https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-559-Arrival-at-Ilvermorny-School/13487930/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-561-Arrival-of-the-Magic-Schools-Part-2-/13487932/
Chapter 560: Arrival of the Magic Schools
Chapter 560: Arrival of the Magic Schools
"Ah, it looks like Beauxbatons Academy is almost here", Aigilbert said. "I really miss Madame Maxime. Their brandy and champagne are excellent."
"I'm glad we agree", Dumbledore smiled. "And the cider and absinthe. Madame Maxime always has the best."
The students from Ilvermorny School, led by a boy, lined up, curiously eyeing Hogwarts School and the massive carriage above them.
"Boom—"
With a thunderous crash, the pale blue carriage landed, its doors emblazoned with the crest of Beauxbatons Academy.
A boy jumped down, opened the spiral staircase, and stood respectfully to the side.
Then, Madame Maxime emerged. Her towering stature rivaled Hagrid's, but her appearance was handsome, elegant, and dignified, with a touch of arrogance.
Dumbledore stepped forward, saying, "Dear Madame Maxime—"
Madame Maxime extended a hand adorned with several gemstone rings, and Dumbledore bent down to kiss her knuckles. "Welcome to Hogwarts School."
Madame Maxime glanced at Aigilbert and said, "I hope we're not late."
"Of course not", Dumbledore smiled. "Your presence has brightened Hogwarts School."
Aigilbert also kissed her knuckles, adding, "We were the first to arrive... just a little bit earlier than you."
Madame Maxime raised an eyebrow. She didn't care who arrived first, but Aigilbert's boastful attitude irked her.
"Well... congratulations", Madame Maxime said indifferently, waving her hand carelessly. "My students."
A dozen students descended from the carriage, dressed in exquisite silk uniforms without cloaks, their scarves wrapped tightly around them. Even so, they shivered slightly in the cold wind.
These students first looked at Hogwarts School, then at the Ilvermorny students—two girls from Ilvermorny were wearing short skirts and were visibly blue with cold.
"Are we the only ones here?" Madame Maxime asked.
"Yes, the others should arrive soon", Dumbledore said. "Would you like to wait here for them or go inside to warm up?"
"What do you suggest, sir?" Aigilbert asked politely.
"Let's warm up first", Madame Maxime said. "But my horses—"
"Our Care of Magical Creatures teacher will be happy to look after them", Dumbledore gestured.
Hagrid, standing in the row of professors, was lost in thought until Professor Filius Flitwick tapped his leg, causing him to step forward involuntarily.
"I... I'm Rubeus Hagrid, madam. I-I'll take good care of these lovely creatures."
He stammered, feeling a warm flush rise to his cheeks, his ears turning red.
But with his thick, unruly hair, no one noticed.
Hagrid now regretted wearing his homemade fur coat, his shoes still caked with dirt, and his unkempt beard.
Madame Maxime, seeing Hagrid's height, looked surprised but quickly regained her composure. "Hello, Professor Hagrid. My horses need special care—they only drink pure malt whisky, and their reins need to be checked and combed daily, and their hay changed."
"I understand", Hagrid said nervously. "I'll... I'll treat them like my own children, I promise!"
He reached for the reins, and perhaps the similar height made the Thestrals feel comfortable. They reared their necks slightly and then allowed Hagrid to lead them.
Madame Maxime nodded in relief and turned to her students. "Come along."
Aigilbert also beckoned the Ilvermorny students, and the crowd of Hogwarts students parted to let them through.
Just as the last pale blue figure disappeared into the entrance hall, a deafening roar split the sky. Everyone looked up to see a massive three-headed dragon pulling a long chain, with a black fortress-like carriage attached to the other end.
Several students gasped in fear, and the Beauxbatons Thestrals neighed and dragged the carriage to the side, only to be held back by Hagrid. The carriage then landed with a loud thud.
The three dragon heads were fitted with dark black hoods, pushing and shoving each other, their mouths occasionally puffing out hot smoke.
The crowd involuntarily took several steps back, and cries of pain echoed as people stepped on each other's feet. Wade sidestepped just in time and reached out to steady Anthony Goldstein, who nearly fell, followed by Terry sitting down hard on the ground nearby.
"What is that?" Michael asked, panicked.
"Durmstrang Institute", Wade said. "The magic school from Russia."
"They tamed a dragon to pull their carriage?" Anthony Goldstein exclaimed.
"Settle down, children", Professor Filius Flitwick urged. "Maintain your composure. That dragon won't harm you."
The crowd looked at him, then up at the towering dragon, which seemed even larger than Professor Flitwick, making his reassurance seem less convincing.
But they eventually quieted down.
The carriage door opened, and a robust wizard in a white bear fur coat, holding a long staff, stepped down.
"Good evening, Dumbledore!" the wizard boomed. "I hope all is well with you!"
"Very well, thank you, Igor Karkaroff", Dumbledore smiled. "And I'm glad to see you, Karkaroff."
The three dragon heads lowered, eyeing Dumbledore, their hot breath curling the grass around them.
Then, to the admiration of the Hogwarts students, Dumbledore reached out and patted the nose of the middle head, speaking in a language they didn't understand.
The three-headed dragon nudged Dumbledore's hand with its nose, its large eyes gentle.
Wade couldn't help but think of Dumbledore's works, like "The Twelve Uses of Dragon's Blood" and others.
With the massive dragon as the center of attention, almost no one noticed the dozen or so students who lined up and stepped down from the carriage.
They were tall, wearing fluffy ushankas with ear flaps tied under their chins, their faces covered by masks, and dressed in thick fur coats and animal-skin boots, standing silently to the side.
"Dumbledore, has Karkaroff arrived?" Igor Karkaroff suddenly asked.
Dumbledore replied, "He should be here soon."
"Oh, then I'll wait with you", Karkaroff said, standing beside Dumbledore and gesturing for his students to lead the three-headed dragon to the side.
(End of Chapter)
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