บท 52: Tournament and New DADA

The start of a new school year brought an electric buzz to Hogwarts, and this year was no exception. As students filed into the Great Hall for the first feast, they couldn't shake the feeling that something was different. The teachers exchanged barely concealed looks of excitement, and even Dumbledore's eyes twinkled with a hidden secret.

Raja joined Harry, Ron, and Hermione at the Gryffindor table, sensing the anticipation in the room. "Any idea what this might be about?" he asked quietly, glancing around.

Ron leaned forward, his eyes wide with excitement. "I heard something about an international competition, but it's probably just a rumor."

"Whatever it is, I hope it doesn't involve extra classes," Harry muttered, earning chuckles from the group.

As if on cue, Dumbledore stood, and a hush fell over the hall. "Welcome, everyone, to another year at Hogwarts!" His voice filled the hall, warm and inviting, greeted by cheers and applause. "This year, however, is no ordinary year. I am thrilled to announce that Hogwarts will be hosting a most prestigious event—the Triwizard Tournament!"

Gasps and exclamations echoed through the hall. The Triwizard Tournament was legendary—a competition that hadn't been held for centuries. Raja leaned forward, fascinated, as Dumbledore continued.

"The Triwizard Tournament is a magical contest between the three largest European schools of magic—Hogwarts, Beauxbatons Academy, and Durmstrang Institute. Each school will be represented by a champion chosen by the Goblet of Fire, a magical artifact that selects competitors based on their skills and courage."

Beside him, Hermione's eyes widened in excitement. "This is incredible!" she whispered.

Dumbledore's expression grew serious as he went on. "The tasks are challenging, and history has shown that the risks are not to be underestimated. Therefore, only students aged seventeen or older will be eligible to participate."

Some students groaned, especially those who had started dreaming of glory. Raja simply nodded, understanding the reasoning behind the restriction.

"This will be an exciting year for all of us," Dumbledore concluded, "and I ask that we welcome our guests with the greatest warmth and respect."

As he sat down, excited conversation erupted across the hall. Raja observed his friends' reactions, noting Harry's curiosity mixed with apprehension. "Looks like Hogwarts is going to be a lot more interesting this year," he said with a grin.

Weeks later, Hogwarts was abuzz with anticipation as they prepared for the arrival of the foreign delegations. The grounds sparkled with magical decorations, and banners in Hogwarts' colors flew from the towers, their vibrant hues adding to the sense of celebration. Raja was just as excited, curious to see the students and faculty from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang.

Finally, the day arrived. Standing on the lawn with the rest of the student body, Raja watched as a massive, powder-blue carriage, pulled by six winged horses the size of elephants, descended gracefully onto the Hogwarts grounds. The Beauxbatons students disembarked, led by their towering headmistress, Madame Maxime. She carried herself with elegance, her robes flowing as she walked, and the Beauxbatons students followed suit, exuding an air of sophistication.

"Blimey, they're… fancy," Ron whispered, his eyes wide as he took in the sight.

"They certainly have style," Raja remarked, observing the finely coordinated entrance.

Hermione chuckled. "Style? They're practically glowing!"

Before they could say more, a dark shadow appeared on the lake. The Durmstrang ship emerged, cutting through the water like a massive beast, its arrival as intimidating as it was grand. The Durmstrang students, rugged and formidable, disembarked in sharp contrast to the graceful Beauxbatons group. Raja's gaze was drawn to their headmaster, Igor Karkaroff, whose cold, calculating expression hinted at mysteries and secrets.

Karkaroff's gaze lingered on Harry, and Harry shifted uncomfortably, unsettled by the scrutiny. Raja noticed and nudged him. "Ignore it. They're probably just curious about the Boy Who Lived."

"Yeah, right," Harry muttered, trying to appear casual but clearly unnerved.

The two delegations settled in, and Hogwarts felt even more alive, pulsing with the excitement and tension that only such a prestigious event could bring.

In addition to the tournament, there was a new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor this year—Alastor "Mad-Eye" Moody, the legendary Auror whose reputation had reached every corner of the wizarding world. Raja, having read about Moody, was intrigued by the stories of his unconventional methods and intense vigilance.

The first lesson with Moody quickly proved the rumors true. The professor limped into the classroom, his magical eye swiveling independently to inspect each student. The effect was unsettling, and even Raja felt a shiver as the eye landed on him.

"Welcome to Defense Against the Dark Arts," Moody began in a low, growling voice. "I'm not here to teach you pretty wand movements or tricks. I'm here to teach you how to survive."

Raja glanced at Harry, who looked both intrigued and cautious. Moody's words resonated, especially given the dark events of the past year.

To drive home his point, Moody demonstrated the three Unforgivable Curses, starting with the Imperius Curse. The students watched in horrified fascination as he explained its power, moving on to the Cruciatus Curse, which left many of them visibly shaken. Finally, he showed the Killing Curse, his voice somber as he held up the lifeless spider he had used for the demonstration.

"These aren't toys, and this isn't a game," Moody said, his tone grave. "This is what you're up against. I hope none of you ever encounter these curses, but you need to be prepared."

The students left the lesson both in awe and a little terrified. Moody's practical approach struck a chord with Raja, who saw the value in learning real-world defenses against dark magic. He made a silent commitment to study under Moody's guidance, knowing he'd need every skill he could gather for what lay ahead.

As the days passed, the excitement over the Triwizard Tournament continued to build, mingling with the usual school routines. Students filled the corridors and common rooms with wild speculations about the tasks. Some claimed there would be dragons, others insisted on dangerous underwater trials. Raja listened quietly, his own thoughts focused on ensuring Harry's safety, even if that meant staying hidden in the background.

One afternoon by the lake, Harry, Ron, and Hermione joined Raja for a quiet chat. They talked about the tournament, the anticipation almost tangible.

"I don't know if I'd want to be in the tournament," Harry admitted. "It sounds amazing, but it also sounds… well, dangerous."

"I don't know, mate," Ron replied, his eyes alight with excitement. "The glory, the fame—it'd be incredible!"

Hermione rolled her eyes. "Oh, please, Ron. This isn't some lighthearted competition; the tasks are serious and difficult. You'd have to be mad to want to compete."

Raja, sensing Harry's apprehension, spoke quietly. "It's wise to be cautious, Harry. The tournament is legendary for a reason. But whatever happens, remember you've got us with you."

Harry nodded, reassured by Raja's words. He felt grateful to have friends who would stand by him through anything.

As preparations continued, the Triwizard Tournament cast a sense of both wonder and foreboding over Hogwarts. With the arrival of the other schools, the atmosphere became a blend of excitement and tension, students from all three institutions observing one another with curiosity and a hint of rivalry.

The first week with the other schools present brought a unique energy to the castle. Hogwarts students tried to learn as much as they could about Beauxbatons and Durmstrang, swapping stories and gossip at every meal. Raja observed the interactions, noting how quickly students formed opinions based on mere appearances. He knew that the tournament would test not only their skill but also their character, and he was curious to see how his friends would fare as the challenges unfolded.

One evening, Raja spotted Harry, Ron, and Hermione deep in discussion in the Gryffindor common room, speculating about the tasks ahead. While Ron seemed absorbed in dreams of glory, Harry's tone remained cautious, his concerns evident.

"Look, it's not just the fame," Ron insisted, his eyes bright. "It's the chance to show what you're made of, to really prove yourself."

Hermione, ever the voice of reason, shot back, "There's a difference between proving yourself and risking your life, Ron. You know the tasks are meant for adult wizards."

Raja decided to offer his perspective. "There's wisdom in both approaches. Fame has its appeal, but the risks are real. My advice? Keep your wits about you and focus on the strengths you each bring to the table."

Ron nodded, though he looked a bit sheepish. Harry shot Raja a grateful smile, appreciating the balance in his friend's words.

As the Triwizard Tournament drew nearer, Hogwarts felt both familiar and foreign, transformed by the presence of their guests and the knowledge of the challenges ahead. Amid the excitement, Raja remained vigilant, watching over Harry with quiet resolve. He knew that the tournament was only the beginning, and that dark forces were moving in the background.

For Raja, Hogwarts had become more than just a school—it was a place where he'd found purpose, friendship, and a cause worth protecting. As the days passed, he steeled himself, knowing that his role was to remain hidden, a guardian in the shadows.

This year promised to be one of trials, secrets, and tests that went beyond magic. And no matter what lay ahead, Raja was ready to face it, for Harry's sake and for the friends he'd come to care for deeply. Whatever happened in the tournament, he would be there, watching, guiding, and protecting from the shadows.