When only Dumbledore and Hagrid applauded the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Hermione followed suit.
Ron and Harry, who were sitting next to her, turned their heads in surprise.
"What's wrong?" Hermione asked strangely, "Why are you looking at me?"
"Don't you think... um... he looks scary?" Ron hesitated.
"Oh - yes," Hermione nodded, "To be honest, it's a bit... but haven't you guys developed a better memory?"
"What?" Harry and Ron asked in confusion.
"Maka has told us over and over again with her own actions that we can't just take things at face value!" Hermione said seriously, with a bit of gritted teeth in her tone.
"Hmm... you're saying, maybe this scary-looking new professor is a good person?" Harry looked at Moody who was eating sausages, but he really couldn't build up any good feelings for him.
"What I mean is, don't make judgments easily before you have solid evidence!" Hermione said word by word, expressing full doubt about Harry's ability to understand.
But Moody himself, who was in the center of the line of sight, seemed indifferent to everyone's cold reaction.
Ignoring the large pitcher of pumpkin juice in front of him, he reached into his traveling cloak, took out a curved bottle and took a swig. When he raised his arms to drink, his cloak that was dragging on the ground was pulled up a few inches, and a few inches of wooden carved prosthetic legs could be seen exposed under the table, with a claw-shaped foot underneath.
Dumbledore cleared his throat.
"As I just said," he said with a smile as he looked at the many students in front of him, "in the next few months, we will be honored to host a very exciting event that has been held for more than a century. It will not be held. I am very happy to tell you that this year, the Triwizard Tournament will be held at Hogwarts."
"You're kidding!" Fred Weasley shouted.
The tense atmosphere that had enveloped the auditorium since Moody entered was suddenly broken. Almost everyone laughed out loud, and Bullido also laughed softly in appreciation.
"I'm not kidding, Mr. Weasley," he said, "but since you mentioned joking, I heard a very funny joke about a troll, a hag, and a leprechaun, all of whom Entered the same pub..."
Professor McGonagall gave a loud dry cough.
"Oh - it seems inappropriate to say this now... It's not appropriate..." Dumbledore said with a smile, "Where did I just say it? Ah, by the way, the Triwizard Tournament... Some of you still don't know this. What is going on in the Tournament, so I hope those who know the situation will forgive me for explaining a little here, and I will allow their minds to wander for a while... "
The Triwizard Tournament was founded approximately seven hundred years ago as a friendly competition between the three largest wizarding schools in Europe.
These three schools are Hogwarts in England, Beauxbatons in France, and Durmstrang in a mysterious location.
According to past rules, one warrior should be selected from each school, and then three warriors would compete in three magic projects.
Originally, the Triwizard Tournament was held every five years, and the three schools took turns hosting it. Everyone agreed that this was one of the best ways for young wizards from different countries to build friendships.
"... But later, too many people died, and the Triwizard Tournament was interrupted."
"Death count?" Hermione whispered, looking around in shock.
But most of the students in the auditorium were not as nervous as she was, and many were whispering excitedly. Even Harry and Ron looked in high spirits.
"Over the centuries, people have tried several times to revive the Tournament," Dumbledore continued, "but none of them have been successful. But this year, Mr. Bagman, Director of the Department of Physical Education and Sports at the Ministry of Magic, and I decided that it would be a good idea to do it again. The time is ripe to try. We have done a lot of communication with the International Magical Cooperation Department and actively promoted this grand event."
"In October, the principals of Beauxbatons and Durmstrang will come with their carefully selected contenders, and the selection ceremony will be held on Halloween. An impartial referee will decide which students are most qualified to compete. Triwizard Cup, win honor for your school, and even get a thousand galleons as a personal bonus.”
Having said this, Dumbledore paused and then said in a more serious tone: "In order to make this event more exciting, the Triwizard Cup itself has been replaced with a special magic item. If Whoever wins the final victory will own this magic item personally!"
"As for what it is, please allow me to explain it a little bit first... When the game starts, everyone will know what it is."
Everyone's faces lit up with excitement at the thought of the possibility of obtaining such honor and wealth. This was an opportunity to become a true warrior of Hogwarts.
At the tables in each house, the little wizards were either watching Dumbledore feverishly or whispering excitedly to their neighbors.
But at this moment, Dumbledore spoke again. This time, his words made everyone couldn't help but protest angrily.
Dumbledore proposed an age limit.
Only students who are over seventeen years old—that is to say, students over seventeen years old—are allowed to register.
“The delegation from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang will arrive in October and will spend most of the academic year with us. I know you will all behave very well while our foreign dignitaries are here. Be warm and friendly, and once the Champion of Hogwarts is finally chosen, you will support 'him' or 'her' wholeheartedly."
"Okay, it's getting late now, and it's very important that you walk into class tomorrow morning refreshed and clear-headed. Go to bed! Hurry!"
Dumbledore sat down and turned to talk to Mad-Eye Moody. The students stood up one after another and rushed to the two opposite doors with reluctance on their faces, heading towards the common room of their respective colleges.
…
Several days have passed since Maka came to Durmstrang, but except for class time, he has been wandering around the campus.
In fact, what he wanted to do when he came to Durmstrang this time was very simple, that was two words - high profile! And some of the rules here allowed him to find the most appropriate way.
"I heard that you are the most powerful duelist in Durmstrang?" Maka shook all the parts of his body so that he could show the most taunting posture, "Kid, do you dare to duel with me? ?Shall we make gestures?"
His country bumpkin accent was lazy and arrogant, coupled with his "I'm just provoking you, I'll fight you if you don't accept it" look, which really made the other party angry all of a sudden.
But when the senior student turned around with anger, he suddenly stopped.
"You mean - uh, no... I'm not great, not at all."
Maka opened her eyes, tilted her neck, looked him up and down, and finally staggered away with a posture that was so exasperating that it cost her life.
If people don't fall for it, what can he do? You can't just drag someone to the duel stage like a dementor, right
Several times in a row, Maka had unknowingly eaten her own weakness. Since there is no way to get credits by finding someone to "make an appointment" with, he can only use his brain more and take a few more detours.
Early the next morning, Maka posted this notice on the bulletin board in the school hall:
———
Dear senior students who are not good at dueling, and junior students who have not yet mastered dueling spells:
In order to prevent everyone from having difficulty in obtaining credits due to their weak dueling abilities, I will provide you with additional training and guidance on dueling techniques for free, and when needed, I will protect you from being harassed by malicious dueling invitations.
For this reason, I hereby create a duel club and give it a loud and warm name. Our duel club is called "Unite! We are not pacifists."
Come and join us now! I'm here waiting for you!
Note: If you want to join, please go to the open space in front of the school gate during break time to register as a member.
Your friend, Maca McClain
———
Soon, the students who had just gotten up, washed up, and were about to go to the auditorium for breakfast gathered around the bulletin board, and everyone couldn't help but communicate in low voices.
A strange notice, a strange organization, and an even stranger name will always make people stay away from the idea. But just above this notice, the words "Providing everyone with additional training and guidance on dueling skills for free" that Maka specially bolded made everyone couldn't help but feel excited.
Thanks to word of mouth among Durmstrang's students, even people who didn't know it already knew about Maca's impressive deeds in the World Cup finals.
Almost everyone is thinking: If they let him guide them, will they become that powerful
Not long after, except for some students who didn't dare to approach Maka, the other little wizards all rushed outside the castle door.
Just in the open space on one side of the gate, Maka was sitting there. In front of him, there was a simple small table with a large pile of parchment piled on it.
"Are you all here to join the Duel Club?" Maka saw that most of these people were freshmen.
When Maka asked, the little wizards immediately nodded their heads.
"Then come and register! Everyone, line up and come to collect the registration form. After filling it out, return it to me one by one..."
"By the way, after everyone has registered, this club will hold its first official event immediately! Please get ready - unite! We are not pacifists!"