Hogwarts: I will not become the Dark Lord

As the dessert disappeared from the table, Dumbledore stood up once more, signaling for silence.

The hall, previously filled with a murmur of voices, fell silent, leaving only the howling of the wind raging outside the windows and the symphony of raindrops hammering against the glass as the sole background music.

"Ladies and gentlemen!" Dumbledore said, his face beaming with a warm smile, his gaze gently sweeping over everyone. "I believe everyone is well-fed and watered! But before you return to your dormitories, I have a few important announcements to make. Mr. Filch, our caretaker, has specifically requested that I remind you that the list of prohibited items within the castle has been updated again this year…"

As per tradition, Dumbledore would take this opportunity each year to reiterate Hogwarts' various rules and regulations, such as staying away from the Forbidden Forest, and the prohibition for students below the third year to visit Hogsmeade, and so on.

However, Dumbledore's next words were like a bucket of cold water in winter, instantly waking up the students who were starting to feel sleepy after their meal.

"Regrettably, I must inform you that this year's Quidditch matches will be canceled."

Although some students already knew the news in advance and guessed why Dumbledore would say this, most students looked astonished, their eyes wide, silently staring at Dumbledore. Shock and confusion spread through the silence, filling the entire hall with an indescribable atmosphere.

"This is because, starting in October, Hogwarts will host a grand event, the likes of which we have never seen before. It will span the entire school year, inevitably taking up the time and energy of the school's faculty and staff." Dumbledore said gently but firmly, "This year, at Hogwarts…"

Before Dumbledore could finish his sentence, a deafening clap of thunder suddenly erupted, followed by the Great Hall doors being flung open with tremendous force, sending a gust of cold wind mixed with the outside rain and wind sweeping into the hall.

Mad-Eye Alastor Moody stood at the entrance of the hall, clutching a long staff for support, shrouded in a heavy black cloak.

Moody slowly lowered his hood, revealing a head of messy, graying hair. He walked forward towards the staff table with a hobbling gait, each step accompanied by a heavy "thud, thud" that echoed through the spacious hall.

At that moment, a blinding flash of lightning tore across the sky, its light piercing through the clouds, illuminating Mad-Eye Moody's face with stark clarity. His face was covered in a complex network of scars, his mouth twisted into an irregular gash, and the bridge of his nose, which should have been prominent, was missing.

What made Moody most chilling was his pair of eyes, so different from those of ordinary people. On one side was a small, deep, normal black eye; on the other, a large blue eye, round as a coin, emitting a bright blue light, as if it could see into the deepest secrets of the human heart.

This blue eyeball was extraordinarily active, unrestrained, flying up and down, rotating left and right in its socket, forming a stark contrast with the calm black eye beside it. Even more unsettling, the blue eyeball suddenly rolled back, as if burrowing into Moody's head, leaving behind only a hollow, pale, large white eyeball, causing one to feel a chill in their heart.

Jerry's gaze was fixed on Mad-Eye Moody. He knew perfectly well that the current Moody was being impersonated by Barty Crouch Jr.

His demeanor, movements, and habits are quite convincing! Jerry thought to himself.

"May I have the honor of introducing to you our new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor for this year," Dumbledore said, breaking the surrounding silence with his usual warm smile, "Alastor Moody."

Under normal circumstances, the unveiling of a new professor would be accompanied by thunderous applause, but at this moment, apart from Dumbledore and Hagrid politely clapping a few times, no one in the entire hall responded. The few lonely claps echoed in the spacious hall, appearing particularly abrupt. Seeing this, the two stopped clapping in tacit agreement.

The students seemed to be shocked by Moody's undeniable appearance, all staring at him with wide eyes.

Moody didn't seem to mind the cold reception. He ignored the large jug of pumpkin juice on the table and instead reached into his black cloak, took out a uniquely shaped curved flask, glanced around warily with his blue eye, and took a swig.

"Let us continue with our previous topic," Dumbledore continued, while the students below still stared at the strangely behaving Moody. "In the coming semester, Hogwarts will host a large competition. Let me see, the last time this event was held was over a hundred years ago."

"I now announce that after more than a century, this year, the Triwizard Tournament will be restarted at Hogwarts!"

"This can't be a joke!" Fred exclaimed, who had just been angry about the cancellation of the Quidditch matches. The oppressive atmosphere that Moody had brought into the hall when he entered instantly dissipated, replaced by cheers of excitement that erupted from almost everyone in the hall.

"Indeed, it is not a joke, Mr. Weasley." Dumbledore smiled gently. "Given that some of us may not be familiar with the specific details of the Triwizard Tournament, I would like to ask those who already know to give me a moment to explain it to everyone."

"The Triwizard Tournament, a traditional event dating back over seven hundred years, symbolizes the deep friendship and competitive spirit between the three leading magical schools in Europe: Hogwarts, Beauxbatons, and Durmstrang. Each school selects an outstanding champion to participate in three challenging magical contests."

"This event rotates every five years, with each school taking turns hosting. It is not only a contest of magic but also a bridge to deepen the understanding and friendship between young wizards in Europe. Unfortunately, the past glory was overshadowed by a layer of darkness, and the Triwizard Tournament was forced to cease due to frequent tragic deaths."

Even though Dumbledore mentioned deaths, most of the students in the hall seemed not to have heard it, still excitedly discussing among themselves. A little bit of injury or death is normal in a competition. What they are most concerned about now is whether they can represent Hogwarts in the competition!

"In recent years, we have attempted to restart this ancient and glorious tournament several times," Dumbledore continued, his voice filled with meaning. "However, we have not been successful. But now, the Department of International Magical Cooperation and the Department of Magical Games and Sports of our Ministry of Magic, after careful consideration, believe that the time is ripe to bravely take this step again."

"This summer, we have invested a great deal of energy and effort to ensure that every champion can compete in a safe environment, avoiding any danger to their lives."

"In the golden autumn of October, the headmasters of Beauxbatons and Durmstrang will personally lead the outstanding students from their respective schools to visit our school."

"The solemn ceremony of selecting the champions will be held on Halloween Eve, at which time an impartial judge will select those students who are most likely to bring glory to their school and win supreme honor, based on strict standards. The winner will not only win the Triwizard Cup for their school, but also a generous prize of one thousand Galleons."

"I must participate!" Fred Weasley said from the other end of the table, lowering his voice but unable to hide his excitement. That's a whole thousand Galleons!

The students around, regardless of which house they belonged to, stared at Dumbledore with fervent eyes, each with a dream of becoming the Hogwarts champion quietly planted in their hearts.

"Aren't you excited?" Malfoy glanced at Jerry, who had been quiet and out of place among the cheering crowd. "This is the Triwizard Tournament!"

Malfoy really couldn't understand what Jerry Green was thinking. Was he really a person without desires? How could someone with no ambition enter Slytherin House?

"Heh, what can the Triwizard Tournament do?" Jerry turned to look at Malfoy, his tone revealing a sense of indifference. "Besides, didn't your father reveal the news to you long ago? Didn't he mention the age limit for participation?"

"What?"

Before Malfoy could react, Dumbledore's voice came again.

"I believe that every student here has a burning desire to win the Triwizard Tournament trophy for Hogwarts," Dumbledore said gently and solemnly. "However, after joint discussions between the participating schools and the Ministry of Magic, we have decided to set an age standard for this year's competition. Only those who are seventeen years old or older will be eligible to be included in the candidate list."

"We firmly believe," Dumbledore raised his voice to cut through the angry protests of some students, the Weasley twins' anger being particularly evident, "that this rule is crucial. No matter what precautions we take, the Triwizard Tournament is still full of danger."

"I, as the headmaster of Hogwarts, will personally ensure that no underage student can escape the scrutiny of our impartial judge and become the Hogwarts champion." His words carried unquestionable authority, his gaze sweeping over the rebellious faces of Fred and George, his blue eyes twinkling with a deep and meaningful light.

"The guests from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang will arrive at Hogwarts in October, and they will spend most of this school year with us."

"Well, it's late, and getting enough sleep is essential for you to be refreshed for your classes tomorrow. Now, go to bed! Immediately!" Dumbledore concluded his speech in an irrefutable tone.

Then, he leisurely returned to his seat, sat down gently, and began to converse with Mad-Eye Moody beside him.

The Great Hall suddenly burst into noise, students stood up one after another, the sound of chairs colliding and laughter intertwined, and gradually, students left the Great Hall one after another, leaving behind a room of gradually dissipating excitement and approaching tranquility.

"Hermione, you don't look right, why is your face so pale?" On the way, Jerry ran into the Gryffindor team and asked Hermione with concern.

"Jerry, I thought the house-elves at Hogwarts were different from those in other places," Hermione said to Jerry, her tone filled with disappointment and indignation. "But the reality is that they still have no pay, no vacation, let alone any allowances!"

Jerry: … …

"So?" Jerry asked after a moment of silence.

"This is blatant slavery of house-elves!" Hermione's emotions became more and more agitated. "Tonight's dinner is based on this injustice, and I can't swallow it at all!"

You're just not hungry! Jerry was too lazy to argue with her on this topic. She wouldn't think so much when she was starving tomorrow morning!

Just as Jerry was about to turn around and return to the Slytherin common room, he was stopped by the sneaky Weasley twins, George and Fred, who pulled Jerry to the corner.

"What do you want from me?" Jerry asked, looking at the twins who were constantly looking around and acting like thieves.

"Jerry, do you want to participate in the Triwizard Tournament? We're going to try using an Ageing Potion!" George lowered his voice, his eyes flashing with excitement.

"Then wouldn't it be better if you two just went yourselves? Why do you have to drag me along?" Jerry raised his eyebrows curiously, looking at the two treasures.

"Okay, to tell you the truth, we're actually short a little bit of the ingredients for brewing the Ageing Potion…" George and Fred looked at each other and smiled.

"My ingredient stock isn't much either!" Jerry sighed. "How much are you missing?"

"Not much, just a little bit," George scratched his head. "A total of eleven ingredients are needed, and we have… well, we're still missing eleven."

"WTF?" Jerry's mouth twitched when he heard this, and he turned to leave. He seriously suspected that the twins were playing with him.

"Hey, don't rush away, Jerry." Fred quickly stepped forward, blocking his way. "Listen to me, George and I plan to get most of the ingredients in Hogsmeade this weekend, but some rare ingredients have to be pre-ordered, but by the time they arrive, I'm afraid the Christmas holiday will be almost over."

"Is that so?" Jerry pretended to ponder, his eyes rolled around, and after looking around to make sure no one was there, he quietly took out the Marauder's Map from his arms and stuffed it into Fred's hand. "I have a way in Slytherin, the risk is a bit higher, but the reward is very high. As the saying goes, riches are found in danger! If you have the ability, you seven and I three after it's done, how about it? Are you interested?"

Jerry remembered that Snape had a lot of ingredients, and anyway, this year Barty Crouch Jr. had to keep drinking Polyjuice Potion to pretend to be Moody, so he would definitely steal Snape's ingredients. Just right, then put all the blame on him! The bad things were all done by Barty Crouch Jr., and it had nothing to do with the law-abiding Jerry Green!

And even if Snape finds out that the ingredients are missing, his first reaction will definitely be that Potter did it!