Fudge and Damocles Belby both appeared at the breakfast gathering, as if they regarded the contest as a social event.
Pomona watched them over her coffee, thinking viciously that even if Damocles lost, he could still recoup his losses by meeting plenty of "friends" and expanding his influence in the international Potions community.
"Are you here representing Hogwarts?"
Pomona turned toward the voice.
"Bartholomew Hayden. It's a pleasure to meet you." The man extended a hand to Pomona. "I'm from Beauxbatons."
"Likewise," Pomona said in French. "I came with a friend."
Hayden froze for a moment, then laughed. "I never thought Professor Snape would need people cheering him on."
"I'm not here to cheer for him," Pomona said flatly.
"Of course. Potions isn't Quidditch. Still, I never expected to gain so much from this trip to Britain. I originally came to watch Quidditch. By the way, I'm a Tornados fan."
"You like a British professional team?" Pomona asked in surprise.
Hayden shrugged. "If I named a French Quidditch team, would you know it?"
"Try me," Pomona said with interest.
"The Lens Dragonflies."
"Is that a real name, or did you make it up?" Pomona asked.
"See? That's why I said I'm a Tornados fan," Hayden said with a smile. "I like Quidditch, but you don't seem to like it much."
Pomona had intended to defend herself, but then she smiled and admitted it.
"I prefer good food. What do you teach at Beauxbatons?" Pomona asked.
"Entomology. But getting girls to accept what butterflies look like before they transform turned out to be harder than I expected, so my class is an elective," Hayden said calmly.
She gave it some thought. Insects were also an important component in Potions ingredients, though caterpillars were the natural enemies of many plants.
There was