Regardless of what Hermione was thinking, the result was that she was ultimately persuaded by Sherlock and began eating properly.
Harry and Ron exchanged glances at this.
Sure enough, Sherlock was the only one who could persuade Hermione.
Without Sherlock, though it was hard to say what Hermione might do later, she definitely wouldn't have eaten this meal.
And so, everyone in the hall began to feast.
When the desserts following the main course had also been swept clean, the plates automatically became clean and shiny again.
At the same time, Dumbledore stood up once more.
Everyone knew the headmaster had something to say, and the buzzing conversation in the hall immediately stopped, leaving only the howling wind and pelting rain.
"Well, now that we are all fed and watered, and my attention won't be divided by hunger."
Hermione frowned at the words "fed and watered."
"Excellent!" Ron said excitedly. "So next he should talk about the Triwizard Tournament, right?"
"What tournament?"
"Triwizard what?"
Whether or not the Weasley twins had ears that could hear through walls, the moment Ron finished speaking, the two of them immediately turned to look at their brother.
Their movement also attracted others' attention, and everyone looked at Ron with questioning expressions.
"Hah! So, you don't know about this one!"
Unless asked, Sherlock never volunteered explanations.
Harry and Hermione wouldn't compete with him either, so Ron, seeing everyone's attention focused on him, felt extremely satisfied and pleased with himself.
However, he also knew that if he didn't speak now, he'd lose his chance as Dumbledore was obviously about to get to this—so he seized the opportunity and delivered his answer:
"The Triwizard Tournament is going to be held at Hogwarts this school year!"
"Wh-what?!"
"Impossible! Absolutely impossible!"
"You're joking!"
The Gryffindor table immediately became lively.
At the staff table, Dumbledore was still talking about the Forbidden Forest and Hogsmeade. The older students all knew about these things, so the young lions focused their attention on Ron.
Ron didn't hold back and immediately began speaking enthusiastically.
However, he actually didn't know much, so he soon ran out of things to say.
"What's next?"
"Keep going, Weasley!"
"Right, I hate people who leave you hanging the most!"
Ron thought to himself: It's not that I don't want to continue—I only know this much!
Fortunately, at that moment, Dumbledore saved him.
After finishing the list of prohibited items, he suddenly said: "It is also my painful duty to inform you that the Inter-House Quidditch Cup will not take place this year."
"What?"
The vast majority of young wizards gasped in shock.
This was Quidditch—besides the House Cup, it was the most attractive thing.
To someone like Oliver Wood, even the House Cup wasn't as appealing as the Quidditch Cup.
Such a major event, canceled just like that?
But the young lions caught on. Dean immediately elbowed Ron: "Ron, is this also because of the Triwizard Tournament you just mentioned?"
"Of-of course!" Ron puffed out his chest. "I already said, the Quidditch Cup is very important, but compared to the Triwizard Tournament, it's not enough!"
After saying this, he secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
Great—Dumbledore finally got to this point. Now he could retreat to the background and hide his boast and fame.
He patted Ginny's shoulder and said quietly, "Looks like you won't be able to join the Quidditch team this year."
Ginny: (///￣皿￣)○～ I'll kill you, idiot brother!
Did she need him to remind her of that?
Earlier on the train, when Sherlock mentioned the school would be hosting the Triwizard Tournament this year, she had already realized this problem.
She'd finally found a legitimate way to get closer to Harry, and it was canceled due to this uncontrollable circumstance.
Only she knew how that felt.
So, she'd been annoyed about it this whole time.
And now Ron had to bring up the exact thing that shouldn't be mentioned—he was simply asking for a beating!
"Why are you looking at me like that?" Ron hadn't realized what the problem was. Seeing Ginny's suddenly homicidal gaze, he laughed: "Don't worry—the Triwizard Tournament will definitely be more exciting than the Quidditch Cup!"
Is that what I care about?
Ginny couldn't be bothered with Ron and huffily turned away.
On another note, since having conversations with Sherlock and Harry, Dumbledore's cryptic tendencies had changed considerably.
So, after announcing that Hogwarts wouldn't be holding Quidditch matches this year, he immediately explained why,
"This is because a large-scale event will begin in October. This event will continue throughout the school year and will occupy much of the teachers' time and energy, but... I believe you will all derive great enjoyment from it."
Dumbledore's gaze swept across all the teachers and students, and he said solemnly: "I am very pleased to announce to you all: In the coming months, we—Hogwarts—will have the great honor of hosting a truly spectacular event. This event has not been held for over a century. It is—"
"The Triwizard Tournament!" Fred and George said together loudly.
"Quite right, Misters Weasley," Dumbledore said, seeming unsurprised that the Weasley twins knew about this in advance, and smiled approvingly.
"Sir, you're not joking, are you?" Hufflepuff's Ernie Macmillan couldn't help but ask loudly.
"This event has been discontinued for over a century!" Ravenclaw's Padma Patil immediately added.
"I am not joking, Mr. Macmillan," Dumbledore smiled slightly. "But since you mentioned jokes, I did hear a rather amusing one: It's about a troll, a hag, and a leprechaun who all go into this pub..."
Hearing this, Sherlock's lips curved up slightly as he looked at Professor McGonagall.
Sure enough, Professor McGonagall cleared her throat very loudly.
"Er—well, maybe not quite right for this setting... not quite right... Now where was I?"
With Professor McGonagall acting this way, Dumbledore couldn't ignore it.
He seemed to have just come back to his senses. "Ah yes, the Triwizard Tournament! As Miss Patil just said, this event has been interrupted for over a century... However, some of you still don't know what this tournament is about. So, I hope those who are familiar with it will forgive me for explaining briefly here, and I allow their minds to wander for a bit."
The young wizards who were eager to learn about the Triwizard Tournament immediately appreciated this thoughtful gesture from the headmaster.
As for those who knew the details, they weren't in a rush either. As Dumbledore said, their minds would just wander for a bit.
Besides, listening to Dumbledore tell a story was quite interesting.
"The Triwizard Tournament originated over seven hundred years ago as a friendly competition between the three largest magical schools in Europe. These three schools are: Hogwarts, Beauxbatons, and Durmstrang.
According to tradition, each school selects one champion to represent it, and the three champions compete in three magical tasks to determine the ultimate champion. Initially, the Triwizard Tournament was held every five years, with the three schools taking turns hosting.
Everyone agreed it was an excellent way for young wizards from different countries to build friendships. But later, because the death toll was too high, the Triwizard Tournament was discontinued."
"Death toll?" Hermione looked around in shock. For her, this was a blind spot in her knowledge.
However, there weren't many people as nervous as she was.
Most students in the hall were now excitedly whispering to each other.
Even the usually kind-hearted Harry was eager to hear the specific details of the Triwizard Tournament.
Mainly, he really wasn't interested in those who had died hundreds of years ago.
"In the century or so since then, there have been several attempts to revive the tournament, but unfortunately, none succeeded."
Dumbledore paused and continued: "But this year, the Ministries of Magic in the countries where the three schools are located believe the time is right to try again.
This summer, our Ministry's Department of International Magical Cooperation and Department of Magical Games and Sports did a great deal of work and finally managed to restart this event, successfully securing the hosting location.
So, in October, the headmasters of Beauxbatons and Durmstrang will lead their carefully selected competitors to our school. On Halloween eve, we will hold the ceremony to select the champions.
An impartial judge will decide which students are most qualified to compete for the Triwizard Cup and win glory for their school. By the way, the winner of this competition will also receive one thousand Galleons in prize money."
"The Ministry has finally done something decent!" George couldn't help but say.
His words resonated with many people.
While restarting the Triwizard Tournament could certainly be called a grand event in the wizarding world, securing the hosting rights after the restart was still quite good.
After all, judging by what Dumbledore implied, if the hosting location were at another magical school, only those who might become champions could go there.
But if the competition was held at Hogwarts, it meant that even if they couldn't participate, they could still observe the entire event as hosts.
"I'm entering!" Fred also said in a lowered voice.
At the thought of possibly gaining such honor and wealth, his face glowed with excitement.
Of course, he wasn't the only one fantasizing about becoming Hogwarts champion.
Sherlock's gaze swept across the hall. At every house table, people were either staring feverishly at Dumbledore or excitedly whispering to their neighbors.
As for the death threat Dumbledore had mentioned earlier, they didn't seem to take it to heart at all.
Dumbledore deliberately paused for a while before continuing: "The delegations from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang will arrive in October and will spend most of this school year with us.
I trust that during our foreign guests' stay here, you will all be warm and friendly. Once the Hogwarts champion is selected, you will also support him or her wholeheartedly. Now it's getting late, and it's very important that you arrive at your classes tomorrow morning fresh and alert. So off to bed now! Quickly!"
Having said this, Dumbledore sat back down and began talking with Professor Lupin beside him.
The students all stood up and surged toward the double doors under the leadership of their house prefects, entering the entrance hall.
"I must enter the Triwizard Tournament!" Fred clenched his fist. "Also, Ron, why did you know about this in advance?"
"Need you ask? He obviously found out from Sherlock or Harry," George chuckled. "Becoming a champion means you can do many things you're normally not allowed to do, plus there's a thousand Galleons in prize money!"
"Yeah, yeah," Ron's face also showed a dazed and longing expression. "That's a thousand Galleons."
Sherlock, Harry, and Hermione weren't particularly concerned about the thousand Galleon prize.
All three of them had money.
Ron couldn't help asking, "Who will the impartial judge who decides who's champion be?"
"Definitely Barty Crouch, or else Ludo Bagman—well, now it can only be Bagman," Harry said, shaking his head.
After that incident, Barty Crouch's political career was destined to end.
"But so many people died!" Hermione said worriedly.
"Yeah," Fred said carelessly, "but that was years ago, wasn't it?"
"That's right, and what fun is there without a bit of risk?" George also chimed in.
"Sherlock, what are you thinking?" Ron turned to Sherlock. "Wouldn't it be great if we could enter? But I guess they probably want older people... I wonder if what we've learned is enough..."
"Wait until October," Sherlock maintained the same answer he'd given on the train. "If it's interesting enough, I'll consider entering."
"Then we're doomed!" Ron immediately looked crestfallen. "As long as you enter, we definitely won't have a chance!"
Sherlock patted Ron's shoulder and said seriously. "Don't give up. If you admit defeat now, the match ends before it's even started."
"What do you mean? Once you decide to enter the Triwizard Tournament, as far as I'm concerned, the match never even begins!" Ron said.
Hearing Ron's words, everyone laughed.
Ron's words were crude but true.
"Not necessarily. Although Sherlock is our Lion King, I won't give up a precious opportunity to him just because of that!" Fred said.
"That's right, Sherlock is only a fourth-year after all. We're sixth-year brothers—there's no reason to back down!" George also hollered.
Just then, a gloomy voice came from behind them,
"But I really do want to back down!"
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