Hogwarts Study Panel.

Chapter 629-627: The Triumph of the Three Kingdoms

In front of the auditorium.

Professor McGonagall unrolled a large roll of parchment.

"When I call someone's name, that person should put the hat on their head and sit on the stool."

She told the first-year students, "Once the hats are announced for each college, go and sit at the corresponding table."

"Stuart Ackley!"

A boy stepped forward, and it was clear that he was trembling from head to toe.

"Don't eat my head—don't eat my head—"

He picked up the Sorting Hat, put it on his head, and sat down on the stool.

"Ravenclaw!"

The Sorting Hat shouted.

The heavy rain continued to pound against the tall, dark windows.

This year, there are significantly more new students in Ravenclaw than last year, by about two or three.

The first thing they did after escaping from under the Sorting Hat was to carefully sit down next to Sheehan.

Then they sat upright and peeked at a little wizard who was taller than them.

Few Ravenclaws haven't read Grimm's Notebooks; perhaps the basic magical branch of Grimm's Notebooks can only be considered a great summary.

But The Wizarding Chronicles was a complete pioneering work.

No wizard has ever explained magic from such a unique perspective. Although it is somewhat obscure, any wizard can sense its vastness and profundity.

More importantly, Dumbledore once commented on the book: "This was written by my student, who is still very young, but his ideas are completely different. We have to admit that it is time to give the stage to the young."

Another clap of thunder boomed, rattling the glass windows, and a bolt of lightning streaked across the gloomy ceiling, illuminating the golden plate.

"I only have two words,"

After the Sorting Ceremony, Dumbledore stood up and opened his arms: "Let's eat."

This was exactly what the young wizards wanted, and the hall erupted in cheers, followed by the clinking of knives and forks.

Before long, the remaining first course on the plate disappeared, and in the blink of an eye, it was filled with dessert.

Finally, the desserts were all gone, the last crumbs on the plate disappeared, and the plate became clean and shiny again. At this moment, Albus Dumbledore stood up once more.

The buzzing in the hall suddenly stopped, and only the howling wind and the pounding rain could be heard.

"alright!"

Dumbledore smiled at everyone and said, "Now that we have all eaten and drunk our fill, I must once again ask you to pay attention, as I have a few announcements to make."

Mr. Filch, the castle caretaker, asked me to inform everyone that several new items have been added to the list of prohibited items this year: screaming squirrels, fanged flying saucers, and combo darts. The complete list comprises approximately 437 items and can be found in Mr. Filch's office; anyone interested can check it out.

Dumbledore's lips twitched a few times.

He continued, "As before, I want to remind everyone that the Forbidden Forest over there is off-limits to students, and Hogsmeade Village is off-limits to students below the third year."

I also regret to inform you that the College Quidditch tournament will not be held this year.

"What?"

At the Ravenclaw table, Roger gasped in astonishment. He turned to look at his Quidditch teammates.

They all stared at Dumbledore with their mouths agape, speechless, as if too astonished to speak.

Dumbledore continued, "This is because a large event will begin in October and continue throughout the school year, taking up a great deal of the teachers' time and energy—but I believe you will all enjoy it immensely. I am very pleased to announce that this year at Hogwarts..."

Just then, a deafening clap of thunder rang out, and the auditorium doors were slammed open.

A man stood in the doorway, leaning on a long cane, and wearing a black travel cloak.

Everyone in the auditorium turned to look at the stranger when suddenly a forked bolt of lightning flashed across the ceiling, illuminating him.

He took off his hood, revealing a head of long, gray hair, and began to walk toward the faculty desk.

With each step he took, a hollow sound echoed in the auditorium.

He walked straight to the end of the main seating area, turned right, and made a series of turns towards Dumbledore. Another bolt of lightning flashed across the ceiling, and Hermione gasped.

"Please allow me to introduce our new Defense Against the Dark Arts practical class teacher."

Dumbledore broke the silence cheerfully, "Professor Moody."

Normally, when a new teacher meets everyone, everyone applauds to welcome him, but now, apart from Dumbledore and Hagrid, not a single teacher or student applauded.

Until a voice broke the silence.

On the long table in Ravenclaw, Sheen clapped expressionlessly and perfunctorily.

His applause drew in Hermione and Justin, who were surprised and quietly joined the Ravenclaws at the long table, prompting them to clap along as well.

The remaining wizards from the three academies also woke up and hurriedly clapped their hands.

Dumbledore clapped his hands a few times, his eyebrows curving upwards.

Their new professor, Moody, sat in his seat, the Hippocratic man's eyes darting around.

"Moody?"

Hermione leaned closer, her face almost touching Sheehan's, and said to him, "It's Mad-Eye Moody? The old Auror that Grandpa Marcus was talking about? He's our new professor?"

"It's him."

Justin confirmed.

At the head table, Dumbledore cleared his throat.

"As I just said,"

He smiled at the large group of students before him and said—most of them were still staring blankly at Mad-Eye Moody—"In the coming months, we will have the great honor of hosting a very exciting event, one that hasn't been held in over a century. I am very pleased to announce that the Triwizard Tournament will be held at Hogwarts this year."

"You're kidding, right!"

"Fred Weasley spoke loudly at the Gryffindor table."

"I'm not joking, Mr. Weasley,"

He said, "But since you mentioned jokes, I did hear a very funny joke about a professor, oh, maybe much more, who infiltrated a group of students—"

Professor McGonagall cleared her throat loudly.

"Oh—it's probably not appropriate to talk about this now—it's not appropriate—"

Dumbledore said, "Where was I? Oh, right, the Triwizard Tournament—some of you don't know what this tournament is all about, so I hope those who do will forgive me for explaining it to you briefly. I'll allow your minds to wander for a moment."

The Triwizard Tournament was established approximately 700 years ago as a friendly competition between the three largest magic schools in Europe: Hogwarts, Beauxbatons, and Durmstrang. Each school selects one champion, and the three champions then compete in three magical events.

When Dumbledore was commentating on the Warriors, almost everyone turned their heads and focused their attention on the Ravenclaw table.