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When Viktor saw Dudley, he was as excited as a fan meeting his idol.
Anyone who liked Wizard Cards admired Dudley.
"I also watched your match, Viktor. It was truly wonderful. The championship nearly changed hands. In my view, the title should have belonged to Bulgaria."
Dudley praised Viktor generously.
"You are the best Seeker."
In truth, Dudley had no interest in Quidditch at all. He had only been dragged to that match.
But outsiders did not know that.
The other Durmstrang students were extremely happy after hearing Dudley's praise. They all straightened proudly, as if Dudley had praised them.
For a moment, the atmosphere between the two schools became very harmonious and friendly.
"Ahem."
Karkaroff coughed dryly with some dissatisfaction, breaking the mood.
He was not interested in competitive games like Wizard Cards. Or rather, he did not know what Wizard Cards were at all.
Naturally, he did not understand why his students were so excited.
His gaze landed on Dudley, stayed for less than three seconds, then moved away.
'Only an ordinary young wizard.'
Karkaroff thought disdainfully.
His gaze lingered on Harry for quite a while instead.
After all, Harry Potter was a celebrity across the entire wizarding world, the Boy Who Lived.
In fact, Karkaroff becoming Headmaster of Durmstrang had some connection to Harry.
"Professor Karkaroff, I think we should continue our conversation inside the castle. Madam Maxime of Beauxbatons has been waiting inside for quite some time."
Dumbledore smiled as he spoke.
Karkaroff said nothing more. The Durmstrang delegation followed Dumbledore into Hogwarts Castle. They behaved very calmly, completely different from young wizards entering Hogwarts for the first time.
As one of Europe's three major magical schools, Durmstrang was, strictly speaking, not much inferior to Hogwarts. Hogwarts had the vast Forbidden Forest, filled with countless magical plants and creatures. Durmstrang had a mountain lake broader than the Black Lake, with countless ghostlike ships moored upon it. The aquatic plants and creatures at its bottom were not inferior to those in the Forbidden Forest.
Both were castles. Hogwarts was grand and solid as a fortress, the safest place in the wizarding world. Durmstrang was a city of winter, mysterious and unpredictable. No one knew its exact location.
Each had its own strengths.
As for the castle of Beauxbatons, it was not as ancient. Several centuries ago, Nicolas Flamel and his wife Perenelle had funded it during a visit in their youth. In older times, Beauxbatons had existed more as an estate than a castle. It had no Forbidden Forest or mountain lake, but it was famous for its year-round spring climate, pleasing scenery, and a huge magical fountain with restorative and beautifying properties.
"My goodness, it is Viktor!"
As the Durmstrang delegation entered the Great Hall, many young wizards who liked Quidditch began discussing him after seeing Viktor.
"I cannot believe I do not have a single quill on me."
"Do you think he would sign my robes with lipstick?"
"..."
The treatment given to a star player was naturally different.
The students of the Beauxbatons delegation had already chosen seats near the Ravenclaw table. The students of Durmstrang gathered near the entrance, uncertain whether to choose Gryffindor or Slytherin.
As for Hufflepuff, neither delegation considered it.
In the end, they chose Slytherin. After all, in their impression, Slytherin, like their school, had a certain amount of research into the Dark Arts.
Unfortunately, although the long tables of Hogwarts were still arranged according to the four Houses, in practice, young wizards from the four Houses often visited one another's tables. Fixed House seating had long since become an old custom.
And so Ron sat directly beside Viktor.
Unfortunately, Viktor wanted more to chat with Draco and the others.
After a few simple exchanges, Dumbledore announced that the feast would officially begin. Plate after plate of delicious food appeared on the tables.
In addition to the usual dishes, there were one or two special dishes.
For example, the dish in front of Ron looked like a large seafood stew.
"Bouillabaisse. It tastes good."
Hermione served herself a little and ladled a bowl for Dudley. The same dish was also in front of her and Dudley.
Ron tried a little as well, then silently put down his spoon.
This dish did not agree with his stomach at all.
Viktor, however, ate it with enjoyment. Although he was not French, he seemed to like the flavor.
To get closer to his idol, Ron forced himself to try a second bite.
Then he silently put down his spoon again. His body's instinctive rejection made it impossible to swallow.
To hell with idols.
Ron decisively gave up on the dish and began eating chicken legs with both hands.
Ravenclaw.
Among the Beauxbatons students, one witch was especially eye-catching. She had large blue eyes, neat white teeth, and long silver-bright hair that fell to her waist like a waterfall.
Every glance and smile drew the attention of the young wizards around her.
Even the young wizards at the neighboring Hufflepuff table were affected.
"This is good. As good as anything from Beauxbatons."
This witch lightly tasted a mouthful of bouillabaisse and said with satisfaction, "I did not expect a place like Hogwarts to have anyone who understood cooking and food. I thought I would have to go hungry today."
Her words immediately stirred dissatisfaction among some young witches. The young wizards, however, looked intoxicated.
Not long after she finished speaking, an unsparing mockery answered her.
"Someone actually eats food thrown together like this? I truly worry about Beauxbatons meals."
Madison tossed her spoon aside and looked at the bouillabaisse in the bowl with open disgust, as if it were something extremely unpleasant.
She leaned back lazily, her expression turning playful and dangerous. The effortless confidence in the movement pulled even more young wizards into a daze.
Even the students from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang were not spared.
The gazes of the two young witches met in the air.
Sparks seemed to fly between them.
"We meet again, Fleur Delacour."
Madison looked at the Beauxbatons witch with disgust.
"I truly did not want to see you here, Madison Roberts Flint."
The Beauxbatons witch called Fleur Delacour answered without backing down.
"You make my whole body uncomfortable."
"The feeling is mutual," Madison said.
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