Chapter 16: Tri-Wizard!

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This man, James Potter he guessed, looked exactly like an older version of Thomas, with the same glasses on his face.

The two men were similar robes, looking something akin to what the German Aurors were.

There were two empty seats next to Sirius but before he could muse, the food had disappeared, and Dumbledore stood to address them.

"The moment has come," said Dumbledore, smiling around at the seas of upturned faces.

"The Tri-Wizard Tournament is about to begin. I would like to say a few words of explanation before we bring in the casket just to clarify the procedures that we will be following this year."

"But first, let me introduce, for those who do not know them, Mr. Bartemius Crouch, Head of the Department of International Magical Cooperation and Mr. Ludo Bagman, Head of the Department of Magical Games and Sports."

"Mr. Bagman and Mr. Crouch have worked tirelessly over the last few months on the arrangements for the Tri-Wizard-Tournament and they will be joining myself, Professor Kakaroff, and Madame Maxine in the panel that will judge the champion's efforts."

"I'd almost like to welcome Aurors Sirius Black and James Potter. After the recent attack at the Quidditch World Cup, the Ministry felt that an Auror presence was necessary and they have happily volunteered to join us."

"First I have some announcements to make. As you were told there are extra contests, designed to inspire international bonds and grow a healthy sense of competition."

"There will be, of course, a Quidditch tournament and a dueling tournament. Interschool competitions will deem who will compete for their schools, and unfortunately those chosen as champions will not be allowed to compete in these extra contests." There was a little grumbling to that, but it faded quickly.

"Lastly, as many of you know it was the intention of many of the organizers of this tournament to only allow those seventeen-years-old to compete."

"However, and I must note my disagreement with this decision, it has been decided that all those in their fifth year, or the age fifteen, and above may enter to compete in the Tri-Wizard Tournament."

An old man that looked rather grumpy, approached Dumbledore with a wooden casket as excited conversations sprung up around the hall.

Aries noticed Kakaroff's smirk again and guessed that the heated discussion he had witnessed regarded the age limit.

It seemed the Aunt Cassiopeia had in fact convinced a few people to make the change, her bad habit of having a tough time telling Aries no to anything seemed to be continuing tonight.

Dumbledore now took out his wand and tapped three times on upon the top of the casket.

The lid creaked slowly open and he reached inside pulling out a large, roughly hewn wooden cup. It would have been extremely unremarkable had it not been full to the brim with dancing blue-white flames.

"In light of the recent age limit change, I feel I must put forth a warning to all those that would compete," Dumbledore said gravely.

"This tournament will consist of four tasks, spaced throughout the school year and they will test each champion in many ways. These will not be school yard challenges as they are designed to challenge everything about you, including the ability to cope with danger."

"Many have died in this tournament, and I would hope that trend is not continued this year. Anyone wishing to the champion to represent their school has twenty-four hours to write their name and school upon a slip of parchment and place into the impartial selector: The Goblet of Fire."

The Great Hall had been changed since the welcoming feast the night before. Stands and small circular tables replaced the long ones that usually sat in the hall.

Aries and the combination of his and Draco's friends had spent much of the day watching would be contenders place their name in the Goblet.

Each House from Hogwarts had cheered loudly for their contenders, but the loudest cheer of all had been for Diggory. Aries had gleemed much about the seventh year from Draco's friends, and unfortunately for his friend, he believed that Diggory would be the one chosen.

Many of the Beauxbatons students believed the veela, Fleur Delacour, would be chosen. The only school that was unsure was Durmstrang, as many could not decide whether the Goblet would choose Viktor Krum or Aries Black.

Aries glanced towards Daphne, who was far more interested in her Ancient Runes book than the contenders for the cup, before turning back to see two red-heads, twins by the looks of them, put their names in the Goblet as cheers rose from the Gryffindors.

He had to agree with Draco's assessment of them, they were rather obnoxiously loud. Ivan and Haydn had already placed submitted their names, but Aries tapped his foot impatiently as he waited for Viktor.

Rather than putting in his name right away, Kakaroff had wanted them to place their names in together, seeing as the Headmaster believed that one of them would be chosen, and he was probably right.

Finally, the Bulgarian entered in his blood red-robes and the hall quieted. Many were in awe of the Quidditch star, despite his team's loss in the World Cup this past summer.

Aries rose from his seat between Draco and Arianna, and walked confidently to meet him, his slip of parchment already in his hand.

They gave each other a nod, before placing their names in at the same time as a polite cheer rose from the spectators. Aries gave him a cheeky grin, and they shook hands before he pulled the Bulgarian over to meet Draco and his friends.

"I still can't believe I got to meet Krum," Draco gushed. The dinner Hogwarts provided tonight was excellent again, and Aries was looking forward to finding out who would be champions.

"Honestly Malfoy you sound like Weasley," Greengrass said with a smug smirk. The blonde girl had amused him all day with her comments towards his friend and with each laugh he gave it only seemed to encourage her more.

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