Spirits are high as wizards and witches from around the world gather in Britain to attend the match.
But events at the international sporting spectacle foreshadow possible bad times ahead when the Dark Mark, the sign of evil Lord Voldemort, is seen in the sky overhead after the championship. It is the first time the sign has appeared since Voldemort disappeared after killing Harry's parents years before. The now comfortingly familiar routine of life at Hogwart's School is never without surprises for Harry, who is now 14, or for readers. But Rowling adds a fresh twist to Harry's fourth year with the introduction of an international wizarding competition that brings students from schools of witchcraft and wizardry in two other nations to Hogwarts for the year. When Harry is called upon to be a contestant in the competition, no one is more surprised than he, and it seems certain that his name was put forth by someone wishing him harm.