Chapter 630: Gellert Green's Hogwarts Study Panel
"The Triwizard Tournament takes place every five years, and the three schools take turns hosting it. It was generally agreed to be an excellent way for young wizards from different countries to build friendships—but later, the death toll became far too high, and the Triwizard Tournament was discontinued," Dumbledore continued.
"Death toll?" Hermione was startled.
But most of the students in the Great Hall weren't as nervous as her; many were even whispering excitedly to one another. The wizards were eager to hear the specific details of the Triwizard Tournament; they had no interest in those who had died over a century ago.
"Over the centuries, there have been several attempts to reinstate the Tournament," Dumbledore went on, "but none of them were successful. However, our Departments of International Magical Cooperation and Magical Games and Sports at the Ministry of Magic believe the time is ripe for another attempt. We have done a great deal of work over this summer to ensure that no champion is placed in mortal danger.
"At the end of September, the headmasters of Beauxbatons and Durmstrang will arrive with their carefully selected contenders, and the selection of the champions will take place in early October. Finally, an impartial judge will decide which students are most worthy to compete for the Triwizard Cup, winning glory for their school, and a personal prize of one thousand Galleons."
"One thousand Galleons—"
"My brother told me about it over the summer holidays, I didn't expect it to actually be true—"
"And the glory, that's the ultimate honour."
"The champion will definitely be a Gryffindor!"
"Give it a rest, you bunch of brainless dunderheads."
The Great Hall instantly erupted into an uproar. The Gryffindors were the loudest, and the Ravenclaws weren't much better. But compared to the Gryffindors and Slytherins, who had already begun verbally attacking each other over potential candidates, the Ravenclaws quietly turned their gaze toward a certain young wizard.
At the other long tables, some stared fanatically at Dumbledore, or whispered excitedly to their neighbors. But Dumbledore spoke again, and the hall quieted down once more.
"I know you are all eager to win the Triwizard Cup for Hogwarts," he said, "However, the participating schools and the Ministry of Magic have agreed to impose a restriction on this year's contenders. Yes, a reasonable restriction. A test..."
"What test?" Hermione couldn't help but ask in a low whisper.
"I reckon it won't be several professors stepping up to pummel everyone, with the first one to wake up getting to compete," Michael said quite seriously.
As the wizards whispered amongst themselves, a hooded figure entered the Great Hall. This was the second person to arrive in such a manner, and the wizards' voices immediately fell away.
"Welcome, please welcome our new professor... well, Professor Gellert Green. In the new school year, he will be teaching you the fundamental knowledge of the Dark Arts. If any of you wish to become a champion and participate in the final selection, you must first obtain a pass from Professor Gellert Green and Professor Moody."
Dumbledore raised his voice slightly, as some people had let out uncontrollable gasps at his words. "This selection process is entirely necessary, as the Tournament's tasks remain highly arduous and dangerous. No matter how many precautions we take, the vast majority of students simply would not be able to cope. I personally guarantee that no one will be able to participate in the final selection to become the Hogwarts champion before obtaining that pass."
As his gaze swept over Sean, a meaningful glint flashed in his blue eyes.
"The delegations from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang will arrive in October and spend the majority of this school year with us. I know that you will all extend a warm and friendly welcome to our foreign guests during their stay, and that once the Hogwarts champion has been finally selected, you will support him or her wholeheartedly.
"Right then, the hour is growing late, and it is vital that you walk into your classrooms tomorrow morning bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. Off to bed with you! Chop-chop!"
Dumbledore sat down and turned to speak with Mad-Eye Moody.
The Great Hall erupted into a cacophony of clattering and banging as students stood up en masse, surging toward the double doors and out into the Entrance Hall.
"Gellert Green!" Fred said loudly. "Blimey, that's odd. I only know of one The Great Green in this castle."
His words drew many eyes toward the black-haired young wizard, but Sean retained his usual expressionless demeanor, acting as if the appearance of another Green on the teaching staff had absolutely nothing to do with him.
"If Mr. Green doesn't know Professor Green, I'll eat this very table!"
"Hah! Then I'll eat this rubbish bin!"
Some young wizards bantered as they walked past Sean, while Hermione and Justin were completely dumbfounded.
Gellert Green... who was that?
What could his relationship with Sean be?
If he had that kind of relationship with Sean, then Professor McGonagall...
Lost in thought, Hermione nearly walked headfirst into a suit of armor, but thankfully, Sean pulled her back just in time. Yet, she still hadn't quite snapped out of it, still looking visibly shaken.
After they parted ways in the corridor, Justin quietly emerged from the shadows. His arrival caused Hermione's expression to turn suddenly frantic.
"I understand what's going on now, don't you get it? He's an outsider!" Hermione said, her fists clenched.
"What?" Justin was thoroughly confused.
"How can you be such a dunderhead!" Hermione hesitated, seemingly finding it difficult to say out loud. "He abandoned it himself, and now he's shown up on our doorstep—we have to do something—"
Justin understood, yet at the same time, he didn't quite get it at all. He thought of that possibility, but could reality truly be so incredibly surreal?
In the Ravenclaw common room.
The warmth of the hearth fire slowly spread. Sean pushed the door open, paying no mind to the unusual behavior of his friends. Or perhaps, he was barking up the wrong tree entirely.
Can this really be considered hiding...? Sean thought silently.
Gellert Green. Gellert Grindelwald.
Any wizard with half a brain could figure it out; at the very least, Hermione had. She was so astonished, even unnerved...
The storm gradually subsided, leaving only the patter of rain against the windows.
Sean took out his Magic Hand Mirror. The chibi avatars of Sirius and Remus were completely still. This meant they hadn't communicated with Sean in quite some time, not since the incident at the Quidditch World Cup.
The Void Rune was trembling slightly. Around this ancient stone tablet, a faint, indistinct mist floated.
Sean knew that the Void Rune was about to be fully restored. And when he went to visit the two gentlemen over the weekend, perhaps he would be able to weave another dream.
This wouldn't be the final dream, but Sean knew that this would be a dream leading straight to the [Legendary] tier.