Chapter 112

【Quidditch World Cup Terrorist Attack】

Today's Daily Prophet front page published an in-depth report on the Quidditch World Cup terrorist attack.

Through the few surviving Death Eaters left on the battlefield at the time, the Ministry of Magic, after several days of investigation and interrogation, finally determined that this was just a bluffing terrorist attack.

The reason was just that those pure-blood extremist fanatics couldn't sit still, wanting to use international events to create panic and vent their hatred against those Muggles and Muggle-born wizards.

Originally, John, as an important figure in repelling the Death Eaters at the time, was supposed to go to the Ministry of Magic to receive an award.

But John didn't want to go, and Mr. Claude also suggested he shouldn't go.

Because this would only push him into a more dangerous limelight, becoming a thorn in the side of pure-blood extremists.

Although this attack ended in a farce and didn't cause any major waves.

But John knew that the new plot must have already begun.

The servants of You-Know-Who had already stepped onto the stage, so could the master himself be far behind?

Clang, clang.

The tracks trembled under the wheels, the grasslands outside the window retreated rapidly, and the outline of the spires of Hogwarts Castle could already be vaguely seen.

At this time, John and his friends were sitting on the train to Hogwarts.

A few days had passed since the Quidditch World Cup.

Today was the official start of school, and John's group boarded the Hogwarts Express again to head to school.

Ever since they left the Quidditch World Cup stadium that day, John and the others had been staying at Titus's house, just to make it convenient to return to school together today.

Harry and the others had returned to their respective homes, and they didn't meet again until this morning at the platform.

After spending that week together, the relationship between the two groups had become much more familiar.

They could chat a few words when they met.

Then they boarded the train together and returned to Hogwarts.

After arriving at the station, the two groups took Thestral carriages to the castle.

Interestingly, on the way to the castle.

They saw a huge sailing ship they had never seen before anchored in the Black Lake not far away, with a red double-headed firebird pattern printed on the sails.

And in the distant sky, a carriage pulled by 12 winged horses slowly descended to the edge of the Forbidden Forest behind the castle.

"Wow, it seems Hogwarts has new guests this year."

Looking at this scene, Titus said with some novelty.

"Do you recognize these things?"

John asked curiously.

"The logo on that sail is the emblem of Durmstrang Magic Academy."

"As for that winged horse carriage, it should be from Beauxbatons Magic Academy."

Titus began to explain.

"These two magic schools and our Hogwarts are known as the three major magic schools in Europe."

"I heard that our three schools used to hold a competition every five years called the Triwizard Tournament, but this competition was later called off."

"I heard from my dad that there have always been people in the Ministry of Magic who want to restore this competition; I guess we ran into it this year."

After hearing Titus finish, John nodded thoughtfully.

He remembered that a few days ago, when they were still at the Quidditch World Cup campsite, the adults mentioned that something was going to happen at Hogwarts this year.

This must be what they were talking about, the Triwizard Tournament.

"As for what they compete in, I'm not clear, anyway, it's impossible to follow the content of the last competition."

"I only know that the mortality rate of that competition was very high in the past, which is why it was called off."

Titus continued, and John and the others were all stunned.

They thought it was just a normal exchange activity where each school showcased its own style and magical skills.

They didn't expect it to involve a mortality rate.

Soon they arrived at the castle, and their luggage could be handed over to the Hogwarts house-elves to handle.

All students were guided into the Great Hall, and the Sorting Ceremony would proceed as usual.

This year, there were more seats at the professors' table in the Great Hall, and he also saw Barty Crouch, the Head of the Department of International Magical Cooperation.

He had heard before that he would be stationed at Hogwarts this year, probably for the smooth progress of the Triwizard Tournament.

In addition, there was a male wizard John didn't recognize.

That man had gray-white hair and a face full of ferocious scars.

Most importantly, his left eye was embedded with an eyeball that kept rotating, which looked very eerie.

The seat he was sitting in was the one Professor Lupin sat in last year; could he be this year's Defense Against the Dark Arts professor?

"My goodness, that person looks like Mad-Eye Moody!"

At this moment, Titus exclaimed in a low voice.

John and Ethan didn't know this person, and it seemed Ryan had heard of him too.

"He is an Auror who specializes in catching dark wizards; my dad has always admired him!"

Titus continued excitedly.

"Mad-Eye Moody is a legend; he has caught more dark wizards than the entire Auror Office combined!"

"The scars on his body were all left behind when catching dark wizards; I heard he even lost a leg because of it, and he still wears a prosthetic limb to this day."

"That constantly rotating eyeball is a magic eye that can see through Invisibility Cloaks and Illusion spells."

Listening to Titus's introduction, John could basically confirm that this person was this year's Defense Against the Dark Arts professor.

And it seemed this guy had real skills.

After that, the Sorting Ceremony began, and they each returned to their respective house tables.

John sat directly beside Luna and chatted with her.

"Luna, you didn't run into any Death Eaters that day, did you."

"No, at that time my father discovered the riot from afar, so he took me away in advance."

They talked about the Quidditch World Cup terrorist attack.

Luna's understanding of that event was limited to the news in the newspaper.

They hadn't chatted for long when the Sorting Ceremony ended, and Dumbledore took the stage to speak.

The opening was still welcoming the freshmen and reminding them of some rules.

But after finishing, Dumbledore paused and continued to speak.

"Besides this, I believe everyone has seen that this year, our Hogwarts also welcomes some new guests, friends from two other magic schools."

"Because this year Hogwarts has been chosen to host a legendary event, the Triwizard Tournament!"

"For those students who don't know, the Triwizard Tournament is a series of magical competitions held between three magic schools, with each school selecting only one student to participate."

"This competition is held every five years, but because the mortality rate was too high before, it was called off once."

Hearing the word mortality rate, most students gasped, but there were also students who didn't fear trouble, their eyes flashing with excitement.

"Now, after the unanimous agreement of our Ministry of Magic's Department of International Magical Cooperation and Department of Magical Games and Sports, it has been decided to restore the tournament this year."

"The contestants from the three schools will fight for the honor of their respective schools, and the final winner will receive a prize of one thousand Galleons and the permanent honor of the Triwizard Cup."

As the saying goes, there will be brave men under heavy rewards.

Hearing the reward of one thousand Galleons, many students let out low exclamations, and the students who were scared away by the mortality rate became tempted again.

"However, I must state in advance that once you are selected, you will be fighting alone."

"Believe me, if you cannot withstand the pressure and setbacks, please think twice before signing up."

Seeming to see the restlessness in the students' eyes, Dumbledore raised a finger and said seriously to everyone.

But clearly, Dumbledore's words didn't extinguish the students' enthusiasm, but instead stirred up more eager gazes.

Even John had a tempted expression.

Of course, he wasn't doing it for the one thousand Galleons, but simply felt that it would be a pity not to participate in such a grand event that happens once every five years.

It's rare to live a second life, so why not experience the passion and glory of youth.