The final Potions class of the day was filled with Snape's deductions and detention warnings.
Unfortunately, despite his efforts, he couldn't pull the students' minds back from the Triwizard Tournament.
As the bell rang, the students filed out, lining up under the guidance of their Heads of House to welcome the visiting delegations from the other schools.
"I heard Beauxbatons has very strict rules," Daphne whispered to Jane Yu.
"But they only take their O.W.L. exams in their sixth year," Blaise interjected, glancing at them. "Whereas ours are next year—"
"Oh, give it a rest, Blaise!" Daphne rolled her eyes. "Don't bring up exams and studying! You sound like you've been possessed by a Ravenclaw!"
But Jane found Blaise's comment rather appealing.
O.W.L.s in sixth year? That was perfect for her!
Beauxbatons really did seem like a suitable place!
"There! They're coming!"
A gasp arose from the crowd.
Twelve winged, elephant-sized silver-maned horses were pulling a powder-blue carriage as large as a house through the air. With a thunderous crash, they landed on the ground.
Madame Maxime, the headmistress of Beauxbatons, appeared to be very tall, but her attire and demeanor were exceptionally elegant.
After exchanging pleasantries with Headmaster Dumbledore, she led the Beauxbatons students away for a brief rest.
Next, a massive whirlpool appeared in the center of the lake. A mast slowly emerged from the vortex, followed by a peculiar, shipwreck-like vessel rising to the surface and sailing toward the shore.
Moments later, the headmaster of Durmstrang, Igor Karkaroff, descended from the ship.
Tall and thin, with a goatee and short white hair, he greeted Dumbledore with a warm embrace. Yet Jane noticed his eyes were filled with coldness and sharpness.
Just then, Theodore, who had been silent all this time, took advantage of the commotion to interrupt Jane's gaze at Karkaroff:
"Stay away from him... he's dangerous."
Jane turned her head in surprise, only to find Theodore's expression as calm as ever, as if he hadn't said a word.
They joined the other Hogwarts students in walking through the entrance hall toward the Great Hall.
"Now, let us welcome the students from Beauxbatons Academy of Magic, along with their headmistress, Madame Maxime!"
Once everyone was seated, Dumbledore stood at the front and loudly announced the start of the welcome ceremony.
The next moment, the doors of the Great Hall burst open. The Beauxbatons students entered, their silky light-blue robes fluttering like wings. As they danced, blue butterflies flitted gracefully around them.
Jane admired the scene for a while before realizing something.
They were performing ballet! And they were incredibly professional!
Some were even doing rhythmic gymnastics on the spot!
Beauxbatons Academy of Artistic Magic?
Would she have to learn these things in the future?!
Madame Maxime entered, her gaze sweeping over the Slytherin table.
Soon, her eyes locked onto Jane, and she smiled slightly, extending her right hand with elegance:
"Delighted to meet you, Miss Yu. A tribute to our mutual friends, the LeMays."
Jane stood and curtsied, exchanging a glance that left a good first impression on both sides.
"Let us now welcome our northern friends, the students of Durmstrang Institute, along with their headmaster, Igor Karkaroff!"
The ceremony continued as the Durmstrang students entered, dressed in heavy fur coats and cloaks. They carried staffs, striking them against the ground to produce sparks, and began an imposing martial arts performance.
Jane admired the display for a while before realizing something once again.
A martial arts troupe? Staff techniques? Eighteen classical weapons?
Some were even performing acrobatics, breathing fire on stage!
Durmstrang Institute of Athletic Magic?
Would she have to learn these things in the future?!
Wait... since they had performed... what had Hogwarts prepared?
"What is our school going to perform?" Jane turned to Daphne. "Have you heard anything?"
Daphne looked confused but seemed confident in Hogwarts:
"We're the hosts, so we should put on the best display for our guests. Headmaster Dumbledore must have something planned—"
Hearing their conversation, Draco immediately raised his head, speaking with certainty:
"Though Durmstrang's performance was impressive, we'll definitely astonish them. After all, this is Hogwarts' territory!"
On stage, Dumbledore cleared his throat and flicked his wand lightly. A long golden ribbon flew out, twisting into lines of text:
"Welcome, esteemed guests from afar! Now, let our students rise!"
Jane's face froze.
The professors' faces froze as well.
Her classmates' faces were no different.
"Hogwarts, Hogwarts, Hogwarts, Hogwarts, teach us something, please, whether we be old and bald..."
The students sang mournfully, their voices disjointed, blending the melodies of "The Funeral March" and "The Wedding March" into a chaotic medley.
"This? This?!" Draco, who had just been boasting about "astonishing them," looked as if he had been slapped in the face. "Why is it the school song?"
Jane's mouth twitched uncontrollably.
She thought of the professors' exhortations about the Hogwarts spirit.
Honestly, with such an opening, it was hard to showcase any spirit.
For the first time, she felt the need to salvage their dignity:
"Perhaps this reflects the school spirit—no formalism, no fixed tune for the school song, embodying the freedom for students to grow..."
She couldn't make up another word, but Daphne seemed to believe her explanation:
"That makes sense, Yu. You're right. This way, we don't even need rehearsals, giving students more time to focus on exams and studies!"
Jane's expression turned lifeless.
She felt utterly incapable of picking up the dignity that had fallen to the ground.
"No, don't believe it," she weakly stopped Daphne from overthinking. "Next year, I'm going to be a Beauxbatons student, or maybe Durmstrang."
Daphne lowered her head in thought for a moment, then nodded seriously as if affirming her decision:
"That makes sense, Yu. You're right. Once you've decided where to go, I'll write to my father and ask him to help me transfer!"
The surrounding Slytherins stared at them in shock.
Blaise's narrow eyes widened slightly. He glanced between Daphne and Jane, muttering quietly:
"Yu, next time you use the Imperius Curse on me, please give me a heads-up so I can mentally prepare."
He was met with two resounding eye-rolls from the girls.
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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