Chapter 61 - Summoner's Cup; Preliminaries Begin

***** Bonus Chapter ***** A/N: Little mental Break yesterday, but we're back to our releases today. Also.... just had a nice Eureka moment for this story LOL. Im super excited actually to work it on and start it ngl ahaaha. Anyways, Hope you all Enjoy! *****

"Come along Harry, we're going to be late!" Hermione complained with a huff, at her best friend's leisurely pace.

It was a few minutes to noon, and the two of them were just now stepping out of the Gryffindor common room, intending to head to Khan's tournament to show him some support.

"We're not even competing today Hermione..." Harry complained.

"But still..... this is Jordan's event! We should be there promptly and on time to support him! Especially after all the help and support he has shown us!" Hermione grabbed Harry by the hand, basically dragging him through the castle corridors, intending on reaching the exit to the flying lawn as quickly as possible.

That got Harry moving a bit faster, as he thought of all the conversations he had had recently with Jordan. He had begun thinking of Jordan as an older brother type of figure, as well as someone to rely on, and wanted to do his best to support Khan as well.

Unfortunately for Harry, while it may seem that Hermione was also trying her best to support Khan, as she had done with Harry himself during his first task, the truth was a different matter.

Hermione had noticed earlier that morning that the 'harlot', otherwise known as Fleur, was acting quite intimately with Jordan that morning, even brazenly sitting with him at the staff table.

Thus She wanted to ensure that at this tournament today, she would be there by his side to support him in his first tournament... to keep things appropriate and prevent the harlot from progressing things even further! Just Like a younger sibling, of course!

They both walked along, heading down some stairs, before walking down a castle corridor. It seemed that Hermione was not the only one with the idea of supporting Khan however, as they joined a tidal wave of Students also making their way through the castle corridors towards the flying lawn.

"Wow! Hermione, look at their outfits!" Harry pointed at a few of the younger students, also walking along with them.

"I suppose they must be trying to win the 'most creative outfit prize', since they might be eliminated today." Hermione responded, looking at the participating younger students.

She even recognized a few of them; Colin Creevey and his brother appeared to be wearing Matching Muggle Bowling Jerseys, with the team name 'Summoning Strikers'.

'Rather clever word combination.' Hermione approved, recognizing the wordplay.

They, along with the a lot of the younger students, all appeared to be participating in todays tournament, judging by their various creative outfits.

And it seemed like each of them had their own interpretations of what 'most creative outfit' meant.

Hermione and Harry spotted a few wearing the finest of dueling robes, complete with Dueling gloves, and dueling boots.

A few others dressed in their house colors, wearing various outfits of Red, Yellow, Blue and green, depending on their house.

By far the most popular however, were the various recreations of Khan's Hogwarts Relic Robes. They appeared made quite haphazardly, as the younger students didn't not appear that efficient with conjurations/recreations. Nonetheless, both Harry and Hermione both recognized their attempt at the recreation of the Jordan's most worn outfit, his Relic Robes.

Although, they did spot a few students, wearing a blue/yellow cloak; a clear attempt at a recreation of Khan's battle cloak, he had worn during the first task, although Harry and Hermione did recognize it from the summer.

It appeared their friend Jordan's popularity was reaching new heights, with students even emulating and copying the way he dressed.

Walking along, they eventually reached the Hogwarts exterior door leading towards the open flying area.

Walking out, along with the tide of students, they were greeted by a familiar voice blaring out loudly overhead.

"Welcome everyone to The Summoner's Cup! The First Inaugural Tournament for Hogwarts newest popular game, Summoner's Court!"

It seemed it had finally hit noon, and Lee Jordan was welcoming everybody to the Flying Lawn, his loud 'Sonorus!' powered voice booming out over the traditionally open field, that was now filled with numerous Summoner's Court Boards.

Both Harry and Hermione were quite familiar with the twin's best friend, as Lee Jordan was the regular Quidditch Announcer for Hogwarts matches during previous school years. They would later find out, that he was apparently missing his extra-curricular job, with quidditch cancelled this year due to the Triwizard Tournament. Thus, Khan had hired Lee to serve as his Announcer and Commentator.

"The Preliminary Round, is about to begin! All first, second and third years participating are to report to the Registration Tent, located close to Madam Hooch's Office, to receive their respective match details for the day."

Harry and Hermione both looked over towards Madam's Hooch's office, where a large Tent was set up. They spotted a few house-elves, one of them being the one they spotted a few nights ago, named Teek, appearing to be handing out slips of paper to the numerous dressed up, younger students.

They would later learn (at the main tournament the next day) that these papers denote their opening match location and time, with each of the papers numbered 1-25, with designated times on each.

Looking back from the tent, over towards the flying lawn area, both Harry and Hermione were stunned with the transformation made to the typically empty flying lawn, now that they were looking at it up close.

A large raised stage hand been created, opposite the Registration tent, complete with a podium, upon which a large Silver Chalice sat, adorned with Blue Sapphires, and Dementors?

Hermione thought it looked quite beautiful and expensive; although she did question the aesthetic looks Jordan had chosen for the Trophy.

And just behind that raised stage, there appeared rows of Summoner's Court Boards!

Previously, Khan had conjured 5 Summoner's court boards, close by the Flying lawn area, that very first charms class where he had taught without Flitwick's guidance.

And while Khan had left up the 5 Summoner's court boards that he had previously conjured, it appeared that he had now decided to take up the rest of the empty flying lawn area, and conjured an additional 20 boards for a grand total of 25.

Thinking about it, Hermione supposed it made sense. Allowing 50 students to compete at the same time would certainly speed up the number matches that could be completed in a day.

The courts were each numbered with large golden numbers, each indicating and denoting which court was which, with Khan even conjuring bleachers on either side of each court for students to sit at and cheer on their friends and housemates. They could not see at the moment, but Khan had even taken the Quidditch pitch, and turned it into the main stadium for his tournament, where the semi final, 3rd place, and finals matches would take place. (A/N: Think of a major tennis court set up… something like Wimbledon, with number courts where the smaller players play, and the quidditch pitch as the main court).

Her and Harry stood there, marveling at the transformation in awe, as numerous students, passed around them; the younger ones heading to their respective courts to wait for their matches to start, the older ones, heading to the numerous bleachers set up, to watch.

"The first set of games will begin in 5 minutes!" Lee interrupted their thoughts, with his announcement overhead. "Summoners, please take your places!"

They both felt a wave of anxiety and excitement wash over them, as both the participants as well as those watching/cheering, began to eagerly anticipate the start of the tournament.

"Come along Harry! Lets find Khan!" Hermione grabbed Harry by the arm, dragging him towards the numerous courts, assuming him to be watching up close.

Heading towards the courts, they were suddenly bombarded by the now ever increasing cheers. Slightly surprised, they both turned back, and spotted a Phoenix flying around the main stage.

Flying loops around the main stage, the Phoenix soared gracefully through the skies, wowing the students watching below.

Although they were familiar with Dumbledore's Phoenix Fawkes, he rarely made appearances during the school year.

"Even Fawkes came to Prof. Khan's Tournament!"

"Wow! Do you think that means Prof. Dumbledore will be attending as well?"

The students had noticed Dumbledore's absence this week as well, with Dumbledore chair in the Great hall remaining empty.

With both Khan and Dumbledore missing that week, the students were all feeling uneasy, with their respect idols missing from the castle.

With Khan's appearance that morning, and a Phoenix now, they were all excited, as it appeared both Khan and Dumbledore had returned on the same day!

Harry and Hermione however, recognized the Phoenix that appeared just now; it was the same one he had teleported in with a few nights ago, carrying the large chest where Crouch Jr was being held by Jordan's Poltergeist.

*GASP*

Everyone Watching the Phoenix carefully, they all gasped collectively, as it entered a steep dive, heading straight for Khan's large and rather fancy looking trophy sitting center stage.

Just as she was about to hit it, a large bolt of lightning struck the cup, suddenly blinding everyone.

A few moments later, when everyone had gotten rid of the spots blinding their eyes, and were finally able to see, they all started cheering, with renew vigor.

They all saw Jordan Khan standing there, looking imposing as ever, his Phoenix on his shoulder, standing on a raised platform, behind the cup, overlooking the numerous courts below.

Dressed in a new fancy looking White Overcoat with Red highlights, and gold accents, combined with all white trousers, vest, and shirt, all with gold accents as well, he was looking quite noble and handsome, with his new fancy outfit.

(A/N: Thief's Coat with the Debonair Socialite Ensemble in game)

All the females cheered even louder, a few moments later, when they had finally processed his 'drip-inducing' outfit. Combined with a Phoenix and his ever imposing figure, and attractive smile and asian looks, needless to say, the girls were more than a little excited.

Numerous girls had nosebleeds, with some of them even fainting from overexcitement.

Some of them, like Fleur, would even have to excuse themselves a few moments later (when the matches finally started) to change their panties.

Hermione herself, was feeling quite flush in the face.

Harry caught her fanning herself, biting her lower lips, as she stared unblinkingly at their friend.

"Welcome everyone!" Khan greeted the still cheering crowd, waving while smiling at everyone. "Welcome to what I hope will be the first, of a long series of yearly tournaments at Hogwarts, THE SUMMONER'S CUP!"

"KHAN! KHAN! KHAN! KHAN!"

Khan paused for a moment, as the crowd erupted with cheers once more, both Harry and Hermione joining in the excitement of the collective students.

"I am truly flattered and touched by all your support! Especially for all your younger housemates who are participating in today's festivities." Khan continued. "Look at them all, looking quite 'creative' if I do say so myself. Well done! Lets give them all a hand, for all their hard work!"

Khan paused once again, as crowd erupted with cheers and applause for the younger participants, all standing close their respect Courts, where their matches would eventually take place.

They all seemed quite happy to be called out by Jordan. Feeling confident and bolstered by the cheering crowd, a lot of them lost their feelings of anxiety and stage-fright, and were instead, eagerly looking forward to the tournament, and hopefully impressing their idol.

"Now some for quick boring Logistics." Khan joked. "The rules will be exactly the same as I have introduced to you all in class of course; 3 balls summoned each, highest score at the end wins the match."

"This tournament will however, be a best of 5 match each round, with the championship rounds being a best of 7 match!" Khan continued describing the rules. "The first to therefore win 3 matches first, will win the series, and move on to the next round!"

"And therefore, in the final rounds, if you all make it that far, the first to win 4 matches, will move on and maybe win....."

Khan, extravagant in his movements, appeared to materialize an all white sack, also with gold highlights, before he poured it into his giant chalice in front of him.

Harry and Hermione, along with the rest of the crowd watched, as tons of gold galleons fell out of the sack, and into his giant silver chalice.

"THE GRAND PRIZE! 500 GALLEONS AND THE SUMMONER'S CUP!" Khan boomed to an already cheering crowd, all of them excited to see that much money, filling up that giant chalice to the brim.

Pulling out his wand, he pointed it towards the sky, casting out a few fireworks before yelling excitedly in announcement.

"LET THE PRELIMINARIES BEGIN!"