The crowd gathered with bated breath, assembling into a mass of cloaks in front of the enormous doors of the Entrance Hall. All told, a thousand or so witches and wizards, comprising the staff and student body of Hogwarts School Of Witchcraft and Wizardry, stood proud. The castle loomed behind them in the late light of the evening, but even emptied of its inhabitants, managed to convey an air of safety and warmth in the dusk.
As the sun's rays crept behind the horizon, the excitement and nervousness began to show in the students. In front of the scarlet and gold banner signifying Gryffindor, Harry waited eagerly with his fellow fourth years in the middle of the pack of students, straining his eyes for a first glimpse at the visiting schools.
"How do you think they'll be coming?"
Harry turned excitedly to Hermione, the frizzy haired girl doing her best to contain her excitement, but failing, her toes tapping eagerly. She replied, with a glint in her eye.
"I really don't know, but I can't wait to find out!"
Harry nodded slowly, when Ron piped up from next to him.
"I mean, it's not like they're going to have a train too are they?"
Hermione nodded slowly to herself.
"Well, you might be right, Ron. Beauxbatons is in France, so I imagine they'd either… fly or take a boat? I have no idea where Durmstrang is located though, western Europe? But I do think that they'll each be trying to come in a somewhat spectacular, or at least ceremonial manner. It is quite an event after all."
Harry interjected, his voice getting higher and higher as he spoke.
"Speaking of spectacular…"
All around them, shouts and cries of amazement and confusion rang out, as in the distance, a small, bright speck of light approached Hogwarts. As if to confirm, Professor Dumbledore, his voice amplified, spoke.
"Ah, if I am not mistaken, the delegation from Beauxbatons is arriving! Please, cast your eyes to the west, I imagine none of you will want to miss this!"
As the speck of light neared, it coalesced into a set of lights surrounding a dark object, rectangular in shape. Before it, moving shapes were vaguely visible.
"It's a flying house!"
Colin's younger brother, Dennis Creevy began the wild shouting of guesses as to what the object in the distance could be. As the mysterious object came hurtling down towards the grounds, it became clear that Dennis's guess wasn't half bad. The carriage, pulled by a number of enormous winged horses, took a wide turn, circling overhead. Lit by a collection of beautifully fragile lamps that held the darkness easily at bay, it left a shimmering trace of light behind it. Slowing, the carriage came in for a landing, the horses slowing midair to a gentle trot, their wings gently folding, as the ornate coach landed in front of the waiting students.
Outlined in gold, the pure white carriage seemed to carry an aura about it, glowing in the meager light of the evening. Flowing designs framed a door that rivalled those of the entrance hall, its wood patterned in delicate lines, giving it an enchanting quality. As the shock and spontaneous applause from the crowd died down, the doors smoothly opened.
Music began to flow, the gentle melody of a piano carrying through the night air, to all in the crowd. Behind the door was a sheet of white curtain, silky, moving gently in the wind. It parted quickly, revealing two rows of students, boys on one side, girls on the other. The first pair stepped down onto the ground, moving with a surreal elegance, their movements in perfect sync with each other. Both students seemed to be dressed in a uniform, each having a long cerulean cloak over their shoulders, open, revealing smart, dark blue blazers underneath them. Trimmed with gold, the blazers matched the ornamental belts that reflected light at both of their waists.
Cascading, long, brown hair was gently shoved back by a delicate hand, long fingers running through the locks of hair, eyes looking around in wonder and delight. A small, wry smile crossed the smooth face of the student, gentle crinkles spreading, as the welcoming majesty of Hogwarts entered into sight. With a quick nudge in the side from his female counterpart, the boy blushed slightly, a slight tinge of red creeping up his neck, having been caught quite by surprise, wondering at the view in front of him. No few chuckles were elicited from the crowd, many feeling quite proud that their castle was worthy of awe. The girl smiled daintily, offering her arm to the boy, who took it in the crook of his elbow, walking towards the castle, wind gently shifting their robes.
The pair moved swiftly towards the group of waiting students and staff, halting some 10 meters before them, just before the slightly shimmering barrier that had been erected between the entrance of the school and the arriving delegations. Harry cast his mind back to earlier that afternoon, when a group of ministry officials came to oversee the barrier, wondering exactly what it was for. His mind snapped back to the present as the pair bowed deeply in front of the crowd, one again in a smooth and elegant motion. Behind them, having silently followed them, the remainder of the Beauxbatons delegation stood quietly. In a series of swift motions, the boy and the girls parted, leaving a corridor leading towards the door of the carriage, standing to attention, like a guard of honor, backs straight, waiting.
Suddenly, the curtain was cast aside once more, and the largest foot that Harry had ever seen emerged, stepping daintily onto the grass. It was followed shortly by another foot, then a leg, and finally, the full body of an extremely tall woman was revealed. In a few long strides, the woman effortlessly covered the distance between the carriage and the end of the line of students, giving proud looks around her as she did so. Towering over the majority of the crowd, she gave a gentle smile, then bowed once more towards Dumbledore, her students following suit behind her. Professor Dumbledore spoke up once more.
"Please, a warm welcome and a hearty hand for the illustrious, enchanting Madam Maxime, and the bright young men and women of Beauxbatons Academy!"
Applause broke out among the rows and rows of students, although many were in shock at seeing a human being quite so big. As it died down, Dumbledore gave a regretful smile.
"As much as we would all love to allow you into our castle, to rest and partake in food and drink, the situation sometimes does not allow for such luxuries."
He gestured to the right, where on the grounds, a tented area had been set aside for the Beauxbatons students.
"As per request, we have also endeavored in… diversifying the menu that our esteemed Hogwarts house elves provide, and I trust you shall find it suits your palettes."
Turning, he spoke to the students of Hogwarts.
"Although these students have just arrived, and will not be able to fully mingle among you for another 3 days yet, do feel free to go and interact with our dear French colleagues. The Ministry has, in cooperation with Muggle standards, set up various methods of meeting while… keeping you separate. Ah, and now, with that said, it appears that the delegation from Durmstrang has deigned to arrive… if you would all draw your attention to the lake?"
On cue, a thick wave of fog rolled in over what had once been clear sky over the lake, the mist curling, tendrils reaching out near the edge of the lake. From deep within, parting the fog, a lone ship emerged. On its prow, a proud double headed eagle stood upon the bone white skull of some form of deer, its horns surrounding the eagle's wings. More of the ship revealed itself, as it came closer to shore, tall masts fading into the night sky, proud and regal. It came to a halt, turning as it did so, revealing its side to the two schools waiting for the third. Sets of lanterns illuminated the ship in a haunting light, casting deep shadows. Slowly, a wide gangplank was lowered from the deck, touching gently onto the ground, with a light thump.
From the top, a man emerged, tall and thin, but almost gaunt, his long, narrow face standing in slight contrast to the smooth but slightly bulky silver furs that adorned him. A hearty smile crossed his face as he looked to the castle, yellowing teeth revealed from behind thin lips, and he made his way down the gangplank, alone. Hesitating slightly, Dumbledore announced the man.
"Headmaster Igor Karkaroff, of Durmstrang Institute and…"
He paused slightly, waiting for the students to follow their headmaster. After an awkward silence, Karkaroff's smile turning slightly cold, a lantern finally bobbed up on the deck, and a line of students began to make their way down to land.
"And the capable students of the same!"
Dumbledore finished speaking, as all attention now turned to the group of students descending from the ship. The Durmstrang delegation also came in pairs, while not in such a strict uniform as the Beauxbatons students, their attire was very much shared. Clearly, Durstrang was located in a cold environment, thick furs thrown over their cloaks. The sound of boots on wood, like a gentle drumroll, announced the group as they also closed the distance between themselves and the waiting schools. Standing a notable distance away from their headmaster, two representatives took a few steps forward, bowing, in a similar manner to the Beauxbatons students before them.
Soon, however, the majority of the attention was drawn to a large figure, standing in the back of the Durmstrang group. Victor Krum, who in a rather futile attempt to avoid the attention of the masses of students had left the boat last, now found himself the subject of whispers and some quiet exclamations. Beside Harry, Ron gasped, tugging Harry's robe forcefully.
"That's Krum! Victor Krum! In person, and oh my god, 20 meters away from me? Harry, you have to go get me an autograph. That's how it works, right? You're famous, he's famous…"
Ron trailed off, and Harry rolled his eyes. The black haired boy scanned the Durmstrang students, standing quietly, huddling together slightly. The girl at the head of their column, also clearly surveying the Hogwarts and Beauxbatons students, glanced in their directions. Harry met her eyes for a second, before looking away quickly. The group as a whole seemed somewhat lethargic, resigned to some fate, slumping shoulders and yawns spreading across the group.
The girl, turning back to her school, grasped the hand of the boy next to her firmly, tucking her arm around another female student, clearly speaking some words of encouragement to her peers. Wan smiles appeared on those surrounding her, and as she rested her head on the shoulder of her friend, Harry couldn't help but admire the clear camaraderie that existed between the students. As the commotion died down, Dumbledore raised his arms for silence.
"Students, staff, esteemed guests. Although we may not be able to interact just yet, I am glad to see all of you here, safely. Hopefully Hogwarts will serve as an adequate home to you all in the coming months. Now, night is falling, and our younger students must be off to bed!"
The Hogwarts Headmaster bowed in the direction of the visiting schools, before waving his wand at the doors to the entrance hall, opening them smoothly. Slowly, the Hogwarts students started filing back into the castle, throwing looks over their shoulders at the two groups of students standing on the grounds.
When Harry, Hermione, and Ron, as well as the rest of Gryffindor house made it back to their common room, windows were quickly surrounded, vantage points to sneak looks at the schools.
"The Durmstrang lot went back on their boat! And it looks like the Beauxbatons group went into those tents that Dumbledore was talking about!"
Colin called out, updating the room at large from his position by the largest window, peering into the night. Harry leaned back into his chair, a yawn escaping his lips, before he looked over to Hermione, eyebrows raised, asking a wordless question. Hermione nodded slowly, thinking to herself, before responding.
"Well, I must say, I wasn't really expecting too much, with the restrictions in place and whatnot, but I certainly was surprised. That was a beautiful flying carriage, and oh the ship! I mean, what kind of incredible magic must be used to transport such a large vessel so far, probably from a land locked country, I mean… definitely something to research."
Before Harry could cut Hermione's ramblings off, a warm smile on his face, Ron interjected, confidently.
"I'm going to meet Krum tomorrow."
He nodded firmly, his usually smiling face the picture of seriousness. Taken slightly aback, Hermione paused, and Harry raised his eyebrows slightly.
"Meet him? But all the students from abroad are in quarantine now, aren't they?"
Harry looked to Hermione for confirmation. She nodded, scrunching her forehead in slight confusion as she looked at Ron.
"He said something, didn't he? Dumbledore. Something about meeting while staying separate, or whatever. Look, I want an autograph. I'm going to get it. Come on Hermione, weren't you saying you wanted to meet some new students? Practice your French, something like that? And Harry! He's the best seeker in the world! I bet there's a ton he could teach you, and we'd be guaranteed to crush Slytherin in Quidditch with that kinda coaching behind you."
Ron nodded to himself, clearly satisfied with his spur of the moment speech. Laughing lightly, Harry joined him.
"Alright then, if you say so."
Chuckling, the trio started making plans for their 'cultural enlightenment session' the next day, Hermione quickly drawing up schedules, altering her study plans to suit her needs.
"I can't wait!"
AN: Sorry guys, a day late. I'll try to stick on schedule from here on out, I have a little better picture of where I want to go with this as the action progresses, so hopefully the chapters flow from now. Hope you enjoy, and if you've got any feedback, I'd love to hear it! Thank you!
