The next morning, while the outline of Hogwarts Castle was still faintly visible through the mist, reporters from several sharp-nosed newspapers had already arrived at the school gates.
News of the Tri-School United Duel Tournament had spread like wildfire, soaring over the Castle walls overnight and igniting the enthusiasm of the entire Wizarding World, drawing countless eyes to this ancient stronghold of magic.
More than two centuries had passed since the last Triwizard Tournament, where the three schools gathered.
Now, with the three most prestigious magical academies in Europe reuniting for a dueling event, it was only natural that all attention turned toward them.
Even the Ministry of Magic had to take it seriously—though this time, it wasn't Minister Fudge himself, but his capable assistant, Dolores Umbridge.
This short, stout middle-aged witch, always dressed in pink cardigans, had risen swiftly through the ranks—from a minor clerk in the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures to Senior Undersecretary to the Minister for Magic Law Enforcement—all thanks to her strategic flattery and political maneuvering.
She arrived bearing the title of "Safety Supervisor," charged with representing the British Ministry of Magic to the international magical community.
Of course, beyond appearances, she was also tasked with strictly preventing any dangerous or uncontrollable incidents during the tournament.
However, this so-called Safety Supervisor role was largely redundant—because the arena itself had been designed with protective enchantments to ensure the safety of both duelists.
After breakfast, everyone was led by the Professors to the magnificent dueling arena.
As they walked along the suspension bridge, it felt as though they were treading on clouds.
Although the Hogwarts students had seen this magical venue before, standing there again, they still couldn't help but gasp in awe at the magnificent sight before them.
The teachers and students from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang were even more profoundly shocked.
They walked along the long suspension bridge of green vines, mist swirling around them as flower buds of various colors emitted a soft glow through the haze.
It wasn't until the golden rays of the morning sun pierced through the mist that the floating dueling arena slowly revealed itself in full.
The audience took their designated seats—comfortable chairs naturally woven from green vines.
Through the gaps in the vines, one could look out over all of Hogwarts Castle and even see the vast expanse of the Forbidden Forest.
Today's main event was the Professors' exhibition match, meant to spark the students' enthusiasm for dueling and also allow time for Hogwarts to internally select eight participants.
This rule had been agreed upon by the three Headmasters the night before: each school would send eight elite duelists, using a knockout format; once the final three champions were decided, the competition would switch to a round-robin points system.
The rules were simple and straightforward, fitting the spontaneous and exciting nature of the event.
However, the three Headmasters held differing opinions on the arrangement of the Professors' exhibition match.
Dumbledore maintained that Hogwarts' own Professors were more than sufficient to perform the demonstration, while the other two Headmasters had each brought their schools' most outstanding duelists, hoping to use this opportunity to display the strength of their faculties to the wider Wizarding World.
The three even had a brief dispute over the matter.
"Professor Veiliss Nixia, who accompanied us on this visit, is a dueling master acknowledged by all our teachers and students," Madame Maxime said, elegantly lifting her chin as her silk-gloved finger tapped lightly on a name listed on the parchment. "It would be a pity for the students if she could not participate."
Dumbledore responded gently yet firmly, "But we must remember that the original purpose of this grand event is to inspire the students' passion for magic, not—"
"Not to display power?" Karkaroff interrupted suddenly, a sneer tugging at the corner of his lips. "Albus, you and I both know that, in today's climate, showcasing strength is the best kind of recruitment advertisement."
His dark gaze fell on the list, and his bony finger tapped heavily on the name of Professor Baffeuros from Durmstrang. "Professor Baffeuros represents the century-old dueling tradition of our school. If he is not permitted to appear on stage…"
He let his words trail off with meaning.
In the end, after a spirited discussion, the three Headmasters reached a compromise: Professors from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang would participate in the highlight exhibition match of the event.
…
Once all the teachers and students were seated, Dumbledore rose from his chair and slowly made his way to the podium woven from green vines.
"Ladies and gentlemen," his voice rang clearly throughout the arena, "the dueling competition is about to begin. Today, six distinguished Professors will present an extraordinary exhibition match for us! They are: Professor Severus Snape, Professor Filius Flitwick, Professor Minerva McGonagall, and Professor Sagres Greengrass of Hogwarts; Professor Veiliss Nixia of Beauxbatons; and Professor Kurd Baffeuros of Durmstrang…"
Each time Dumbledore announced a name, a new wave of cheers surged through the stands.
By the time he read the final Professor's name, the entire dueling arena had turned into a boiling sea of excitement, the magical atmosphere reaching its peak.
Just as Dumbledore was about to announce the match arrangements, the sharp sound of high heels tapping against stone echoed from the left side of the seating area, accompanied by an exaggerated, affected cough.
Dolores Umbridge, clad in her trademark sickly pink cardigan, approached like a poisonous pink mushroom.
Wearing her usual syrupy-sweet fake smile, she clutched a scroll covered with the Ministry of Magic's official seals.
"Good morning, esteemed Headmasters, Professors, and students!"
She greeted them in her shrill, childlike voice, which grated harshly across the arena. "What an exhilarating morning! To ensure that this major international exchange event—representing the highest standards of the British Wizarding World—is carried out 'safely,' 'properly,' and 'in accordance with procedure,' the Ministry of Magic, under the thoughtful concern of Minister Fudge, has appointed me—Safety Supervisor Dolores Jane Umbridge—to deliver the latest regulatory guidance."
Without sparing Dumbledore a glance, she unfolded the scroll on the platform, cleared her throat, and began reading in a drowsy, overly affected authoritative tone:
"Article One: All participants, including the Professors performing in the exhibition match, must sign the 'Safety Responsibility Commitment' and the 'Duel Conduct Confirmation' forms, as approved by the Ministry of Magic's Department of Magical Law Enforcement. These must be completed in triplicate—one copy to be filed with the Ministry, one with the school, and one retained by the individual. Those who fail to sign will not be permitted to participate."
Madam Maxime frowned slightly. Rising from her seat, she fixed Umbridge with a stern gaze. "Ms. Umbridge, our Professor Nixia from Beauxbatons is not under the jurisdiction of the British Ministry of Magic. In fact, none of us who have come here—including myself and our students—are British citizens. I believe that Professor Nixia's experience and honor are the most reliable guarantees. Asking her to sign these cumbersome documents implies a lack of trust in her professional competence."
"Oh, my dear Madam Maxime," Umbridge responded, her smile still plastered on her face though her eyes remained cold, "trust is a beautiful thing, but regulations are necessary. The Ministry of Magic must be accountable for any possible… hmm… accidents. This is procedure, and it's for everyone's safety."
She emphasized the word "safety" pointedly.
Karkaroff's expression darkened further, his face so grim it seemed it might drip water. "Professor Baffeuros's time is valuable and shouldn't be wasted on a stack of meaningless paperwork! No one understands the tradition of dueling better than Durmstrang!"
"Tradition is a valuable heritage, Professor Karkaroff," Umbridge replied in that same sickly sweet tone, "but the times are changing, and the Ministry of Magic is obliged to integrate tradition into a more modern administrative system. I hope you understand—this is a necessary procedure."
With a flick of her wand, a thick stack of freshly inked documents appeared before the three Headmasters.
Dumbledore's clear blue eyes regarded her calmly through his half-moon spectacles. "Dolores, while I find this somewhat excessive, in the interest of starting promptly, I believe we can cooperate and complete the paperwork."
He was the first to pick up a quill and sign at the bottom of the document. Madam Maxime and Karkaroff exchanged looks of distaste but could only comply reluctantly.
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