The time for the second task soon arrived.
On the day of the competition, the Black Lake looked completely different.
As though overnight, a creator of boundless skill had transformed this familiar, tranquil winter lake into a magnificent theater beyond imagination.
The winter chill seemed to have been dispelled by an invisible force, replaced by a strange atmosphere mingling majesty with grim severity.
The restricted area along the shore had expanded several times over, with Aurors dispatched by the Ministry of Magic personally standing guard. Dressed in matching dark uniforms, they stood like silent statues, their sharp eyes sweeping over every student who tried to approach.
Above the lake, three enormous floating stands in the colors of the three schools had risen, like three gigantic, brilliantly colored airborne ships drifting slowly above the water not far from shore.
On the central grandstand were not only Dumbledore, Karkaroff, and Madame Maxime, but also representatives from the Ministries of Magic of dozens of countries.
Their varied attire silently proclaimed the international significance of the tournament.
Reporters from the Daily Prophet, Witch Weekly, and even The Quibbler had been assigned their own area. Their Quick-Quotes Quills were already poised, like vultures that had scented blood, waiting to seize the day's first big scoop.
Just behind and to one side of the grandstand, a reserved section drew particular attention, flying a house flag bearing an intricate emblem composed of a wolf's head, stars, and a wand.
That was Silvermane Academy's section.
Remus Lupin, dressed in a brand-new engineer's work uniform, sat there with his head held high alongside the werewolf engineers behind him, calmly accepting the scrutiny of the entire world.
Not far away, Percy Weasley was playing the role of Mr. Barty Crouch.
Yet the most breathtaking sight today lay above the Black