✦•······················•✦•······················•✦

Harry's P.O.V. 

Currently, a good amount of time before they were due to leave for Kings Cross, Harry was packing his trunk with Ron, who was still reprimanding him about Y/N's birthday, Harry falling asleep with her in the clearing, blah, blah, blah. 

When the Weasley's didn't find them in their beds that morning, Hermione was first to inform them that everything was okay. Then, Ron had pestered her into revealing where Harry and Y/N were, still asleep. 

Safe to say, they woke up to aggravated shouts from Ron, roaring laughter from the twins, giggles from Hermione and Ginny. Bill and Charlie were out that morning for work, Percy was shut up in his room.

In all honestly, Harry didn't exactly remember what everyone had said, since he was too busy staring and Y/N and shushing the others so they wouldn't wake her. 

Eventually, they left, (Hermione dragging Ron, who was scowling) and Harry gently woke Y/N up. She yawned into his shoulder sleepily, which was adorable, then grabbed the flowers he'd given her and smelled them. 

In contentment, the two made their way back to the Burrow. Harry only complained when Ginny and Hermione dragged Y/N away...and he had to face Ron. 

Speaking of Ron...

"You disgust me," Ron said. 

"Mate, look," Harry said. "I know she's your sister, or whatever, but she's my best friend too!"

Ron roughly closed the lid of his trunk, snapping the latches shut. He scoffed, "'Best friend,' my arse, you're in love with her. And I get it, you're my best mate, but that's my sister." 

"I'm not in love with her," Harry defended weakly. He knew it was a lie, but maybe if he convinced himself it wasn't love, the hurt of not being hers would subside...at least a little bit.

"Yes, you are, Harry," said Ron tiredly. "I really don't want to hear you say that. I know I bitch about it, and I am bitching about it...but..." he trailed off. 

"But?" said Harry, more hopefully than he intended.

"But I'd rather it be you than anyone else," Ron admitted gruffly. "So carry on." 

Hope fluttered in Harry's chest. If he'd gotten Ron's approval, then maybe, just maybe, he could stop flitting around the edges of whatever situation he and Y/N were in and finally make her his. 

"Really?" 

"Don't get too ahead of yourself," Ron warned, heaving his trunk upright. "Any more lovey-dovey stuff in front of me, I retract my blessing." 

"Of course, yeah," Harry said hurriedly. Ron made to leave the room, and Harry added, "Thanks, mate." 

Ron laughed, "Stop being so scared, you're my best friend, I just...I need to be a little scary, right?" 

Harry joined in, the tension disappearing. He was glad that Ron could be understanding at times, and that after all, the ginger was Harry's best mate. 

Ron waited for Harry to finish packing his trunk, then the two left the room. Mentally saying goodbye to the Chudley Canon advertising space, Harry began the trudge downstairs. Fred, George, Y/N, Hermione and Ginny joined them on their perilous journey to the kitchen. 

"Hey," Y/N grinned, nudging Harry's side. 

"Hi," he said, mentally cursing himself for how flustered he sounded.

She was wearing one of her own jumpers, green, which greatly disappointed Harry. The sleeves were rolled slightly, showing off her various bracelets. His eyes caught the twine-and-bead piece of jewelry from Elijah. He frowned slightly.

They'd just reached the first-floor landing when Missus Weasley appeared at the foot of the stairs, looking quite harassed. First, she waved her wand and all their things (Trunks, animal cages) floated into the kitchen.

"Arthur!" she shouted. "Arthur! Urgent message from the Ministry! From Amos!" 

Harry flattened himself against the wall as Mister Weasley came thundering down the stairs, robes on back-to-front. The others did the same, well...Y/N flattened herself against Harry. He smelt her shampoo and perfume when their bodies contoured perfectly into each other.

Safe to say, without the necessity to explain further (because if he did, everyone would be traumatized), Harry excused himself to the washroom, ignoring Fred, George and Ron's teasing.

✦

Mister Weasley had been called (Through the fireplace - Harry was incredibly shocked to see a head in there!) by Amos Diggory. Something about Improper Use of Magic, ambushing dustbins, alarm sirens and "Please-men," which Harry had to correct - "Police men." 

"Go, Arthur! Go look after Mad-Eye!" Missus Weasley urged. "I'll take this lot to Kings Cross." 

Mister Weasley obliged. Stopping only to kiss his wife on the cheek, he threw some Floo Powder into the fire and disappeared in a flash of green flame. 

"What's Mad-Eye up to this time?" Bill asked, walking into the kitchen, tying his tie. 

"Says someone tried to break into his house last night," said Missus Weasley. 

"Mad-Eye Moody?" George said thoughtfully, spreading some butter on Y/N's toast as she rested her legs in his lap, looking exhausted. "Isn't he that nutter-"

Missus Weasley pursed her lips, "Your father thinks very highly of Mad-Eye Moody," she said sternly. 

"Yeah, well, dad collects Muggle plugs, doesn't he?" Fred said quietly as his mother left the room. "Birds of a feather..." 

Y/N hit him lightly on the head, "Pipe down." 

"Who is Mad-Eye?" Harry asked, not quite understanding what was happening. What kind of a name was Mad-Eye Moody? Rather odd.

"Moody was a great wizard of his time," said Bill, sitting down beside Harry. "Made himself a reputation, being an Auror and all." 

When Harry gave him a blank look, Charlie filled in, "A Dark wizard catcher," he explained. "Half the cells in Azkaban are full because of him. He's made lots of enemies, 'specially the families of those he caught."

That left Harry a little uneasy. If Mad-Eye, a man who'd done all of that, had been ambushed by...dustbins...then what was happening? 

Nevertheless, the day drifted on. Everyone finished their breakfast and got ready to go to Kings Cross. 

They stood outside the Burrow, watching the overcast sky apprehensively, waiting for the Muggle taxi's that Missus Weasley had called to arrive. Bill and Charlie offered to come along, but Percy stayed behind - he had a lot of work. 

"He just wants to letter his girlfriend," Ron grumbled. "All he's been doing - 'work' my arse." 

"You just wish you had a girlfriend to letter, Ronnie," Y/N said slyly, glancing at Hermione, who was speaking with Ginny. 

Ron blushed, "Y/N-" 

But the girl had skipped off to annoy Fred and George. Harry's eyes trailed her, watching as she smiled and laughed and-

A car horn beeped.

After hauling seven heavy Hogwarts trunks and pets into the cars' luggage compartment, everyone stood outside as the rain began to pour, figuring out seating arrangements, since they couldn't exactly cast a spell and make the space bigger.

"Right, you lot," said Bill, who had already climbed into the passenger seat of one of the three-row car. "Mum, Charlie, Fred and George can fit in the middle...doesn't matter that it's three-seater." 

"Oh, thank Merlin," Y/N muttered from beside Harry. "I wouldn't want to be stuck between those two in such a cramped car..." 

Harry smirked down at the girl, "Rather be stuck with me, yeah?" 

Satisfied when she looked away, muttering about how much she hated him, Harry laughed.

Bill started listing the rest of the seating. "Okay, we'll just lower the seat so the rest of you lot can get in the back. That's Ginny, Y/N, Harry, Ron and Hermione..." he paused. "That's...a lot of people." 

"It's okay, Bill," Hermione assured. "We'll figure it out." 

Bill nodded. Harry wondered what Hermione meant, but shrugged it off. Charlie pulled a lever of one of the middle-row seats, lowering it so they could get in the back. Ginny, Hermione and Ron filed inside before Y/N and Harry, getting comfortable. 

"Move it along, Potter," Y/N said, giving him a light shove. 

"Godric, Silv, I'm going!" Harry complied, stepping a foot inside and squishing into the seat - er...well, half a seat - beside Ron. It was tight, and they were almost unable to do their seatbelts with Ginny pressed up against the window, Hermione pressed up again her, and Ron...well, Harry would tease him about it later.

Snickering a little bit, Ron called past Harry, to Y/N, "There isn't much room back here, Y/N!" 

"It's fine, Y/N, dear," Harry heard Missus Weasley say. "Just climb into someone's lap, road rules are more like guidelines..." 

Realization fluttered in Harry's chest when Ron elbowed him in the side. He glanced over - Ginny and Hermione were smirking. 

Climbing into the back of the car, Y/N gave Harry an apologetic smile, awkwardly settling herself between his spread legs. 

"Manspreader," she muttered. 

Harry knew she was just trying to make it less awkward, so he chuckled. This didn't seem to sit right with the girl, for she squirmed a little, which was not making this easier for Harry. 

As though she couldn't take it, Hermione burst into giggles. Y/N whipped her head around and glared at the girl, who shrugged innocently and fell silent as the car engine roared to life. 

The sudden jerk of the car sent Y/N slightly forward, since she wasn't wearing a seatbelt. Harry quickly caught her around the waist and pulled her body back against his chest. Her breath hitched and he smirked slightly, knowing nobody could see. 

"Potter, I swear, If I crack my head open because I've bashed it into a window-" 

"Shove it, Silv, I've got you," Harry said, hauling her completely into his lap. 

Y/N stilled completely and Harry felt her body heat up. He resisted the urge to laugh, only readjusting her position to make everyone more comfortable. 

His hands came to a fixed rest, wrapped around her waist. Her hands gripped Harry's forearms through his grey long sleeve. Let's just say that Harry was very lucky that he'd worn dark jeans today.

Maybe he just wanted to hold her, but at least he had something. Friends sat in each other's laps...and yeah, he wanted to be more, but for now, it was enough. 

The car jerked again and Harry heard a loud meow, multiple disgruntled hoots and another meow from the trunk. This was going to be a loud, possibly chaotic ride to Kings Cross Station.

✦•······················•✦•······················•✦

They boarded the train after a confusing conversation with Bill about what was happening at Hogwarts - which everyone refused to tell them anything about. Missus Weasley muttered quickly to her children that she'd send them some parcels for The Thing, then ushered them into the train, saying, "You'll find out this evening, I expect." 

Y/N grumpily sat down across from Hermione, muttering about how Dragon Boy and Earrings were being absurd. 

"Shh!" Hermione said suddenly, cutting across Y/N, putting a finger to her lips. 

Harry looked at her quizzically, but Hermione jerked her head at their compartment door, which was slightly ajar. They fell silent and listened, only to hear the drawling voice of Draco Malfoy.

"...Father actually considered sending me to Durmstrang rather than Hogwarts, you know. He knows the Headmaster, and you know his opinion on Dumbledore - the man's such a Mudblood lover - Durmstrang doesn't admit that kind of riffraff." 

Unable to stop himself, Harry let out a scoff. 

"Father says Durmstrang is much more sensible about the Dark Arts than Hogwarts. They actually learn the spells instead of the defense rubbish we do." 

Hermione tiptoed over to the door and slowly slid it shut. "So, Malfoy Senior thinks Durmstrang would've been better? I wish he had gone, wouldn't have to see him." 

"Durmstrang is another wizarding school, then?" Harry asked, looking between the three. 

"Yeah," Y/N said glumly. "Ellie almost went there, his parents are bad as Malfoy's." 

Harry wondered why the girl just had to bring up Elijah Collins and he used all of his restraint not to roll his eyes.

"He didn't turn out like Malfoy, though," Hermione said. "He's actually rather nice." 

"I know," Y/N grinned. "His parents hate how he's friends with Fred and George and I, so he doesn't exactly talk about us to his family. That's what he's told me, anyway." 

"Back to Durmstrang," Ron said hurriedly, glancing apprehensively at Harry's face. Maybe he was scowling. Just maybe. "I think I've heard of it," he continued vaguely. "Where is it? What country?" 

Raising her eyebrows, Hermione said, "Well, nobody knows, do they?" 

"Er - why...?" asked Harry. 

"There's a load of rivalry between all the magic schools," Y/N said, kicking her legs up into Hermione's lap.

"They, especially Durmstrang and Beaxbatons, like keeping their whereabouts a secret," Hermione added matter-of-factly.

Ron started to laugh, "Come off it," he said. "How're you gonna hide a building as big as Durmstrang? Its a castle, 'bout the same size as Hogwarts, I reckon!" 

"But Hogwarts is hidden!" Hermione said, surprised. "Everyone knows that - everyone who's read Hogwarts; A History, at least." 

"So just you," Harry grinned. 

"It's bewitched, I think," said Y/N. "Looks like a bunch of old ruins, huge signs, caution tape - keeps the Muggles away. It's always been pretty open to most Magical beings, though. We're considerate like that." 

Harry hummed pensively. 

"I think Durmstrang must be somewhere further north," Hermione said thoughtfully. "They have winter cloaks as part of their uniform..." 

Ron sighed dreamily, "Think of the possibilities could've pushed Malfoy off of a glacier and played it off as an accident...shame his mother likes him..."

"Does she though," Y/N reasoned playfully. "Don't see why anyone would..." 

The rain became heavier and heavier as the train moved farther north. The Trolly Witch came around and Harry bought his friends some pasties, buying Y/N her favorites, even though she yelled at him when he didn't let her pay. 

Neville wandered in partway through, chasing Trevor as the toad hopped into Harry's compartment. Y/N greeted the boy with a bright smile, while Neville caught ear of the Quidditch Cup conversation Harry and Ron were having..

"Gran didn't want to go...Wouldn't buy tickets," Nevile sighed miserably. "It sounded amazing, though."

"It was," Ron replied, while Hermione scrunched her nose at the boy's insensitivity. "Look at this!

Rummaging through his trunk, Ron pulled out the mini Krum figurine. "Oh, wow," said Neville, in absolutely awe. 

"We saw him up close, too!" Ron said proudly. "We were in the Top Box-" 

"For the first and last time in your life, Weasley." 

At the sound, Y/N let out a long, suffering sigh, closed her eyes and took several deep breaths.  

Draco Malfoy had appeared in the doorway, flanked by Crabbe and Goyle. Harry wondered where Blaise Zabini and Pany Parkinson were, seeing as Malfoy was almost never without them. The door clanged against the wall, then the Slytherins left it ajar. 

"Don't remember asking you to join us, Malfoy," Harry said coolly.

Malfoy shot Harry a glare, which Harry responded to by giving him a bored look. 

The blonde git got a little closer and said, "So...going to enter, Weasley?" he asked. "Going to try and bring a bit of glory to the family name? There's money involved as well...you're definitely in need of it."

"What are you talking about?" Ron snapped.

"If you're not going to make any sense, Malfoy, get out," Y/N drawled, sitting up a little. Harry watched her hand trail to her pocket, where her wand was surely concealed. 

"Are you going to enter?" Malfoy repeated, then he looked at Harry and scoffed. "I know you will, Potter. Never pass up a chance to be the center of attention, do you?" 

Harry chose not to answer this, since Malfoy wasn't worth his time, but Y/N looked like she was about to pull her wand out. 

"Either explain, or leave, Malfoy," Hermione said testily, wrenching her attention away from her copy of The Standard Book of Spells: Grade Four. 

A gleeful smile spread over Malfoy's pale, pointed face. "You don't know?" he said delightedly. "You've got a father and a brother at the Ministry but you don't know? My God," he chuckled, "I suppose your family isn't...senior enough. My father was informed the moment it was decided." 

"Not a single person here cares, Malfoy," Harry said harshly. He started to rise from his seat, but sat back down when Y/N shot him a glare. 

Malfoy scoffed, "Sterling and Weasley look pretty worked up about it," he smirked. "Weasley, understandable. I'd be worked up if my father was such a loser, huh, Sterling? Dunno what that's about," he said. 

Ron's scowl deepened and his fists clenched, but he said nothing. 

"Maybe because her father is a good-for-nothing halfblood and half-breed," Malfoy continued. 

"Get out, Malfoy," Y/N spat. 

Harry could see the whites of her eyes get brighter, the light slowly seeping into her iris. It wasn't very visible, but he'd spent a lot of time staring at her. 

Recognition flashed in Malfoy's face, but he plastered on a smirk and waved a hand at Crabbe and Goyle. The Slytherins exited the compartment, not bothering to close the door. 

Getting up, Ron roughly grabbed the handle and slammed the door, causing all the glass to shatter. 

While Y/N laughed very loud, Hermione tutted, "Ronald," reproachfully, getting up from her seat and pointing her wand at the broken glass. "Reparo." 

"Well...making it look like he knows everything and we don't," Ron snarled. "Father's always associated with the top people at the Ministry... dad could've got a promotion any time... he just likes it where he is..."

"Of course he does," said Hermione quietly. "Don't let Malfoy get to you, Ron-"

"Him! Get to me!? As if!" said Ron, picking up one of the remaining Cauldron Cakes and squashing it into a pulp. 

✦•······················•✦•······················•✦

Y/N's P.O.V. 

The Great Hall looked splendid, as it always did during the First Feast of the year. It contrasted the pouring rain outside, where Peeves was wrecking even more havoc by dropping water-filled balloons on unsuspecting students and teachers.

She'd met Elijah and Cedric (separately) in the Entrance Hall. Already in their House robes (everyone changed on the train), they'd hugged her, then everyone scurried off to their own friends and their own House tables. 

Golden goblets gleamed under hundreds and hundreds of floating candles. The quartet sat in their benchlike seats when Nearly Headless Nick, a Hogwarts ghost who, like his name suggested, was nearly headless, approached them. 

"Good evening," he said, beaming at them.

"Says who?" Harry replied grumpily, taking off his sneakers and dumping the water onto Y/N's feet. 

"What the shit, Potter!" Y/N complained, shoving him so hard that Ron felt it and groaned, even on the opposite side of the table.

Harry gave her a mocking pout, but otherwise ignored her, "I hope they get on with the Sorting, I'm starving." 

"Same here, mate," Ron said quickly, looking at the empty plates and goblets with longing. Beside him, Hermione scoffed. 

From behind them, there was an excited squeal of, "Hiya, Harry!" 

Y/N turned in her seat to find the young, smiling face of Colin Creevey, her favorite child in the whole castle. While Harry awkwardly greeted him back, Y/N squealed, "Colin!" and held her arms out for a hug. 

The boy immediately accepted, saying, "Y/N! Guess what, guess what? My brother, Denis, he's starting here!"

"That's amazing!" Y/N said cheerily. When Harry said nothing, she elbowed him harshly but subtly in the elbow.

"Er- that's good," Harry said. 

"He's really excited!" Colin said, practically bouncing up and down. "I just hope he's in Gryffindor, keep your fingers crossed!" 

"Of course, Colin," Y/N assured as the small Gryffindor - er...okay, he was in Third Year, but he was basically Y/N's child - scurried away to his friends. 

Y/N sighed, "I'm having a child," she announced to her friends proudly. 

Harry and Ron's smiles dropped while Hermione laughed.

"WHAT?" 

Y/N blinked at Ron, who'd yelled. Harry turned to look at her and she clarified, "Denis Creevey," as though it were obvious. 

His body visibly relaxing, Harry slumped against Y/N with a sigh. "You're fucking annoying," he said affectionately, wrapping his arms around her torso. 

"Whatever," Y/N mumbled back, mindlessly playing with his hair. Her eyes wandered to the star table, glazing over the familiar faces. There were two empty chairs, one being for Professor McGonagall who was currently herding First Years, and one that Y/N's uncle had filled last year. 

As though Hermione was thinking the same thing, she said, "Where's the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher?"

"Who cares?" Ron said. "I'm so hungry I could eat a Hippogriff!" 

"Don't let Hagrid hear you say that," Hermione grinned.

The words were barely out of their mouths when the doors of the Great Hall flew open and a hoard of children led by a emerald-robes Professor McGonagall entered. 

Y/N's eye caught a small, mousey boy with brown hair. He was absolutely soaked from head-to-toe, covered in a large cloak. He was sending a thumbs-up to someone in the crowd - Colin - and mouthed, "I fell in the lake!" 

Professor McGonagall placed the Sorting Hat on a rickety, three-legged stool. Everyone fell silent, watching as a seam in the brim opened wide and-

"A thousand years or more ago,
When I was newly sewn,
There lived four wizards of renown,
Whose names are still well known:
Bold Gryffindor, from wild moor,
Fair Ravenclaw, from glen,
Sweet Hufflepuff, from valley broad,
Shrewd Slytherin, from fen.
They shared a wish, a hope, a dream,
They hatched a daring plan
To educate young sorcerers
Thus Hogwarts School began.
Now each of these four founders
Formed their own house, for each
Did value different virtues
In the ones they had to teach.
By Gryffindor, the bravest were
Prized far beyond the rest;
For Ravenclaw, the cleverest
Would always be the best;
For Hufflepuff, hard workers were
Most worthy of admission;
And power-hungry Slytherin
Loved those of great ambition.
While still alive they did divide
Their favorites from the throng,
Yet how to pick the worthy ones
When they were dead and gone?
'Twas Gryffindor who found the way,
He whipped me off his head
The founders put some brains in me
So I could choose instead!
Now slip me snug about your ears,
 I've never yet been wrong,
I'll have a look inside your mind
And tell where you belong!"

The Great Hall rang with applause as the Sorting Hat finished its ballad. "That's not the song it sang when it sorted us," Harry pointed out, now sat up, also clapping. 

"Well," Y/N reasoned playfully, "I think if it was the same, it'd be a little boring for Seven Years." 

"It has to reiterate it's message every year because it's sentient and sentient beings are programed for difference and development," Hermione explained. "And times change. Plus, it carries some of the knowledge of the Founders - it's an insane powerful magical object-"

They watched as the first years were sorted. Small, terrified faces made their way to the stool. Trembling children, stepping foot into a new life for the first time. 

Denis Creevey had been sorted into Gryffindor, to Colin's huge delight. Y/N cheered as loud as possible for the Creevey, beaming ear-to-ear.

The Sorting continued and Ron groaned, "Oh, hurry up!" 

Nearly Headless Nick looked at him disapprovingly. "Now, I think the Sorting is much more important than food, Ron." 

"'Course it is, if you're dead," Ron snapped.

Y/N reached across the table to hit him on the arm, "Don't be rude!" as Nick glided away to join the other ghosts, affronted.

The Sorting finally ended with Kevin Whitby, (Hufflepuff!) and Professor McGonagall collected the hat and stool, carrying them away. 

Y/N watched as Professor Dumbledore rose to his feet, spread his arms and gave the students a wise smile. "I have only two words to say to you all," he said, deep voice echoing through the chamber. "Tuck in."

"Hear, hear!"

✦

"So!" Dumbledore said, smiling at them again, standing once more. "Now that we are all fed and watered-" 

Hermione let out a "Hmph!" sound. Y/N sighed - the girl had just been informed by Nick that there were House Elves at Hogwarts. Said Elves had curated the feast, and Hermione refused point-blank to have even one bite, deeming it slave labor. 

"-I must once again ask for your attention as I give out a few notices," his eyes sparkled. "Mister Filch has told me to kindly inform you of the blanket-ban on a variety of joke items. For a more specific view, please check the list of four-hundred and thirty-seven items that is posted outside his office."

Y/N nudged Harry, "You think the Marauders Map is on there?" she joked. 

The corners of Dumbledore's mouth twitched. He continued, "As ever, I would like to remind you all that the forest on the grounds is out-of-bounds to students, as is the village of Hogsmeade to all below third year."

Y/N, Harry, Ron and Hermione traded guilty glances.

"It is also my painful duty to inform you that the Inter-House Quidditch Cup will not take place this year." 

"What?" Harry gasped from beside Y/N. He looked absolutely appalled. Y/N was rather disappointed as well, since, after a long time of being pestered, she was going to try out for the Gryffindor House team.

Dumbledore went on, "This is due to an event that will be starting October, and continuing throughout the school year, taking up much of the teachers' time and energy — but I am sure you will all enjoy it immensely. I have great pleasure in announcing that this year at Hogwarts -" 

But at that moment, there was a deafening rumble and the doors of the Great Hall banged open. A man stood in the doorway, leaning upon a long staff, shrouded in a black traveling cloak. Every head in the Great Hall swiveled toward the stranger, suddenly brightly illuminated by afork of lightning that flashed across the ceiling. He lowered his hood, shook out a long mane of grizzled, dark gray hair, then began to walk up toward the teachers' table.

Y/N froze. She'd seen his marred face in books, in the newspaper. His electric blue eye that swiveled in his socket. He was the one they talked about that morning. 

Mad-Eye Moody.

Moody reached Dumbledore and stretched out a hand. Smiling, Dumbledore took it and said, "May I introduce our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Professor Moody!" 

Y/N's jaw dropped. Professor? 

"Moody?" Harry said in shock. "Mad-Eye Moody? The one your dad went to help this morning?"

"Must be," said Ron in a low, awed voice.

"What happened to him?" Hermione whispered. "What happened to his face?"

"Well, he's an Auror, isn't he?" Y/N said lowly. "Must've gotten into a rough spot, particularly dangerous mission. 'Dunno."

"Why does he look like that?" Ron scrunched his face up. "He's so...scraggly..." 

"You can't just call people scraggly, Ronald!" Hermione scolded. 

"Look at yourself first," Y/N muttered just loud enough for the ginger to hear.

Moody took a seat in the vacant chair that Y/N had observed earlier, pulling something from his hip. It was a flash, from which he took a swig, then settled.

Dumbledore cleared his throat. 

"As I was saying," he said, "we are to have the honor of hosting a very exciting event over the coming months, an event that 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're JOKING!" Fred said loudly, diffusing the tension that came with Moody's arrival. 

"Fred, it's time to shut up!" Y/N yelled to him while nearly everyone laughed.

Dumbledore chuckled appreciatively. "I am not joking, Mister Weasley," he said, "though now that you mention it, 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 gave him a glare

"Er — but maybe this is not the time..." said Dumbledore, "where was I? Ah yes, the Triwizard Tournament . . . well, 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." 

Remus had made Y/N do readings about the legendary Tournament. The three largest European wizardry schools; Hogwarts, Beauxbatons and Durmstrang came together for a competition. A champion was selected to represent each other, and the three champions competed in three magical tasks.

Schools took it in turn to host the ceremony, but it was discontinued in 1772 because of one, the high death toll, and two, a werewolf had rampaged through a task, successfully transforming every champion.

The champions didn't know what to do - it was a full moon, they transformed. Twenty students who weren't even participating were killed that day.

Remus was passionate about the topic because of the portrayal of werewolves and the wizarding justice system, so she'd read about the case and about the Tournaments because it was interesting.

Dumbledore seemed to be conveying the same, just not in as much detail.

"Death toll?" Hermione whispered, looking alarmed. 

"It's really fucking dangerous," Y/N whispered back. "It was discontinued for a reason," she snapped, catching sight of the awed look Ron had plastered on his face.

"But-"

"No."

Dumbledore continued, "The heads of Beauxbatons and Durmstrang will be arriving with their short-listed contenders in October, and the selection of the three champions will take place at Halloween. An impartial judge will decide which students are most worthy to compete for the Triwizard Cup, the glory of their school, and a thousand Galleons personal prize money." 

"I'm going for it!" Fred hissed down the table, his facelit with enthusiasm at the prospect of such glory and riches. 

"The hell you are!" Y/N shot back. "Freddie it's dangerous." 

"Danger is my middle name." 

"Your middle is Gideon," George scoffed. "You're fooling nobody."

But around her, everyone was dazed, no doubt visualizing themselves as Hogwarts champion. Hermione seemed to have Y/N's mindset, but Harry and Ron...not so much. Why couldn't they understand that this Tournament had taken lives.

Y/N could see the gears turning in Harry's head, but then Dumbledore spoke again. "The heads of the participating schools, along with the Ministry of Magic have agreed to impose an age restriction on contenders this year. Only students who are of age - meaning seventeen years or older - will be allowed to put forth their names for consideration." 

Fred and George didn't seem too happy about that. 

"THAT'S RUBBISH!" 

"THAT'S RUBBISH!" 

"YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU'RE DOING!" 

Dumbledore ignored their little outburst. "I will personally be ensuring that no underage student hoodwinks our impartial judge into making them Hogwarts champion." His light blue eyes twinkled as they found Fred and George.

"Now," he clapped. "As exciting as it is, you all must be fresh for your lessons tomorrow morning. Off to bed with you, chop chop!" 

─── ☆: *.⋆˖⁺‧₊☽◯☾₊‧⁺˖⋆ .* :☆ ───

hi guys :) 

it's lowkey kinda late where im from and my dad almost caught me writing and i almost had a panic attack but we good 👍

lowkey a filler chapter, nun interesting happens i hate writing the explanation scenes UGHHHH its ok tho shit gets interesting this year 💃

i <3 fred n george 

i <3 cedric

obv i <3 harry

and i <3 herms and ronnie

okokkokk guys im gonna go sleep (im not im gonna go read harry ffs) 😍

as always, remember to comment and vote if u liked it!!

catch u on the flip side (don't say that!)

- dizzy :)