<div align="center"><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 18pt;"><span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: andale mono;">Addressing the students</span></span><br/><em>Friday, 1 November 2019 at approximately 8 am</em><br/><br/>(https://66.media.tumblr.com/1aa2cf5d2e8408ae8896bb0d21ea9d14/tumblr_ofdwu1pp2b1s9f17oo4_r1_250.png)</div><br/>An assembly of sorts had been declared by Headmaster Phixyll. All of the university aged students were summoned to immediately gather for breakfast at the great hall. Likely, the students were assuming that it was to announce the first trial and again congratulate those who were chosen to represent their schools as champions. However, they were in for a rude awakening. Instead of being met with the Headmaster awaiting them from the podium, they would see Hermione Granger-Weasley, standing there with neatly folded hands and an expressionless face.<br/><br/>She waited until every last student had filed in and found a seat. Once everyone was in place and silence fell over the great hall, those enormous double doors closed, sealing them all inside. Hermione cleared her throat softly, garnering the attention of even the house elves in the corner. "Thank you all for coming. I know that you were anticipating that we would be holding the first trial for the Triwizard Tournament sometime this month. However," she paused, hearing a collection of gasps throughout the crowd. "Someone has made it clear that they do not wish for this to happen."<br/><br/>Hermione held an arm out, referencing something beside her. A moment later, her husband Ron pushed what was left of the goblet of fire, onto the small stage. Hermione explained to the students what happened, her voice a little grave, though she neglected to inform them that the ghost of Cedric Diggory was the supposed culprit, or that he had cursed her. "As you can see, the goblet of fire has been destroyed. This means that every champion's contract has been declared null and void. If you were chosen, you are no longer bound to the trial."<br/><br/>She lowered her arm and swept her gaze over the students, some of which looked horrified as they beheld the shards of wood and the goblet itself, which was now dull rather than illuminated, and appeared lifeless. Above them, the ceiling only reflected the sky outside, showing no evidence of parchment ever being displayed there. "Because of the direct threat to our safety, I have decided that it is in the best interest of all three schools... that we cancel the Triwizard tournament this year." An uproar was heard from the students.<br/><br/>Hermione sighed, looking to Ron still beside her, who had tried to scowl at the students, as if that would get them to be quiet. Instead, Headmaster Phixyll, from the back of the room, clapped his hands together twice, making silence fall upon the great hall once more. Hermione concluded her statement. "Because we do not wish to interrupt any more of your education, we would like to keep as many of you here at Hogwarts as possible, for the remainder of the year. However, if any of you do wish to return to your home schools, you are welcome to do so. We will have chaperons assisting you travel through the floo network."<br/><br/>With a slightly forced smile, she told the students what she also needed to tell herself. "Perhaps this simply wasn't meant to be this year." She released a shaky exhale, glanced to her husband Ron, then nodded at those gathered. "Thank you for your time, cooperation, and understanding. Should you have any questions or concerns, please direct them to the staff." With that, she collected herself and stepped back from the podium, then made her way from the stage, hooking her hand against Ron's arm. The headmaster, from the back of the great hall, then waved his hands in the air, effectively dismissing the students.