The very next day saw Hogwarts being much more busy than usual. The same students who would be complaining about the short holidays and once again having to study were now excited to start a new year.
After the formalities were over in the past two days, the students now had a free hand to interact and familiarise with each other. The incoming students were fifth, sixth and seventh year students. We were already given instructions of them being in the same classes as our students and this led to the excitement for classes.
Me and Hermione began to busy ourselves between our classes, the infirmary and research. Before I learnt the three needed spells, I had to search for them. The fact that our classes were now more relaxed did help.
One slight problem was Barty Crouch Jr., similar to my first experience with him, he was trying every possible way to get close to me and become my well wisher. Unlike last time however, he was finding it difficult to accomplish. Me being much more stable and confident was one reason. Not having friends who continuously try to get me into trouble was another. My changed style of not getting into ego fights with Draco was probably the biggest reason.
This surely did not mean that I was going to completely alienate him. I did give him a few rare chances here and there after all he was the important piece on the chessboard in not only my plan but also the other two oldies.
In the few chances that he got, he always tried to bring in a more personal touch in our conversations and continuously asked me about my studies, my friends, my life at home and such. I always gave him vague answers and due to me being mostly recluse he too couldn't find much flaw in my answers.
Every now and then I would see him quietly observing me from afar or following me discreetly. This had led to me leaving the research work to Hermione. She would always bring in a few reference materials back to the common room for us to go over with. It had proven quite difficult for us to find any resemblance of the spells that I was searching for.
Apart from this, the twins were also fully upto their task. The vast pool of students they could now use for trying out their products was like paradise to them. Adding to that was me removing the restrictions on them for performing in the school was like giving wings to their dreams. Given their personality, it was very easy for them to interact and befriend the students from various schools.
The products they were now testing were much more advanced than what they had made the first time around. Me making them study various topics unrelated to their curriculum had increased their in-depth knowledge on various topics which had helped them create much more advanced, sophisticated and safe products.
The following month was very entertaining for everyone. The teachers too were enjoying themselves in their own ways. Just as everyone had begun to settle down another important event took place in the great hall.
After we finished our meal in the great hall the great hall welcomed a few more guests. The minister of magic, the minister for sports and a few other ministry officials made their way to the teachers table and greetings were exchanged between everyone. A tall speech booth suddenly manifested out of nowhere and the minister took to the podium.
Minister - " As everyone is already aware, the trip-wizard tournament is a special privilege and the winner will not only earn prestige but also a prize money of ten thousand galleons. It will be the best opportunity for the chosen one's to display their might and abilities to the entire nation.
Considering the age restriction, all of the chosen one's will be moving into the society at the end of the year and this prestige would surely give you a major boost in any profession you choose.
If I may say so, if the winner is indeed from Hogwarts then I am sure our ministry will have a very nice position opened for you.
Leaving these matters aside for the future, I now declare the TRI-WIZARD Tournament OPEN"
This announcement was met with a resounding applause from both the students and the teachers. I looked towards Hermione at the same moment as she turned towards me. We both understood that just how dangerous these words for me. I however felt less afraid and more excited. This was not the case the first time around.
Saying this the minister ended his speech and went back to the table. Dumble's took his spot soon. A quick flick of his wrist and the cloth wrapped around the goblet of fire wisked off. There was a bright green flame dancing on the goblet. No one could take their eyes from the fire.
Dumble's - " The tournament has been declared open and now I will place the goblet inside the hall where anyone interested, above the age of 16, can write their names on any piece of paper and throw it into the goblet.
Know that we have taken appropriate measures and you won't be able to place your names if you are not of age, so no point in trying. You will have three days to submit your name in the goblet. The selection of champions will then take place a week later at halloween. "
He did not even need to dismiss today's dinner as everyone was busy discussing the tournament and had already started to move around in the hall and outside it.
Just as I was about to head back to the common hall, I was intercepted by Barty Crouch Jr. He tried speaking to me and steered the conversation on the topic of the tournament. He told me about the previous tournament and how the chosen one's had perished which had led to the tournament being classified as too dangerous. He seemed to be giving me additional help to prepare me for the tournament without explicitly saying so.
I pretended to be tired and walked away. Hermione too made her way back to the common hall not long after I had arrived. We took to our usual routine of researching the spells. After the announcement tonight, it all suddenly became too real for her and she searched with a new vigour.
The next night after dinner, instead of going back to their respective common rooms like always, everyone had stayed back and gathered in the hall to witness the students who were brave enough to put their names into the goblet. It was not short of the enthusiasm the students showed for the quidditch matches.
Me, Hermione, Luna and Neville too joined in on the fun. It was a once in lifetime event after all. Not for me, but for everyone else. It would be a waste not enjoy these precious moments with the few genuine friends I have made in both my lifetimes.
The next couple of nights went the same. The twins still tried to fool the age line set up by Dumble's and failed again. The only positive this time around was they had made much thorough preparations and the pushback they received was not so severe, which earned them little mockery from the students.
By the time we all left the hall on the last day everyone who had the courage to participate had thrown their names into the goblet.
As was expected, Barty Crouch Jr. sneaked into the hall on the last night and placed my name into the goblet. The reason I was sure of this was the marauder's map. After confirming this I slept soundly knowing that the games had finally begun.