§ [SITE'S SIDE PLOT] WELCOME TO ANOTHER YEAR

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Another year about to begin, yes another year. This was going to be a different one in many for one Neville Longbottom. The now old Herbology professor had been promoted to Headmaster upon McGonagall taking the opportunity to retire. He couldn't blame her, so much had they gone through during years past. But this year Neville would be put to the test. Not only was he to be the newly appointed Headmaster but he was also to work on the Hogwarts Tournament this year. A new tradition that had begun after his friends and he had left the school.

Now though was time for the Welcoming Feast as he sat at the staff table watching the older students arrive and take their seats at their house's table slowly the Great Hall filled with chattering students who did not get everything out in the first moments of their train ride back to school. A smile came to the man's face and before time could really pass they were welcoming the first years into the school and having the Sorting Ceremony where he watched each new student take their seat at their sorted house's table. And he watched as one last first year made it over to the Ravenclaw table and plopped down in the seat. Neville had to admit he particularly loved the Sorting Ceremony. He remembered his own turn to sit upon the stool and have the old hat placed upon his head, he'd slightly argued with the hat to put him in Hufflepuff but as many knew that was not where the fates aligned for him.

He stood up and hushed the Great Hall after the roar of cheers and talking had arisen during and after the ceremony and he stood at the podium that Dumbledore and McGonagall had done every year before himself. He looked up each face of the student body in front of him. ”Welcome!” he smiled, ”Welcome back to a new year at Hogwarts! Welcome to those new faces that we have here in our midst! Before we begin the Welcoming Feast I have a few words to share, to begin our beloved Professor McGonagall took to retirement at the end of the last school year and I, Professor Longbottom, am happy to take her place, she will be dearly missed by everyone here. Apart from such bittersweet news, I have some more, this year we're going to be continuing a tradition that started just a year after the battle here at Hogwarts,” he could already hear a bit of muttering begin to rise from the tables below, ”that's right, we will be continuing the Hogwarts Championship, every four years we will select two students, a boy and a girl, to represent each house for this tournament. There will be a series of tasks to test their teamwork, problem solving skills and knowledge, and of course to have fun. But as every time we have held this tournament only students who are sixteen or older may participate, due to some of these tasks could be dangerous. As for the winners of the tournament, not only will you bring your house glory for another four years, but also you will win your house three hundred house points as well as the Hogwarts Championship Cup, one cup of the highest honor. So good luck to all those who are participating, and to those who will not, let's enjoy yourself watching as well as giving full support to your friends in it. Now let us begin our feast and have a great start to a brand new school year.”

Neville smiled and took his turn to take his seat at the table and dish himself a meal to enjoy. This school year was bound to be an enjoyable one, but Neville did not doubt that it would be a stressful one for him. Being the new Headmaster and running such a tournament, well that was going to be a task in and of itself. But he was excited nonetheless.