Dumbledore, on the dais, naturally noticed Su Er leading the applause and cast him an approving glance. He waited for the applause to dwindle, then cleared his throat.
"Now, as I was just saying."
"Over the coming school year, we will have the great honor of hosting a truly exciting event, one that has been out of the public eye for over a century."
"I am delighted to tell you that the Triwizard Tournament will be held at Hogwarts this year!"
"The Triwizard Tournament?" A buzz of conversation immediately filled the Great Hall. Those who knew what the event was looked thrilled, while those who did not looked bewildered.
Such was the case with Morn and Justin beside Su Er: Morn was excitedly explaining the event in a low voice to a bewildered Justin.
His information had come from his parents.
Sure enough, the Ministry of Magic's confidentiality rules are no different from a sieve, Su Er grumbled inwardly, speechless.
At the Gryffindor table, a red-haired boy called back loudly, "You're joking, aren't you?"
Su Er narrowed his eyes for a look. Oh, he could not tell whether this was Fred or George.
"I am not joking," Dumbledore said with a chuckle. He apparently could not tell Fred and George apart either, but cleverly addressed him by his surname. "Mr. Weasley."
The chatter in the hall quieted when Dumbledore began to speak.
"But since you mention jokes, I simply must share a very amusing one I heard. It concerns a troll, a hag, and a leprechaun who all went into the same tavern..."
At that moment, Professor McGonagall cleared her throat very loudly, and Dumbledore shut his mouth as though waking from a dream.
And then what? Su Er blinked. Three fantastic beasts walked into a tavern, and what happened???