Chapter 188: An Unexpected Encounter

Under Deng Buliduo's guidance, the Hogwarts students sat down at will at the two long tables on the right. Harry was just about to find a few empty seats at the end of the table, but Luo En suddenly pulled his hand without explanation and walked straight toward the crowded place.

"I really want to sit here because you look very much like a good friend of mine," Luo En said to a Beauxbatons girl. "Oh, by the way, I am Luo En Wei Wei Silai, this is Harry Potter, and this is Zhang Qiu."

"Is there a possibility that I don't just look like her?" The girl took off the scarf wrapped around her head, revealing smooth brown hair. "I am Hermione Granger."

"My god? Is it really you? How did you get in?" Luo En couldn't help but exclaim. "And you're even wearing a Beauxbatons school uniform?"

"Quiet, Luo En." Hermione pulled his clothes, signaling him to sit down. "Did you notice Tang Tang Nade at the staff table?"

Only then did Harry discover that he had been attracted by Madam Maxime's full attention before, and hadn't seen that besides two empty chairs next to her, there was also Mr. Tang Tang Nade Fontroy, whom he was familiar with.

"Tang Tang Nade hired me to be the personal assistant to the Ilvermorny champion, not only because my magic level is very good, but also because I can speak French and German," Hermione said proudly. "The classes I took last year were more than just these at Hogwarts."

"The Ilvermorny champion, I mean, has it been decided?" Luo En asked.

"That's right, they only sent one student, so no matter if it's good or bad, it's her," Hermione said. "This is because Kodo-something-sky also only sent one student; they are tit for tat."

"So that student, is she here?" Luo En asked with a sour but slightly lucky tone.

Harry noticed his tone and the emphasized "she," and couldn't help but shake his head with a smile. Luo En hadn't realized that the person closest to Hermione now was actually the widely beloved Professor Tang Tang Nade.

"Of course, let me introduce you," Hermione greeted generously. "This is Elena Kaslana, the Ilvermorny champion."

A beautiful girl with large azure eyes and silver-bright long hair smiled at him, revealing a mouthful of white teeth.

"Elena, this is the Hogwarts champion Harry Potter, and his team," Hermione introduced. "This is the knight Luo En Wei Wei Silai, and this is the strategist Zhang Qiu."

"Nice to meet you," Elena said politely.

"Oh, well, then let's sit here," Harry saw that Luo En had already sat down, so he had to sit next to him.

Then, some people came in one after another. After Deng Buliduo and Karkaroff sat down in the empty chairs on both sides of Madam Maxime, the lady said loudly again: "The Triwizard Tournament will officially begin at the end of the banquet. I now invite everyone to eat and drink to their heart's content, just like at home!"

"Is that the headmaster of Kodo-something-sky?" Harry pointed to the old man with a straight face next to Karkaroff and asked in a low voice.

"That's right, Brigadier General Vaskov, a very old-fashioned and tough person," Zhang Qiu replied.

"What about the other professors, do you know them?" After he finished speaking, he looked at Hermione again.

"Hermione probably doesn't know more than we do; obviously she hasn't been here long either," Zhang Qiu said.

"It doesn't matter, let's eat first," Hermione said. "Tang Tang Nade told me that during the time when there are no projects, we have to take classes with the Beauxbatons students, so you will soon get to know those professors."

Just when Luo En was facing a table full of miscellaneous dishes and felt a little at a loss, Harry reminded him that although French food looked fancy, there wouldn't be anything with a particularly strange taste that would make it difficult for ordinary people to swallow. Only then did he scoop a bowl of mixed fish soup with suspicion and start sending it to his mouth. And when Elena was full of praise for a plate of ferret hind leg meat, Luo En trembled and stopped the knife and fork he had just raised.

When the golden plates were washed clean one by one, Madam Maxime stood up, and an excited and nervous emotion spread in the hall. Almost everyone stared intently at this lady.

"This moment has finally arrived, the Triwizard Tournament is about to begin. Before starting the champion selection ceremony, I must explain a few sentences to clarify the activity procedures for this school year." Madam Maxime smiled at the upturned faces.

"First, please allow me to introduce a few guests. This is Professor Albus Deng Buliduo, who will represent Hogwarts and participate in the judging work of this event."

Harry followed the Hogwarts students and applauded.

"This is Professor Igor Karkaroff, who will represent Durmstrang and participate in the judging work of this event."

Those Durmstrang students who took off their fur cloaks and revealed red robes also began to applaud.

"This Triwizard Tournament is different from the past. In addition to our three traditional schools in Europe, there are three other schools participating. First is Mr. Tang Tang Nade Fontroy representing Ilvermorny, who will also participate in the judging work of this event."

Tang Tang Nade bowed to everyone, and the Hogwarts students applauded to welcome him.

"This is Professor Yevgrafovich Vaskov representing Kodo-something-sky, who is also one of the judging panel."

Only some sparse applause sounded in the hall, coming from some polite students.

"And, we received a letter from Master Xuanjun. In order to meet the grouping requirements of the competition, he gladly agreed to participate, but modestly gave up the opportunity to compete for honor. The Mahoutokoro will gift their champion quota to one of the lucky students present."

All the children became excited. They might know they are inferior in magic, but when it comes to luck, everyone can have fantasies.

"Besides our five judges, we are honored to welcome Prince Philip Mountbatten as a special guest for the competition, and he will also serve as the head of the judging panel, giving decisive opinions when the five judges have different views." Madam Maxime bowed to an old man who was sitting.

"Is he really Prince Mountbatten?" Harry couldn't help but sit up. "I never thought I would see him in the magical world."

"Who is he?" Luo En asked.

"The Queen's husband, do you know the Queen?" Harry replied.

"I know this much, but shouldn't he be a Muggle?" Luo En was stunned for several seconds. "Oh so, in fact, the Muggle Queen chose a wizard as her husband?"

"It seems that the connection between the magical world and the Muggle world is much closer than we imagined," Harry sighed.

"Next, we will select six champions. They will be in groups of two and participate in three projects. We will score them according to the quality of their completion of the competition projects. After the three projects are over, the group with the highest score will win the Triwizard Cup," Madam Maxime continued. "And the one responsible for selecting the champions is the Goblet of Fire."

Madam Maxime waved her wand, and a wooden box in front of the hall suddenly opened. A large, roughly carved wooden goblet floated out, with blue and white flames jumping inside.

"Every student who wants to compete for the champion can write their name and school name on a piece of parchment and throw it into this goblet," Madam Maxime said. "Those who aspire to become champions can sign up within twenty-four hours. Tomorrow night, that is, Halloween night, the Goblet of Fire will select the names of the three students it thinks can best represent each school. During this time, the Goblet of Fire will be placed in the entrance hall, and any student can come into contact with it."

"But I want to remind everyone of one point: this tournament is not child's play, and you must not participate rashly. Once a champion is selected by the Goblet of Fire, they must see the competition through to the end. Whoever puts their name into the goblet actually forms a magical contract that must be obeyed. Once you become a champion, you are not allowed to change your mind," Madam Maxime continued. "And everyone knows that the Triwizard Tournament is actually a very dangerous competition, so I will draw a wall of honest fire around it. If the parchment in your hand does not have your own name written on it, then it will be burned. I absolutely do not allow you to submit other people's names, do you understand?"

"Fortunately, she didn't intend to draw another age line," Luo En breathed a sigh of relief.

"Alright, for those students who have thought carefully and are determined that they are willing to participate, you can prepare to come over and submit your names later. As for the others, I think you should go to sleep, good night!"

Madam Maxime finished her last words, and then the children began to walk through the hall to their respective dormitories. Those Durmstrang students would return to the ship to sleep, while Harry followed the Hogwarts crowd toward the train.

"Please note, children," Deng Buliduo said loudly. "It's best not to fall behind in your courses this year. I have posted the Beauxbatons course schedule in the carriage where the bathroom is located. You can freely listen to any class you want to listen to, or go out to play or sleep."

"However, please note," he said slyly. "After the Triwizard Tournament is over and you return to Hogwarts, you need to take exams as usual; this is unquestionable."

"Oh, my god, why!" Luo En complained with dissatisfaction. "We're out for the competition!"

"The Triwizard Tournament was never just a competition; it's a kind of magical teaching exchange," Harry said, explaining what he had seen in books. "For most teachers and students, feeling the teaching methods of other schools is the most important thing, and the champions and the competition are just a bit of excitement."

"But you are a champion, you shouldn't need to take exams, right?" Luo En said. "Then you don't need to attend classes either?"

"On the contrary, I am looking forward to attending classes more than anyone else," Harry looked at the fourth-year course schedule and said firmly. "On one hand, because I do need to continue learning knowledge, and on the other hand, because I intend to get to know these professors well."

What caught Harry's attention, besides Barty Crouch who taught English, was another familiar yet strange name: Clara Oswald, who taught Muggle Studies. ===== CHAPTER 189 =====