As Anne and Fanny climbed the steps toward the Great Hall, the loud chatter around them was almost entirely about Krum.
"Anne, who is he?" Fanny hadn't attended the World Cup, so she knew nothing about Krum.
"His name's Viktor Krum. He's eighteen, and he was the Seeker for the Bulgarian team in the World Cup."
Fanny gasped, covering her mouth. "Eighteen? That young and already a World Cup player? No wonder everyone's going crazy."
When Anne and Fanny entered the entrance hall, a group of sixth-year girls ahead of them were frantically rummaging through their pockets as they walked.
"I can't believe it, how did I forget to bring a quill, "
"Do you think he'd sign my hat in lipstick?"
"Star-chasers in the wizarding world are no less wild…" Anne muttered as they passed the overly excited girls. Fanny, ears buzzing from the surrounding noise, didn't catch what Anne had said.
They reached the Slytherin table and took their seats. The Durmstrang students were still lingering near the doors, unsure where they were supposed to sit. Meanwhile, the Beauxbatons students had already settled near the Ravenclaw table. They sat scanning the hall with bored, unimpressed expressions. Three of them still had scarves and headwraps tightly wound around their heads.
Not long after, the Durmstrang group made their decision and sat at the half-empty section of the Slytherin table.
Malfoy quickly shooed off some younger students and plopped down beside Krum, flanked by Goyle and Crabbe. The Durmstrang students removed their heavy fur cloaks and looked up, fascinated by the enchanted star-filled ceiling. Two of them picked up the golden plates and goblets, inspecting them with great interest.
"Anne, do you think their school is somewhere in Northern Europe? Otherwise why would they be dressed so heavily?" Fanny asked as she watched the Durmstrang students.
"Most likely," Anne replied. "Durmstrang's location is a closely guarded secret, so I can't say for sure. But I do know where Beauxbatons is."
"I know that one!" Fanny said eagerly. "It's in the south of France, nestled in the Pyrenees. The school has a gorgeous estate and a beautiful fountain. My mum told me, she has a good friend who graduated from Beauxbatons."
"That sounds amazing," Anne said. "Actually, I heard about it from Aunt Diana, she lived in France for over a decade and knows the French magical community well."
At the high table, Filch was adding extra chairs. For this special occasion, he'd even put on that old, musty tailcoat of his. Anne counted five chairs in total.
"How odd…" Anne murmured.
"What is?" Fanny followed Anne's gaze and saw Filch arranging the seats.
"Why five chairs?" Anne said. She remembered in the movie version from her past life, aside from the two headmasters, there were only two Ministry officials.
She knew the book and film differed, but was it by this much? An extra person? Hmm… The fourth movie, all she could really remember was Harry winning the Triwizard Cup, Voldemort returning, and the whole Mad-Eye Moody situation. The rest was fuzzy. Even in the now-burnt notebook she once kept, her notes on the fourth part were sparse. The sixth movie, the one with the Half-Blood Prince and Dumbledore's death, was the one with the most detailed notes.
Oh well. As long as the main plot didn't change, it shouldn't matter.
"I suppose besides the two headmasters, the Ministry would have sent a few more officials," Fanny guessed. "They did do a lot to make this event happen."
Anne nodded in agreement. She definitely remembered how busy the two adults in her household had been before and after the World Cup.
Once all the students had filed into the hall and taken their seats, the staff entered, walking in a line toward the high table. At the end of the procession were Professors Dumbledore, Karkaroff, and Madame Maxime. At the sight of their headmistress, the Beauxbatons students immediately stood. A few Hogwarts students chuckled, but the Beauxbatons group didn't seem the least bit embarrassed. They sat down again only after Madame Maxime took her seat to Dumbledore's left. Dumbledore remained standing, and gradually, the Great Hall fell silent.
"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, ghosts, and most especially, our esteemed guests," Dumbledore said, beaming at the foreign students. "It is with great pleasure that I welcome you all to Hogwarts. I hope and trust that your stay will be comfortable and enjoyable."
"The Triwizard Tournament will officially begin after the feast," he continued. "But first, please, enjoy your meal, treat this place as your home!"
He sat down and began conversing cheerfully with Karkaroff and Madame Maxime.
As usual, the tables were filled with food, but this time, there were a variety of foreign dishes as well. Anne picked up her knife and fork with delight, tonight was clearly going to be a feast.
Suddenly, there was a flurry of chatter from the Ravenclaw table. Anne, cheeks puffed with food, turned to see what was going on.
Some of the Beauxbatons girls had removed their scarves, revealing themselves fully. One of them, with a cascade of silvery-blonde hair that fell to her waist, stood out. She was strikingly beautiful and smiling as she chatted with her schoolmates.
Anne quickly swallowed her food, turned back to her plate, and resumed eating. She didn't notice that Hermione had been watching her reaction the whole time. When Anne quickly averted her eyes and focused on her food again, Hermione chuckled.
"Hermione, what are you smiling at?" Harry asked.
"Oh, nothing…" Hermione turned her attention to the head table. To her, Anne looked just like a squirrel stuffing its cheeks with treats.
"Wow, Anne, that Beauxbatons girl is really pretty…" Fanny whispered.
"She is," Anne replied through a mouthful of food. "I'd guess she has some veela blood."
By the time Anne was halfway full, the platters on the table disappeared, replaced by a lavish spread of desserts: tiramisu, chocolate cake, opera cake (the famous six-layer French dessert), mousse cake, raspberry cake, Black Forest gateau, Swiss rolls, custards, puddings, and more.
Small plates around Anne held tiny slices of each flavor, and the house-elves really were thoughtful. She began pulling them toward herself.
"Anne…" Fanny stopped her just before she could pop a piece into her mouth.
"Hm? What?"
Fanny pointed to three people entering through the Great Hall doors. "Your uncle's here…"
"Huh?" Anne blinked and looked up. Sure enough, among the three figures walking toward the high table, she spotted Aaron, and he winked at her playfully when he caught her eye.
"What's he doing here?" Anne mumbled, eyeing her desserts again.
"You didn't know?" Fanny glanced at the head table. "He came with the heads of the Department of Magical Games and Sports and the Department of International Magical Cooperation. They're probably here for the Triwizard Tournament's opening ceremony."
"Well, I guess we'll find out soon enough…" Anne said, and resumed eating her pudding.
When the golden plates had once again been magically cleaned, Dumbledore stood up. A wave of anticipation swept through the room.
"The moment has come," Dumbledore said, smiling at the eager faces. "The Triwizard Tournament is about to begin. I'd like to say a few words first, before we bring in the box."
"Let me introduce our guests to those who don't know them. This is Mr. Barty Crouch, Head of the Department of International Magical Cooperation." Sparse applause followed as Crouch nodded stiffly, without smiling.
"This is Mr. Ludo Bagman, Head of the Department of Magical Games and Sports." The applause was louder this time, perhaps because of his fame as a former Beater, or maybe just because of his friendly demeanor. He waved cheerfully in response.
"And this is Aaron Hall, Deputy Head of the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures." When Dumbledore introduced Aaron, he stood and grinned broadly, waving to the crowd. Nearly Headless Nick excitedly waved back and said to the students around him, "Hey, that's little Aaron! He was a Gryffindor, just like me!"
The applause was the loudest yet, especially from the Gryffindor table.
"These three have worked tirelessly over the past few months to help organize the Tournament," Dumbledore continued. "Mr. Bagman and Mr. Crouch will serve as judges, along with Professor Karkaroff, Madame Maxime, and myself. Mr. Hall will provide support for the tournament's magical challenges."
He paused, waiting for the murmurs to subside.
"Mr. Filch, if you would bring in the box."
No one had noticed that Filch had been lurking in a corner of the hall. He now walked forward carrying a large, gem-studded wooden chest that looked very old. Students watched intently, whispering with curiosity.
"The tasks for this year's champions have all been carefully reviewed by the Ministry," Dumbledore said as Filch gently set the box on the table. "They've made the necessary arrangements for each event. There will be three tasks throughout the school year, each testing a different set of skills, magical ability, courage, and reasoning… and of course, the ability to face danger."
The Great Hall fell completely silent. Not a soul dared breathe.
"As you know, only three champions will be selected," Dumbledore said calmly. "One for each school. They'll earn points for each task based on performance, and the champion with the highest score at the end will win the Triwizard Cup. The selection will be made by an impartial judge, the Goblet of Fire."
He drew his wand and tapped the box three times. With a creak, the lid slowly opened. Dumbledore reached inside and pulled out a large, roughly carved wooden goblet. It looked plain, until you saw the bluish-white flames dancing inside.
He set the Goblet on the lid, where everyone could see it clearly.
"Any student wishing to compete must write their name and school on a piece of parchment and drop it into the goblet," Dumbledore said. "You have twenty-four hours. Tomorrow night, on Halloween, the Goblet will choose the three students it deems most worthy."
"To prevent underage students from succumbing to temptation," he added, "I'll draw an Age Line around the Goblet once it's placed in the Entrance Hall. Anyone under seventeen won't be able to cross it."
"And finally, I must warn you: this tournament is no joke. Do not enter lightly. Once the Goblet selects a champion, that student is bound by a magical contract and must compete to the end. So think carefully, make sure you truly wish to enter before putting your name in."
"Now then, it's time for bed. Good night to you all."
As the feast concluded and Anne stood up to leave, she saw Aaron across the hall mouth a few words at her, something like "stay behind."
"Fanny, you go ahead. Looks like my uncle wants to explain why he didn't tell me anything in advance."
Fanny nodded and headed out with Pansy and the others.
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