Chapter 869 The real situation
For Hogwarts, the visit of representatives from the other two schools is indeed an important day.
In order to welcome the upcoming distinguished guests, the Great Hall of Hogwarts was renovated overnight, with silk banners hanging on the walls, giving it the feeling of attending a year-end party every year.
However, this time the banners of the four houses were hung up. Behind the teacher's desk, there was also the largest banner with the coat of arms of Hogwarts: lion, eagle, badger, and snake connected together, surrounding With a big letter H.
As soon as he entered the auditorium, Albert heard whispers coming from around him, and the air was filled with a joyful emotion called "expectation", especially after someone leaked the news of Krum's upcoming arrival in advance. , this atmosphere is even stronger.
When Albert passed by the Ravenclaw table, he heard several girls discussing how to ask Krum for his autograph at night.
Of course, Albert does not pay attention to these things. Neither he nor Isobel are fans, and they are also interested in Krum's signature.
At this moment, Albert is refining his plan in his mind. These two days are undoubtedly critical moments. Peter and Barty Jr. will use unknown methods to prevent him from participating in the Triwizard Tournament. However, as long as someone throws his name into the Goblet of Fire, even if it is not him who throws it in, it will still be effective.
“What are you thinking about?” Shanna sat down next to Albert.
“It seems that someone does not want me to participate in the Triwizard Tournament.” Albert said casually.
“What?” Shanna didn’t react for a moment.
"Albert will take away some people's qualifications as warriors, and some people don't want him to shine." Lee Jordan, who was flipping through the Daily Prophet, suddenly interrupted and said: "By the way, you have to be careful lately. I heard from Fred that they have sold another batch of love potions in the past few days, saying that many girls want to try their luck at Klum's place."
"I think Professor McGonagall would have to confine Fred and George if she knew about this." Zannah really couldn't imagine how embarrassing Krum would be after being poisoned by the love potion.
"No, those two cunning guys did not sell the love potion in their own name, but in the name of a joke shop. In other words, everyone actually bought it from a shop outside the school that no one has heard of. They have nothing to do with each other." Lee Jordan glanced at Albert secretly and explained.
“I really don’t understand what they plan to do with love potion?” Shanna thought this kind of thing was ridiculous. She had actually heard the girls discuss giving Albert a love potion.
“You can go on a date with the person you like for a whole day, or let the other person invite him to be your dance partner.” Lee Jordan said without hesitation.
“Then, you are completely disgusted by the other party?” Shanna shook her head and said: “And, do you really think that after others get rid of the love potion, you will still be willing to dance with her? I think it is more likely that you will become angry out of embarrassment!”
"Yes, using love potions will only make people more irritated, but... the girls may not really like... Klum, but just because he is famous!" Albert pointed out directly, "They just want to have someone. A handsome and famous boyfriend so that she can show off to her peers and satisfy her own vanity."
"Although what you said makes sense, some girls are indeed like you said." Shanna comforted, "But I think most of them really like you."
"This is really my honor, but I already have someone I like." Albert said gently.
"Yes." Shanna whispered, "That's why they want to buy love potions and find a chance to date you."
"You are really enviable." Li Jordan curled his lips and said, "Sure enough, girls like famous and handsome guys."
"After all these years, you finally admit that you are not handsome enough?" Fred and George appeared out of nowhere, reaching out and patting their friends on the shoulders to comfort them, "Don't be discouraged Jordan, it's not your fault that you're not handsome enough. "
“Shut up.” Lee Jordan glared at the twins angrily and beat him mercilessly, “Didn’t you also fail to find a girlfriend?”
“We don’t need it, at least not for the time being.”
“When the time comes, you must not find a dance partner.” Lee Jordan said stubbornly.
“You should be worried about yourself.” Fred and George said in unison.
On this day, almost all the students were absent-minded. No one was listening carefully to the class. Everyone was thinking about what happened tonight. Professor Flitwick was very considerate and stopped the Charms class to popularize the history of the Triwizard Tournament. Everyone listened with interest and had a happy Charms class.
In the afternoon, all teachers and students in the school were dismissed early. All students were asked to put down their schoolbags and textbooks, put on wizard cloaks and line up in the foyer.
The Heads of Houses walked among the students, checking their appearance to avoid some ridiculous outfit that would embarrass Hogwarts.
After lining up, everyone was taken to the lawn of the castle by Professor McGonagall to wait for the arrival of representatives from other schools.
As a prefect, Albert was placed in the second to last row of the team, standing with other prefects and student union presidents. Behind them were the school professors. Everyone was very uncomfortable and did not dare to stand in front of the professors. Whisper.
I don’t know how long it took to wait, but someone finally couldn’t help but speak. Once the conversation started, it couldn’t be stopped. The professors obviously didn’t care, they were also talking in a low voice.
“I heard that other schools don’t only recruit domestic wizards like Hogwarts, so how do their schools unify the language?” Cedric asked Albert in a low voice.
“Beauxbatons School of Witchcraft and Wizardry is mainly in French, while Durmstrang School of Witchcraft and Wizardry is mainly in Bulgarian.” Albert introduced.
“Durmstrang School of Witchcraft and Wizardry is in Bulgaria?” Zanna asked.
“Durmstrang School of Witchcraft and Wizardry is in Scandinavia.” Albert said.
“Scandinavia?” Shanna was a little confused. How could Bulgarian be used at the Durmstrang Magic School in Scandinavia?
“The approximate location should be on the border of Sweden or Norway, the specific location is unknown.” Albert added, “The first principal of Durmstrang Magic School was a Bulgarian.”
"How do you know these things so well?" the Hufflepuff prefect couldn't help but ask.
“If you had a friend in Durmstrang, you would know a lot of things too.”
“You have such a wide range of friends.” The Ravenclaw prefect next to Katrina complained, “Will your friends also come to participate in the Triwizard Cup?”
“She has graduated from Durmstrang.”
“She was the one who told you that Viktor Krum would be competing in the Triwizard Tournament?” Cedric asked.
“Yes, we met at the World Cup last time, and Katrina was also there.” Albert found that the girl had been in a trance since just now.
"Really?"
“Yeah.” Katrina responded and stopped talking.
“How do you know each other?” someone asked curiously.
“How about the Potions Championship? I heard a lot of schools are participating.”
“Do you think it’s okay for a bunch of people from all over the world to get together? Communication is a big problem. It’s hard to find someone with whom you can chat with.”
"So the record in "Hogwarts: A School History" that the purpose of the Triwizard Tournament is to allow young wizards to build friendships is a lie?"
"Those records are certainly partly true, but I prefer to believe that the Triwizard Tournament is more about showing off between schools." Albert said with a smile, "It's like a colorful tent at the World Cup."
“I like your metaphor,” said Cedric.
“We adhere to the principle of competition first and friendship second.”
“Friendship first, competition second,” Professor McGonagall corrected.
"Because everyone wants to win." Albert explained, "Cheating has directly led to cheating becoming a traditional part of inter-school competitions. In fact, some unpleasant things often happen in Quidditch matches, even in the World Cup No exception."
“Mr. Anderson.” Professor McGonagall glared at Albert dissatisfied.
“There is also cheating in the Potion Championship?” Penello asked curiously.
"Yes, if you read the reports at that time, you will find..."
“That’s enough Mr. Anderson,” Professor McGonagall scolded.
"I'm just telling the truth." Albert shrugged, "During the Potion Championship, the players will be informed of the content of the competition before starting the competition. Of course, it is generally not allowed, but... as long as It’s okay if you don’t put it on the surface. Although I think it’s not very useful, it may be that our cheating is not strong. As far as I know, some players figured out the content of the game a few months ago. , and conduct special training based on the content of the game.”
All the prefects looked at Albert in stunned silence. What he said was beyond everyone's imagination. Is this what competitions between schools are like?
"Some things are just like taking off your coat." Albert ignored Professor McGonagall's warning gaze and continued, "Believe me, the contestants will definitely know the content of the Triwizard Tournament in advance, and then discuss it with their respective principals. With the help of others, prepare a response plan for the game. In fact, the Triwizard Tournament in the past has been like this. However, our warriors this time may be more unlucky."
"Why?"
“I don’t think Principal Dumbledore would consider helping our warriors cheat. His character is too noble.”
Everyone glanced at Dumbledore secretly and found that he was not angry either. He just nodded slightly towards Albert, as if he was happy that someone said he was of noble character.
"We believe in the ability of the Hogwarts Warriors to win the championship for Hogwarts even without cheating." Dumbledore said gently.
"McGonagall, there is no need for you to be angry, because in fact it is exactly what Anderson said." Professor Moody sneered, "Don't expect Karkaroff and Maxim to be so noble, they will tell them everything. Warriors, try your best to help their warriors get high scores, this is the tradition of the Triwizard Cup. However, I agree with Dumbledore, I believe that Albert can definitely defeat their warriors, let all those guys go to hell!"
The prefects looked at each other, a little disappointed with the so-called Triwizard Tournament. They never expected that there was such an inside story. If Albert hadn't said it, they would all have been regarded as fools.
"Albus." Professor McGonagall seemed to hope that Dumbledore could shut them up. Some things simply couldn't be said openly.
"Ah! If I'm not mistaken, the Beauxbatons representative has already arrived!" Dumbledore pretended not to hear.
Hearing the principal's words, the team fell into a dead silence for a moment, and then became noisy again, because everyone noticed the approaching black shadow in the sky.
A moment later, a huge creature was swooping towards the castle, getting bigger and bigger in everyone's field of vision.
It was a huge pink-blue carriage, pulled by twelve winged flying horses. When the carriage landed, it was very hasty, like a car without braking, making a huge noise on the ground, which startled all the students.
A woman as tall as Hagrid got off the carriage. Dumbledore took the lead in applauding in welcome, and quickly stepped forward to welcome the Beauxbatons representative, and gave him a kiss on the hand.
Thirteen male and female students came to Beauxbatons School. Their robes were all made of silk. Together with a group of handsome men and beautiful women, they looked like they had just stepped out of a fairy tale book.
After a brief exchange between the two principals, the Beauxbatons students took the lead in entering the castle to rest.
Albert seemed to have seen a few familiar people among the crowd at Beauxbatons.
“Your friend?” Shanna saw a woman with a hijab covering her head waving to Albert.
“Perhaps, she is just showing friendship to everyone.” Albert didn’t recognize who the other person was.
“I think she should be waving to you, she must be someone you know.” Cedric also felt that the girl should know Albert.
“Look at the lake.”
I don’t know who shouted, which immediately attracted everyone’s attention.
All the students in the school looked at the black lake in the distance.
At this moment, a large whirlpool appeared in the center of the lake. In the astonished eyes of everyone, a black mast slowly rose from the lake.
It was an extraordinary large ship. It slowly rose out of the water. It looked very weird, looking a bit like a ghost ship that had just emerged from the water. After the big ship left the water, it began to sail towards the lake shore and anchored in the shallow water. The people who got off the ship were not scary skeletons or ghosts, but Durmstrang's students.
The leading wizard is Karkaroff, the headmaster of Durmstrang.
Dumbledore stepped forward to have a friendly exchange with Karkaroff after the other party walked in.
The two sides had just exchanged a few words when Karkaroff called Viktor over like a show off, as if to let him get to know Dumbledore.
Viktor's appearance undoubtedly completely detonated the atmosphere at the scene. The crowd was full of noise and shouts. Viktor almost climbed the stone steps surrounded by people.
"Hypocritical guy." Moody looked at Karkaroff's back and said contemptuously, "Maybe Dumbledore should take you on board, so Karkaroff won't show off his precious student."
When Albert entered the foyer, he found Krum and his Durmstrang alumni still gathered at the door, seemingly unsure where they should sit.
"Actually, I'm curious, why don't they come to you for autographs?" Shanna looked at the students who surrounded Viktor Krum asking for autographs, and teased Albert beside her.
“I think it’s good as it is now.”
Revised
(End of this chapter)