4- Going Back To Hogwarts

                                    

                                          

After the disaster at the Quidditch World Cup, Amos spent a lot more time in his office at the Ministry.
Not that this bothered Celia since she didn't spend much time with him anyway.
As the summer term grew to a close, Celia had to prepare to return to Hogwarts.
Although she loved her lessons, she would miss her bedroom, as it was her own private library. And she hated that she had to leave some of her books behind, since there was only so much space in her suitcase.
Celia had chosen to take Ancient Runes and Arthimancy as well as Care of Magical Creatures, for her extra subjects.
She had wanted to take Muggle Studies instead, as she thought it would be more useful to her. But since her father worked in the department for the regulation and control of magical creatures, she had been forced to take the class run by Hagrid.
                          
On the Hogwarts Express, Celia always sat with her roommates, since there were not enough carriages for her to sit alone.
Her roommates tolerated her and often forgot she was there, as she had an amazing knack for blending into the background. And she wasn't weird enough that they actively avoided her.
They were all exceptionally pretty girls, which annoyed Celia, and placed a divide between her and the others.
The most popular girl in her room was Cho Chang, who was their Seeker.
She also had a crush on Celia's brother Cedric, which is why Celia tried to avoid her as much as possible.
                          
Once they arrived at Hogwarts and took their seats in the Great Hall, Celia sat down next to Arabella Hoarse, whom she hated the least in her year.
Celia snuck a book out of her robes which she began to read during the Sorting ceremony, to pass the time. And she continued reading during the feast, only stopping when Dumbledore stood up to make his announcements, as even she wouldn't disrespect the Headmaster by reading during his speech.
                          
"So, now that we are all fed and watered, I have a few announcements to make. Mr Filch has added to his list of objects banned inside the castle. This list now includes Screaming Yo-Yo's, Fanged Frisbees and Ever-Bashing Boomerangs.
And I would like to remind all students that the forest in the grounds is out of bounds. As is Hogsmeade to all those below their 3rd year.
It is also my painful duty to inform you all that the inter-house Quidditch cup will not take place this year, due to an event starting in October" revealed Dumbledore.
Everyone around the room began to groan at this news, except for Celia, who couldn't care less about Quidditch.
She was actually glad that her brother wouldn't have a chance to show of that year.
                          
Before Dumbledore could continue with his speech, a strange man, with a false eye and leg, hobbled into the room.
"May I introduce your new defence against the dark arts teacher; Professor Moody" announced Dumbledore.
"What happened to him?" Whispered Arabella, cringing at the man's appearance.
"Alastair Moody is an ex-auror. He's been injured several times fighting dark wizards" answered Celia.
"He looks ever so frightening" commented Cho, who was sat opposite them.
"But if he's an ex-auror then he'll know all about fighting bad people. Who better than to get us through our OWLs" admitted Katia Atwood, who was sat beside Cho.
                          
"As I was saying, this year we have the honor of hosting a very exciting event that has not been held in over a century. It is my great pleasure to announce that we will be hosting and taking part in the Triwizard Tournament" announced Dumbledore.
"You're joking!" Gasped Fred Weasley, from the Gryffindor table.
This made most people chuckle, except Celia who merely rolled her eyes at his interruption.
                          
"I am not joking Mr Weasley... Now, the Triwizard Tournament is a friendly competition between Hogwarts, Durmstrang and Beauxbatons. A champion from each school will be selected to compete, and take part in 3 dangerous tasks. The winner will receive glory for their school and 1000 galleons prize money for themselves. However, due to the dangerous nature of the tasks, this year we are imposing an age restriction. So no one under the age of 17 will be allowed to compete. The students from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang will be arriving in October, and will remain here for the school year. But that's enough talk for now, it's time you were all off to bed. Chop chop" continued Dumbledore.
                          
"I guess that means no one in our year will be able to become the school champion" sighed Marietta Edgecombe, as the 5th year Ravenclaw girls made their way up to the common room.
"No, but it makes sense that only people who are of age can enter" replied Katia.
"I suppose since only older students would be wise enough to win, putting an age restriction on the tournament is a good idea" agreed Arabella.
"Do you think you would have entered if there hadn't been an age restriction?" Asked Cho.
"Of course not, I wouldn't want to risk interfering with my OWLs, even for 1000 galleons" answered Arabella.
                          
When the girls reached Ravenclaw tower they waited for the eagle doorknocker to ask them their first question of the year.
"What is cross, but never angry?" Quizzed the door.
"Does a hot-cross bun count?" Asked Arabella, making the girls giggle, and even Celia cracked a smile.
"You are not wrong, so you may enter" replied the door, as it swung open.
                          
As her classmates began greeting their friends in other year groups, who were all spread throughout the common room, Celia headed up to the girls dormitory, so that she could be alone.
It made her happy to see her marvellous four poster bed, with it's blue and silver hangings, again.
Although she didn't like sharing a room at Hogwarts, she did love her bed.
And while she had the room to herself she begun unpacking her belongings, starting with her owl Angel, who was not happy about being in a cage all day, and had begun to hoot.
                          
"Alright, calm down, you're free now" whispered Celia, as she undid the cage allowing Angel to leap out and perch on her knee.
Angel nipped Celia's finger affectionately and stopped hooting.
Celia stroked her owl's soft white feathers before carrying her to the window so that she could fly out into the night.
She loved her owl, and fully believed that she was the most beautiful creature in existence.