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FAIRHOPE - “Eternal glory! That's what awaits the student who wins the Triwizard Tournament, but to do this, that student must survive three tasks. Three extremely dangerous tasks.” These were the words said by Professor Dumbledore when he introduced the Tri-Wizard Tournament during Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. Now, locals have the opportunity to experience the tournament (though with far less dangerous tasks) for themselves and compete for the chance to become the Tri-Wizard Champion!

Bloomsbury’s Worldwide Harry Potter Book Night is returning to the Fairhope Public Library (501 Fairhope Avenue) on Feb. 6 from 4 - 7 p.m., and this year sees the first time ever that participants will be sorted into schools instead of Houses. Those who have a preference may come dressed as students from any of the three schools featured in the fourth book: Hogwarts, Beauxbatons, or Durmstrang (sorry, Ilvermorny students; but you can certainly represent your favorite competing school!) to be sorted directly onto that team.

Those who want to be sorted onto a team are in for a treat, as dragons will be the deciding factor this year.

“We’ve got 3D printed dragons, and which one you draw from the vessel will determine what school you play for,” said event organizer/Teen Librarian Allyson Russell. “Chinese Fireball means Durmstrang, Swedish Short-Snout for Hogwarts, and a Common Welsh Green for Beauxbatons. And everyone will be able to keep their dragon as a souvenir.”

The sorting, which is a reference to the first task faced by the four competitors in the Goblet of Fire, is just the beginning of a fun-filled night. The event will be larger this year than in the past, utilizing the entire upstairs space for Harry Potter Book Night. Once you receive your school ID, you will then be free to explore Hogwarts, where you will find a room dedicated to Harry Potter crafts, a snack area, and an area filled with Harry Potter-inspired board games. Doing a craft or participating in a board game will award one point, and winning a game will earn you two points. A special game of Accio will also be played.

After the individual events come to a close, then prepare for the final showdown (fear not, the task won’t take place inside a maze and will not involve Portkeys). Total scores will be counted up, and the winners from all three schools will compete against one another in a series of games of skill and chance which will decide the Tri-Wizard Champion! All winners will receive a prize. A costume contest will also be held, with a prize for the best Harry Potter-inspired costume.

“The event is free to attend and is open for all ages,” said Russell. “That’s the whole point of doing this and Hogwarts camp. We want to create an environment where kids can safely and delightfully express their love of this genre and not feel like someone is going to make fun of them. This is for everybody.”

Those 12 and under must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. To learn more about everything going on at the Fairhope Public Library, check out their website at http://fairhopelibrary.org/.