Chapter 943: Only Grace, Not Warmth
The Beauxbatons delegation did not think for too long before they all headed towards the Gryffindor table.
Fleur and Gabrielle walked in front, and Vincent quickly stood up and motioned to Neville and the others to move to the side.
Fleur pulled the scarf that almost covered her entire face down a little, stepped forward and stretched out her arms to hug him, "Long time no see, Vincent."
She pressed her fair face against his profile, "Surprised? You should have guessed we would come here, right?"
Vincent leaned forward slightly, actively pressing his face towards hers, and gently placed his hands on her back, "I only guessed about you, Fleur."
After a French kiss on the cheek, the two quickly separated.
Vincent looked down at Gabrielle, who was standing on tiptoe with her arms outstretched to him. "I didn't expect you were here, Gabrielle."
After another French kiss on the cheek, Gabrielle reluctantly let go of his hand, "I watched the news. Did those bad guys hurt you?"
Vincent raised his strong arms and clenched them into fists. "I've always had good luck. Their injuries are much more serious than mine."
Gabrielle smiled widely, "Great, can you tell me how you beat them away?"
"Of course." Vincent pulled away the chair that Neville had given up.
Gabrielle sat on it obediently, looking at him expectantly.
Fleur was not left out, and Hermione pulled her to sit opposite her.
The remaining students of Beauxbatons were not left out, and the little lions welcomed them warmly.
Under Ron's eager gaze, the Durmstrang delegation finally took action.
Krum walked in front, his eyes always on the Gryffindor table.
"Here! Viktor!" Ron croaked, "Come and sit here!"
Krum looked at Hermione who was chatting happily with Fleur, and stopped in front of the Slytherin table.
Draco stood up triumphantly, "Welcome, friends of Durmstrang!"
Ron at the Gryffindor table looked melancholy. "Alas - it must be because there are too many of us here."
Suddenly, he narrowed his eyes, “The only advantage of Slytherin is that there are fewer people.
Malfoy and the others are trying to curry favor with Krum? I bet Krum can see through them at a glance."
Gradually, Ron's tone became sour, "I dare say that wherever Krum goes, people fawn over him. Tell me, where do the students of Durmstrang sleep at night?
I think we could offer Krum a bed in our dormitory, Harry, and I'd give him my bed and sleep on the floor."
Harry smiled awkwardly, "Ron, the students of Beauxbatons have chosen us."
Ron glanced at the students at Beauxbatons, who were dressed in thin silk robes and behaved in a very elegant and proper manner.
He sighed softly, "I'm not greedy, Harry, I just want to be closer to Krum."
"I know." Harry pretended not to notice the embarrassment on his face.
Under the warm reception of the little snakes, the students of Durmstrang took off their fur cloaks one after another.
They looked up at the starry ceiling with interest, and two of them picked up a golden plate and a wine glass and looked at them carefully, obviously very interested.
Over at the staff table, janitor Filch was adding a few chairs.
For today's solemn occasion, he put on his old tuxedo that was almost moldy.
Four chairs were added in total, two on either side of Dumbledore.
Madame Maxime and Karkaroff will definitely sit there, so the remaining two seats are a bit intriguing.
Soon after all the students were seated, the staff walked into the auditorium.
As soon as the students of Beauxbatons saw their headmaster appear, they all stood up quickly.
Several Hogwarts students couldn't help but laugh, but Beauxbatons and the others didn't seem embarrassed at all.
They didn't sit down again until Madame Maxime sat down to Dumbledore's left.
Fleur gave Hermione an awkward smile, "Our school pays great attention to etiquette, especially the little details."
"I can see that." Hermione looked at the thin silk robe she was wearing hesitantly.
Fleur knew what she wanted to say.
The French are world-famous for their attention to dress, especially for formal occasions.
If I were to sum it up in one sentence, it would be "grace over temperature".
Staff table,
Dumbledore remained standing instead of sitting down.
The auditorium gradually became quiet.
"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, ghosts, and especially distinguished guests." Dumbledore looked at the foreign students with a smile.
"It is with great pleasure that I welcome you to Hogwarts. I hope and trust that you will enjoy your stay here."
His gaze paused at Vincent, as if he was a little surprised.
"The Triwizard Tournament will officially begin at the end of the banquet. I now invite everyone to eat and drink as if you were at home!"
As soon as Dumbledore sat down, Karkaroff on his right came forward immediately.
"My old friend, what do you think of Viktor from our school?"
“He’s a very spirited young man.”
On the other side, Madame Maxime gracefully picked up the silver spoon.
The French bouillabaisse is very delicious. The chef at Hogwarts is really good.
When we were almost done with the fish soup, a door behind the long staff desk was opened.
Hagrid, with one hand wrapped in bandages, slid into the corner and sat down next to Snape.
The skrewt had probably found something to eat: Hagrid's finger.
The Gryffindor Table,
Furong finally took off her scarf during the meal, but fortunately the little lions were concentrating on eating.
"Hermione, your school's chef can actually cook authentic French food?"
“Not only French food, they also cook food from all over the world.”
"They?" Furong was stunned for a moment, but soon understood.
Rumor has it that Helga Hufflepuff, the founder of Hogwarts, once took in a number of homeless house-elves, and it seems that their descendants are still working in the castle.
"Hermione?" Fleur noticed that there seemed to be a hint of sadness in her eyes.
"I'm fine." Hermione pushed the French red wine stewed chicken in front of her towards her. "Try this again. It tastes just as authentic as the fish soup."
Furong took a bite and found the chicken full of the richness of red wine, complex and layered.
Seeing her closing her eyes and enjoying the food, the sadness in Hermione's eyes gradually faded away.
The problem of house-elves is extremely complex and cannot be completely solved by simply instilling “advanced ideas” into them and then letting them launch a liberation or revolutionary movement.
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