21 June 2009

In the first time since in over a decade, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry will be host to an international students' tournament, this year so named the TetraWizard Tournament.  Headmistress Analiza Snark has spent the first part of this year in negotiations with Salem Witches Institutes in the United States, Beauxbaton Academy in France, and Durmstrang Institute in Norway.

Reports from Level Seven say that the Department of Magical Games and Sports will again be assisting with and facilitating the event in full cooperation from Hogwarts.  The rules of the tournament, they say, are still being worked out and may vary from times past.

"It's a new decade," says Persepolis Zephyr, Chair of the Hogwarts School Governors and Minster of Magic hopeful.  "It is our deepest desire that the TetraWizard Tournament reflect a new age of teamwork and scholarship rather than a strict individual effort in the area of sport and athleticism."

"But don't worry, there will still be dragons," said a spokesperson from Level Seven breathlessly.  "The competition will be just as exciting as ever, we promise.  It wouldn't be a Tournament without dragons...!"

The Tournament has always been a source of some controversy for the element of danger and concern from parents.

"I just hope this doesn't stop my boy from concentrating on his N.E.W.T.s," said one concerned parent, "and keeping all of his limbs.  We have big plans for my boy.  And his arms and legs."

The last time Hogwarts hosted such a tournament was in 1994 under the supervision of Headmaster Albus Dumbledore and Head of the Department of Magical Games and Sports Ludovic Bagman.  Durmstrang and Beauxbatons were the competing schools.  The results of that tournament pale in significance to the tales told by one of Hogwarts' champions Harry Potter - that the Dark Lord Voldemort had returned.  Although scorned for saying so in his day, the national hero was vindicated when his claims turned out to be true. 

The Daily Prophet wishes Hogwarts the very best of luck this year - both in competition and in not unintentionally triggering the herald of a new war.