Milk_Is_My_Drug
patreon
Chapter 52: The Start Of Triwizard
🕑 Added 2025-04-03 22:52:52 +0000 UTCThe Hogwarts grounds were alive with excitement as students gathered to witness the arrival of their unexpected guests. The students wondered who is coming and what is so special this year. Dante, however, was unimpressed. He glanced briefly at the commotion before continuing on his way, his expression indifferent. Unlike the other students, he already knew about the tournament and the arrival of two other schools.
Later that evening, the Great Hall was filled with the buzz of conversation as students from all four houses gathered for the feast. The sorting had just concluded, and Dumbledore stood at the head of the hall, his twinkling eyes surveying the crowd. He raised his hands, and the room fell silent.
"Welcome, students, to another year at Hogwarts," Dumbledore began, his voice carrying effortlessly through the hall. "This year, we have the honor of hosting a legendary event: the Triwizard Tournament. For those unfamiliar, this is a competition where three schools—Hogwarts, Durmstrang, and Beauxbatons—each select a single student to represent them in a series of magical challenges. It is a test of skill, courage, and ingenuity. However," he paused, his tone growing serious, "I must warn you: this tournament is not for the faint of heart. It is dangerous, and the chosen champion will stand alone. Now, please join me in welcoming our esteemed guests."
The doors of the Great Hall swung open, and all eyes turned toward the entrance. The Beauxbatons delegation entered first, their arrival as graceful as it was mesmerizing. The students, dressed in silvery-blue robes, moved with an elegance that seemed almost otherworldly. At the back of the group was an exceedingly tall woman—Madame Maxime, the headmistress of Beauxbatons. But it was the students in front of her who truly captured the attention of the hall.
The Beauxbatons girls, led by a part-veela witch, seemed to glide rather than walk. Their beauty was almost hypnotic, and the air around them seemed to shimmer with an ethereal glow. The veela, in particular, had an otherworldly charm that left many of the Hogwarts students staring in awe. Fred and George Weasley, seated at the Gryffindor table, were practically slack-jawed, while Ron’s ears turned bright red. Even Hermione, usually composed, couldn’t help but glance at them with a mix of admiration and envy.
Dante, however, remained unimpressed. He watched the spectacle with a bored expression.
Next came the Durmstrang delegation, and their entrance was a stark contrast to Beauxbatons’ elegance. The students marched in with military precision, their heavy boots echoing against the stone floor. They wore fur-lined cloaks and carried long, carved staffs, their faces set in expressions of fierce determination. At the front of the group was Igor Karkaroff, the headmaster of Durmstrang, his sharp eyes scanning the room with a mix of pride and calculation.
The Durmstrang students performed a brief but impressive display of synchronized magic, their staffs slamming into the ground in unison as sparks of light erupted around them. The hall erupted in applause, though Dante merely raised an eyebrow. [More theatrics], he thought, his boredom evident. [Do they think this is a circus?]
Among the Durmstrang students, one figure stood out: Viktor Krum, the world-famous Quidditch seeker. His presence alone was enough to send whispers rippling through the hall, especially among the Gryffindor and Hufflepuff tables. But Dante, uninterested in Quidditch or celebrity, didn’t even recognize him.
As the delegations took their seats and the feast began, Dante sat quietly at the Slytherin table, his expression as impassive as ever.
As the feast continued, the Great Hall buzzed with excitement and chatter. The students from Hogwarts, Durmstrang, and Beauxbatons mingled, their voices blending into a lively hum. Dumbledore rose from his seat at the head table and stepped forward, his presence commanding immediate silence. The hall fell quiet, all eyes turning to the headmaster.
"Now that we are all digesting another magnificent feast, I beg a few moments of your attention for some announcements," Dumbledore began, his voice warm and carrying effortlessly across the room. "First, I am pleased to welcome Mr. Bartemius Crouch, Head of the Department of International Magical Cooperation, and Mr. Alastor Moody, our new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor."
The doors of the Great Hall opened once more, and two figures entered. The first was Bartemius Crouch, a tall, stern-looking man with a neatly trimmed mustache and an air of bureaucratic efficiency. He walked with a stiff posture, his eyes scanning the room with a detached professionalism. Behind him came Alastor Moody, his presence immediately drawing attention. Moody’s grizzled appearance, complete with a magical eye that swiveled independently in its socket and a wooden leg that thumped against the floor, made him an imposing figure. His scarred face and gruff demeanor only added to his reputation as one of the most feared Aurors in wizarding history.
Dumbledore continued, "Mr. Crouch has graciously agreed to oversee the impartial judging of the Triwizard Tournament, ensuring fairness and adherence to the rules. And Professor Moody, though retired from active duty, has agreed to lend his expertise to our school once more. Please join me in welcoming them."
Polite applause filled the hall as Crouch and Moody took their places at the head table. Crouch gave a curt nod, his expression unreadable, while Moody grunted in acknowledgment, his magical eye scanning the room with a sharp, almost paranoid intensity.
Dumbledore stepped aside, allowing Bartemius Crouch to address the students. Crouch rose from his seat, his voice crisp and authoritative as he spoke. "The Triwizard Tournament is a prestigious and ancient competition, designed to foster friendship and cooperation between the three great wizarding schools of Europe. However, it is not without its dangers. For this reason, the Ministry of Magic has decreed that only students aged seventeen and older may participate. This age restriction is in place for your safety, as the tasks ahead are perilous and require a level of maturity and skill that younger students may not yet possess."
A murmur of disappointment rippled through the younger students. Crouch, however, remained unmoved. "The selection process will be conducted by the Goblet of Fire, an impartial and ancient magical artifact. Each school will have one champion, chosen by the Goblet based on merit and capability. Once selected, the champions are bound by a magical contract to compete. There will be no exceptions to these rules."
Crouch’s tone left no room for argument, and the students quickly fell silent. Dumbledore stepped forward once more, his eyes twinkling. "Thank you, Mr. Crouch. Now, let us all look forward to a year of friendship, competition, and, of course, learning."
While this was happening, Dante’s silver eyes moved between the two newcomers. His gaze lingered on Crouch first. Dante could see the man’s will was completely subjugated under the Imperius Curse and was being controlled.
Then his attention shifted to Moody, the controller. He can see the faint connection linking Crouch and Moody. At first glance, Moody seemed every bit the grizzled veteran he was reputed to be. But Dante can see the faint shimmer of magic around his body that suggested a Polyjuice Potion at work. And the faint threads of magic coming from his arm, was the same as the ones coming from his father, Lucius.
Dante’s eyes narrowed as he observed Moody glancing at Harry Potter several times throughout the feast. The looks were fleeting but deliberate, as if the fake Moody were studying the boy. Dante’s conclusion, this was a Death Eater, and a loyal one at that, masquerading as the famed Auror.
Dante considered his options. He could confront the imposter, expose him, and extract information about Voldemort’s whereabouts. But he quickly dismissed the idea. There was a chance the fake Moody didn’t know anything useful. He might be here on a mission, acting under orders without full knowledge of Voldemort’s plans. Exposing him prematurely could cause Voldemort to continue hiding.
Instead, Dante decided to watch and wait. The imposter’s presence at Hogwarts was intriguing, and his attention to Harry Potter even more so. Whatever the Death Eater’s mission was, it would reveal itself in time. For now, Dante would remain observing.
