Hogwarts in the shadows

Professor McGonagall placed a three-legged stool in front of the new students.

Then she placed a tattered, dirty, and patched Sorting Hat on the chair.

As soon as the Sorting Hat touched the three-legged stool, it suddenly started singing, as if a switch had been turned on:

That was thousands of years ago.

I have just been woven into shape,

Four great wizards,

......

Slytherin, the glory seeker.

Prefer those young people with strong minds.

I carry the wisdom and expectations of the Big Four.

Gives me the power to judge and choose!

After the Sorting Hat finished singing, there was warm applause in the hall.

Hephis also applauded. The Sorting Hat sang a pretty good song this year. At least it didn't go out of tune.

As Professor McGonagall unfolded the yellowed parchment, the Sorting ceremony officially began.

"Whoever's name I call out will put the Sorting Hat on his head and sit on the stool."

She continued to the freshmen, "Once the Sorting Hat has announced the house, sit down at the corresponding long table."

"Stuart Ackerley!"

Time passed quietly, and the number of freshmen was gradually shortened.

Finally, Professor McGonagall finished reading the names on the list.

The sorting ceremony ended when the call that Kevin Whitby was sorted into Hufflepuff was rang out.

Professor McGonagall gathered up the Sorting Hat and stool and took them away.

Dumbledore stood up slowly.

His face was still full of smiles, but it was hard to hide his deep fatigue.

Like in previous years, he opened his arms and made a welcoming gesture to greet every student.

Although Dumbledore concealed it well, Hephis still noticed it.

There was a burnt mark on Dumbledore's right hand.

Hephis frowned slightly. What kind of power could leave marks on Dumbledore's body?

And as he looked at his somewhat dry fingers, it was obvious that even Dumbledore could not completely offset the damage caused by dark magic.

Dumbledore must have encountered some trouble when he was looking for the Horcrux.

Dumbledore still said with full energy, "Welcome!"

"Welcome everyone to Hogwarts and start a new school year!"

"Before the banquet begins, I have an important announcement to make. That is the Triwizard Tournament, which will be held at Hogwarts this year..."

"What? Are you kidding me?" Almost at the same moment, the Weasley twins exclaimed at the same time.

Although Dumbledore was interrupted by the twins, he was not angry. Instead, he looked at them with a smile, "Oh, children, I am certainly not joking. However, speaking of jokes, I did think of a, um, a very interesting witch..."

"Cough cough..." Professor McGonagall coughed at the right time.

"Oh, it seems that now is not a good time to share jokes." Dumbledore quickly returned to the topic.

"About the Triwizard Tournament, perhaps some of you already know something about it, but please allow me to explain it to those who are still not very clear."

"This is a traditional competition with a long history. Each school selects a warrior, a total of three warriors will participate, and they will compete in three magic events."

"This event is held every five years and is hosted by three magic schools in turn. It aims to promote exchanges and friendship between young wizards from different countries."

"However, due to the frequent unfortunate casualties in past events, the Triwizard Tournament was suspended for several centuries."

"But now, the Ministry of Magic's Department of International Magical Cooperation and the Department of Magical Sports and Magical Arts have decided that it is time to try to restart this event again."

"And the warrior who wins in the end will win a prize of one thousand Galleons."

"However, I must emphasize that contestants must be at least seventeen years old..." Dumbledore's voice was interrupted again.

Because the little wizards below have started to make a noise.

Especially the Geminis, they slammed the table and shouted, "Shit."

Professor McGonagall's face suddenly darkened. She stood up and looked in the direction of the twins with unfriendly eyes.

The twins' words got stuck in their throats, and they had to sit back in their seats in disappointment.

The noisy little wizards also shut up, and the auditorium returned to silence again.

Dumbledore continued to explain the Triwizard Tournament with a smile on his face.

Draco lowered his voice beside Hephis and muttered indignantly.

"That's so unfair. If we're talking about the champion of Hogwarts, it has to be you."

Hephis shrugged, a hint of disapproval flashing in his eyes, "What's the point of competing with a few kids?"

Draco choked, "But you represent Slytherin! You will definitely win, what an honor it is!"

He continued without giving up, "Percy is now the Director of the Department of International Cooperation of the Ministry of Magic. Perhaps he can influence the rules... Hephis, are you willing to participate?"

Draco looked at Hephis hopefully.

"Look!" Hephis had just finished speaking when he heard Dumbledore say, "Eat!"

The empty plate in front of him was instantly filled with food.

He had no interest in discussing the Triwizard Tournament with Draco any further.

He picked up his chopsticks and began to concentrate on enjoying the food in front of him.

Although Draco was unwilling, he also understood that without Hephesus's order, even his father could not command Percy.

So he could only stop talking and start eating.

The two of them were concentrating on eating, but the little wizards around them were still excited.

They were still discussing the Triwizard Tournament, especially the age limit, which was questioned repeatedly.

At this moment, the door of the auditorium was suddenly pushed open with a "bang", instantly attracting everyone's attention.

A figure dressed in a black robe, a wide-brimmed waterproof hat and holding a cane slowly walked in.

Then, a flash of lightning streaked across the sky and hit the ceiling of the auditorium squarely.

Lightning raged on the ceiling, illuminating the entire auditorium as bright as day, and the man's face was clearly visible.

Under the dark gray hair, a huge, round, and bright blue demon eye kept turning.

His face was covered in scars and his nose was broken.

Holding a cane, he walked along the edge of the auditorium, one step deep and one step shallow, towards the professor's seat.

The young wizards in the auditorium all gasped.

Whispers were heard at the long table of Gryffindor, Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff.

Only the young wizards of Slytherin looked at that man with serious expressions.

Alastor Moody, or as he is better known, "Mad-Eye" Moody.

Draco muttered under his breath, "This old lunatic, what is he doing here!?"

If it weren't for Hephes' amazing hearing, he wouldn't have heard it at all.