If Platform Nine and Three-Quarters was where the magical world began for many young wizards, then this dock was where their lives at Hogwarts began.
Both Harry and Ron had special feelings about this place.
The champions from the other schools, however, clearly shared none of those feelings. After getting out of the carriages, they merely looked casually around.
Once they realized they had only come to the other side of the Black Lake, most looked unconcerned.
The enormous spectator stands and vast crowds they had expected were nowhere in sight. Apart from Bagman, Umbridge, and the fourteen champions, the only person before them was Barty Crouch, who seemed to have been waiting there already.
There was no one else.
"Mr. Bagman, what's going on?" Harry asked in bewilderment.
"Well, yes, what is going on?" Bagman said, beaming. "I think you need a little hint. Look over there..."
Bagman pointed beside the dock, where seven small boats were moored. They were the sort that two people could row together. The two seats, however, faced away from each other.
In other words, if the two champions sharing a boat chose to row together, they would need a certain degree of coordination. Otherwise, their boat would probably have a very difficult time making headway.
"Are we going to row?" Krum raised an eyebrow.
A distinctly pleased expression appeared on his face.
Harry and Ron both knew that Durmstrang students were generally good on the water. That did not just mean swimming; they were good at rowing, too.
Krum had told Hermione, and Hermione had translated for Harry and the others, that Durmstrang organized rowing activities every summer. Although Krum said he had never won, he had always placed near the top.
So when he learned that the Second Task involved rowing, he