Chapter 178: Triwizard Tournament

As the train neared its destination, Harry and Ron left their compartment to change into their robes. When they entered an empty one and began changing, Harry immediately noticed Ron's formal robe.

"You're still wearing that?" Harry asked. "To be honest, it looks ridiculously outdated."

"But it fits me well, and it matches Eve's dress," Ron said. "I heard there's a ball at school this year—I want to ask her."

"That's all the ambition you've got, Weasley," Malfoy appeared at the door, his face twisted. "I heard you danced with a Muggle girl over the summer—it's disgusting!"

"Don't you know that if a pure-blood wizard doesn't marry a pure-blood girl, our social etiquette, noble virtues, fine character—even our souls—will be ruined? It's your Weasley family that's tarnishing the wizarding world's glory..."

"Ignore him, Ron," Harry pulled back the angry Ron. "He's just jealous."

"I'm not!" Malfoy snapped. "I'm not!"

"That's right," Crabbe chimed in. "Malfoy isn't jealous that you get to be Eve's dance partner."

"That's not it!!!" Malfoy angrily punched Crabbe in the chest, sending him stumbling back several steps.

"Oh right," Goyle added, "Malfoy isn't jealous that you're surrounded by Muggle girls."

"I'll throw you both out!" Malfoy growled, gripping his two snitches by the collars and storming off without looking back.

Ron no longer felt angry—he burst into a chuckle, then a low laugh, and finally erupted into full-blown laughter.

Several heads popped out from the neighboring compartment, including Neville's.

"He's right, Ron," Neville said with a wry smile.

"Who's right? Do you think pure-blood wizards shouldn't marry Muggle girls?" asked Ernie Macmillan from the left compartment.

"No, I mean Crabbe was right—Malfoy is jealous that you get to be Eve's dance partner," Neville said, then pulled his head back in.

Ernie realized he'd probably said the wrong thing, hastily apologized, and quickly withdrew his head.

"But honestly," Ron scratched his head, "I'm kind of envious of Donald."

"Cut it out, Ron," Harry decided to pull his friend out of his emotional spiral before he sank deeper. "If we don't kill Voldemort, all this is just an illusion."

For the rest of the journey, Ron's mood visibly sank—he worried about Harry's chances against Voldemort, couldn't help fantasizing about the stunning Hermione, and whenever he caught sight of Eve, who oddly matched his vibe, he felt uneasy and inferior due to his poverty compared to Malfoy's wealth—his mental exhaustion was severe.

Finally, the Hogwarts Express slowed and pulled into the dark Hogsmeade Station. Outside, rain poured heavily; Harry exchanged a quick greeting with Hagrid, then dragged the sullen Ron onto a carriage.

After getting off the carriage, Ron's mood improved significantly when he saw the annoying Peeves pelting a few unlucky souls with water balloons, only to be harshly chased away by Professor McGonagall; he cheerfully followed Harry to the Great Hall for dinner.

The Sorting Ceremony was unremarkable—Colin's younger brother, Dennis Creevey, was also sorted into Gryffindor. Like his older brother, the boy idolized Harry intensely, which made Harry somewhat embarrassed.

"Before dinner," Dumbledore's voice echoed through the hall, "I must issue a serious warning: if I catch any of you playing pranks outside school and blaming them on some so-called Cassandra, I will impose detention on every student in the school!"

"Who fed Colonel Fawcett the Tongue-Tying Toffee?" As he spoke, many eyes instinctively turned to the Weasley twins—after all, Tongue-Tying Toffee was clearly their invention.

"Who cast the Dark Mark at the World Cup?" Now a cluster of eyes turned to Malfoy—everyone knew his father held a high rank among the Death Eaters.

"Who blew up the new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor's trash bin?" This time, all four tables stared at Snape, making him cough awkwardly twice.

"I'll set aside these matters for now," Dumbledore's tone softened suddenly. "Let's eat."

When Harry and Ron finally finished eating, Dumbledore began his usual speech. After the usual platitudes, he added mischievously: "Also, I regret to inform you that there will be no Quidditch Cup this year."

"Because another major event will begin in October and last the entire school year. I am delighted to announce that most of you will accompany me to Beauxbatons—together—"

At that moment, the Great Hall doors burst open. A man with gray hair, a wooden leg, and a magical prosthetic eye limped slowly toward the head table.

"Oh, I should have mentioned this term's staff changes," Dumbledore said as if just remembering. "Professor Dobby, beloved by the children, must return to his Auror duties. Professor Lupin will take over as professor of Muggle Studies."

Lupin, already seated among the faculty, gave a nervous smile. He seemed uncertain about taking on Muggle Studies.

"And I'd like to introduce your new professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts: Professor Moody." As Dumbledore spoke, Moody reached the end of the head table.

"What's going on? Lupin was doing fine—why replace him?" Colin asked, leaning over.

"Because the position is cursed. Anyone who teaches Defense Against the Dark Arts for more than a year is likely to suffer misfortune," Harry explained. "Lupin getting out with all his limbs intact is already lucky."

"Don't say that—Lupin doesn't have a beard or a tail," Ron jabbed Harry in the ribs.

"It's just an idiom..."

But Colin was unlikely to deduce Lupin was a werewolf from this ambiguity, because Dumbledore had already rushed into announcing his next point.

"I am delighted to announce that the Triwizard Tournament will be held this year at Beauxbatons. Any eligible student may depart for Beauxbatons at the end of October to compete against five other schools and showcase British wizarding excellence." Dumbledore paused. "At that time, students who are seventeen or who can quietly bypass the age restriction may board the Hogwarts Express and depart for Beauxbatons!"

"To explain the tournament to those unfamiliar with it, allow me a few words," Dumbledore continued. "The Triwizard Tournament is a friendly competition among Europe's three great magical schools—Hogwarts, Beauxbatons, and Durmstrang—held every five years. A neutral judge selects one champion from each school. The three champions compete in three magical tasks; the winner earns honor for their school and a thousand Galleons in scholarship."

"For those already familiar with the Triwizard Tournament, listen closely: this year's competition will be more international than ever. In addition to the original three schools, Ilvermorny from North America, Kordofstritz from Eastern Europe, and the Magical Institute of East Asia will also compete. Each school still selects only one champion, but champions will now compete in pairs, testing knowledge, courage, friendship, and willpower at Beauxbatons. The honor won by the victors will be more prestigious than any previous Triwizard Tournament!"

"Great. Seventeen. I don't know what Dumbledore's thinking," Ron muttered. "Shouldn't you be included?"

"You forgot he said, 'or who can quietly bypass the age restriction,'" Harry said confidently. "Dumbledore won't forget I have an Invisibility Cloak—we'll definitely sneak aboard using it."

"That's right!" Ron perked up instantly. "Your dad's Invisibility Cloak is the best!"

Although Fred and George were still months away from turning seventeen, they weren't upset—they began discussing how to circumvent Dumbledore's restrictions, even though Dumbledore hadn't yet cast any magic to enforce them.

"Hey Harry, you're entering, right?" Ron grinned as they walked back. "I bet Hogwarts' champion will be you!"

"You know what?" Harry grinned and shared a secret. "The Magical Institute of East Asia doesn't plan to compete—Scrimgeour forced them to come—so—"

Amid the expectant gazes of the surrounding students, Harry delivered the news: "So they'll give their slot to Hogwarts—there will be two Hogwarts champions!"

Ron couldn't help daydreaming: if he became Hogwarts' second champion and won the Triwizard Tournament alongside Harry, standing before the entire school as cheers erupted, Hermione's face stood out clearly in the blurred crowd—her cheeks flushed, filled with admiration and praise.

Harry's rumor spread through the school in an instant. That night, nearly every student buried their face in their pillow, laughing, dreaming the same dream—though the "clearly visible" face, "flushed and brimming with admiration and praise," differed slightly for each...