Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter
A/n: I thought I'd give it a go at fanfiction.portkey.org since it looks so cool! Lol! Erm… Hopefully, you'll enjoy this random story I have. Have fun reading!-Angel*Hiragizawa32.
~*~
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry still stood the same it did for years since it was opened. The school stood strong and the walls aged with grace. The 1st if September came again and as always, students new and old came flocking into the school again. The first year students would be traveling by boat to the castle while the other students would come by the horseless carriages. As usual, the carriages and the boats enter into the school when the sky is dark and when it was night time. Students got off their transportation to the Hogwarts and made their way to the Great Hall where the Welcoming Feast would begin after the Sorting Ceremony of the first year students. The usual routine took place where Professor McGonagall, the headmistress would call out the names of the students and place the Sorting Hat on their heads. With the last name called, Professor McGonagall went to take her seat beside the Headmaster.
The Slytherins sat at the very right end of the hall, followed by the Hufflepuffs, Ravenclaws and lastly, the Gryffindors who have taken the House cup for 6 years running. Slytherins had to take in on being second best, not a very liking place. Ravenclaws always managed to stag being the 3rd best but manage to produce extremely intelligent students who can rival Gryffindor's best students which include Hermione Granger, Amelia Harrison, Sidney Eversfield and the unknown child prodigy, Ginny Weasley. Hufflepuff managed to slide away in the background, after the great lost of Cedric Diggory 3 years ago; they have been even quieter and even more lost. Like usual, all houses will be fighting for the House Cup all over again.
However, this time, there is a slight difference. This time, there isn't any more threat from the Dark Lord. The year before, The Order of the Phoenix defeated Voldemort, once and for all. Almost every senior student excluding some Slytherin students, who had been with the Dark Mark and are known as Death Eaters, went fighting alongside with the Order of the Phoenix and defeated the Dark Lord. Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, Ron Weasley, Dean Thomas, Lee Jordan, Cho Chang, Hannah Abbot, Felicity McElion, Justin Fletcher, Adeline Zhen, Nicole Flynn, Corey Enders, Sherynn Flint and Deadlyn Byass were amongst those who joined the 1st and 2nd division of the team.
The thing that shocked most students was that Draco Malfoy, Pansy Parkinson and Blaise Zabini was on the Order of Phoenix's side. It was almost unbelievable but they were on the good side. Those three were also amongst the 1st division where only people who are capable of taking down the highest ranking Death Eater who guards Voldemort would be able to be in. The three alongside with the Dream Team took down the Death Eaters and advanced to Voldemort who had a one on one duel against Harry Potter. During that time, things wasn't looking very good for Harry but luckily with the backing up of the 1st division team, he managed to take down Voldemort while Professor Dumbledore himself, destroyed Voldemort.
After that, about 4 hours after the downfall of Voldemort, all the aurors rounded up all the Death Eaters and they were all sent to Azkaban for an instant Dementor's Kiss session. That day, 4.6 million Death Eaters died. There were 250 000 casualties on the Order of the Phoenix's side. Many died and yet, many lived. It was the end of darkness and the beginning of a new life. Harry Potter was known as a side hero but the media made propaganda of him being the one to save all. Harry himself, knew that he would not have survived without the help of his 1st division team even if Draco Malfoy was in it. He knew that he was not the only hero and that the team deserved recognition not only just him.
Things went back to normal, the moment everyone returned to school this year. The Dream Team was known as heroes and rivalry sparked between them and the Sinister Three (Draco, Pansy and Blaise). A lot of people asked where Ginny Weasley was while her brother was in the 1st division. To top it up, Ginny or Virginia Weasley was in the medics department. She saved many lives with her hands. She was amongst the 25 top medics who was a student at that time. She healed and mended many different scars, broken bones, cuts and bruises. Only 5 people were chosen to join the medics force and Ginny was one of them who assisted Madam Pomfrey in it.
As Professor Dumbledore stood, the rest of the students stood as well, as a sign of respect to their headmaster after what he has done for the Wizardry world. He bid the students to sit down as he made his speech and announcement for the beginning of the year.
"My Dear students, Voldemort is finally gone. We are now safe from the many dark unknown killings. Hogwarts is once again open to you all. Might I remind all the students that as usual, the Forbidden Forest is out of bounds, hence the name. And again, I would like to say a big welcome to the first year students. Oh, and before I forget, I have another announcement to make. I have organized something for the senior students this year to satisfy your adventurous curiosity", Dumbledore said.
Murmurs broke out amongst the students as they try to figure out what it was. Dumbledore gave a smile and his eyes seem to sparkle behind those half crescent frames as he continued.
"28 students have been chosen to take part in this event. 7 students from each house in year rage of 5th to 7th will compete to be the winner of this game. The prize includes 1,000 galleons, freedom on the Hogwarts grounds and also Hogsmeade and no curfews for the year", Dumbledore said.
Another burst of murmurs broke as Dumbledore stopped for a while.
"However, the game will only be played in the eyes of those who are chosen. The game is called HADCOT, Hogwarts Axis Discretion of Challenges, Obstacles and Trials. The events of the game shall not be broadcasted and shall be held in absolute discretion. The notification letter will arrive tonight to your dorms to those who are chosen. The instructions of the game will be in the same parchment. With that, I end this. Now, let's feast!" Dumbledore said.
Dumbledore clapped his hands twice and food appeared on the golden platters. As the feast begun, conversations about the organized game that Dumbledore had just mentioned burst out. At the Gryffindor table, Harry, Hermione and Ron were talking animatedly about it. Everyone knew that the three would be on the list. Lee Jordan had already begun summing bets for who the 7 representatives of Gryffindor would be. Seamus Finnigan had set out an analyze of the many talents that Gryffindor had. While the 7th year students were talking to each other about it, the 6th year Gryffindor students who were sitting at the far end corner were also discussing about the same thing.
"Who do you think is a complete shoo-in?" Colin Creevey asked.
The now grown up photographer asked his fellow friends.
"Who else but the all great Dream Team who saved the world with their holier than art thou behavior and the very people who were in the 1st division of the order of the Phoenix during the War against the Dark Lord, Voldie. Harry Potter, Hermione Granger and of course, Ronald Weasley", answered Sidney.
"Siddie boy, be nice. They did bring a lot of attention and points to our house. Besides, didn't you used to think that Hermione was drop dead gorgeous?" Kathleen teased, winking.
Sidney kicked Kathleen's shin from under the table. Kathleen let out a painful yelp, causing the entire hall to look at her. Kathleen smiled as if nothing happened and shot a death glare to Sidney, telling him to watch out. Just when Kathleen was about to kill Sidney, a calm and cold voice stopped the two from even more murders and assassinations of medieval wizarding torture against each other.
"Now, now children, play nice. We don't need to cause a commotion on our first feast of the first day of school", Ginny Weasley said, cutting her steak and putting it in her mouth, chewing by nibbles.
The two stopped and looked down. Colin began chuckling.
"How about you, Gin? Who do you think will be in?" Colin asked.
Ginny looked up at Colin with a blank expression on her face.
"I would think that the people that are easily predicted to be in will be chosen hence Potter, Granger, my brother, Anthony Copperfield, Ash Turner, Justin Fletcher, Adeline Zhen, Nicole Flynn, Imogene Walters, Draco Malfoy, Blaise Zabini and Pansy Parkinson. Those are the most predictable people that will be in the game. The others, I'm not sure. Oh before I forget, Sidney would be amongst those who are chosen as well", Ginny said, taking another bite of her steak.
"Why are you so certain?" Sidney asked.
"Well, the people that I have mentioned are all those who have contributed a great deal in the 1st and 2nd division during the war against Voldie. I'm saying that Dumbledore knows only those people would have been interested in this game for his that will satisfy those who have an adventurous curiosity", Ginny answered.
Sidney, Colin and Kathleen looked at each other, grinning.
"And once again, you leave us speechless with your great mind", Colin said.
Ginny smiled at him.
"I know, don't you just love me for that?" she replied.
~*~
To the recipient of this parchment:
You have been chosen along with 27 other students to participate in HADCOT (Hogwarts Axis Discretion of Challengers, Obstacles and Trials). In this 60 day game, you will go through different challenge, obstacles and trials that will test your wits and your physical strength. The most important elements of this game that will help you win are to know how to outwit, outplay and outlast the other players of this game.
The prize money for the winner of the game is 1,000 galleons, complete freedom on the Hogwarts grounds including Hogsmeade and no curfew for the rest of the year. There is only one winner in this game therefore; a gold medal and a recognition of the winner will also be placed in the Hall of Fame's closet as a great success.
As a necessity of the game, discretion is very vital. We do not want your every move to be monitored and viewed by the students because it will only distract you from the game. All activities are held in absolute discretion and all activities can only be shared with team players or amongst the players themselves.
Lastly, you will not find out about your fellow players from your own house until the very first group task which would be held 2 nights from tonight at the Gamekeeper's hut. A meeting will be held there and you will receive a hooded cloak that you must wear on that night. The exact timing will be sent to you along with the cloak.
Until then, dear player, I wish you all the best and good luck.
-Professor Dumbledore.
~*~
On the night of the first group task, 28 hooded figures stood outside Hagrid's hut, waiting for an instruction from the host of the game. All 28 of them stood at their grounds trying to figure out who the other person is and what they were meant to do. Some were very restless while the others were pretty smooth and calm. It took about 5 minutes before Professor Dumbledore, Professor McGonagall and Hagrid appeared.
"Welcome HADCOT players to the very first meeting of this game", Professor Dumbledore greeted.
"We would like for all 28 of you to sort yourselves by standing according to houses without revealing yourself to anyone at all. Gryffindors, on the far right. Followed by Ravenclaws, Hufflepuffs and lastly, Slytherins", Professor McGonagall said.
All 28 of them divided themselves into 7 for each line according to houses. Then, Professor McGonagall used her wand and uttered a few words. A golden scoreboard appeared with all four houses names written on it. For all the houses, there were no points yet.
"As you can tell, this is a scoreboard. With every group task that you complete, points will be given according to speed, accuracy and performance. This is for the house points. In the end of 60 days that you are in this game, there will be group task and individual tasks. While the group tasks receive house points, the individual tasks ensure the person who wins it to be spare from elimination in that week. At the end of every 7 days, you will have an elimination round where you vote one person from your own group out", Professor McGonagall explained.
"Thank you, Minerva. I am sure that you understand the basic concept of this game that all 28 of you will participate in and I am also extremely certain that you are very curious on who your team mates are and who the other players that you are against are. Now, you are all allowed to pull down your hoods", Dumbledore said.
The moment of truth came and all 28 students pulled down their hoods. They turned around and looked at their team mates. A few gasps were heard as well as snorts of disgust. In the Gryffindor line stood Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, Ronald Weasley, Sidney Eversfield, Virginia Weasley, Anthony Copperfield and Ash Turner. In the Ravenclaw line stood Justin Fletcher, Kurt Gallagher, Adeline Zhen, Mike Perry, Allison Beckett, Hugh Blewett and Bliss Tenor. In Hufflepuff, Andrew Mallard, Peter Smokesfield, Annette Harker, Christopher Ralph, Nicole Flynn, Corey Enders and Imogene Walters represented the house. Lastly for the Slytherins, Draco Malfoy, Blaise Zabini, Pansy Parkinson, Richard Cole, Sherynn Flint, Deadlyn Byass and Julia Goldstein represented the serpents in the game.
The Dream Team of the Gryffindor team gave each other a proud look that all three of them had make it and they shot the Sinister Three a challenging look. An immediate poise of rivalry stood out between the 6 people. The rest of them were just waiting for instructions from the Professors.
"Now that you all know who the people in your team as well as other teams are, we shall start with task 1", Professor McGonagall said.
"In your houses, you will follow Hagrid into the Forbidden Forest where you will be left in a designated area. Hagrid will hand you a parchment of all the teachers that you will have to find. Each teacher will leave you a signature after you find them and complete a certain task. There are 15 teachers in this school and they are all at different parts of the schools. Some of them will test your wits while the others will just give you their signatures. You have a time limit of 1 ½ hours to complete this task. Whichever team which does this will receive 300 house points. Some teachers also have extra points while some others might trick you and cut your points out. The main thing is to find all the teachers and get them to sign your parchment", Professor Dumbledore said.
Professor McGonagall nodded to Professor Dumbledore who nodded to Hagrid. Hagrid then gave each one of the teams an oil lamp and led them into the Forbidden Forest. Harry and Ron kept turning back to look at Malfoy's facial expressions because they remembered how he was so afraid of the forest in their first year. Unfortunately, Malfoy carried a blank look and a very obnoxious smirk on his face. Being quiet and stealth, Ginny, Sidney, Ash and Anthony observed the surroundings. Sidney and Ginny were 6th year students while Anthony and Ash were 5th year students. The four had an immediate alliance since they knew each other anyway.
They continued walking for another 10 minutes and it felt as if Hagrid were taking them really deep into the forest. All 28 of the students were brought into the forest where anything could happen at any given time. Hagrid took them to a clearing where all the trees that surrounds the clearing looked alive with yellow amber eyes looking at them. Strange noises of different night creatures were heard everywhere.
"Now folks, yer all will be 'ere for a good 10 minutes before yer see fireworks in the sky. When yer see that, it means that the game has started and yer are suppose to start moving", Hagrid said.
Hagrid gave each and everyone of the team a roll of parchment consisting the list of teachers that they are supposed to find. All 4 of the teams had already started strategizing. The Ravenclaws which consisted 7 of the brightest students began to tick down each teacher one by one. The Hufflepuffs decided to play safe and follow the list. The Slytherins had a more sinister and snaky way towards the game. They decided to start where their Head of House would be first. Knowing that Snape would be lenient on them, they decided to take the best advantage out of it. In Gryffindor, Hermione immediately took charge of the list. Ron and Harry asked Hagrid about using the Marauder's map and it was immediately confiscated off them. The rest of the team were talking amongst themselves while Sidney and Ginny took a better look at the list and began analyzing the list of teacher's names.
5 minutes later, fireworks exploded in the sky marking the start of the first task. Each and everyone of the players took heed of it and in groups; they departed to where they think the teachers would be. The Slytherins and Hufflepuffs left for the castle, not taking notice that Hagrid was indeed a teacher who taught Care and Magical Creatures. The Gryffindors and Ravenclaws took this as their advantage as he was the first one and they did not have to do anything except pass him a quill and the list to get his signature. From there, the Gryffindors and Ravenclaws split and went to their own way.
It was indeed the marking of a new game and the teams will have to learn how to cooperate. They will have to learn how to handle each other's strengths and weaknesses to win. The other important part is to learn how to outwit each other, outlast each other and of course, outplay each other.
~*~ to be continued ~*~
A/n: That is all I have so far. I know it's a bit of a cliffhanger and for those who watch Survivor; this is something like it but not quite. This story will eventually turn into D/G. This is just the beginning of the story. I'm predicting that this story will be about 12-15 chapters long. So, if you like this story and stuff like that watch out for the next chapter and don't forget to review. Anyways, I'm done here for this chapter. Wait for the next one!