A magical journey that begins at Hogwarts

Professor McGonagall placed the Sorting Hat on the chair, and the patched hat grinned as it recited a brief history of the school, introducing the four founders of the houses and its own origins.

The general idea is that the Sorting Hat is fair and impartial, never misjudging anyone, and always placing each young wizard into the appropriate house.

“Next, whoever’s name I call, sit down in the chair.” Professor McGonagall unfolded a long roll of parchment containing the list of first-year students. “After the Sorting Hat announces the houses, go to the corresponding table.”

Stuart Ackley – Ravenclaw.

Malcolm Bardock – Slytherin.

Eleanor Branstone – Hufflepuff.

......

Applause rose and fell as each college warmly welcomed its new students.

After the ceremony, almost everyone turned their eager gaze to Dumbledore, even Draco, who disliked him the most.

Dumbledore looked at the expectant crowd, smiled, and opened his arms wide. His amplification spell made his loud voice carry to every corner of the Great Hall. "I only have two words to say to you: Eat!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the empty golden tableware was piled high with steaming hot food.

The students, who had been starving all day, couldn't contain themselves any longer and started eating voraciously with their utensils.

“He should have done this a long time ago,” Draco said indignantly as he ate.

“Everyone thinks so.” Aaron tore off a chicken leg for Abe, poured a large glass of milk, and then slowly began to cut the steak on his own plate.

"The Defense Against the Dark Arts professor still hasn't shown up," Draco said gleefully.

"Maybe they were delayed on the way!" Aaron said dismissively.

After everyone had eaten and drunk their fill, the food scraps and tableware disappeared, and the long table became clean and tidy again.

Dumbledore stood in the middle of the teachers' table and, as was customary, gave the newly enrolled first-year students some instructions before looking at them meaningfully, saying, "The House Cup Quidditch match will not be held this year."

"what?"

The students were all stunned, their mouths agape, and they were momentarily speechless.

The Quidditch Academy members were even more incredulous. If Quidditch matches weren't held, wouldn't they, the players, become nothing more than decorations?

Before the Great Hall became noisy, Dumbledore revealed a mysterious smile, and his tone became incredibly excited, "This is because this school year, Hogwarts Castle is not only your home, but also the home of some special guests."

Hogwarts has been chosen to host a highly prestigious tournament...

Before he could finish speaking, the auditorium doors were rudely kicked open, followed by a deafening roar of thunder.

A hooded man stood in the doorway, and he limped in, leaning on a long cane.

His face was covered in scars, and his features were damaged to varying degrees. His right eye was very small, but his left eye was like a bulging eyeball.

“If nothing unexpected happens, he should be our Defense Against the Dark Arts professor.” Aaron forced a smile. “No wonder Genes said he was a legend among the Aurors. It must have been really tough for him to come to class even though he was half-crippled.”

“He’s a madman.” Draco’s face paled. “Mad-Eye Moody, he’s a staunch opponent of dark wizards, and almost every prisoner in Azkaban knows him.”

“Not bad,” Aaron said. “That means he has a lot of experience fighting dark magic. I doubt even Professor Snape could find fault with his teaching of Defense Against the Dark Arts.”

“But he’s crazy,” Draco said with some panic. “He might even experiment with dark magic in class.”

"Isn't that perfect?" Aaron raised an eyebrow. "Aren't you interested in dark magic?"

"No, that's not what I meant. I meant he might use students as guinea pigs."

Aaron: ......

Chapter 348 News of the Triwizard Tournament

Dumbledore shook hands with Moody and gestured for him to sit in the empty seat in the teachers' section.

"Please allow me to introduce our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Professor Moody."

The students seemed intimidated by his exaggerated physique, and there was very little applause in response. Even among the teachers, only Hagrid welcomed him.

Moody didn't care at all, or rather, he was prepared for it. He pulled out a bottle from his pocket and took a big gulp.

"Ahem!" Dumbledore coughed. "Getting back to the point, Hogwarts has been chosen to host a very prestigious tournament, the Triwizard Tournament."

“You’re kidding me!” Fred shouted.

“Of course I’m not joking, Mr. Weasley,” Dumbledore chuckled. “Some of you may not know about the Triwizard Tournament, which is a series of magical competitions between three schools.”

Hogwarts, Beauxbatons, and Durmstrang each selected a champion, and then the three champions competed in three magical events.

This was originally a wonderful way for young wizards from different countries to build friendships, but the death toll was too high and the Triwizard Tournament was interrupted, and it has been more than a century since then.

But this summer, both the International Department of Magical Cooperation and the Department of Magical Sports felt the time was right and decided to revive the championship.

The ultimate winner will not only bring great honor to their school, but also receive a prize of one thousand Galleons.

As soon as the words were spoken, the auditorium erupted in cheers.

"I want to participate."

Fred and George roared, their eyes shining with excitement.

And there were many wizards like them; at each academy's long table, there were people with fervent eyes, eager to try their hand at the game.

The Triwizard Tournament promises eternal glory to the winner, instantly boosting their fame throughout the magical world—an unparalleled attraction for anyone.

Aaron looked at the wizards who were so excited that they couldn't contain themselves, and couldn't help but shake his head inwardly.

A bunch of idiots. Anyone with a brain knows this kind of competition is fraught with danger. The Ministry of Magic may be well-prepared, but who can guarantee that nothing will go wrong?

Honor is important, but life is more important.

“I know you all yearn to win the Triwizard Tournament trophy for Hogwarts,” Dumbledore said, and the Great Hall fell silent. “But the tournament is a difficult and dangerous affair, no matter how many precautions we take.”

Therefore, the Ministry of Magic decided to set an age limit for competitors: seventeen years old. Only students aged seventeen and above were allowed to register for the Triwizard Tournament...

Upon hearing this, many students who were very interested in the three-way competition protested, some even showing great anger.

Seventeen years old? You might as well just say that only graduating students are eligible to participate.

Dumbledore had anticipated this, and he would have found it difficult to accept such a psychological blow if he were in his shoes.

Just as he was about to explain, a figure walked in through the side door—it was Barty Crouch, the director of the International Magical Cooperation Department.

Barty Crouch glanced at the still angry students, then walked up to Dumbledore with a complicated expression. "Things have changed."

"What do you mean?"

Barty Crouch hesitated for a moment, then leaned close to his ear and whispered something.

Half a minute later, Dumbledore's blue eyes widened slightly, and his face showed an incredulous astonishment.

"Are you serious? Fudge would actually make such a decision?"

"To be precise, this was a decision made by the International Federation of Magical Societies, and Fudge simply voted in favor."

Dumbledore paused for a moment, then looked at the crowd below the stage. "I have some good news. I don't think it's exactly good news, but you all certainly think it is."

Just now, the Ministry of Magic lowered the age requirement for participating in the Triwizard Tournament.

The age limit has been changed from seventeen to fourteen, meaning that wizards in their fourth year or higher are now eligible to apply.

The students who had been protesting looked at each other in bewilderment upon hearing this, but then they were overjoyed and couldn't help but shout "Long live the Ministry of Magic!"

"Quiet." A few black lines appeared on Dumbledore's face. "Although the age standard has been lowered, I must remind some people who want to participate in the Triwizard Tournament."

This is dangerous, extremely dangerous. People with fragile hearts should not participate.

“Albus.” Crouch winked at Dumbledore.

"Then... let's have Mr. Barty Crouch, the Director of the International Department of Magical Cooperation, explain further."

Crouch stepped to the front of the stage, took a deep breath, and said, "The Triwizard Tournament is being held again after more than a century, and the Ministry of Magic attaches great importance to it."

This time, we've hired the most professional referees and lowered the registration restrictions, but most importantly, each of the three schools will have more than one participant.

“Really, Mr. Crouch?” George couldn’t hide his excitement, which meant that both he and his twin brother could participate.

“Of course it’s true,” Crouch explained. “The Triwizard Tournament is a competition between three schools, not between three individuals.”

"This is dangerous, doesn't Dumbledore know that?" Dumbledore said, somewhat annoyed.

He could accept lowering the entry standards, since only the best warrior could represent the school in the competition. However, if the number of participants was increased, the possibility of an accident would be much higher.

“Headmaster Dumbledore, I know your concerns,” Klaus said patiently. “I also thought it was dangerous at first, but this time it’s different. We have a way to ensure that the participants will not be in mortal danger.”

Furthermore, it's not something anyone can participate in simply by registering. Only outstanding wizards selected by the judges are eligible. In other words, we're only giving the fourth and fifth participants a chance.

"Are you sure?"

"I'm quite sure, but it's not convenient to explain right now."

Having received an affirmative answer, Dumbledore breathed a slight sigh of relief.

He wanted to ask something more, but then he gave up on the idea, remembering that Buddy Crouch was just a messenger.

"The delegations from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang will arrive in October and spend most of the academic year with us."

We will provide you with more details about the three-way battle once they arrive.

Alright, it's getting late. To be mentally sharp in class tomorrow, go to bed.

The auditorium erupted in cheers as every student stood up with an excited expression and rushed towards the auditorium doors.

“We’re all fourteen now, so we can all participate,” Ron said excitedly.

“I suddenly think Mr. Barty Crouch is a really nice guy,” Harry said with a smile. “No wonder Percy respected him so much; there’s a reason for it.”

"Didn't you hear what the headmaster said?" Hermione said speechlessly, "It's very dangerous. Many people have died in this competition before."

“That was many years ago, and the Ministry of Magic has assured us there will be no danger to our lives,” Fred said as he walked over. “Besides the honor, there’s a prize of a thousand Galleons. You’d regret it for the rest of your life if you missed this opportunity.”

“That’s right.” George nodded in agreement. “It’s been more than a century since the decision was made to revive the Triwizard Tournament, and it’s only held every five years, while we can only study at Hogwarts for seven years.”

Hermione, think about what this means.

This means everyone only has one chance, and Merlin won't give them a second one.

Hearing this, Hermione hesitated for a moment.

What Gryffindors crave most is exciting adventure, and such an opportunity is indeed quite rare.

Besides her, many fourth-year wizards shared the same thought: as long as there was no danger to their lives, even if they were just there to make up the numbers, it would be worth it, as they could at least broaden their horizons.