Eight.

                                    

                                          
We were woken only after a few hours of sleep, which means I didn’t get much sleep at all by the time we left. The sun was just rising as we reached the portkey. Mrs. Weasley was very upset about what happened, especially since the last thing she said to the twins was something not very nice about their O.W.L. marks. She apologized repeatedly to them, even though they had forgiven her the first time. Mr. Weasley was mentioned in the Daily Prophet that next day for his help last night.
    
Mrs. Weasley had bought dress robes for Ron and Harry because our school list said that we needed them this year for a formal occasion, but she didn’t buy Hermione or I a dress because she didn’t know what we would like. So now for whatever formal occasion was happening at Hogwarts was happening this year I needed a dress for it.
    
Then after another week the day came that I have been waiting for. September 1st. It was time to go back to Hogwarts. As we were about to head for the train Charlie Weasley said, “I might be seeing you all sooner than you think,” we were all very confused about that. What did that mean? Was he coming home for Christmas or something? He usually doesn’t, so that would make sense.
    
But then that notion was proven wrong when Mrs. Weasley said, “I’d invite you home for Christmas, but I expect you’re going to want to stay at Hogwarts, what with...one thing and another.”
    
“What do you know that we don’t?” Asks Ron, arounding angry.
    
“You’ll find out this evening, I expect,” says Mrs. Weasley. “It’s going to be very exciting - mind you, I’m very glad that they changed the rules.”
    
“What rules?” Asks Ron, in that same tone from his last question.
    
She wouldn't say, and neither would Charlie. We entered the steam engine, and found a compartment for the four of us. We were greeted by other Gryffindors that we lived with in Gryffindor Tower. Like Seamus Finnigan, Dean Thomas, and Neville Longbottom.
    
The Great Hall was set up the same way it always was. After the sorting of the new first year students into the houses, I couldn't help but notice that there was an empty seat where Professor Lupin sat last year. Had Dumbledore not found a replacement? Would one of the teachers be doing double duty teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts on top of their other subject? I sure hope he didn’t let Snape. If he didn’t choose anyone, he could have called Lupin and had him take his job back. I couldn’t help but notice that the food this feast was more lavish than it has ever been before. It was certainly much more exotic in choices this time with foods from other countries around the worlds as the main courses.
    
When Dumbledore took to the podium, he began his speech to start off the new year, “So! Now that we’re all fed and watered, I must once more ask for your attention while I give out a few notices. Mr. Filch, the caretaker, has asked me to tell you that the list of objects forbidden inside the castle this year has been extended to include Screaming Yo-yos, Fanged Frisbees, and Ever-Bashing Boomerangs. The full list comprises some four hundred and thirty-seven items, I believe, and can be viewed in Mr. Filch’s office, if anybody would like to check.”
    
The corners of his mouth twitched before he spoke again, “As ever, I would like to remind you all that the forest on the grounds is out-of-bounds to students, as is the village of Hogsmeade to all below third year. It is also my painful duty to inform you that the Inter-House Quidditch Cup will not take place this year. This is due to an event that will be starting in October continuing throughout the school year, taking up much of the teachers’ time and energy - but I’m sure you will all enjoy it immensely. I have great pleasure in announcing that this year Hogwarts - ”
    
He didn’t get to finish that thought though, because the doors to the Great Hall banged opened. A man stood in the doorway, leaning down upon a long staff, shrouded in a black traveling cloak. Every head in the Great Hall swiveled towards the stranger. A dull clunk echoed through the hall with his every step he took. He reached the top of the teachers table, turned right, and limped heavily towards Dumbledore. The stranger reached Dumbledore and stretched out his hand that was as badly scarred as his face was, and Dumbeldore shook it, muttering words that we couldn’t hear. Dumbledore nodded and then gestured the man to the empty seat at the table.
    
“May I introduce our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Professor Moody. As I was saying, Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry are honored to be hosting a very exciting event over the coming months that has not been held in over a century. It is my great pleasure to inform you the Triwizard Tournament will be taking place at Hogwarts this year.” Gasps filled the room from everyone that knew what that meant. I was one of them. That’s what Mrs. Weasley and Charlie were talking about before we boarded the Hogwarts Express.
    
He then went on to tell everyone that the Tournament was a very dangerous thing, and that there was a very high death toll before they stopped putting it on. The rules have been changed and no one under the age of seventeen is allowed to enter.