chapter 5

Like every Halloween, the Great Hall of Hogwarts buzzed with excitement, the ambiance festive and lively. Professor Minerva McGonagall, head of Gryffindor and Deputy Headmistress, relished these moments, considering Hogwarts her home. This year, however, held an extra layer of significance – the first Triwizard Tournament in two hundred years.

Durmstrang and Beauxbatons students, along with their respective heads, had arrived days ago. The Beauxbatons students occupied the Ravenclaw table, while the Durmstrang students found themselves at the Slytherin table. The Great Hall, adorned in Halloween decorations, mirrored the festive spirit of the magical community in Britain, celebrating this day with unmatched zeal. Fourteen years prior, the looming shadow of the most feared dark lord had been dispelled, and peace and celebration followed.

Dumbledore, the venerable Headmaster of Hogwarts, stood to address the hall with his characteristic theatricality.

Dumbledore: "Three champions will represent their schools and compete for the greatest honor, eternal glory."

The hall fell into a hushed silence as Dumbledore dramatically extinguished the candles.

Dumbledore: "I do believe the Goblet of Fire is almost ready."

The blue flames burst into a bright flame, ejecting a piece of parchment that Dumbledore caught with practiced grace.

Dumbledore: "The champion for Durmstrang is Viktor Krum."

The hall erupted in applause as Krum rose and exited.

Dumbledore: "The Beauxbatons champion is Fleur Delacour."

Light applause followed as she gracefully left.

Dumbledore: "The champion for Hogwarts is Cedric Diggory."

Thunderous applause echoed, surprising even Professor Pomona Sprout, who cheered loudly for the Hufflepuff.

Dumbledore called for attention again.

Dumbledore: "Now that our champions have been selected, I hope we can all offer our full support. The Triwizard Tournament is not for the faint of heart, and the mettle of each will be tested."

As Dumbledore spoke, the Goblet flared unexpectedly. It shook, a piece of parchment emerged, and Dumbledore, visibly shaken, snatched it from the air.

Dumbledore: "The champion is... Harry Potter."

The atmosphere shifted, and the hall buzzed with murmurs. Dumbledore beckoned Harry forward, handing him the parchment.

Dumbledore: "Go and wait with the other champions."

In the hall, while answering questions from other headmasters, the Goblet flared with unprecedented intensity. It shook violently, and cracks spread across its surface. Another piece of parchment emerged, bearing a name that sent a shiver down Dumbledore's spine. As his eyes scanned the name written on it, his expression changed from curiosity to disbelief.

Dumbledore: "This can't be... it's impossible."

Minerva McGonagall, standing nearby, sensed the gravity of the situation.

Minerva: "Albus, what is it? Whose name did you see?"

Dumbledore, a hint of reluctance in his eyes, hesitated.

Dumbledore: "It's... it's a joke, Minerva. Someone's idea of a prank, surely."

The hall plunged into an eerie silence. Dumbledore tried to conceal the parchment, but McGonagall noticed his unease.

McGonagall: "Professor Dumbledore, who is—"

Dumbledore interrupted, a glint in his eyes that puzzled her.

Dumbledore: "We must give instructions to the champions."

Minerva, however, couldn't ignore the name she had glimpsed.

McGonagall: "Who did this? If this is someone's idea of a prank, IT. IS. NOT. FUNNY. Who wrote this name? Who wrote Edward Blac—"

Before she could continue, Dumbledore intervened.

Dumbledore: "We must give instructions to the champions."

In the antechamber, Dumbledore gathered the staff and Ministry representatives to discuss the unfolding situation. The name on the parchment was not just any name; it stirred the darkest corners of Dumbledore's memories. The glint in his eyes hinted at an unease he couldn't entirely conceal.

Meanwhile, McGonagall addressed the students again.

McGonagall: "Professor Dumbledore has assured us that this will be looked into. We must focus on supporting our champions. The Triwizard Tournament is not for the faint of heart, and each of them will be tested to their very limits."

The Goblet, now dormant, cast a lingering shadow over the hall. The once-festive Halloween atmosphere had transformed into an unsettling uncertainty. Whispers circulated among the students concerning Edward Black, a member of the family whose ancestral property was slated to pass to the Malfoy family following the death of Arcturus Black III in 1991.

In accordance with goblin bank rules, a family's wealth undergoes a peculiar fate if it becomes extinct. Should no member of the family appear for seven years, the family's assets are to be bestowed upon the closest living relative. However, in the absence of any such relative, the entirety of the family's wealth is at risk of being claimed by the bank itself. This intricacy in wizarding inheritance added a layer of suspense to the already mysterious events unfolding in the hall

Draco clearly irritated by this shouted " who the fuck is this Edward black"

Ron , glancing at Draco, remarked, "Who do you reckon this Edward Black is? Seems like it's bothering Malfoy quite a bit."

Hermione, ever the diligent researcher, chimed in, "Edward Black might be a distant relative or someone significant in the wizarding world. Let's dig into the Black family history; there must be a reason Malfoy's so riled up."

As Ron scratched his head, he mused, "Maybe there's some inheritance or family drama going on. Malfoys and Blacks always have these complicated ties. Remember Sirius Black? That traitor This could be another twist in their family but I really wish that who ever is this guy take away the black wealth can you imagine the look on Malfoy face it would be like someone shove Lucius cane in his ass " with this ron started laughing 

"Roooonnn LANGUAGE" 

In the antechamber, Dumbledore's gaze shifted to where the Goblet stood. The events of the evening had taken an unexpected turn, leaving Dumbledore with a disquiet that lingered in the air.

The shock lingered. "Edward Ares Cyrus Black," the name echoed in Dumbledore's mind. As he moved forward, the weight of the revelation pressed upon him. He knew this unexpected entry would be the source of many sleepless nights.

The Great Hall remained in a disquieting quiet as Dumbledore's words hung in the air, leaving behind an atmosphere tainted with a sense of foreboding.

End..