Before dinner, Dumbledore presented the new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor. "Moody," the man grunted, acknowledging the introduction with a sweeping glance from his Magic Eye before settling back down.
"Professor Moody has a… unique approach," Dumbledore explained dryly, "but I assure you, he will prove an excellent instructor." He then shifted gears. "This term, we have the distinct pleasure of hosting a very special group of guests." A ripple of excited chatter spread through the student body.
"Hogwarts has been chosen to host a prestigious competition... the Triwizard Tournament!"
Below the stage, Harry nudged Malfoy. "Malfoy, what's this Triwizard Tournament all about?"
"Heard something about it, yeah." Malfoy stroked his chin. "Magical contests between three schools, vying for some kind of cup. Am I right?"
"Right then." Harry's eyes gleamed. It's time I reminded a few people who's number two around here. Some of the in-school Death Eaters have been getting bold recently; perhaps this tournament will give him an opportunity to flex his superiority.
Dumbledore continued, "Each school will select one student to represent them."
Harry's face fell. How am I supposed to compete? With my Combat Transformation Case, I'm confident I can smack around most adult wizards in close-quarters combat, so I can definitely defeat any Hogwarts students who haven't graduated yet.
But there's Cassandra… He grimaced. She's basically an overpowered cheat code!
Wait, so am I.
But not as much as her! Cassandra already wields magic comparable to an adult wizard at her age, and with Tom's personal instruction, most adults are no match for her. After studying with Tom for years, I wouldn't be surprised by any tricks this girl might pull.
Besides, Cassandra is more favored than me. Do I really have to compete with her? This isn't fun… this is hopeless! He sighed, already resigned to his fate.
"I must remind you," Dumbledore boomed from the platform, "those chosen… must go alone. Therefore, those who lack confidence should not participate."
"That's all for now. The guests will arrive tomorrow. Now, let's enjoy dinner!" With that, Dumbledore edged his way over to Tom's side.
"Um… Tom." Dumbledore's smile made Tom instinctively recoil, though the Headmaster seemed unfazed. "You know, the other schools always make such a grand entrance for this competition, but we at Hogwarts have nothing planned… We'll be outdone."
Tom raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "What are you suggesting?"
"Ahem… Aren't you the expert on all this fancy nonsense?" Dumbledore scratched his beard. "An old man like me doesn't have many ambitions left, except for this old face I'm rather fond of." This wasn't a lie. For a long time, Dumbledore would occasionally show off his wizarding cards to Tom, until Chocolate Frogs released Tom's wizarding cards, and they were even more popular than his, silencing him at last.
"So…?"
"You want me to show you off?"
"Uh… don't put it like that… but yes, that would be ideal."
"Heh." Tom's sneer made Dumbledore wince. "So you agree?"
Fortunately, Tom didn't drag it out. He didn't particularly dislike showing off anyway. "You owe me one."
"Of course, even if you want Fawkes' blood, I'll get it for you."
"We'll see." Having secured Tom's agreement, Dumbledore happily returned to his seat. As for whether Tom would make any unreasonable demands, so be it. What could an old man like me possibly want? As long as he doesn't steal my Grindelwald body pillow, that's fine.
...
The next day, before dawn, a colossal carriage pulled by winged horses descended from the horizon.
Madame Maxime, peering out, frowned at the empty shore beside the Black Lake. Where the hell is Hogwarts?
Fleur Delacour looked equally puzzled. Had they arrived at the wrong location? Unwilling to concede defeat, Madame Maxime steered the carriage closer to the lake. It was definitely the Black Lake!
As the students of Beauxbatons exchanged concerned glances, a low rumble echoed. The ground began to tremble, and in the distance, a massive, ancient castle rose from the earth! Brick by brick, the castle, the stone bridge, the owl tower, the Quidditch pitch… all materialized as if conjured from nothing.
Of course, it wasn't an actual reconstruction, just one of Tom's elaborate illusions. Just as Madam Maxime's jaw dropped… a blinding beam of icy blue light erupted over the Black Lake!
Click, click… Ice spread rapidly from the point of impact, encasing the entire lake in a shimmering sheet!
"…"
Then, violent flames burst from the frozen surface! The dazzling crimson contrasted sharply with the icy blue, and through the "fire effect" Apparition courtesy of Fawkes, Dumbledore and the Hogwarts professors appeared!
"…"
Madam Maxime hadn't even managed to close her mouth when the sky was suddenly plunged into darkness. Ominous dark clouds swirled overhead! Slowly, wisps of black, soul-like threads descended, transforming into Hogwarts' young wizards arrayed behind the professors.
It was a variation of Transfiguration combined with Apparition; of course, the students themselves didn't realize it, but Tom had taught them how to use it. Normally, Apparition require physical contact to use on others. Tom, of course, wouldn't touch all those people one by one.
The secret lay in that enormous dark cloud. Or rather, it wasn't a cloud at all, but a dense black mist! The massive black mist began to coalesce, gradually taking on human form as it descended diagonally onto the frozen lake.
Tom floated to the ground, a figure surrounded by wisps of swirling black smoke – quite a spectacle, to say the least.
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