In the latter half of the Celebration, some people who had had their fill of the festivities began gathering in orderly groups in the Square before the Palace, eagerly awaiting the ceremony marking France's surrender and submission.
Shawn had been watching silently from the High Table, admiring Hogsmeade's flourishing splendor and miles of vibrant blossoms from above.
It would have been a lie to say he felt no pride or vanity.
After all, he was the one who had created all of this!
The only person qualified to stand beside Shawn and admire this spectacle was Vita.
Dressed in a pale-purple gown, Vita looked regal and coolly beautiful, without the slightest sign of age.
Today, she did not spoil the mood with warnings for her godson. The boy had now truly come into his own; all she needed to do was quietly stay by his side.
More of Vita's attention was on the seats on the second platform of the white jade steps.
The representatives from various countries were all gathered there, demonstrating just how differently people could experience joy and sorrow.
Those who had shared in the spoils earlier were beaming, those who had suffered surprise attacks looked lifeless, and those whose countries were still in turmoil were even more frazzled.
Alosha, the Black Widow Minister, kept teasing her old rival, mocking the United States Congress for being so unsafe that one old pet keeper could throw it into utter chaos.
Meanwhile, Tuo Jia, who had become India's Prime Minister, had started making a nuisance of himself again.
Gradually, almost everyone roaming about celebrating gathered in the Square. Though the earlier clamor had diminished, the air held an even stronger sense of pride.
Everyone stared expectantly at the France Delegation, whose members kept wiping away sweat before the