In response to the development of technology, Albus Dumbledore and the ICW created the International Wizarding School Invitational (IWSI). The Invitational would the 7 major wizarding schools compete on the international stage for fame, glory, and wealth. The goal of the Invitational is foster ties with and bring attention to other wizarding nations. The Invitational allowed for schools to compete in Transfiguration, Charms, Potions, Dueling, Quidditch, and a subject that changes depending on the hosting school.
The first ever IWSI was hosted by Hogwarts from January 2nd to January 15th. Therefore, Hogwarts chose Care of Magical Creatures as the last subject of the Invitational. Hogwarts competitors finished first overall in the subject. Headmaster Dumbledore called on his old student, Newt Scamander, the renowned Magical Creature specialist, who personally tutored the competitors during the first semester of the school year to ensure that the students would have a leg up on the competition.
The 15 students, 3 from each year starting from 3rd year onwards, all placed within the top 5 of their age groups allowing for Hogwarts to win the Care of Magical Creatures category by a landslide.
In the other subjects, however, Hogwarts students could not replicate the Care of Magical Creatures category, finishing 4th overall in Transfiguration, 4th in Charms, last in Potions, 3rd in Quidditch, and last in dueling.
Fortunately, the landslide victory in Care of Magical Creatures allowed for Hogwarts to narrowly beat out Durmstrang to finish 4th in the overall competition.
*Note 7 points for 1st, 6 for 2nd, 5 for 3rd, 4 for 4th, 3 for 5th, 2 for 6th, and 1 for 7th
IWSI Final Standings
1st Place: Ilvermorny - 32 points
2nd Place: Beauxbatons - 29 points
3rd Place: Castelobruxo - 27 points
4th Place: Hogwarts - 22 points
5th Place: Durmstrang - 21 points
6th Place: Uagadou - 19 points
7th Place: Mahoutokoro - 18 points
This result came as a shock to much of the British Wizarding World, they believed that Hogwarts was the best school in the world. Yet, they found themselves well behind their American counterparts and at the middle of the road in terms of school ranking.
The Daily Prophet, however, was not worried. They stated that the ranking this time was a fluke and put an emphasis on how well Hogwarts students did in the Care of Magical Creatures competition, completely ignoring the fact the Care of Magical Creatures would not be a subject in the next competition hosted by Uagadou, as well as the aid the Newt Scamander gave in the subject.
When asked about the result, Minister Fudge said, "Trust in Albus Dumbledore, he is the greatest wizard of the century. At the next competition, he will prove his superior teaching and magical knowledge to the world yet again."
This assurance, as well as the comments made by the Daily Prophet caused the British Wizarding World to dismiss the result as nothing but a 'fluke.'
The Quibbler, however, warned that Hogwarts had the home field advantage and only narrowly got 4th. It further questioned whether or not Headmaster Dumbledore should remain as Headmaster, sighting his duties as Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot and Supreme Mugwump of the ICW, as well as his age, keep him too preoccupied to keep up the rigors of being Headmaster of Hogwarts. The Quibbler predicted that if nothing was done, then Hogwarts might see a further slip in the international rankings, stating, "At the rate things are going, this writer wouldn't be surprised if Hogwarts finishes 5th or even 6th in the next competition in Africa."
Albus Dumbledore, still too preoccupied with finding the rest of Voldemort's horcruxes, as he had already found Hufflepuff's cup and Slytherin's locket, did not pay much attention to the competition and its increasing importance in wizarding society. Furthermore, with the need to find a new Defense Against the Dark Arts (DADA) professor, he completely neglected reinstating the dueling club, much to Flitwick's dismay.
4 and a half years went by, and the whole wizarding world was very excited about the upcoming IWSI held in Africa. During these 4 and a half years, Albus Dumbledore, with the help of Severus Snape, successfully found and destroyed the Gaunt ring, leading to three of the six horcruxes being destroyed.
Note *The Nagini Horcrux was created after Voldemort resurrected, which has not {and might not} happened yet.
In 1988 (one year before the upcoming competition), Dumbledore reestablished the dueling club in order to prepare students for the IWSI.
--Uagadou--
"And that is it folks, thank you very much to the hosts, Uagadou. With the end of this exciting Quidditch final, where Hogwarts triumphed Ilvermorny, the 2nd Quinquennial (meaning every 5 years) International Wizarding School Invitational comes to an end. I must say, the final result of the tournament comes as a great shock, who would've thought that Hogwarts would finish last in the overall competition. The only bright spot they have had throughout the entire invitational was their seeker Charlie Weasley, who led the Hogwarts team to win the championship over Ilvermorny today. One thing is for sure though, changes need to be made."