The Great Hall did not open until eight in the evening, and it took a long time for everyone to be seated. Most of the students had waited until now and were already starving.
After seeing Dumbledore demonstrate the proper way to do it, the students could not wait to call out the names of dishes, ready to feast first and think about the ball later.
Some people did not seem quite so hungry, though, such as Roger Davies, who barely ate anything.
He seemed to have had some sort of magic cast on him. His eyes never left Fleur Delacour's face, as if as long as Fleur Delacour was full, he would be full too.
The food Fleur Delacour ordered was all fairly light, with barely any broth or sauce to be seen.
Her movements were very restrained. She looked like a proud swan, and after eating one small bite, she would exchange a few words with Roger Davies.
"When the Christmas holiday comes, Beauxbatons Castle doesn't just put up icicles. It puts up ice sculptures, one after another!"
"Oh..." Roger Davies exclaimed, his eyes still not leaving Fleur Delacour's face. "That must be beautiful!"
"Of course!" Fleur Delacour nodded. "Those Ice Sculptures are exquisitely carved, and they don't melt. They sparkle just like diamond statues..."
"Oh!" Roger Davies nodded in agreement. "It sounds beautiful just hearing about it..."
Fleur Delacour continued, "Our food is delicious too. When we dine, we can always hear the Mountain Forest Fairy Choir singing. What they sing most often are serenades..."
Roger Davies finally began eating a little, but his gaze still did not leave Fleur Delacour's face.
He listened in a trance, and from time to time he would hold his fork crookedly, unable to deliver the food into his mouth.