By the time Hogwarts' Thestral Carriages reached the northern Scandinavian Peninsula, night had already fallen silently, and goose-feather snowflakes were drifting slowly from the sky.
Hagrid, who had never been to Durmstrang before, could only wait patiently for someone from Durmstrang to come and guide them.
Fortunately, the people on the other side did not keep them waiting long. Before long, someone came flying toward them on a Flying Broom.
The moment the person arrived beside the Thestral Carriages, he could not help complaining to Hagrid, "You're several hours late. Everyone's gone hungry because of it."
"Sorry, something happened on the way and held us up. I'm sure someone must have informed you in advance," Hagrid apologized stiffly.
If the other person had been friendlier, Hagrid might have felt guilty about it, but... given that man's attitude, Hagrid thought he was already being quite polite.
Besides, after the last Triwizard Tournament, there were not many professors in the vast Hogwarts who would still be interested in it.
"Follow me!"
The man said nothing more and flew ahead to lead the convoy of Thestral Carriages.
No one knew whether he was deliberately leading them in circles, but after flying for another half hour or so, they finally landed in an open area at Durmstrang.
The welcoming ceremony had been canceled hours ago.
Naturally, Durmstrang's students were not foolish enough to shiver in the freezing midnight wind while waiting for their arrival.
"This damned place is freezing!"
Wrapped in a thick cloak, James searched through the crowd for Alice.
She was also wearing a fiery red cloak and was speaking quietly with Hagrid. The two seemed to be looking at the Beauxbatons flying horses not far away. The poor creatures appeared unable to adapt to the cold climate here.
"This place is