November 24, 1994.
The Nine-Strong Tournament began in an arena built at the edge of the Forbidden Forest.
All the students gathered there, taking their seats in the stands and waiting for the competition to officially begin.
Meanwhile, in the waiting area, Harry and the others stood together in groups of three.
They were all fired up, brimming with confidence about the competition ahead.
The five judges, including Dumbledore, arrived in the waiting area with Katelyle and Severus Snape. Ludo Bagman carried two bags.
Ludo Bagman swept his gaze over the nine competitors and said, "Come draw lots to determine your order of appearance."
Ludo Bagman lifted the two bags. "This one determines your order, and this one determines what you'll be facing."
Then Ludo Bagman pointed to a small blackboard nearby. "Alastor, record the results."
Smiling, Mad-Eye Moody approached the blackboard and waved his wand. Harry's name and those of the other competitors quickly appeared on it.
"One person from each school at a time. Take turns drawing," Ludo Bagman said once everything was ready.
Harry and the others exchanged glances, and Cedric stepped forward to draw first.
After Cedric came Viktor, then Pheobe, then Harry, and so on.
"Cedric, number two, Chinese Fire Dragon."
"Viktor, number one, Hungarian Horntail."
"Pheobe, number three, Welsh Green Dragon."
"Harry Potter, number six, Hungarian Horntail."
"Draco, number seven, Welsh Green Dragon."
All nine quickly finished drawing lots and learned when they would enter the arena and which dragon they would face.
The later their turn, the greater the danger. Viktor and Pheobe were relatively relaxed, but the other two competitors from each of their schools looked rather grim.
They had drawn some of the last slots and would be facing increasingly irritable dragons.
Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy exchanged a glance.