The Bard of Hogwarts

Chapter 296 Moody's Arrangements

The Great Hall at Hogwarts.

As Ino looked away, Moody also shifted his gaze.

The elderly wizard, leaning on a cane, limped toward the faculty seating area.

To be fair, although he was using crutches, Moody walked at a speed no less than that of a normal person, and even seemed somewhat swift.

Under everyone's gaze, Dumbledore reached out and gently hugged Moody.

After a brief exchange, the headmaster looked at the young wizards below the stage again.

"For some reason, I have to interrupt the previous topic. Now I will have the honor of introducing a gentleman to you."

Dumbledore paused slightly, but seeing that Moody showed no intention of standing up to greet him, he continued on his own:

"Due to the heavy workload of our Magical Creatures Protection Professor Rubeus Hagrid, the twelve directors of Hogwarts have unanimously agreed to add a new Game Guardian..."

"That's right! Starting this year, Mr. Aratos Moody will be the keeper of the hunting grounds at Hogwarts."

After Dumbledore finished his introduction, only a few token claps of applause rang out from the audience.

After all, neither the Muggle-born wizards nor those who knew about Moody's past liked the new gamekeeper very much.

The former was perhaps judging by appearances, and Moody's behavior from the moment he entered was rather impolite. The latter, however, was entirely due to the rumors surrounding Moody—that he was paranoid, insane, and neurotic, more like a dark wizard than any dark wizard himself.

As if to confirm this, Moody sat on the faculty desk, took out his wand and held it firmly in his hand. Then he took out several different types of viewing mirrors and placed them in different positions, like playing a game of wizard chess.

This scene not only stunned everyone present, but even Dumbledore shook his head with a wry smile.

"Alright... let's get back to what we were talking about. The Quidditch Academy Cup will not be held this school year; instead, another famous tournament that has been suspended for over a century will be held."

"Yes! I am very honored to announce that the Triwizard Tournament, which has been suspended for over a hundred years, will be held this year! At Hogwarts! The Goblet of Fire will be lit! Representing the eternal honor of the three magic schools of Europe!"

Dumbledore's tone wasn't deliberately sentimental, but his simple narration excited all the young wizards.

Of course, the young wizards who knew about the Triwizard Tournament were very excited.

As for those who don't understand... well, the atmosphere has been built up to this point, so just enjoy it along with them.

……

"Fantastic! Eternal glory!"

At the Gryffindor table, Ron nodded in approval with an air of seriousness.

"Ron, what is the Triwizard Tournament?" Harry poked Ron's arm in confusion.

"Hmm? Hmm! The Triwizard Tournament is really great!" Ron continued happily.

"Ron..." Harry was about to repeat his question when he was interrupted by another voice beside him.

"Stop asking him! Can't you see the guilty conscience hidden beneath his serious face?"

Across the long table, Hermione mercilessly shattered Ron's last shred of dignity.

"You..." Ron was a little angry, but considering that if they started arguing, he might be questioned about what the Triwizard Tournament was.

After thinking for a moment, Ron pretended not to hear and turned his head to the side.

Seeing Ron's guilty look, Hermione snorted and then began to impart knowledge about the Triwizard Tournament and the Goblet of Fire.

"From the 13th century onwards..."

Hermione spoke rapidly, and Harry and the other Gryffindor wizards around them now had a general understanding of what the Triwizard Tournament was.

Simply put, three schools in Europe each select one warrior to represent their school in various competitions and challenges. The winners not only receive a large monetary reward, but their names will also be permanently recorded in the Goblet of Fire.

Money, fame, warriors, and thrilling adventures—this combination of conditions was an irresistible temptation for the teenagers present.

At that moment, not only Harry, but also Ron and the other young wizards around him felt a longing in their hearts.

Hermione explained the Triwizard Tournament in detail.

The long table of Slytherin on the other side.

The overall atmosphere was very harmonious.

Aside from the new students who enrolled today, all the wizards in Slytherin from the second to the seventh grade turned their gazes in one direction.

"Ino! This is practically made for you!" Draco said with pride.

His expression and demeanor made him seem determined to win this honor.

Ino smiled noncommittally at this. Compared to the childish Three Kingdoms Tournament, he was more curious about Dumbledore's plans for what was to come.

Therefore, when Draco suggested this, Ino gave a plausible excuse: "Perhaps, but I might also be away from school for a while in October."

"Leaving school?" Draco's voice suddenly rose, drawing the attention of many Slytherins around him.

"Yes! Leaving school." Ino nodded slightly in affirmation.

"The Sir Merlin Order sent me a reply letter; there are some things I must attend."

Ino didn't elaborate, but Draco had already guessed the reason.

In fact, it wasn't just Draco; many people around them, including Pansy and Daphne, had guessed it too.

The Order of Merlin, symbolizing the highest honor in the magical world, is indeed superior to the Goblet of Fire in some respects.

"That's such a shame! But I still want to congratulate you!" Draco's tone was somewhat contradictory; he sounded a little listless at first, but there was also a hint of joy in it.

"You can participate! If you want, you might even be able to leave your name in the history of Malfoy," Ino teased softly.

"I'll pass!" Draco shrugged dismissively, explaining, "I won't risk my life for honor."

Thanks to his passive learning of magical history, Draco knew the reason why the Triwizard Tournament was discontinued.

"Whatever you want!" Ino was equally unimpressed by Draco's choice.

Without any external interference, this glory always belongs to Hogwarts.

This is not arrogance, but rather Ino's experience and observations at the Transfiguration Club, and his assessment of Cedric's abilities.

Although he was only in sixth grade, Cedric already possessed abilities that surpassed those of ordinary adult wizards.

Whether it's his skillful transformation magic or his brilliant mind... in terms of overall strength, Cedric's becoming a Hogwarts champion is most likely well-deserved.

While Ino pondered, Draco looked around listlessly.

It seems that more and more people are learning about the three-way battle, and the atmosphere in the auditorium is becoming increasingly enthusiastic.

After all, this is different from the previous five-year event; it is the first Flame Cup champion after being suspended for more than a hundred years.

Few people could refuse such an honor.

(End of this chapter)