The Wind and the Wings of Hogwarts

"Are you going to wait with us for a while, or would you like to go inside and rest in a warm room first?"

"I don't think we'll have to wait too long, because they've already arrived."

Dumbledore turned to look at the lake nestled among the distant mountains.

"Oh, you're right, they really did come!"

Mrs. Maxim also turned toward the lake.

"Hey, Scott!"

Just then, a figure jokingly ran out from among the men of Beauxbatons.

It was Lucio, whom Scott met in Spain during his summer vacation.

Lucio ran straight up to Scott, seemingly oblivious to the disapproving expressions on the faces of his professors and classmates behind him.

"Hello, Lucio."

Although Scott noticed the expressions on those people's faces, he still greeted Lucio naturally and introduced him to Roger and Fred.

"Hello! Oh! So you came here by this tower? That's interesting."

Lucio simply greeted Roger and Fred, then focused intently on observing the spire behind Scott and his companions.

"This must be an alchemical creation! Otherwise, how could it move? It's truly amazing! I wonder if I could go inside and take a look? What do you think?"

He stared longingly at Scott.

“I don’t know much about it either,” Scott said. “If you want to visit, you’ll need our professor’s permission.”

Lucio nodded quickly, "Alright, please be sure to speak to your Professor Dumbledore for me, please!"

Their conversation attracted countless eyes.

Everyone, whether at Beauxbatons or Hogwarts, was watching them.

Even Dumbledore and Mrs. Maxim glanced at them a few times.

But Lucio was completely unaware.

Scott, somewhat exasperated, could only remind him, "Demstrand is here."

"Oh! I wonder how they'll make their entrance? And what kind of alchemical items will they use?"

Lucio's attention was immediately diverted, and he looked at the distant lake.

Splash!

The sound of water could be heard.

The lake surface, shrouded in white mist, rippled with water.

Then, the splashes grew larger and larger, and the waves crashed against the damp lake shore.

In the very center of the lake, a huge whirlpool appeared, and a long, black rod-like object slowly rose from it.

"It's a mast!" someone exclaimed.

Slowly, a huge wooden boat rose out of the water.

The ship looks strange, like a skeleton, and appears to be the remains of a shipwreck that has just been salvaged.

The porthole flickered with a dim, hazy light, looking like the eyes of a ghost.

Finally, with a splash, the large ship emerged completely, bobbing on the undulating water, and began to sail towards the lake shore.

A moment later, everyone heard a splash as an anchor was thrown into the shallow water, followed by a snap as a plank was laid on the lake shore.

“Oh, it’s a ship.” Lucio’s voice was tinged with disappointment. “I should have known. I mean, I’ve heard of Durmstrang…”

At this moment, the people on the ship were disembarking, and Scott and his companions could see their silhouettes as they passed through the porthole lights.

Those silhouettes all looked very imposing.

When they stepped onto the lawn, everyone realized that the reason they appeared so large was because they were all wearing fur cloaks with very messy fur.

But the one leading the way was a truly burly male wizard.

This is not the Karkaroff that Scott had seen.

It is said that Karkaroff had already vanished without a trace after Voldemort's resurrection.

"Your Excellency Mrs. Maxim, Mr. Dumbledore."

The wizard greeted Mrs. Maxim and Dumbledore.

Scott heard Dumbledore and Mrs. Maxim address him as Professor Hartman.

It sounds like a German surname.

Of course, once Professor Hartmann, who was exceptionally tall, stood in front of Mrs. Maxim, he became petite.

The leaders of the three schools exchanged a few pleasantries. Madam Maxim first sent someone to look after the Thestrals of Hogwarts, and then led everyone toward the interior of the manor.

During this period, Viktor Krum, a world-renowned Quidditch player for Durmstrang, received the most attention.

Many people are curious about him.

“Oh, maybe I can get to know him better and get him to sign a lot of autographs,” Fred said in a low voice.

Scott and Roger looked at him with some surprise, assuming he admired Krum like everyone else.

Fred continued, "I bet his autograph would sell for a good price. My dumbest brother in the family would empty his allowance to buy his autograph."

“Okay, I shouldn’t have doubted you,” Scott said.

"What?" Fred asked, puzzled.

Scott shook his head.

The group arrived inside the manor and passed through a large square in front of a beautiful castle, with a fountain in the center of the square.

The fountain's gushing water is clear and bright, and a pair of tall stone statues stand in the center of the fountain.

"That is the fountain named after the Lemaîtres, and the water has a restorative and beautifying effect."

Lucio proudly introduced it to Scott and his team.

"Part of the school's castle and land was funded by the alchemists Nicolas Flamel and Pereñar Flamel when they visited Beauxbatons in their youth."

After crossing the wide square, they climbed the spotless white stone steps and finally entered the castle that resembled a palace.

As they entered the Great Hall, which Beauxbatons had prepared, students from Hogwarts and Durmstrang couldn't help but gasp in amazement.

“This is the largest banquet hall in Beauxbatons,” Lucio said. “It is usually only used for major events.”

Scott and his team stood on the gleaming marble floor and looked around.

The interior of this banquet hall was so magnificent and elaborately decorated that it was dazzling, especially the several enormous crystal chandeliers hanging from the high dome, which emitted a blindingly bright light.

The sound of cheerful laughter could be heard from time to time. It was as if countless sparkling fairies were weaving through the dazzling crystals, adding a touch of fantasy to this magnificent banquet hall.

Roger blinked and asked Lucio, "Are you sure this isn't the palace of the King of France?"

“Oh, does this place look too lavish?” Lucio laughed. “Mrs. Maxim and everyone else decorated it specially to welcome the guests; she likes this lavish style.”

Scott and the others didn't say anything.

They all knew very well that no matter how Hogwarts dressed up, it could never become this style.

Of course, they wouldn't envy Beauxbatons' students.

The overwhelming sense of history that Hogwarts has is something you won't find here.

"Alright, come and sit down with me."

Seeing that the professors had taken their seats at the head of the banquet hall, Lucio quickly greeted Scott and the others.

"Beauxbatons doesn't sort houses like Hogwarts, so we can sit anywhere."

"You don't have separate departments?" Fred asked curiously. "Then how do you have classes?"

Lucio said, "Students of the same grade would attend classes together, so our classrooms were all very large. Of course, that was a few years ago..."

The group walked to the long table and sat down.

“By the third year, many students will be separated,” Lucio continued. “Everyone has different interests, and the school encourages us to choose which professors to study under based on our interests. It’s somewhat similar to a traditional apprenticeship system, but also quite different…”

Scott then realized that Beauxbatons' teaching system was different from Hogwarts'.

At Beauxbatons, the first two years of foundation courses are large lectures, and the school assigns professors to teach the freshmen.

Starting from the third year, courses become a two-way selection process between professors and students.

In other words, their teaching system from the third year onwards is similar to that of the sixth and seventh years at Hogwarts.

But Beauxbatons offers more options; even for the same subject, there are professors with different teaching focuses for students to choose from.

Soon, everyone was seated.

Lucio also introduced some of his classmates and acquaintances with Scott and the others.

The students at Beauxbatons were also very interested in Hogwarts and chatted with them enthusiastically.

After a while, Mrs. Maxim, who was sitting in the main seat in front, stood up from her specially made, exceptionally magnificent high-backed chair.

The moment she stood up, without any explanation, all the students at Beauxbatons immediately shut their mouths and straightened their posture.

It is no surprise that Beauxbatons school is very strict in its discipline of students.

The students of Hogwarts and Durmstrang watched this scene with some surprise.

The huge banquet hall fell silent instantly, and even the fairies flying above everyone's heads stopped laughing.

"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, and especially our distinguished guests."

Mrs. Maxim's deep voice came through.

"On behalf of Beauxbatons, I extend a warm welcome to you. Of course, I am confident that Beauxbatons will give you a wonderful time."

She extended a large hand and gracefully lifted a specially made crystal goblet with several thick fingers—

The size of the goblet suited her perfectly in her hand, but it was several times larger than the goblet in the hands of others.

"It is an honor that the long-dormant Triwizard Tournament will be revived in Beauxbatons, this beautiful and magnificent magical manor."

She raised her glass, her face beaming with pride.