overhead as Chris, Ginny and Colin took their new course schedules from Professor McGonagall and sat on the Ravenclaw table with Luna.

"Still avoiding Hermione?" Luna asked Chris.

"I don't have any problems. I wanted to sit at the Gryffindor table but Ginny..." said Chris.

"Yeah I've decided, we'll not talk to her or sit with her unless she apologize to Chris." Ginny said glaring at Chris.

"C'mon Ginny we're better than that." Chris said smiling.

"And that's why we'll wait. She should understand her fault that she shouldn't talk to her friends like that." Ginny said firmly.

"Fiinnneee." Chris replied and started eating her breakfast.

"We've Divination first, Chris, with Ravenclaws." Colin said checking his schedule.

"Great so we three can go together." Luna said smiling. "You know it's on the North Tower."

"And I've to go all the way to west wing for my Muggle studies." Ginny said with sigh.

"We should hurry up if we don't want to late for our first class." Chris said.

They finished their breakfast hastily, then Chris, Luna and Colin said goodbye to Ginny and separated their ways.

"Do you how to find the Divination classroom? Because I've no idea." Colin said climbing the stairs.

"Yeah I know the way." Chris said walking ahead.

"How?" Luna asked.

"We had a map last year, remember?" Chris said smirking.

"The Marauder's Map? But you gave it back to Harry, didn't you?" Colin said looking confused.

"Yes I gave it back to him, but, what do you think? I'll keep nothing? I've drawn the entire map into another page before giving it back." Chris said grinning. "So maybe we don't know who is where but we still know the ways."

"That's so smart of you Chris." Luna said grinning as well. "That's going to be very helpful in Hogwarts."

"Really. Hogwarts is very confusing." Colin replied.

"This way." Chris said turning into a different corridor.

At the end of the corridor they found a spiral staircase, after climbing the staircase, they emerged onto a tiny landing, where most of the class was already assembled. There were no doors off this landing; Chris looked up at the ceiling, where there was a circular trap door with a brass plaque on it.

Sybill Trelawney, Divination teacher.

"Got it." Chris smirked.

"It's beautiful, isn't?" Luna said getting excited.

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Chris noticed few of her classmates, her two other roommates: Danielle and Lauren; Colin's one roommate: Alex, and his friends. There were also few girls from Ravenclaw, who talked with Luna sometimes.

"But, Luna, how're we supposed to get up there?" Colin asked looking around.

As though in answer to his question, the trap door suddenly opened, and a silvery ladder descended right at their feet. Everyone went quiet.

Without waiting, with a dreamy look on her face, Luna climbed the ladder first. Chris went next, followed by Colin and the rest of the class.

Chris emerged on a room which didn't look like a classroom at all; more like a cross between someone's attic and an old-fashioned teashop. At least twenty small, circular tables were crammed inside it, all surrounded by chintz armchairs and fat little pouffes. Everything was lit with a dim, crimson light; the curtains at the windows were all closed, and the many lamps were draped with dark red scarves. It was stiflingly warm, and the fire which was burning under the crowded mantelpiece was giving off a heavy, sickly sort of perfume as it heated a large copper kettle. The shelves running around the circular walls were crammed with dusty-looking feathers, stubs of candles, many packs of tattered playing cards, countless silvery crystal balls and a huge array of teacups.

Chris looked around as Professor Trelawney came into view.

"Welcome," she said in a soft and misty sort of voice. "How nice to see you in the physical world at last."

Chris had seen her before, when she stayed for Christmas, last year.

"Sit, my children, sit," she said, and Chris, Luna and Colin sat themselves around the same round table.

"Welcome to Divination," said Professor Trelawney, who had seated herself in a winged armchair in front of the fire. "My name is Professor Trelawney. You may not have seen me before. I find that descending too often into the hustle and bustle of the main school clouds my Inner Eye."