As the guests from Durmstrang drew closer, they stepped into the light spilling from the Entrance Hall.
They looked so bulky because they were all wearing thick fur cloaks, their fur shaggy and tangled.
The middle-aged man leading them had a smarmy air, a goatee, and sleek, shoulder-length hair. His silvery-white robes were just as soft and smooth.
He was none other than Durmstrang's headmaster, Karkaroff.
Karkaroff walked up the slope and spoke in a sickly-sweet voice, his enthusiasm suggesting a familiarity they did not share.
"Dumbledore! My dear old friend, how are you?"
The corner of Dumbledore's mouth twitched. He was not actually close to Karkaroff, but he still shook his hand politely.
"Mm, very well, thank you, Professor Karkaroff."
"Ah, Hogwarts. Here I am again. How wonderful."
Karkaroff looked up at the Castle, his smile exposing very yellow teeth. His eyes held no trace of warmth, however, only coldness and sharpness.
After reining in his emotions, he turned and beckoned a student forward.
"Viktor, come here. Dumbledore, let me introduce Viktor, my finest student."
A sturdy, strapping boy emerged from the ranks of Durmstrang students. He had a hooked nose and thick, black eyebrows.
Quite a few Hogwarts young wizards gasped quietly.
"It's Krum!"
At the back of the Gryffindor line, Ron, who had been silent for a long time, spoke with rare excitement.
"I can't believe it! It's Krum, Viktor Krum! He actually came to Hogwarts!"
His roommate Seamus pursed his lips.
"For heaven's sake, Ron, he's just a Quidditch player."
"What? Just a Quidditch player?"
Ron stared blankly at Seamus, as though he could not believe his ears.
Having matured somewhat, Ron had not bickered with anyone in a long time. This time, for his idol's sake, he argued with his roommate again.
"Seamus, he's one