Hogwarts Advanced Guide

Chapter 262 Karkaroff - Shameful Traitor
"Is Karkaroff here?" Madame Maxime asked.

"He's coming back any minute," said Dumbledore. "Would you rather wait here to meet him, or go in first to keep warm?"

England at the end of October can't be called warm, especially given that Hogwarts still has such a large black lake, so——

"Let's keep warm," said Madame Maxime, "but those horses—"

"Our Care of Magical Creatures teacher will be more than happy to take care of them," said Dumbledore. "He'll be back when he's done with a little mess, and there's something wrong with some of his - um - other things he has to take care of."

"I think Hagrid will take good care of them." Hera leaned forward and said softly.

Madam Maxime nodded, "I've heard of his name, Hagrid Rupert, right? But my steeds need—well—very strong people to take care of them," Madam Maxime said, still looking a little worried, "They have a strong temper."

"I assure you, Hagrid is perfectly capable of the job," said Dumbledore with a smile.

"I think so too." Hera nodded, expressing her trust in Dumbledore and Hagrid.

So far, Madam Maxim has a little more confidence in Hagrid out of her trust in Hera.

"Very well," said Madame Maxime, bowing slightly, "can you tell this Hagrid that these horses only drink single malt whiskey?"

"I'll take care of it," said Dumbledore, also bowing.

"Come on." Madam Maxim turned around and said majestically to the students behind her.The Hogwarts students stepped aside so she and the students could walk up the steps.

Hera and Penello followed closely behind Madame Maxime.

Madam Maxim raised her eyebrows at Hera, she didn't say anything, but her meaning was very clear.

Hera smiled and took two quick steps, walked to the front, and led the way with Penello. When they passed the sixth and seventh grade students, many students greeted Penello—they were all Penello’s juniors and sisters.

Walking through the cave-like hall, the little wizards of Beauxbatons looked at the legendary Hogwarts for the first time.

Torches were lit in the foyer, and the marble staircase was imposing.

"Distinguished guests, please follow me--" Filch had been waiting in the hall early on. He was wearing a moldy old tuxedo. As soon as he raised his head, he caught a glimpse of Hera standing in the front and exclaimed excitedly: "Oh! Hera, long time no see, oh--I almost forgot what I was doing, please come with me, don't blame me for being rude."

Madam Maxim nodded, indicating that she didn't take this matter to heart.

They went all the way through the foyer and into the auditorium.

"Please wait here for a moment." Filch rarely showed his nervous side. "Principal Dumbledore and the other teachers will enter the Great Hall together upon Durmstrang's arrival."

Hera and Penello sat next to Madam Maxim, looking at the auditorium.

The auditorium was still as splendid as before, and it seemed that it had been specially decorated to welcome the students of Beauxbatons and Durmstrang. Hundreds of candles were floating above the tables, illuminating the golden plates and goblets. The four long college tables were empty at this time, and there was a fifth table at the top of the auditorium.Added six chairs next to Dumbledore's chair, two to the left and four to the right.

The students hesitated for a moment, and finally sat at the dining table of the Ravenclaw eagle, which symbolizes wisdom.

Hera remembered that, in addition to the principals of the two schools, there were also representatives of the Ministry of Magic—Barty Crouch and Ludo Bagman. One of them was the director of the Department of International Magic Exchange and Cooperation, and the other was the director of the Department of Magical Sports. It can be said that the Triwizard Tournament was successfully held with the great efforts of the two of them.

At the same time, they also represent the fairness of the competition.

Probably Durmstrang's students also arrived, and the Hogwarts students also entered the auditorium and sat down at the tables of their respective colleges. After that, the faculty members also came in, and they filed to the guest seats and sat down.

It was the first time Hera had met Karkaroff—Durmstrang's headmaster, who, according to Voldemort, was a brazen traitor who, when he was captured by the Ministry of Magic, named him several names—all Death Eaters.

Karkaroff, tall and thin, with short white hair and a goatee that didn't quite cover the chin of his small hands, entered the Great Hall with Dumbledore.Beside him was a boy.

He has a striking aquiline nose and thick, black eyebrows.

"Krum?" Hera couldn't help whispering. "Is he still a student?"

"I heard that he is Karkaroff's favorite student." Madam Maxim covered her mouth and laughed softly. "It seems that you are not that well-informed."

"It seems so. I only cared about how he played Quidditch." Hera shrugged and said indifferently.

Dumbledore walked to his seat and did not sit down in a hurry. After making sure that all the students—including those from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang—had taken their seats, he said with a smile, "Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, ghosts, and—especially—visitors."

"It is with great joy that I welcome you to Hogwarts, and I hope and trust that you will find yourself comfortable and happy here."

"The Tournament will officially begin at the end of the banquet," said Dumbledore. "I invite everyone to eat and drink as much as they want, as if they were at home!"

He sat down, and Hera could see that Karkaroff immediately stepped forward and spoke to him.

At the same time, beside Snape, Hera also saw a familiar figure - Mad-Eye Moody.

It's just that the two of them didn't even meet their eyes, staring at the plate in front of them like strangers-except for Moody's magic eye, which was dribbling here and there.

The plates in front of them were piled up with food as they remembered, and Hera couldn't help chuckling as she looked at the obviously French-style and German-style dishes in front of her.

"What's the matter?" Penello just picked up the knife and fork when Hera's whisper came from his ear.

Hera shook her head lightly, "It's nothing, I just want to laugh at the thought of the mess in the kitchen. The house elves must have tried their best to prepare this dinner."

"I believe so." Penello nodded, taking a spoonful of what looked like a seafood hodgepodge. "What's this?"

"It's just bouillabaisse, but it's obviously not that authentic."

(End of this chapter)