The procession moved slowly and, a moment later, finally reached the entrance to the Great Hall.
Filch was hurriedly adding an exquisitely carved wooden chair to the end of the staff table.
Moody stood nearby, leaning on his cane. At first glance, many students from the visiting schools even mistook him for part of the Halloween decorations.
When the last student, a Castelobruxo boy who was still looking around curiously, sat down at the long table decorated with tropical flowers, the entire Great Hall finally fell silent.
Hundreds of eyes turned towards the enchanted ceiling amid hushed gasps in a variety of accents. There, the constellations and totems representing the seven schools danced harmoniously across the deep night sky, creating a breathtaking sight.
Professor Dumbledore rose from the centre of the staff table, his silver-white hair and beard seeming to shimmer beneath the magical starlight.
He did not use his wand to amplify his voice, yet his gentle, clear words naturally reached every corner of the Great Hall.
"The ancient Castle welcomes new friends," he said with a smile, his gaze sweeping across every young and lively face. "The empty tables long to be shared. I believe that good food is the most moving universal language in the world. So let us not disappoint the efforts of the house-elves, nor this wonderful evening."
He clapped his hands softly.
"Let the feast begin!"
In an instant, the previously empty tables were covered with a dazzling array of delicious dishes.
This was not merely a traditional Hogwarts feast, but a magical culinary exhibition blending flavours from around the world.
The Hogwarts tables naturally featured classic British fare: perfectly roasted beef, Yorkshire puddings, enormous roast potatoes, and shepherd's pie covered in rich gravy.
The Durmstrang tables displayed a distinctly Nordic style, with generous portions of smoked and cured fish, hearty rye bread, venison stew filled with the aroma of unusual spices, and sapphire-coloured berry desserts that gave off a faint chill.
The Beauxbatons tables offered a French feast: fragrant bouillabaisse, delicate puff-pastry tarts, coq au vin, assorted cheese platters, and colourful macarons and éclairs in elegant shapes.
The Uagadou tables were filled with exotic aromas: lamb slow-cooked with a blend of spices, a cassava dish called fufu, grilled plantains, and a magical fruit salad that pulsed faintly and tasted both sweet and tart.
The Ilvermorny tables showcased a fusion of New World flavours, including enormous roast turkeys, pumpkin pie, cornbread, and pancakes drizzled with maple syrup. The students even found Muggle favourites such as hamburgers and cola.
The Castelobruxo tables carried the tropical essence of the rainforest: grilled fish with passion-fruit sauce, black beans and rice, cheese bread made from tapioca flour, and various refreshing drinks served inside hollowed-out pineapples.
The Ukarlo tables displayed Australian and Oceanian specialities: grilled kangaroo steaks, lamingtons, and a sunset-coloured drink fragrant with jungle flowers.
The author had not tried many interesting foods, so please bear with it.
"Merlin..."
Ron Weasley stared wide-eyed at a large platter of substantial-looking steaks on the Durmstrang table.
"Do they eat like this every day? No wonder they're all so strong!"
The students from the different schools were somewhat reserved at first, but the food quickly broke down the barriers between them.
They began pointing curiously at unfamiliar dishes on neighbouring tables, asking one another questions and even boldly attempting to exchange food.
The atmosphere at the staff table was equally harmonious.
Dumbledore enthusiastically recommended Hogwarts' treacle tart to the other Headmasters. Madame Maxime elegantly tasted a small piece, then smiled and waved her hand to indicate that she could not manage anything quite so sweet.
Professor Flitwick was animatedly discussing the difficulties of precise control in wandless magic with the Headmistress of Uagadou, while Professor Sprout and the Headmaster of Castelobruxo talked about magical plants found in the tropical rainforest.
Nearby, Karkaroff and Snape were whispering about something, occasionally glancing towards a visibly displeased Moody.
Just as the students were still licking icing from the corners of their mouths or quietly discussing the unforgettable foreign dishes from the neighbouring tables, the doors to the Great Hall opened once more.
Another group entered, immediately drawing everyone's attention.
At the front was Barty Crouch, Head of the Ministry of Magic's Department of International Magical Cooperation. He looked even more severe than usual, with unmistakable weariness etched across his brow.
Beside him was Ludo Bagman, Head of the Department of Magical Games and Sports. His round face wore an enthusiastic smile that contrasted sharply with Crouch's expression, and he continuously waved to the students on either side.
Even more striking, however, was the unfamiliar man walking behind them.
He wore smooth, dark-blue silk robes and carried himself with calm refinement. A few silver strands ran through his black hair, though his face did not appear old.
Accompanying him were a boy and a girl who looked about sixteen or seventeen. They, too, wore traditional Eastern robes, and their eyes were filled with curiosity.
A trace of amusement appeared in Sagres's eyes. The two young Wizards were the survivors he had rescued from the werewolf camp.
Dumbledore rose and greeted them warmly.
"Barty, Ludo, I trust your journey went smoothly? And Mr Chang," he continued, turning towards the Chinese Wizard, "welcome to Hogwarts. Your arrival was indeed a surprise, but a pleasant one.
The Wizard addressed as Mr Chang gave a slight bow and replied in fluent English, "Headmaster Dumbledore, please forgive our uninvited arrival. I hope we have not caused any inconvenience."
"Haha, please come and eat first," Dumbledore replied sincerely, gesturing for the house-elves to add several more chairs to the staff table.
Ignoring the curious looks around them, the three Chinese Wizards walked directly towards Sagres and quietly expressed their gratitude.
Sagres merely shook his head, calmly indicating that it had been nothing more than a small favour.
It seemed that everyone rescued from the werewolf camp had recovered. However, the parents of these two young people had apparently been informed.
The students seated at the long tables quietly discussed the identities of the newcomers, their attention focused mainly on the three East Asian faces.
"Who are they?" Lee Jordan asked with a frown. "Why are those two allowed to sit with the professors?"
He was referring to the young boy and girl.
"They sound like Chinese Wizards," Fred speculated curiously. "Could they be from that Kun Kun School of Magic Professor Greengrass mentioned?"
"It's Kunlun School of Magic!" George immediately corrected him.
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