The Magic History class was the last class of the afternoon, and since it ended thirty minutes early, when the bell rang prematurely, everyone rushed out of the classroom.
Kael and Conna returned to the Hufflepuff common room, changed into the cloaks only worn at the Christmas feast as required, and then went with the others to the hall.
Professor Sprout lined them up at the entrance of the auditorium, with the first-year students at the front and so on backwards...
Kael noticed that Professor McGonagall was scrutinizing everyone's outfit.
"Weasley, straighten your hat..."
"Finnigan, fasten your cloak..."
"Patil, take off that ridiculous thing on your head!"
...
Once all the students were gathered, Professor McGonagall glanced at the time and led them out of the gate, to the front of the castle.
By now the moon was hanging over the Forbidden Forest, and quite a few of the younger wizards stood there trembling, unsure if it was due to excitement or the cold.
Where the professors couldn't hear, everyone lowered their voices and whispered among themselves about how the Beauxbatons and Durmstrang students would arrive.
"I think it's Disillusionment," Fred said, "just imagine, a group of people appearing suddenly on the school grounds, it would be amazing."
"I think it's unlikely," Cedric shook his head, "Hogwarts bans Disillusionment, they can't just show up at the gate and walk over."
"So I think it should be broomsticks, don't forget Durmstrang's Viktor Krum is a Quidditch star, flying over on a broom would maximize his fame."
"Do you know how far Durmstrang is from here?" George said exaggeratedly, "Only a fool would fly a broomstick that far... I still think Disillusionment is more plausible. Maybe Professor Dumbledore has already lifted the school's restriction."
George couldn't help raise his voice while speaking, and was heard by Professor McGonagall who turned back to glare sternly at him.
"Ah, if I'm not mistaken..." At this moment, Dumbledore, standing in the back row, said loudly, "The Beauxbatons representatives have arrived!"
Kael raised his head and soon saw a gigantic sky-blue carriage over the Forbidden Forest.
The carriage was absurdly large, looking like a house, and was pulled into the air by twelve winged Abraxans.
Unlike Thestrals, although the Abraxans also had wings, they looked like silvery-maned horses, much larger in size, almost elephant-like.
In a blink, the carriage landed with a thunderous crash... and as they got closer, those Abraxans pulling the carriage appeared even larger, with the students in the front rows not even standing as high as a horse's leg.
Next, the carriage door opened and a boy in a light blue robe jumped down, opening the golden staircase beneath the carriage.
Then a shiny black high-heeled shoe emerged from the carriage.
"Oh... my!" Cedric gasped, finally understanding what Kael meant.
This Ms. Maxime was astonishingly gigantic, about three to four meters tall, only Hagrid at Hogwarts might rival her.
Dumbledore started applauding, and the students followed suit.
First, it was the grand horses, even the headmistress was like this, many whispered in their hearts... Could Beauxbatons be full of giant students?
Just imagine facing a two-three-meter-tall student in the Triwizard Tournament, could they really win...
Fortunately, this scenario didn't occur, the students who stepped out of the carriage were not giants.
And among them, a student wrapped in a scarf from head to foot exited, casting her gaze to the Hogwarts students at the castle gate, seemingly searching for someone.
Upon spotting Kael in the crowd, she immediately waved excitedly.
Kael also extended his arm and waved, too many people surrounded him, and standing in the middle-back position, he could only greet this way.
"You know her?" Conna blinked.
"Yes." Kael nodded, "Remember I have a friend in France?"
Conna thought about it, "The one who sent you French chocolates?"
"That's right, it's her, Fleur Delacour," Kael said, "we met at Nicolas Flamel's home, where Ms. Maxime hinted she would also participate in the Triwizard Tournament."
Conna lifted her head to look more intently, but by then those students had already reached Ms. Maxime, blocking the view completely.
"Look at the Black Lake..."
As the two headmasters spoke, someone suddenly exclaimed.
Everyone hurriedly looked over, giant waves churned on the previously calm lake.
"Something's about to come out of it!" George said instinctively.
"Looks like Karkaroff has arrived too." Dumbledore said with a smile, "Right on time."
Ms. Maxime nodded, she originally intended to lead the students to the castle to warm up, but since Durmstrang had arrived, she refrained.
Soon a black mast rose from the lake surface, and following it the grand emergence of a magnificent ship.
Though its appearance was strange, looking just like a ship recently salvaged from the depths, probably a ghost ship from legends.
But undeniably, this style carried a unique charm; at least Fred and George were already stunned.
"It's so cool..." Fred leaned next to George and whispered, "How about we design Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes like a ghost ship."
"Ha, we thought of the same thing." George said with a smile.
"Oh... look at that person!"
This time another commotion erupted in the crowd, louder than before.
"Oh my, I can't believe it, it's Krum!" someone exclaimed excitedly.
As the currently most famous Quidditch player, Viktor Krum had legions of admirers among students, instantly recognized once he stepped from the cabin.
Eyes collectively focused on him, to the point that the person leading at the front was overlooked.
Karkaroff, Durmstrang's headmaster, tall and thin, with short white hair and a small goatee, looked the part of a savvy figure.
"Welcome, Headmaster Karkaroff," Dumbledore stepped forward with a smile.
"Dumbledore!" Karkaroff enthusiastically spread his arms, "My dear old friend, how are you?"
"Excellent." Dumbledore hugged him.
Then Karkaroff proceeded to offer a hand-kiss to Ms. Maxime.
The three headmasters warmly conversed for a while before Dumbledore led them into the castle.
...