"Ah, there you are!"
As usual, just as I was about to board the train alone, I spotted familiar faces lined up on the station platform. They were my roommates: Pansy Parkinson, Millicent Bulstrode, and Daphne Greengrass.
First, Pansy Parkinson. She had grown a little and seemed to be in the middle of shedding her cute-girl image for a more refined, beautiful one.
If she grew just a bit taller, she would have a model-like figure, but for now she was still slightly slimmer than average. Apparently, she had permed her black hair this year, leaving the ends loosely curled. Combined with her naturally assertive personality and her bold, carefully applied makeup, she gave off the impression of a trendy, modern girl who would sit near the top of the school social hierarchy.
Next, when I took a closer look at Millicent Bulstrode, it seemed she had grown even taller over the summer holiday.
When I first met her, she had been large and burly in build, but after successfully dieting, she threw herself into athletics. Now she had the look of a boyish sports girl. With a height comparable to most boys, long limbs honed without excess bulk, short brown hair, and sharp, narrow eyes, she wore little makeup, yet possessed the healthy beauty distinctive to athletic girls.
Finally, there was Daphne Greengrass, who, as always, radiated a lively and energetic atmosphere.
She had large, sparkling green eyes and gently wavy blonde hair grown out to a semi-long length. Her makeup was tastefully done without being overly noticeable, giving her the vibe of a flashy, eye-catching high school girl. Her well-balanced figure still had a bust and hips with enough presence to draw the male gaze, and her firm thighs flowed into long, slender legs.
Of course, I was not about to lose to them either.
With long eyelashes, pale skin, a slender and delicate frame, cool lapis-blue eyes that suggested intelligence, and well-defined features still carrying a hint of youthful innocence, I had smooth, beautiful ash-gray hair that swayed in the wind. A well-mannered honor student, liked by everyone, with an unreal beauty as if I had stepped straight out of a fairy tale. Wherever I walked, people turned to look.
＊＊
"So, what's everyone doing for Christmas?"
The moment we entered the compartment, Daphne brought up the topic of the Christmas dance party.
"You know, this year it's that thing, right? The Inter-School Tournament of the Three Great Magic Schools. People from Durmstrang and Beauxbatons are coming, and we'll all be dancing together."
"Oh right, that kind of event is happening," I replied.
Because the tournament also serves as a form of international exchange, a prestigious ball called the Yule Ball is held at Christmas to promote friendship between schools.
That said, most students thought of it as nothing more than a magical version of a Muggle prom, a straightforward social event for couples. Daphne and the others seemed more than ready to seize the chance to hunt for handsome boys.
"Did you hear? Tracy and the others already got boyfriends."
"Wow, they work fast. So, who are they with?"
"Tracy's with Harper, who's a year below. Lily's with Bellby from Ravenclaw, and Sophie's with McLaggen from Gryffindor."
According to Daphne, among the fourth-year Slytherin girls, three of them, Tracy Davis, Lily Moon, and Sophie Roper, already had boyfriends.
"How very青春," I said.
"What are you, the old lady next door?" Pansy shot back.
After Pansy's retort, Millicent spoke up as if she had just remembered something.
"Come to think of it, did anyone get a boyfriend over the summer?"
At those words, three pairs of eyes naturally focused on Pansy.
"...""...""..."
"W-What is it?!"
Pansy reflexively raised both arms in a mysterious defensive pose, while the rest of us sighed for what felt like the hundredth time.
"Well, good luck with that, I guess."
"Thanks for the support that clearly shows zero interest!"
Despite the huge event of the World Cup, it seemed there had been no significant progress between Pansy and Draco.
"I mean, I get what everyone's saying, but Draco and I are both from pure-blood families. We've known each other since childhood, we're practically like family, and when you actually look at the family tree, we're distant relatives anyway…"
When people spend too long together, they sometimes stop seeing each other as the opposite sex. You hear that kind of thing now and then. The so-called childhood friend loses heroine status rule, perhaps.
"So last year I tried changing my makeup and dieting to look more girly, but whenever we actually meet, it's like we fall back into that childhood friend vibe. I guess that's why he doesn't see me that way…"
As Pansy slipped fully into troubled-maiden mode, Daphne shook her head in exasperation, then turned toward me with a mischievous grin.
"Honestly, at this point, why don't you just go out with Draco, Elaina? You're on the Quidditch team together, you've got the looks, it'd work out somehow."
"I have no intention of causing a tragedy at Christmas…"
As Pansy shot me a wary look, I raised both hands in surrender to show I meant no harm, though I still frowned slightly.
"But you know, I feel like Draco's type is someone like Pansy, or Elaina, or Astoria," Daphne said.
At that, Millicent nodded in agreement.
"I kinda get it. Draco's pretty spineless, so I bet he likes girls who are a little assertive."
"On the other hand, Zabini definitely seems like the type who likes someone good at mind games."
"Then maybe Tracy or Elaina, or Sue Li from Ravenclaw."
"Either way, straightforward Pansy probably isn't a match."
"I didn't ask," Pansy snapped.
Millicent and the others burst into laughter at her curt reply.
"As for Nott, I honestly have no idea."
"He seems like the kind who'd say it's easier with a woman who has no will of her own, or that he wants to be completely toyed with."
"Then maybe Abbott from Hufflepuff, or MacDougal from Ravenclaw, or Runcorn from Gryffindor. Or maybe Daphne herself?"
Having regained her composure, Pansy smirked and lightly jabbed Daphne in the side with her elbow in retaliation.
"Speaking of which, Daphne, do you have anyone you're interested in?"
"A lot of people," Daphne replied calmly.
She then started counting on her fingers.
"Pucey-senpai, Diggory-senpai, and also Davies-senpai and McLaggen-senpai catch my eye. Lately, even Bletchley from third year has been getting pretty handsome."
"That's refreshingly honest face-based selection…"
That said, she had already shown signs of being a looks enthusiast back in the Lockhart days, so it wasn't exactly surprising now.
"Ahh, the handsome-master of my dreams. I wanna be one."
"Is that something you become?"
"I totally will!"
After declaring her bizarre determination of braving fire, water, and forests to get her prize, Daphne earned a glance from me that said, "This one's an idiot." Then Millicent turned to me with another question.
"So, Elaina, what kind of guy is your type?"
"Huh… rich?"
"Elaina, you're totally the type who'd answer 'because the pay is good' when asked about your internship or job-hunting motivation."
Well, what can I say? My strong point is honesty. I even accomplished something amazing with it back in my student days. Ahem.
"Listen, Millicent. Money always shows up in numbers. And unlike people, numbers never lie."
"Even if you say it like some lone genius scholar…"
'Numbers never lie' has a nice ring to it, don't you think?"
"It's only the ring that's nice. Your core values are awful."
As Millicent shot back at me in a mysterious Irish accent, I decided to ask her in return.
"Then what about you, Millicent? What's your type?"
"Hmm, something safe, like a slightly bad boy."
An instant answer. Are you a middle school girl from the countryside? Well, Hogwarts kind of is the countryside, but still. And what part of that is 'safe'?
"Still, when you look at it this way, you end up coming full circle and thinking Pansy is actually the best woman among us…"
"If only she weren't such a coward."
"Yeah, we all thought that."
"Hey, the three of you should have a bit more sense of urgency, okay? Before criticizing others, maybe try taking a harder look at yourselves?"
As Pansy let out a large sigh with an exasperated expression, Hogwarts Castle came into view in the distance, and we changed into our uniforms. At last, our fourth year was about to begin.
＊＊＊
After finishing the journey on the Hogwarts Express and entering the Great Hall, we found it splendidly decorated for the welcoming feast, just like every other year.
As usual, the Sorting concluded, and once again the feast began at Headmaster Dumbledore's cue of "Tuck in!" When it ended, the headmaster smiled and looked out over the assembled students.
"You have all eaten and drunk well, I trust. I have a few announcements, so I ask that you lend me your ears once more."
Headmaster Dumbledore swept his gaze across the students.
"First, a notice from our caretaker, Mr. Filch. The list of prohibited items has been updated, with 437 new additions, including Screaming Yo-Yos, Biting Frisbees, and Never-Ending Punching Boomerangs. The full list may be consulted in Mr. Filch's office."
The way he added "for any students who wish to check" made it clear that even Headmaster Dumbledore did not expect much effect. About half of it was probably Mr. Filch's personal hobby.
"Now then, next I shall introduce our new professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts."
However, the Defense Against the Dark Arts seat was empty. Other students tilted their heads in confusion, and Daphne leaned over to ask me,
"Do you think it's an invisible person this year?"
"Last year it was a werewolf, so it wouldn't be impossible," I replied.
Whether it was a werewolf, a con artist, or someone possessed by Voldemort, as long as they taught properly, it was fine. As we chatted idly, a deafening crack of thunder suddenly rang out, and the doors of the Great Hall slammed open.
Standing in the doorway was a man with an utterly bizarre appearance.
Wrapped in a pitch-black traveling cloak, the man leaned on a long staff as he began to walk forward. A dull tapping sound echoed with each step, and when lightning streaked across the ceiling again, his terrifying face was laid bare.
His facial skin was covered in scars. His mouth looked as though it had been slashed diagonally, and his nose was largely missing. Most horrifying of all was his left eye. A large blue eye affixed to an eyepatch stared unblinking, spinning constantly up, down, left, and right.
"So this year's teacher is an artificial human?"
"If that's the case, it's a dreadful failure. The designer should have reviewed the blueprints before making it."
As I nodded along with Pansy's venomous commentary, the unfamiliar man shook hands with Headmaster Dumbledore and took a seat at the staff table.
"Allow me to formally introduce him. Former Auror, Professor Alastor Moody."
Although Headmaster Dumbledore announced this in as cheerful a voice as he could manage, the students remained transfixed, staring at Professor Moody's grotesque appearance as if under a spell.
Professor Moody himself seemed unconcerned. He did not even glance at the pumpkin juice before him, instead taking deep swigs from a portable flask pulled from his traveling cloak.
＊＊
After that came the usual reminders: the Forbidden Forest is off-limits, Hogsmeade visits are restricted to third-years and above, and so on.
In contrast to the first-years, who listened intently so as not to miss a single word, we fourth-years were already accustomed to it all, responding with casual "Hmm" and "I see" as we half-listened.
However, the final addition to Headmaster Dumbledore's announcements instantly shattered the relaxed atmosphere among the older students.
"It is my regrettable duty to inform you that this year's inter-house Quidditch Cup will be canceled."
At those words, many students, including Harry and Ron, who still knew nothing of the Inter-School Tournament, cried out in shock. Even non-players like Hermione and Neville stared, mouths opening and closing in disbelief.
"This is because of an event that will begin in October and continue through the end of the term. I am personally delighted to announce it. Over the coming months, here at Hogwarts, we shall host the Inter-School Tournament of the Three Great Magic Schools, an event not held for over a hundred years!"
After a brief silence, the Great Hall erupted into uproar.
"You must be joking!"
George Weasley shouted at the top of his lungs, and soon everyone was speaking excitedly. Seeing their reaction, Headmaster Dumbledore smiled with satisfaction.
"However, our Ministry's Department of International Magical Cooperation and the Department of Magical Games and Sports have judged that the time is ripe for its revival. This time, we devoted an entire summer to preparation so that not a single fatality would occur."
Headmaster Dumbledore continued,
"The heads of Beauxbatons and Durmstrang will arrive in October with their final candidate champions. On Halloween, three champions from each school will be selected. The chosen champions will face three tasks, and the one who emerges victorious will receive not only the Triwizard Cup, but also a prize of 1,000 Galleons and eternal glory."
"1,000 Galleons… I see."
My cheeks relaxed despite myself, and several other students looked just as dazzled by greed and glory.
Winning meant not only the enormous sum of 1,000 Galleons, but also the title of "eternal glory," something that would undoubtedly be immensely useful in the magical world down the line. That honor would never fade, even as generations passed, and the authority and prestige it carried were immeasurable.
However.
"I am aware that many of you are filled with enthusiasm to bring the Cup to our school. However, by agreement of the school heads and the Ministry of Magic, we have decided to impose an age restriction on this year's champions. Specifically, only those who have reached the age of seventeen will be permitted to put their names forward as candidates."
Immediate boos rose from parts of the student body. Headmaster Dumbledore did not flinch and continued speaking.
"This is a safety measure to prevent a repeat of the tragic accidents that occurred in the past. Even with safety precautions in place, the tasks remain dangerous and difficult. It is therefore unlikely that students younger than sixth or seventh year could complete them. I will personally be keeping a close watch to ensure that no one attempts to deceive our fair and impartial judges."
Headmaster Dumbledore's bright blue eyes settled on the rebellious Weasley twins and, for some reason, then turned toward me as well.
"That's unfortunate, Elaina."
Draco Malfoy, seated across from us, glanced between my sullen expression and Headmaster Dumbledore, his eyes glinting mischievously.
"This time, even you won't be getting your hands on those 1,000 Galleons, will you?"
"If you give up there, the match is already over, Draco."
And so, I set about weaving plans with my sharp intellect, pondering just how I might break through Headmaster Dumbledore's defenses.
(End of chapter)
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