Chapter 496: A Distant Visitor (Endless Alliance Leader, Additional Chapter 45)
Chapter 496: A Distant Visitor (Endless Alliance Leader, Additional Chapter 45)
The last class of the afternoon was History of Magic, and as it would end half an hour earlier, the moment the bell rang, everyone rushed out of the classroom.
Kyle and Connor returned to the Hufflepuff common room, changed into their cloaks that were specifically worn for the Christmas feast, and then joined the others in the entrance hall.
Professor Sprout was organizing the students into lines at the Great Hall entrance, with the first years at the front, followed by the older students.
Kyle noticed Professor McGonagall beside them, inspecting each student's attire.
"Weasley, straighten your hat..."
"Finenigan, fasten your cloak..."
"Petter, get rid of that ridiculous thing on your head!"
...
Once all the students were assembled, Professor McGonagall checked the time and led them out of the doors to the front of the castle.
The moon had already risen over the Forbidden Forest, and quite a few of the younger witches and wizards were trembling, whether from excitement or the cold.
Out of the professors' earshot, the students whispered among themselves, speculating about how the students from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang would arrive.
"I bet it's by Disapparition," said Fred. "Imagine a whole group of people appearing suddenly on the grounds right in front of us. That would be something, wouldn't it?"
"I don't think so," shook his head. "Hogwarts has anti-Apparition charms, they can't just Apparate right outside the front gates. So, I reckon it's brooms. Don't forget, Durmstrang's Viktor Krum is a famous Quidditch player, arriving on a broom would be a good way of making an entrance."
"Do you know how far Durmstrang is?" George said exaggeratedly. "Only a madman would travel that far on a broom... I still think Disapparition is more reliable. Maybe Professor Dumbledore has lifted the school's restrictions."
George unconsciously raised his voice as he spoke, catching the attention of Professor McGonagall, who turned and gave them a stern look.
"Ah, if I'm not mistaken..." At that moment, Dumbledore, who was standing at the back, shouted, "The Beauxbatons delegation has arrived!"
Kyle looked up and soon spotted a huge powder-blue carriage flying above the Forbidden Forest.
The carriage was absurdly large, resembling a house, and it was pulled by twelve winged palominos.
Unlike the Thestrals, the palominos had wings but otherwise resembled regular silver-maned horses, albeit much larger and resembling elephants in size.
In the blink of an eye, the carriage descended to the ground with a thunderous roar... Up close, the palominos looked even bigger, and the students in the front row barely reached the height of one of the horse's legs.
Then the carriage door opened, and a boy in a light blue robe jumped out and lowered a golden ladder from under the carriage.
Next, a shiny black high-heeled shoe extended from the carriage.
"Oh... My God!" Cedric inhaled sharply, finally understanding what Kyle meant.
Madame Maxime was astonishingly huge, standing at a height of three to four meters. Perhaps only Hagrid could match her stature at Hogwarts.
Dumbledore started applauding, and the students followed suit.
First, the giant horses, then the headmaster, and many people began to wonder... Were all the students from Beauxbatons so large?
Among them was a student with a scarf wrapped around their head, who immediately scanned the Hogwarts students gathered at the castle entrance, seemingly searching for someone.
Upon spotting Kyle in the crowd, she excitedly waved her hand.
Kyle, standing amidst a throng of students in a central but rear position, returned the greeting with a wave of his arm.
"You know her?" Connor asked, blinking.
"Yep." Kyle nodded. "Remember the friend I have in France?"
Connor thought for a moment. "The one who sent you French chocolates?"
"That's the one. Her name is Furong Delacour," Kyle said. "We met at Nicole Mei's place, and Madame Maxime hinted back then that she would also be participating in the Triwizard Tournament."
Connor tilted her head to get a better look, but at that moment, the students had gathered around Madame Maxime, blocking her from view.
"Look at the Black Lake..."
As the two headmasters were speaking, someone suddenly exclaimed in surprise.
Everyone immediately turned to look, and huge splashes began to appear on the previously calm lake surface.
"Something's coming out of the lake!" George blurted out.
"Looks like Karkaroff has arrived as well," Dumbledore said with a smile. "Right on time."
Madame Maxime nodded. She had intended to take her students into the castle to warm up, but since the Durmstrang delegation had arrived, she didn't bring it up again.
Soon, a black mast emerged from the lake, followed by an exceptionally grand ship.
However, it looked rather peculiar, resembling a recently salvaged shipwreck. Perhaps this was what a ghost ship of legend would look like.
Nonetheless, its design held a peculiar allure. At the very least, Fred and George were completely transfixed.
"That's so cool..." Fred whispered to George. "What do you say we redesign Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes to look like a ghost ship?"
"Ha, great minds think alike!" George replied with a laugh.
"Oh, look over there!"
Once again, a commotion rippled through the crowd, even louder than before.
"Oh my, I can't believe it's Krum!" someone exclaimed in excitement.
As the most famous Quidditch player of the time, Viktor Krum had a plethora of admirers among the students. He was recognized the moment he stepped out of the cabin.
Everyone's gazes shifted in his direction, such that no one paid attention to the person walking at the very front.
Karkaroff, the headmaster of Durmstrang, was tall and slender, with short white hair and a goatee. He had a shrewd look about him.
"Welcome, Headmaster Karkaroff," Dumbledore said as he stepped forward with a smile.
"Dumbledore!" Karkaroff exclaimed enthusiastically, opening his arms wide. "My dear old friend, how are you!"
"I'm doing splendidly," Dumbledore replied, embracing him briefly.
Karkaroff then moved to stand beside Madame Maxime and offered a kiss on her hand.
The three headmasters engaged in lively conversation for a while before Dumbledore led them into the castle.
...
(End of Chapter)
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