The train ride itself was very standard for my friends and I. We all headed to the prefect compartment, reconnected with returning members and introduced ourselves to the 8 new prefects joining us. I gave the same warning about not going too far and that favoritism was simply a natural product of Hogwarts hence some was to be tolerated speech as usual. After that we patrolled the carriages and monitored students.
I saw the twins messing with a new prefect until I gave them a shout. Students of every year were admiring us with different levels of obviousness, letting us know our popularity hadn't gotten any lower
I even checked in on the Golden Trio and found Draco with Crabbe and Goyle, taunting the kids with his knowledge on the cup.
'Now that I think about them, their dads should be released this winter. Wonder how they feel and what their parents will do.' I though to myself as I watched his petty act.
"Malfoy stop being such a prat like your father and leave. Do something useful besides trying to make others jealous. You are giving real nobles a bad name." Harshly said Victoria.
The kid finally noticed us and paled at the sight of us before running away, only stopping dead on the spot when he heard my smooth voice resound the compartment.
"Draco, when will you stop these childish acts and try to actually prove you are better through some effort? You bought your way into a team out of jealousy instead of polishing the talent you actually have for the sport. You rely on Professor Snape's bias and private tutoring for classes instead of using the intelligence you could have easily cultivated. You simply believe yourself above others when in fact your grades are worst than Harry and Hermione, your dueling skills are worst than Ron and Harry, you aren't even the best in your year for your house, that goes to Daphne Greengrass, and you always try to take the easy way out of everything.
If you idolize your father then I suggest you stop. The only reason he is not in Azkaban is because I took mercy on him and to not ruin your own future. His methods are foolish and simple to break, letting me have the ability to send him to prison whenever I wish. So I implore you to smarten up and think for yourself before all your decisions are made for you. Because if not, there will come a day when you realize you are but a puppet, and that day will make you realize you never truly had anything." I say to the platinum blonde teen.
He doesn't turn around, but I can see his internal struggle before he walks away in silence.
"Aedan, did you say Ron and I could beat Malfoy?" Suddenly asked Harry, focusing on that bit.
"Hm? Yes. I know how good you two have become as duelers, even if you haven't been able to participate in the club I still teach you during the summer. Whilst Ron has shown fantastic improvement all around. His fitness has improved dramatically, his confidence in himself has stabilized, he has learned to respect his opponents and learn from defeat, his skills have become very good as well. If he continues to work like he has, I have no doubt he could become an expert dueler and you could become a good fighter." I answered Harry without even having to think about it much.
"You really believe that? That I can get that good?" Asked Ron from the cabin, feeling warm inside at my words.
"Of course. Wouldn't have chosen you as one of the future Club leaders if I didn't think you would improve even further. Just don't tell anyone until the first meet." I say to the kids with a grin, getting all of them to open their mouths in shock.
"You actually chose him huh? Well I do have to admit he's no longer a little prat like Malfoy, so good on you Weasley." Victoria added as we continued our rounds.
The rest of our time was uneventful, but our arrival showed us a heavy rainstorm with lightning flashing through the sky.
"I pity those first years this time. It's crazy weather to sail on those little boats." Said Christian as he joined up with Tory and I.
"Yeah, do kinda feel bad." I agreed with a slight nod.
"It'll build some character. But anyway, shouldn't you be out protecting your little bunny from the rain." Teased Victoria as she turned to Christian.
"I called her that one time! When are you going to let it go?" He bemoaned in response.
"When you man up and actually start making some progress. Now go." She answered as she basically gave him a kick in the butt.
"Hahaha! You really are very direct." I say with a laugh.
"You're lucky you weren't a pussy when you asked me, or you would have gotten a lot worst." She harrumphed at my laughter.
"Why should I hesitate when I know what I want?" I asked with a bright smile, making her blush this time.
"Lets just do our check and head to the castle. I want to get indoors as soon as possible." She said as she abruptly changed the subject.
"Of course my queen." I say with a soft tone next to her ear, almost turning her tomato red as she tried to keep a straight face.
With Tory trying to finish everything as quickly as possible to hide her embarrassment, we finished our last check and headed to the castle soon after. During the ride back, I used some magic to make a little bubble to repel the rain and used my fire to keep us warm, so with some hand holding and meaningful gazes, we had a pleasant time.
We separated before we got too close to the castle and found ourselves seeing an upset Professor McGonagall trying to get rid of all the water at the schools entrance.
"Do you wish for a little help Professor? I'm sure three will have the job done faster than one." I offered to our deputy headmistress.
"Ah, Mister Bones. That would be very appreciated." She said in response.
So with a few waves of my wand I collect all the water from the area into one great globe of water, making the Professor's eyes widen at the sight, and threw it outside with a splash.
"That takes care of that. Victoria and I will head on in now Professor. Hope we have some promising first years." I say with a bright smile as I sheath my wand.
"That was wonderful spellwork Mr. Bones, 10 points for Ravenclaw. I believe you just broke a record in that area as well now." McGonagall said with a small smile.
"My pleasure Professor." I respond with a slight bow and take my leave.
Tory and I separated as we entered the Great Hall to sit at our house tables, then the wait for the feast began.
I honestly wasn't too invested in this batch at this point since only one of them was truly mentioned in the canon, and that was Colin Creevey's younger brother. He was basically a mini version of his elder brother and went to Gryffindor, so not really involved with him. All I could do is observe the kids and see which ones have potential in certain areas. So I just spent my time waiting for the new students chatting with peers, some juniors and people I've mentored about their summers and whatnot.
At this point the first years came into the Great Hall under the Professors lead, looking almost like drowned rats in all honesty. McGonagall did her best, but it wasn't nearly enough.
Then the routine happened. The hat came and sang its yearly song, the sorting was done in a proper manner, the Headmaster gave us our food with a two word welcome and everyone pigged our over the sumptuous food.
I noticed that Hermione had a heavy frown on her face after some time passed and stopped eating. It would seem this was the year she learned about the house-elves in Hogwarts. I hope she will take a more moderate stance when it comes to them. I believe that they are very much worth more than what they have, but the problem is their symbiotic nature and the generations of slavery ingraining the status into their very souls. The best they could be at this point in time would be servants. Not because of my views, but theirs. These things take time.
Anyway, the feast was done and with a wave of the Headmasters hand the food vanished. He then began his usual speech about the Forbidden Forest, Hogsmeade visits, Filch's ever increasing list of banned goods, making the older students zone out a bit until his last announcement.
"It is also my painful duty to inform you that the Inter-House Quidditch Cup will not take place this year." The old man said with some regret, but also excitement for his follow up.
Although he was excited, he waited for the students to digest the news a bit before explaining the situation.
"This is due to an event that will be starting in October, and continuing throughout the school year, taking up much of the teachers' time and energy - but I am sure you will all enjoy it immensely. I have great pleasure in announcing that this year at Hogwarts -" He started to explain, but at that moment, there was a deafening rumble of thunder and the doors of the Great Hall banged open.
The great noise attracted the attention of everyone in the Great Hall, making them look at a single man standing beyond the doors: Alastor 'Mad-eye' Moody.
The man then proceeded to limp his way to the front of the Hall under the curious gazes of all Hogwarts' students. His mostly scarred face, artificial leg, enchanted prosthetic eye and constant observation of his surroundings were certainly attention grabbing enough to succeed in this level of attention.
He reached the Headmaster at his podium and the two spoke to each other briefly before the old man turned his attention back to us.
"May I introduce our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher?" said Dumbledore brightly into the silence. "Professor Moody."
It was usual for new staff members to be greeted with applause, but none of the staff or students clapped except Dumbledore, Hagrid, myself and my friends, but the sound echoed dismally into the silence, and it stopped fairly quickly. Everyone else seemed too transfixed by Moody's bizarre appearance to do more than stare at him.
The situation is understandable. It is not everyday one sees the most experienced. successful, and still alive, Auror in Britain. The man filled more than half the cells in Azkaban and killed more dark witches and wizards than we could know. He is certainly worthy of the attention for these gossip mongering kids who have never really fought before.
"As I was saying," the Headmaster said, smiling at the sea of students before him, all of whom were still gazing transfixed at Mad-Eye Moody, "we are to have the honor of hosting a very exciting event over the coming months, an event that has not been held for over a century. It is my very great pleasure to inform you that the Triwizard Tournament will be taking place at Hogwarts this year."
"You're JOKING!" shouted Weasley twin A loudly as he made the Hall break out in chuckles.
"I am not joking, Mr. Weasley," responded Dumbledore, "though now that you mention it, I did hear an excellent one over the summer about a troll, a hag, and a leprechaun who all go into a bar."
Unfortunately the Headmaster was not allowed to finish his joke due to his deputy forcing him to continue with his explanation.
Said explanation was basically what I had said. A brief history of the Tournament, its death toll, subsequent dismissal, current reintroduction and how it works. He also told everyone about Beauxbatons and Durmstrang's arrivals, the selection date, the impartial judge, and finished off by telling everyone of the 'eternal glory victory will bring' and the 1000 galleon paycheck.
His words made many starry-eyed students dream of the riches and glory they could win, but there was another reaction among the student body: they looked in the directions of The Beast, The Saint, The Queen and me, The Raven. They were looking at those they saw as the true champions of Hogwarts.
"Eager though I know all of you will be to bring the Triwizard Cup to Hogwarts," he said, "the heads of the participating schools, along with the Ministry of Magic, have agreed to impose an age restriction on contenders this year. Only students who are of age - that is to say, seventeen years or older - will be allowed to put forward their names for consideration. This -" Dumbledore raised his voice slightly, for several people had made noises of outrage at these words, and the Weasley twins were suddenly looking furious - "is a measure we feel is necessary, given that the tournament tasks will still be difficult and dangerous, whatever precautions we take, and it is highly unlikely that students below sixth and seventh year will be able to cope with them. I will personally be ensuring that no underage student hoodwinks our impartial judge into making them Hogwarts champion." His light blue eyes twinkled as they flickered over Fred's and George's mutinous faces. "I therefore beg you not to waste your time submitting yourself if you are under seventeen.
"The delegations from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang will be arriving in October and remaining with us for the greater part of this year. I know that you will all extend every courtesy to our foreign guests while they are with us, and will give your whole-hearted support to the Hogwarts champion when he or she is selected. And now, it is late, and I know how important it is to you all to be alert and rested as you enter your lessons tomorrow morning. Bedtime! Chop chop!" He said as he finished this exciting piece of news.
There were many sixth year students genuinely upset at the age restriction, like the twins, but they will have to deal with that.
As for me, i had my duties as Head Boy to fulfill and I have been ready for the Triwizard cup for years now, so not really a big deal for me. But it did make me smile a bit.
'It has begun. I wonder how everything will turn out. I already have multiple mirrors in the Little Hangleton cemetery, so now i wait and most likely participate in the tournament.' I thought to myself as i headed back to Ravenclaw Tower once again.