Having disposed of their robes and put on comfortable school sweaters, jeans, and boots, Alana and Jade headed up three flights of stairs, through a corridor, and up through a trapdoor that didn't exist. When they finally reached the Great Hall for dinner, they were sweating and Jade was out of breath. Alana was incredibly athletic, the only first year on the Quidditch team. She was a Chaser, and she always woke up early to practice and stayed late after practices. Jade, on the other hand, was thoroughly nonathletic, preferring instead to devote herself to reading and, her favorite, Magical Melody Choir.

"It must be a serious announcement," Jade said, staring at the Great Hall in shock. The typical arrangement of small tables and cushy chairs was gone. In their place were the four grand house tables, with tablecloths in the colors of their respective houses. The hall's patented noisy chatter had turned to hushed whispers, and the Founder ghosts sat at the dais with the professors. Everything felt solemn, and as they walked to the Grizzleheart table Jade felt nervous. What if the school was closing? She loved Eaglesclaw with all of her heart. What if there was a huge crisis and someone was in danger? It had happened before.

She and Alana sat down across from one another at the table, and platters of food appeared out of thin air. The tables were groaning under silver dishes of chicken and dumplings, mashed potatoes, asparagus, and other innumerable foods. Everyone had a goblet, magically filled with pumpkin cider or chilled apple juice. The air of the Great Hall returned to its typical camaraderie, everyone cheered by the prospect of food. Alana had already started eating, and she gave Jade a thumbs up as she chewed her Shepard's pie.

The headmaster stood up at his place along the dais and cleared his throat mightily. The chatter continued. He tried once more, but at that precise moment, a quintet of slaphappy Lammasadors, gleeful from winning a Wizards' Duel, stood to sing a victory carol at the tops of their voices. As Jade watched, he gritted his teeth, lifted his beautiful wand into the air, and fired off a shot of gunpowder into the air. The room went silent instantly at the loud crack, and the fragrant gray smoke wafted slowly down into the thronging students.

"I," the headmaster proclaimed, "have an important announcement to make." Several students coughed, but he continued, oblivious. "Many of you may have heard of the Triwizard Tournament. Can one of you please describe it to your fellow students?"

Jade shot her hand into the air, leaving her robe sleeve flapping. Headmaster Thornbeck called on her, and she rose to her feet and raised her voice to be heard all throughout the hall. "The Triwizard Tournament is a tradition within the wizarding community, occurring once every century. Three witches or wizards, at least seventeen years of age, compete in three challenges to claim the prize of the Triwizard Cup and one thousand Galleons. The event encourages inter-school relations, and each witch or wizard comes from a different international wizarding school." She sat back down, pleased with herself, and returned to her plate of potatoes.

"Excellent," said Professor Thornbeck, smiling. "Now, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, in Dartmoor, has been chosen to host it this century. The good news, however, is that Eaglesclaw School has been invited to compete in the Tournament this century!"

Instant uproar ensued. Everyone turned to older students, wondering who would be eligible to enter. Alana's jaw had dropped, and her hand was hanging in the air, regardless of the fork in it. Jade just beamed, speechless. A trip to England to socialize with other wizards from across the globe? She wouldn't have traded it for the world.

"Remind me," she whispered to Alana, "to research the Triwizard Tournament tonight in the library."