NOVEL WEB Chapter 224: Chapter 224: Preparations Before the Tournament
Of course, she wasn't thinking about Snape all the time.
True, she would sneak a glance at the professor's seat during breakfast every day, and before falling asleep, Snape's cold demeanor often came to mind. But as they entered their fourth year, their coursework became increasingly difficult and demanding, especially Moody's Defense Against the Dark Arts class.
After mastering the Shield Charm, they were required to learn several advanced combat spells, such as the Impediment Jinx and the Stunning Spell. Professor Flitwick protested more than once, but Moody remained stubbornly insistent.
Regarding their heavy workload, Professor McGonagall remarked during Transfiguration class:
"You are entering a critical period in your magical education!" Her eyes gleamed sternly behind her glasses.
"Your O.W.L. exams are approaching—"
"But we don't take the O.W.L.s until fifth year!" Ron protested loudly.
"That may be true, Weasley, but believe me, you need to be well-prepared! In this class, only Miss Granger has ever managed to turn a hedgehog into a satisfactory pincushion. Weasley, I must remind you that your pincushion still curls up in fear whenever someone approaches it with a needle!"
Hermione's face flushed bright red, and she tried her best not to look too smug.
Even Hagrid added to their workload. The Blast-Ended Skrewts were growing rapidly, though no one had figured out what they liked to eat. Hagrid was thrilled and suggested they observe the Skrewts every other day as part of their "project," documenting their unusual behavior.
Finally, when they managed to finish their classes, they arrived at the entrance hall only to find it impossible to move forward. A large crowd of students had gathered around a giant notice posted near the marble staircase.
Ron, who had the best eyesight among the four of them, stood on tiptoe and read the notice aloud over the heads of the crowd:
"The Triwizard Tournament—Representatives from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang will arrive at six o'clock in the evening on Friday, October 30th. Afternoon classes will end half an hour early—"
"Brilliant!" Harry exclaimed.
"Students are required to return their books and bags to their dormitories and assemble in front of the castle to welcome our guests, followed by the welcome feast," Ron finished reading.
"Only one week left!" Ernie Macmillan squeezed out of the crowd, his eyes sparkling. "I wonder if Cedric knows about this. I'll go tell him..."
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The notice in the entrance hall had an obvious impact on all the students. Over the next week, no matter where one went, it seemed everyone was talking about one thing: the Triwizard Tournament.
Rumors spread among the students like highly contagious bacteria, including but not limited to who would compete as Hogwarts' champion, what the tournament tasks might be, and how the students from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang would differ from them.
The castle itself seemed to be undergoing a thorough cleaning. Some filthy portraits were scrubbed clean, much to the dismay of their occupants, who huddled sulkily in their frames, muttering. The old suits of armor in the corridors suddenly gleamed and no longer creaked when they moved. Filch flew into a rage whenever he spotted students with dirty shoes, scaring two first-year girls into tears.
Other professors also appeared stricter than usual, especially their head of house, Professor McGonagall.
"Longbottom, for Merlin's sake, please don't embarrass us in front of the Durmstrang students by letting them see you haven't even mastered a simple Switching Spell!" she barked sharply near the end of one particularly disastrous lesson, during which Neville had accidentally grafted his ear onto a cactus.
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