The food at the banquet was as delicious as ever, but whether it was just his imagination or not, Tver couldn't help feeling that there were more desserts this year, and that they tasted even better.
In the past, desserts were only brought out after the main course. Now, however, the desserts served alongside the main dishes were already good enough to rival the entrées themselves.
And once the actual dessert course began, the sheer variety of chocolate cakes left Tver facing decision paralysis for the first time in his life.
After the banquet ended and the final desserts vanished, a well-fed Tver watched Dumbledore rise with his usual genial smile, and for once felt no regret at all.
"Welcome back to Hogwarts!"
The buzzing chatter in the Great Hall gradually died down until it vanished completely, leaving only the sound of wind and rain battering the castle outside.
"I trust everyone has eaten and drunk their fill. Now, please lend me your patience while I announce a few notices."
"The list of items prohibited within the castle has grown considerably this year. Any students interested in knowing what they are should visit Mr. Filch's office."
"Magic is still forbidden in the corridors, but empty classrooms will continue to be available for practice. They will be open from nine in the morning until nine at night. The doors will open and close automatically, so please mind the time and avoid locking yourselves inside."
"And of course, do refrain from doing anything… strange in them."
Dumbledore lifted an eyebrow with an oddly amused smile, drawing a wave of laughter from the students.
"I mean, do not practice any magic that the school has expressly forbidden."
He added the clarification under Professor McGonagall's disapproving gaze, only making the laughter even louder. That amusement, however, didn't last long.
"Additionally, there will be no House Cup or Quidditch Cup held this academic year."
Dumbledore still wore his cheerful expression, but the students' faces immediately fell as they stared at him in disbelief.
The Gryffindors in particular were stunned. They had just won the House Cup and were already planning to carry that glory forward.
Ignoring the rising protests from all sides, Dumbledore cast a subtle glance in Tver's direction.
Something was off.
Tver frowned, sensing that this was far from a simple announcement.
There was actually a hint of teasing in Dumbledore's eyes.
"Please rest assured. The school made this decision because, come October—"
Crack—boom!
A deafening thunderclap exploded overhead, and the great doors of the hall burst open with a bang.
A man stood in the doorway, leaning heavily on a long staff, his body wrapped in a black traveling cloak.
By the flash of lightning rippling across the enchanted ceiling, everyone saw him clearly.
Every inch of skin on his face was scarred and ruined. His mouth was twisted into a jagged gash, and where the bridge of his nose should have been, there was nothing at all.
But what truly sent a chill through the hall was his eye.
It was a vivid blue eye, yet utterly unlike a normal one.
It spun and darted without blinking, rolling up, down, left, and right, before finally flipping back entirely to reveal a dead, corpse-like white.
Under the silent stares of the hall, he pulled back his hood, shaking loose a mass of long, gray-white hair, and began making his way toward the staff table, step by deliberate step.
Tver watched him with a faint smile, though this Mr. Moody clearly didn't appreciate being observed.
When he noticed Tver, the pupil of his remaining normal eye shrank. The magical eye that had been watching behind him immediately rolled around, flicking back and forth as it covertly examined Tver.
"Allow me to introduce this year's new professor, and the other professor of Defence Against the Dark Arts—Professor Alastor Moody!"
After Moody took the only remaining empty seat, Dumbledore shook his hand, exchanged a few quiet words with him, and then formally introduced him to the hall.
Perhaps intimidated by Moody's fearsome appearance, the students offered very little applause. Only the rather awkward clapping of Dumbledore, Hagrid, and Tver echoed through the Great Hall.
"Ahem." Dumbledore cleared his throat and decisively lowered his hands. "As I mentioned earlier, the school will be hosting an event that lasts the entire academic year."
"That event is—the Triwizard Tournament!"
The announcement immediately exploded among the students. Those who already knew about it looked uncertain and excited, while those hearing it for the first time stared in confusion.
In an instant, the oppressive silence brought by Moody was shattered, replaced by a lively wave of discussion.
"I imagine many of you may not yet know what the Triwizard Tournament is," Dumbledore said. "Allow me to give a brief explanation."
"The Triwizard Tournament was established over seven hundred years ago as an inter-school competition jointly hosted by Hogwarts, Durmstrang, and Beauxbatons."
"Each school selects one Champion to represent them. The Champions will face a series of challenges designed together by the schools, and the ultimate victor will win a prize of one thousand Galleons, as well as immeasurable honor for their school!"
"Of course, the purpose of the tournament is to promote understanding and exchange between schools…"
Dumbledore rambled on for a while about the importance of international cooperation, but the students' attention was clearly elsewhere. They excitedly discussed the tournament with one another, barely listening to him at all.
Noticing this, the corners of Dumbledore's mouth lifted slightly.
"Oh, right." He suddenly clapped a hand to his forehead, as if he had just remembered something.
"Given the extremely dangerous nature of the tournament, and for the sake of your lives, only students aged seventeen and above will be allowed to enter!"
His gaze swept over the loudest protesters, and his voice rose accordingly.
"Students from Durmstrang and Beauxbatons will arrive in October. I expect you to greet our guests from afar with proper conduct, not rude jeering."
"The banquet is now concluded. Prefects, please escort your students back to their common rooms!"
With that, Dumbledore ended the announcement. He did not leave, however, instead reaching out to stop Tver, who was just about to stand and depart.
"There's one more thing I'd like to discuss with you, Tver."
Here it comes.
Tver looked at Dumbledore with curiosity. He had sensed something odd when the Triwizard Tournament was first mentioned, but he hadn't expected Dumbledore to bring it up so quickly.
"It's like this," Dumbledore said, wearing a mischievous smile. "You remember Headmaster Karkaroff of Durmstrang, don't you?"
"He heard that you're still teaching at Hogwarts, and he intends to have Durmstrang students attend classes together with Hogwarts students once they arrive."
"Especially your classes," he added for emphasis.
Tver's brow immediately furrowed.
"Don't rush to refuse just yet," Dumbledore said, cutting him off. "Madam Maxime of Beauxbatons also learned of this and made the same request."
"For the sake of international friendship, I've already agreed on your behalf."
With an air of righteous determination, he picked up a slice of chocolate cake from the table and placed it into Tver's hands.
"I've instructed the kitchen that if you agree, desserts will be the highlight of every meal this year," he whispered conspiratorially.
Damn it. No wonder the desserts tonight tasted even better.
Staring at Dumbledore's thoroughly smug smile, Tver ground his teeth and took a large, resentful bite of the chocolate cake.