Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
≪•◦ ❈ ◦•≫
THE GREAT HALL was unusually quiet. Hundreds of students sat at long house tables, necks craning, murmurs fading into silence as Professor Dumbledore rose from his place behind the golden lectern.
Candles floated gently overhead, casting warm light over the enchanted ceiling, which tonight shimmered with a soft, stormy grey. One chair at the staff table remained conspicuously empty.
"Well," Dumbledore began, his voice carrying easily, "now that we're all settled in and sorted, I'd like to make an announcement."
The large wooden doors at the back of the hall creaked open. Everyone turned as Filch shuffled in, his usual scowl in place. He made his way awkwardly to Dumbledore's side, whispering something in his ear.
"So," Dumbledore resumed, once Filch had stepped back, "Hogwarts has been chosen to host a legendary event: the Triwizard Tournament."
A stunned hush fell over the Great Hall.
Sophie sat frozen between Cedric and Maggie.
"Wait - what?" she whispered, her eyes wide.
Cedric looked equally surprised. "No way."
"For those of you who do not know," Dumbledore continued, "the Triwizard Tournament brings together three schools for a series of magical contests. From each school, a single student is selected to compete."
He let that sink in for a moment, gaze sweeping across the hall.
"Now, let me be clear," he said, his tone shifting. "If chosen, you stand alone. And trust me when I say. . . these contests are not for the faint-hearted."
"Oh we could totally do it," Maggie exclaimed in a bout of quiet excitement, taking a dramatic sip of pumpkin juice.
"But more of that later," Dumbledore added, his expression softening again. "For now, please join me in welcoming the lovely ladies of the Beauxbatons Academy of Magic, and their headmistress, Madame Maxime."
The doors swung open once more - this time to a gust of cold air and the graceful sound of fluttering silk. The Beauxbatons students filed in, clad in sky-blue robes that shimmered like water. Each of them moved in perfect formation, their faces poised, their footsteps feather-light.
With ethereal coordination, they danced their way down the aisle, pausing midway to release glowing butterflies from their sleeves. The creatures floated into the air and drifted toward the enchanted ceiling, earning oohs and murmurs from the watching students.
At the rear of their procession came Madame Maxime - tall, elegant, and statuesque, her every step a statement of pride and confidence.
The Beauxbatons girls curtsied in sync, bowing as one before the head table. Applause erupted throughout the hall - loudest, perhaps, from a group of Hufflepuff boys. . . and Maggie.
