Yours, Fred | f. weasley x reader

Chapter 11: The Triwizard Tournament

George shook his head, "Dad's worked with him before. He's a retired Auror, and a paranoid old git as well I hear." At that moment you could've sworn you saw Moody's strange electric blue eye swivel around and focus on your table.

"As I was saying," Dumbledore continued, regaining the students attention, while a few still watched Moody warily, "we are to have the honor of hosting a very exciting event over the coming months, an event which has not been held for over a century. It is my very great pleasure to inform you that the Triwizard Tournament will be taking place at Hogwarts this year,"

You heard Fred gasp behind you on the bench, "you're JOKING!?" He half shouted, his eyes were wide with excitement like a child on Christmas morning. Fred's comment caused laughter to ripple through the hall, breaking the tension that had lingered since Moody's arrival.

Dumbledore chuckled appreciatively at Fred's words, "no I am not joking Mr. Weasley. Though I did hear an excellent one over the summer about a troll, a hag and a leprechaun who all go into a bar-" Professor McGonagall cleared her throat loudly and Dumbledore easily gathered himself before going on to explain more about the Triwizard Tournament.

"Some of you will not know what this tournament involves, so I hope those who do know will forgive me for giving a short explanation, and allow their attention to wander freely." As if on cue, the twins began whispering exuberantly behind you, discussing how they were going to enter.

You learned that the seven hundred-year-old tournament is a friendly competition between the three largest European schools of Wizardry, which were Hogwarts, Beauxbatons Academy of Magic, and Durmstrang Institute. One champion was selected to represent each school, and the three would compete against one another in a series of tasks. The winner would be awarded with the Triwizard Cup and a generous monetary prize, much to the delight of the twins. The Headmaster explained that there would be three tasks to complete in the tournament, and he further emphasised the nature of these, describing them as extremely difficult and dangerous.

"Wicked," the twins said in unison upon this revelation, which made you roll your eyes. As Dumbledore went on to discuss the previous dangers of the tournament, which occasionally resulted in the deaths of competitors, you became more and more nervous about the twins' keen interest in entering.

"Eager though I know all of you will be able to bring the Triwizard Cup to Hogwarts," he said, "the heads of the participating schools, along with the Ministry of Magic, have agreed to impose an agreed restriction on contenders this year. Only students who are of age – that is to say, seventeen years or older – will be allowed to put forward their names for consideration."

"That's RUBBISH," Fred yelled, while George said, "oh come on!" But you just sighed in silent relief at the announcement. The entire hall erupted in shouts of protest, causing Dumbledore to raise his voice as he continued, "this is a measure we feel is necessary, given that the Tournament tasks will still be difficult and dangerous, whatever precautions we take, and it is highly unlikely that students below Sixth and Seventh year will be able to cope with them."

You looked over at the Hufflepuff table, where you saw Cedric getting slaps on the back in encouragement from his friends. You wondered if he would decide to enter, since you knew he'd be seventeen before October when Dumbledore said the entries could be made.

"I will personally be ensuring that no underage student hoodwinks our impartial judge into making them the Hogwarts champion," his gaze momentarily settled on the twins as they whispered furiously about ways to trick the entry system, "I therefore beg you not to waste your time submitting yourself if you are under seventeen."

You turned to the twins as you heard them once again discussing ways to cheat their way into the tournament, "you can't be serious?" Fred grinned at you, his eyes twinkling mischievously, "serious as a case of Spattergroit, dear Y/N."

---

The students from the other two schools arrived at the end of October, and a Welcoming Feast was being held to mark the beginning of the tournament. You all gathered outside the school as a large shape weaved through the clouds above, which you realised as it got closer was an enormous pale blue carriage, about the size of a house, being pulled by a number of huge winged palomino horses. Gasps filled the air as students watched it land, and a large group of young women in beautiful blue uniforms stepped down from the carriage and almost glided in formation in the direction of the awaiting Hogwarts students.

You chuckled as you looked around at all the awed stares from your fellow students as the alluring girls moved across the grounds. They reminded you of the Veela, the Bulgarian Quidditch team mascots, as they moved so enchantingly and captured everyone's attention. Hermione crossed her arms next to you, looking irritated. You followed her gaze to Ron, who was staring at the new arrivals with his mouth open in wonder, "they don't make them like that at Hogwarts!" he said to Harry, making you cringe as you knew Hermione would've heard him.

You all cheered and clapped for the girls as they came to a stop in front of you and curtsied gracefully, and they were followed by a shockingly tall woman who was greeted by Dumbledore by a kiss on the top of her hand, "Blimey! That's one big woman," you heard Seamus say to Ron.

"Y/N look!" Bea pointed towards the Black Lake, you followed her gaze and saw what looked like the mast of a ship rising from the water. More excited whispers broke through the crowd as a huge ship surfaced from the water, and those whispers turned into squeals as the boys from Durmstrang who were clothed in red uniforms with fur coats that were far more suited to the cold October air, walked up to the school and joined the waiting crowd. You felt your own mouth drop in awe as the young men did a routine of flips and danced with fire, and one of the boys in question landed right in front of you after doing a flip. He winked at Bea with a smile, making you nudge her playfully while a blush creeped to her olive skin and she fought a grin.

---

The hall was filled with loud and happy chatter as the Welcoming Feast unfolded. The hall was decorated with lanterns and pumpkins for the Halloween season, creating a pleasant autumnal atmosphere. You were served with tasty soups and beautifully seasoned dishes, which were followed by cinnamon covered tarts and pastries. Once everyone had eaten their fill, Dumbledore stood to formally introduce the new arrivals.

He introduced Madam Maxime, who you learned through gossip was actually half giant like Hagrid, which explained her towering stature. The giant witch stood and bowed her head in greeting, her students who were at the Ravenclaw table immediately stood when their Headmistress did, and they too bowed their heads politely when Dumbledore introduced them as the Beauxbatons Academy of Magic. Professor Igor Karkaroff was introduced after and he gave a stiff nod of acknowledgement, his Durmstrang students were then introduced and they stood in acknowledgement but made no other movement before they sat back down at the Slytherin table.

Once the introductions were made, Dumbledore stood and held out his arms, he waved his wand and a shimmering curtain rippled through the air, and when it fell, it revealed a huge wooden goblet with shiny gold trimming and embellishments. Bright blue flames immediately rose from the top of it, seemingly controlled by the magic of the goblet itself, and Dumbledore explained that those who were hoping to enter were to write their name on a piece of parchment and place it in the goblet before Thursday evening, which was four days away. The twins high-fived from beside you and shortly after, you were all dismissed.

You walked silently behind the twins and Lee as you all made your way to the common room, they were once again debating about their plan, "you're not really going to try to enter are you?" They turned around and slowed their walking until you were walking between them up the Grand Staircase, "of course we are, Y/N, who would we be if we didn't try?" George answered cheerfully.

"That's what I'm worried about," you muttered as you walked through the open portrait and into the common room.