Triwizard Tournament Returns to Hogwarts
--Aurelia Lucas Diaz, HEx Reporter

Up until a decade ago, the Triwizard Tournament was something of a legend. Originated some seven hundred years ago and discontinued when it became too dangerous for the participants; this contest between Europe's three largest wizarding schools was not seen again until the days of Harry Potter. That year, unlike the previous tournaments in which the participants were only injured during the tasks, the Tournament resulted in the death of one of the Hogwarts champions, Cedric Diggory of Hufflepuff.  Only a few years after that, Hogwarts was demolished, depriving the students of Hogwarts the opportunity to experience the famed Tournament.

Students lined up at the beginning of the year for the opportunity to become a champion and represent Hogwarts in the Triwizard Tournament.  In some cases we suspect this enthusiasm had to do more with the thrill of competing alongside French boys than achieving glory for the school.

Following the tradition of previous Tournaments, the delegates from Durmstrang and Beauxbatons arrived at Hogwarts in an underwater ship and a flying carriage, respectively, to be greeted by the Hogwarts students and staff who had lined up at the lawn to await their arrival. That very evening they, along with all Hogwarts students in fifth year or above who wanted to compete, gathered at the Great Hall for a feast and a chance to put their names into the Goblet of Fire.

The Goblet of Fire, a wooden cup that has been used as an impartial judge since the Tournament's creation, selected the champions for each school based on the champions' abilities.  Once a name was submitted, an unbreakable magical contract was formed.  This contract states that all who have been chosen to represent their school in the Tournament are obligated to follow the tasks to the end.  Once chosen by the Goblet it is impossible to refrain from participating.

The Goblet chose four champions from each school. Cassandra Kilsby-Steele, recently graduated Slytherin and former Head Girl; Passion Kendall, currently a sixth year Ravenclaw; Random Irrelevant, sixth year Hufflepuff; and Dawn McNaught, sixth year Gryffindor were chosen to represent our school. From Durmstrang the champions were: Maxmillan Roedig, Dimar Milica, Rodion Markovic, and Isobel Johannes; and from Beauxbatons, Lyle Bolduc, Paul Deveraux, Jamari Durand, and Bailey Dumonte.

The judges were our very own Headmaster Wigglesworth, Headmaster Poliakoff from Durmstrang; Headmistress Maxine from Beauxbatons; Lee Jordan from the department of games and sports; and Dashell McKellar,a Ministry official.

The first out of three tasks commenced in November, following the arrival of the delegations from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang. The entirety of Hogwarts, including our distinguished school governor Mr. Lucius Malfoy, turned up to see the champions find their way along a garden grown in a coliseum in the grounds. Obstacles were placed at intervals along it and the champions were required to use their intellect and magical abilities to get past them.

At the end, the judges awarded each participant with a score, the highest going to Jamari Durand of Beauxbatons.

The second task took place in a coliseum, the doors of which were guarded by a magical creature the champions were forced to try to get past the creature (A chimeara for Hogwarts, a dragon for Durmstrang, and a manticore for Beauxbatons) using magical means.  The champions from each respective school were required to work together, not only to show their defensive skills but to show teamwork and leadership.

The third task was set in a maze. A sole champion from each school was chosen to enter the maze, at the end of which was the Triwizard Cup that would need to be seized in order to procure a victory. The obstacles standing between the champions and the Cup were varied and dangerous, everything from dementors to exotic plants.  Durmstrang emerged triumphant after the win of one of their champions, Maxmillian Roedig.

Following the final task, the prefects of Hogwarts led by Head Girl, Cassie Kilsby-Steele and Head Boy, Justin Fitzpatrick held a ceremony to honor the fallen Cedric Diggory, who perished during the previous tournament held at Hogwarts.  This touching memorial was only second to the special guests that attended the final task.  Hogwart's graduates, Harry Potter, Ronald Weasley and Hermione Granger attended, with Potter awarding medals to the students from each of the three schools.