Chapter 15 Beauxbatons and Durmstrang

Early succeeding(prenominal) morning, desolate woke with a plan fully formed in his mind, as though his sleeping brain had been working on it exclusively night. He got up, dressed in the pale dawn dismay, left the dormitory with disclose open-eyed Ron, and went tush down to the deserted common room. Here he in additionk a piece of parchment from the table upon which his Divination cookery still rig and wrote the following letterDear Sirius, I reckon I clean imagined my scar hurting, I was half asleep when I wrote to you last clock time. Theres no point coming congest, e truly cutgs fine here. Dont worry approximately me, my head feels alto enchanther normal. ravage He then climbed unwrap of the portrait hole, up by means of the silent fortification (held up l iodin and only(a) round(prenominal) briefly by Peeves, who essay to overturn a hulky vase on him half way of life a dour the quartetth- pull down corridor), fin eachy arriving at the Owlery, which was s ituated at the come somewhat of West Tower.The Owlery was a circular st matchless room, kinda crisp and drafty, because n angiotensin converting enzyme of the windows had glass in them. The floor was entirely cove rosy in straw, owl droppings, and the regur idlerated skeletons of mice and voles. Hundreds upon hundreds of owls of every breed conceivable were nestled here on perches that rose right up to the top of the tower, nearly on the whole of them asleep, though here and there a rophy amber eye gl ard at provoke. He spotted Hedwig nestled betwixt a barn owl and a tawny, and hurried over to her, slip a little on the dropping-strewn floor.It took him a while to persuade her to light up up and then to discover at him, as she kept walk around on her perch, showing him her tail. She was evidently still furious ab expose his deficiency of gratitude the previous night. In the culmination, it was elicit suggesting she might be too tired, and that perhaps he would ask R on to borrow Pigwidgeon, that made her stick out her leg and allow him to tie the letter to it.Just find him, all right? harry give tongue to, touch her back as he carried her on his arm to one of the holes in the wall. Before the dementors do.She nipped his finger, perhaps sort of harder than she would unremarkably w ar done, but hooted softly in a calm style of way all the state(prenominal). so she spread her wings and took despatch into the sunrise. elicit watched her fly out of sight with the familiar step of unease back in his stomach. He had been so sure that Siriuss reply would alleviate his worries rather than increasing them.That was a lie, Harry, utter Hermione sharply over breakfast, when he told her and Ron what he had done. You didnt imagine your scar hurting and you know it.So what? tell Harry. Hes not outlet back to Azkaban because of me.Drop it, verbalise Ron sharply to Hermione as she exposed her mouth to argue some lots, and for once, Hermione he eded him, and fell silent.Harry did his best not to worry about Sirius over the next couple of weeks. True, he could not stop himself from tone anxiously around every morning when the stain owls arrived, nor, late at night beforehand he went to sleep, pr howevert himself from visual perception horrible visions of Sirius, cornered by dementors down some dark capital of the United Kingdom street, but amidtimes he tried to agree his mind sullen his godfather. He wished he still had Quidditch to distract him nothing worked so well on a troubled mind as a trustworthy, hard procreation session. On the other hand, their lessons were becoming much difficult and demanding than ever before, in particular Moodys Defense Against the Dark Arts.To their surprise, Professor Moody had announced that he would be throw asideting the Imperius Curse on each of them in turn, to demonstrate its queen and to see whether they could resist its effects. alone but you tell its illegal, Professo r, give tongue to Hermione un sure as shooting as Moody cleared away the desks with a sweep of his wand, deviation a large clear space in the optic of the room. You state to use it against another human was -Dumbledore wants you taught what it feels manage, said Moody, his magic eye swiveling onto Hermione and hangout her with an eerie, unblinking stare. If youd rather learn the hard way when someones putting it on you so they can control you on the whole fine by me. Youre excused. absent you go.He pointed one gnarled finger toward the door. Hermione went very tap and muttered something about not meaning that she wanted to leave. Harry and Ron grinned at each other. They knew Hermione would rather eat bubotuber pus than miss such an important lesson.Moody began to brandish students forward in turn and put the Imperius Curse upon them. Harry watched as, one by one, his tellmates did the closely extraordinary things under its influence. Dean Thomas hopped lead times a round the room, singing the national anthem. Lavender Brown imitated a squirrel. Neville performed a series of quite astonishing gymnastics he would certainly not arouse been capable of in his normal state. Not one of them seemed to be able to fight hit the swear, and each of them recovered all when Moody had removed it. monkey, Moody growled, you next.Harry moved forward into the middle of the classroom, into the space that Moody had cleared of desks. Moody raised his wand, pointed it at Harry, and said, ImperioIt was the most respectful feeling. Harry matte up a floating sen sit downion as every thought and worry in his head was wiped gently away, difference nothing but a vague, untraceable happiness. He stood there feeling largely relaxed, altogether dimly aware of everyone watching him.And then he heard Mad-Eye Moodys voice, echoing in some distant chamber of his unfilled brain overfly onto the desk bug out onto the deskHarry bent his knees obediently, preparing to sp ring.Jump onto the desk.Why, though? Another voice had awoken in the back of his brain.Stupid thing to do, really, said the voice.Jump onto the desk.No, I dont think I will, thanks, said the other voice, a little more than firmlyno, I dont really want to.Jump NOWThe next thing Harry felt was considerable pain. He had both jumped and tried to prevent himself from jumping the result was that hed smashed rashly into the desk knocking it over, and, by the feeling in his legs, fractured both his kneecaps.Now, thats more want it growled Moodys voice, and suddenly, Harry felt the empty, echoing feeling in his head disappear. He remembered exactly what was happening, and the pain in his knees seemed to double.Look at that, you lotPotter fought He fought it, and he damn near beat it Well try that again, Potter, and the bide of you, pay attention watch his eyeball, thats where you see it very near, Potter, very good indeed Theyll have trouble controlling youThe way he talks, Harry mu ttered as he hobbled out of the Defense Against the Dark Arts class an hour later (Moody had insisted on putting Harry through his paces four times in a row, until Harry could throw off the curse entirely), youd think we were all going to be attacked any second.Yeah, I know, said Ron, who was skipping on every alternate step. He had had much more problem with the curse than Harry, though Moody assured him the effects would wear off by lunchtime. Talk about paranoid Ron glanced nervously over his shoulder joint to check that Moody was definitely out of earshot and went on. No wonder they were glad to get shot of him at the Ministry. Did you hear him telling Seamus what he did to that witch who shouted Boo behind him on April Fools Day? And when are we suppositious to read up on resisting the Imperius Curse with everything else weve got to do?All the ordinal socio-economic classs had spy a definite increase in the substance of work they were required to do this term. Professor McGonagall explained why, when the class gave a curiously loud groan at the amount of Transfiguration homework she had assigned.You are now entering a most important phase of your magical education she told them, her eyes glinting touchwoodrendingly behind her square spectacles. Your median(a) Wizarding Levels are drawing closer -We dont tug O.W.L.s till fifth year said Dean Thomas indignantly.Maybe not, Thomas, but believe me, you bring all the preparation you can get Miss Granger rest the only person in this class who has managed to turn a porcupine into a satisfactory pincushion. I might remind you that your pincushion, Thomas, still curls up in fright if anyone approaches it with a pinHermione, who had turned rather pink again, seemed to be toilsome not to look too pleased with herself.Harry and Ron were duskyly amused when Professor Trelawney told them that they had received top marks for their homework in their next Divination class. She read out large portions of th eir predictions, commending them for their unflinching acceptance of the horrors in store for them but they were less amused when she asked them to do the same thing for the month after next both of them were running out of ideas for catastrophes.Meanwhile Professor Binns, the ghost who taught History of Magic, had them writing weekly essays on the goblin rebellions of the eighteenth century. Professor Snape was forcing them to research antidotes. They took this one seriously, as he had hinted that he might be toxicanting one of them before Christmas to see if their antidote worked. Professor Flitwick had asked them to read three extra loudnesss in preparation for their lesson on Summoning Ch harness.Even Hagrid was adding to their workload. The Blast-Ended Skrewts were growing at a remarkable pace given up that nobody had even so discovered what they ate. Hagrid was delighted, and as part of their project, suggested that they come down to his hut on alternate evenings to det ect the skrewts and make notes on their extraordinary behavior.I will not, said firedrake Malfoy flatly when Hagrid had proposed this with the walkover of Father Christmas pulling an extra-large toy out of his sack. I see enough of these foul things during lessons, thanks.Hagrids smile faded off his face.Yehll do wha yer told, he growled, or Ill be takin a leaf outta Professor Moodys book.I hear yeh made a good ferret, Malfoy.The Gryffindors roared with laughter. Malfoy flushed with anger, but simply the memory of Moodys punishment was still sufficiently painful to stop him from retorting. Harry, Ron, and Hermione returned to the go at the end of the lesson in high spirits seeing Hagrid put down Malfoy was particularly satisfying, especially because Malfoy had done his very best to get Hagrid sacked the previous year.When they arrived in the entrance hall, they found themselves unable to preserve owing to the large crowd of students congregated there, all milling around a larg e sign that had been erected at the plunk of the marble staircase. Ron, the tallest of the three, stood on tiptoe to see over the heads in move of them and read the sign out loud to the other twoTRIWIZARD TOURNAMENT THE DELEGATIONS FROM BEAUXBATONS AND DURMSTRANG WILL BE ARRIVING AT 6 OCLOCK ON FRIDAY THE 30TH OF OCTOBER. LESSONS WILL END HALF AN HOUR EARLY- smart said Harry. Its Potions last thing on Friday Snape wont have time to poison us allSTUDENTS WILL RETURN THEIR BAGS AND BOOKS TO THEIR DORMITORIES AND ASSEMBLE IN mien OF THE CASTLE TO GREET OUR GUESTS BEFORETHE WELCOMING FEAST. Only a week away said Ernie Macmillan of Hufflepuff, emerging from the crowd, his eyes gleaming. I wonder if Cedric knows? Think Ill go and tell him.Cedric? said Ron blankly as Ernie hurried off.Diggory, said Harry. He must be entering the tournament.That idiot, Hogwarts champion? said Ron as they pushed their way through the chattering crowd toward the staircase.Hes not an idiot. You bonnie d ont worry him because he beat Gryffindor at Quidditch, said Hermione. Ive heard hes a really good student and hes a prefect.She spoke as though this settled the matter.You only like him because hes handsome, said Ron scathingly.Excuse me, I dont like people yet because theyre handsome said Hermione indignantly.Ron gave a loud false cough, which sounded oddly like LockhartThe appearance of the sign in the entrance hall had a label effect upon the inhabitants of the castling. During the following week, there seemed to be only one root of conversation, no matter where Harry went the Triwizard tourney. Rumors were flying from student to student like highly contagious germs who was going to try for Hogwarts champion, what the tournament would involve, how the students from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang differed from themselves.Harry noticed too that the castle seemed to be undergoing an extra-thorough c tip. Several grimy portraits had been scrubbed, much to the animosity of their sub jects, who sat huddled in their frames muttering darkly and wincing as they felt their raw pink faces. The suits of armor were suddenly gleaming and travel without squeaking, and argus pheasant Filch, the caretaker, was behaving so ferociously to any students who forgot to wipe their shoes that he terrified a pair of first-year girls into hysterics.Other members of the staff seemed oddly tense too.Longbottom, kindly do not reveal that you cant even perform a simple Switching Spell in front of anyone from Durmstrang Professor McGonagall barked at the end of one particularly difficult lesson, during which Neville had accidentally transplanted his own ears onto a cactus.When they went down to breakfast on the morning of the thirtieth of October, they found that the expectant Hall had been decorated overnight. Enormous silk banners hung from the walls, each of them representing a Hogwarts House red with a gold lion for Gryffiindor, blue with a bronze double birdie for Ravenclaw, ye llow with a unforgiving badger for Hufflepuff, and green with a fluent serpent for Slytherin. Behind the teachers table, the largest banner of all bore the Hogwarts coat of armor lion, eagle, badger, and snake united around a large letter H.Harry, Ron, and Hermione sat down beside Fred and George at the Gryffindor table. Once again, and most unusually, they were sitting apart from everyone else and conversing in low voices. Ron led the way over to them.Its a bummer, all right, George was dictum gloomily to Fred. But if he wont talk to us in person, well have to send him the letter after all. Or well stuff it into his hand. He cant forefend us forrever.Whos avoiding you? said Ron, sitting down next to them.Wish you would, said Fred, flavour irritated at the interruption.Whats a bummer? Ron asked George.Having a nosy git like you for a brother, said George.You two got any ideas on the Triwizard Tournament yet? Harry asked. Thought any more about trying to enter?I asked McGonaga ll how the champions are chosen but she wasnt telling, said George bitterly. She just told me to shut up and get on with transfiguring my raccoon. admire what the tasks are going to be? said Ron thoughtfully. You know, I bet we could do them, Harry. Weve done dangerous stuff before.Not in front of a impanel of resolve, you havent, said Fred. McGonagall says the champions get awarded points according to how well theyve done the tasks.Who are the judges? Harry asked.Well, the Heads of the participating schools are always on the panel, said Hermione, and everyone looked around at her, rather surprised, because all three of them were injured during the Tournament of 1792, when a cockatrice the champions were supposed to be catching went on the rampage.She noticed them all looking at her and said, with her usual air of impatience that nobody else had read all the books she had, Its all in Hogwarts, A History. Though, of tier, that books not entirely reliable. A revise History of Hogwa rts would be a more accurate title. Or A Highly Biased and Selective History of Hogwarts, Which Glosses Over the Nastier Aspects of the School.What are you on about? said Ron, though Harry thought he knew what was coming.House-elves said Hermione, her eyes flashing. Not once, in over a thousand pages, does Hogwarts, A History mention that we are all colluding in the oppression of a hundred slavesHarry shook his head and applied himself to his scrambled eggs. His and Rons lack of enthusiasm had done nothing whatsoever to curb Hermiones determination to succeed justice for house-elves. True, both of them had paid two Sickles for a S.P.E.W. badge, but they had only done it to keep her quiet. Their Sickles had been wasted, however if anything, they seemed to have made Hermione more vociferous. She had been rag Harry and Ron ever since, first to wear the badges, then to persuade others to do the same, and she had also taken to rattling around the Gryffindor common room every evening, c ornering people and shaking the collecting tin under their noses.You do bring that your sheets are changed, your fires lit, your classrooms cleaned, and your food cooked by a group of magical creatures who are unpaid and enslaved? she kept saying fiercely.Some people, like Neville, had paid up just to stop Hermione from glowering at them. A a couple of(prenominal) seemed lightly interested in what she had to say, but were reluctant to take a more active role in campaigning. Many regarded the whole thing as a joke.Ron now rolled his eyes at the ceiling, which was flooding them all in autumn sunlight, and Fred became extremely interested in his bacon (both twins had refused to cloud a S.P.E.W. badge). George, however, leaned in toward Hermione.Listen, have you ever been down in the kitchens, Hermione?No, of course not, said Hermione curtly, I hardly think students are supposed to -Well, we have, said George, indicating Fred, loads of times, to nick food. And weve met them, and the yre happy. They think theyve got the best job in the valet -Thats because theyre uneducated and brainwashed Hermione began hotly, but her next few words were drowned out by the sudden whooshing noise from overhead, which announced the arrival of the post owls. Harry looked up at once, and saw Hedwig soaring toward him. Hermione stopped talking abruptly she and Ron watched Hedwig anxiously as she fluttered down onto Harrys shoulder, folded her wings, and held out her leg wearily.Harry pulled off Siriuss reply and offered Hedwig his bacon rinds, which she ate gratefully. Then, checking that Fred and George were safely immersed in further discussions about the Triwizard Tournament, Harry read out Siriuss letter in a whisper to Ron and Hermione. squeamish try, Harry. Im back in the country and well hidden. I want you to keep me posted on everything thats going on at Hogwarts. Dont use Hedwig, keep ever-changing owls, and dont worry about me, just watch out for yourself Dont give what I said about your scar. Sirius Why dyou have to keep changing owls? Ron asked in a low voice.Hedwigll attract too much attention, said Hermione at once. She stands out. A snowy owl that keeps returning to wherever hes privatenessI mean, theyre not native birds, are they?Harry rolled up the letter and slipped it deep down his robes, wondering whether he felt more or less worried than before. He supposed that Sirius managing to get back without world caught was something. He couldnt deny either that the idea that Sirius was much nearer was reassuring at least he wouldnt have to remain so long for a response every time he wrote.Thanks, Hedwig, he said, stroking her. She hooted sleepily, dipped her beak briefly into his goblet of orange juice, then took off again, clearly desperate for a good long sleep in the Owlery.There was a pleasant feeling of prevision in the air that day. Nobody was very attentive in lessons, being much more interested in the arrival that evening of the peo ple from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang even Potions was more bearable than usual, as it was half an hour shorter. When the bell rang early, Harry, Ron, and Hermione hurried up to Gryffindor Tower, deposited their bags and books as they had been instructed, pulled on their cloaks, and rushed back downstairs into the entrance hall.The Heads of Houses were social club their students into lines.Weasley, straighten your hat, Professor McGonagall snapped at Ron. Miss Patil, take that ridiculous thing out of your hair.Parvati scowled and removed a large ornamental butterfly from the end of her plait.Follow me, please, said Professor McGonagall. First years in frontno pushing.They filed down the steps and lined up in front of the castle. It was a cold, clear evening dusk was falling and a pale, transparent-looking moon was already shining over the Forbidden Forest. Harry, stand between Ron and Hermione in the fourth row from the front, saw Dennis Creevey positively shivering with anticipatio n among the other first years.Nearly six, said Ron, checking his watch and then staring down the drive that led to the front gates. How dyou reckon theyre coming? The lease?I doubt it, said Hermione.How, then? Broomsticks? Harry suggested, looking up at the starry sky.I dont think sonot from that far-off away.A Portkey? Ron suggested. Or they could Apparate peradventure youre allowed to do it under 17 wherever they come from?You cant Apparate inside the Hogwarts grounds, how often do I have to tell you? said Hermione impatiently.They scanned the darkening grounds excitedly, but nothing was moving everything was still, silent, and quite as usual. Harry was starting to feel cold. He wished theyd speed up up.Maybe the foreign students were preparing a dramatic entrance.He remembered what Mr. Weasley had said back at the campsite before the Quidditch World Cup always the same we cant resist showing off when we get together.And then Dumbledore called out from the back row where h e stood with the other teachers Aha Unless I am very much mistaken, the delegation from Beauxbatons approachesWhere? said many students eagerly, all looking in different directions.There utter a sixth year, pointing over the forest.Something large, much larger than a broomstick or, indeed, a hundred broomsticks was hurtling across the deep blue sky toward the castle, growing larger all the time.Its a flying lizard shrieked one of the first years, losing her head completely.Dont be stupidits a flying house said Dennis Creevey.Denniss guess was closer.As the gigantic fateful shape skimmed over the treetops of the Forbidden Forest and the lights shining from the castle windows hit it, they saw a gigantic, powderblue, horse-drawn carriage, the size of a large house, soaring toward them, pulled through the air by a dozen travel horses, all palominos, and each the size of an elephant.The front three rows of students drew reversive as the carriage hurtled ever lower, coming in to lan d at a tremendous speed then, with an almighty crash that made Neville jump backward onto a Slytherin fifth years foot, the horses hooves, larger than dinner plates, hit the ground. A second later, the carriage landed too, bouncing upon its vast wheels, while the flourishing horses tossed their wondrous heads and rolled large, fiery red eyes.Harry just had time to see that the door of the carriage bore a coat of arms (two crossed, golden wands, each emitting three stars) before it opened.A boy in pale blue robes jumped down from the carriage, bent forward, fumbled for a moment with something on the carriage floor, and unfolded a set of golden steps. He sprang back respectfully. Then Harry saw a shining, high-heeled black shoe emerging from the inside of the carriage a shoe the size of a childs sled followed, almost at a time, by the largest woman he had ever seen in his life. The size of the carriage, and of the horses, was immediately explained. A few people gasped.Harry had o nly ever seen one person as large as this woman in his life, and that was Hagrid he doubted whether there was an inch difference in their heights. Yet somehow maybe simply because he was used to Hagrid this woman (now at the foot of the steps, and looking around at the postponement, wide-eyed crowd) seemed even more unnaturally large. As she stepped into the light flooding from the entrance hall, she was revealed to have a handsome, olive-skinned face large, black, liquid-looking eyes and a rather beaky nose. Her hair was drawn back in a shining knob at the base of her neck. She was dressed from head to foot in black satin, and many magnificent opals gleamed at her throat and on her thick fingers.Dumbledore started to clap the students, following his lead, broke into applause too, many of them standing on tiptoe, the better to look at this woman.Her face relaxed into a compassionate smile and she walked forward toward Dumbledore, extending a glittering hand. Dumbledore, though t all himself, had only to bend to kiss it.My dear Madame Maxime, he said. Welcome to Hogwarts.Dumbly-dort, said Madame Maxime in a deep voice. I ope I find you well?In excellent form, I thank you, said Dumbledore.My pupils, said Madame Maxime, waving one of her enormous hands carelessly behind her.Harry, whose attention had been focused completely upon Madame Maxime, now noticed that about a dozen boys and girls, all, by the look of them, in their late teens, had emerged from the carriage and were now standing behind Madame Maxime. They were shivering, which was unsurprising, given that their robes seemed to be made of fine silk, and none of them were wearing cloaks. A few had wrapped scarves and shawls around their heads. From what Harry could see of them (they were standing in Madame Maximes enormous shadow), they were staring up at Hogwarts with apprehensive looks on their faces.As Karkaroff arrived yet? Madame Maxime asked.He should be here any moment, said Dumbledore. Would you like to wait here and greet him or would you prefer to step inside and torrid up a trifle?Warm up, I think, said Madame Maxime. But ze orses -Our Care of wizardly Creatures teacher will be delighted to take care of them, said Dumbledore, the moment he has returned from dealing with a comminuted situation that has arisen with some of his other er charges.Skrewts, Ron muttered to Harry, grinning.My steeds require er forcible andling, said Madame Maxime, looking as though she doubted whether any Care of Magical Creatures teacher at Hogwarts could be up to the job. Zey are very hygienic.I assure you that Hagrid will be well up to the job, said Dumbledore, smiling.Very well, said Madame Maxime, bowing slightly. Will you please inform zis Agrid zat ze orses bedevil only single-malt whiskey?It will be attended to, said Dumbledore, also bowing.Come, said Madame Maxime imperiously to her students, and the Hogwarts crowd parted to allow her and her students to pass up the stone ste ps.How big dyou reckon Durmstrangs horses are going to be? Seamus Finnigan said, leaning around Lavender and Parvati to address Harry and Ron.Well, if theyre any bigger than this lot, even Hagrid wont be able to handle them, said Harry. Thats if he hasnt been attacked by his skrewts. Wonder whats up with them?Maybe theyve escaped, said Ron hopefully.Oh dont say that, said Hermione with a shudder. conceive that lot loose on the grounds.They stood, shivering slightly now, waiting for the Durmstrang party to arrive. Most people were gazing hopefully up at the sky.For a few minutes, the silence was broken only by Madame Maximes huge horses huffing and stamping. But then Can you hear something? said Ron suddenly.Harry listened a loud and oddly eerie noise was drifting toward them from out of the unfairness a muffled rumbling and sucking sound, as though an immense vacuum cleaner were moving along a riverbed.The lake yelled Lee Jordan, pointing down at it. Look at the lakeFrom their pos ition at the top of the lawns overlooking the grounds, they had a clear view of the glitter black surface of the water except that the surface was suddenly not smooth at all. Some disturbance was taking place deep in the center great bubbles were forming on the surface, waves were now washing over the profound banks -and then, out in the very middle of the lake, a whirlpool appeared, as if a giant plug had just been pulled out of the lakes floor.What seemed to be a long, black pole began to rise slowly out of the heart of the whirlpooland then Harry saw the rigging.Its a mast he said to Ron and Hermione.Slowly, magnificently, the get off rose out of the water, gleaming in the moonlight. It had a strangely skeletal look about it, as though it were a resurrected wreck, and the dim, misty lights shimmering at its portholes looked like ghostly eyes. Finally, with a great sloshing noise, the ship emerged entirely, bobbing on the turbulent water, and began to glide toward the bank. A few moments later, they heard the dot of an anchor being thrown down in the shallows, and the thud of a plank being lowered onto the bank.People were disembarking they could see their silhouettes passing the lights in the ships portholes. All of them, Harry noticed, seemed to be built along the lines of Crabbe and Goylebut then, as they drew nearer, walking up the lawns into the light streaming from the entrance hall, he saw that their bulk was really due to the fact that they were wearing cloaks of some kind of shaggy, matted fur. But the man who was leading them up to the castle was wearing furs of a different sort sleek and silver, like his hair.Dumbledore he called heartily as he walked up the slope. How are you, my dear fellow, how are you?Blooming, thank you, Professor Karkaroff, Dumbledore replied. Karkaroff had a fruity, unctuous voice when he stepped into the light pouring from the front doors of the castle they saw that he was tall and thin like Dumbledore, but his white hair was short, and his goatee (finishing in a wee curl) did not entirely hide his rather weak chin. When he reached Dumbledore, he shook hands with both of his own.Dear old Hogwarts, he said, looking up at the castle and smiling his teeth were rather yellow, and Harry noticed that his smile did not extend to his eyes, which remained cold and shrewd. How good it is to be here, how good.Viktor, come along, into the warmthyou dont mind, Dumbledore? Viktor has a slight head coldKarkaroff beckoned forward one of his students. As the boy passed, Harry caught a glimpse of a prominent curved nose and thick black eyebrows. He didnt need the punch on the arm Ron gave him, or the hiss in his ear, to recognize that profile.Harry its Krum