The biggest lie in the world might just be: "Friendship first, competition second."
Once a contest begins, someone has to win and someone has to lose. And that truth had the four houses, already fiercely competitive with each other, suddenly banding together in an uneasy alliance. Ironically, even before a single word was exchanged with their counterparts, the tension itself had already fulfilled part of Dumbledore's original goal: cultural exchange.
The joy of this school trip had just about worn off by the second day. With no scenery to admire, endless crash courses, and meals that left much to be desired, the young witches and wizards were quickly running out of patience.
Fortunately, just before dusk that day, the glowing red dot representing the stone giant on Professor McGonagall's magical map had drawn very close to their destination. Without hesitation, she issued a firm command: change into your formal robes.
Honestly, Allen felt a sudden urge to set something on fire. These robes… were absurd. At least to his sense of style, they were outright offensive.
But as soon as he stepped outside and saw everyone else, his mood improved dramatically. After all, the best way to make an ugly outfit work… is to be surrounded by people wearing even uglier ones.
A smile crept back onto his face, until Professor McGonagall's sharp voice rang out:
"Allen! You're the youngest, you'll stand at the front!
And one of your robe buttons is undone!
Prefects, arrange your housemates into two lines according to age. You'll stand at the back!
Final robe check, remember the spell we practiced yesterday!
Stay in formation once we start moving!
And Allen, carry this! "
She promptly handed him a large, beautifully crafted astronomical instrument, so big he had to hold it with both arms. It sparkled with magical runes and moving celestial gears.
"You'll present this to Uagadou's Headmistress, after she and I have exchanged formal greetings."
This was definitely an awkward role. It reminded Allen way too much of a ring bearer at a wedding. And come to think of it, wasn't the reason Dumbledore had offered him this expense-paid exchange trip… because someone had to do this kind of thing?
Yeah. Figures.
••┈┈┈┈┈༓┈┈┈┈┈•••
Half an hour later, Professor McGonagall had finally managed to wrangle the students into a neat formation. Everyone braced themselves as the stone giant came to a halt. Then came the telltale lifting sensation, but something felt… off.
Wasn't this ascent taking a little too long?
They rose for nearly ten minutes straight. During that time, McGonagall had to reassure the increasingly anxious students more than once. Even Allen found himself wishing for a nonexistent smartphone just so he could post: "Help, stuck in a magic elevator. What to do?"
Just as unease began to spread, a loud rumble and a sudden jolt sent them nearly flying. The miniaturized castle came to a complete stop. Thankfully, the doors hadn't opened right then, because three students had stumbled and fallen flat on the floor.
Allen completely understood. He couldn't help but wonder if any Durmstrang students ever got motion sick, he had a sneaking suspicion that somewhere up above, someone had definitely thrown up.
After one final lineup check, the castle doors slowly opened… and gasps erupted from both sides.
Yes, both sides.
The students of Uagadou stared in astonishment at the massive stone giant that had just emerged from underground. In an instant, it had extended its massive arms to form a pair of grand stone staircases.
The Hogwarts students, on the other hand, were just as awestruck by the magical school that lay before them.
For years, they had regarded Hogwarts, standing tall by the lakeside and under the stars, as the most majestic building in the world. Its secrets were endless. No student could claim to fully understand the ancient castle, and in their hearts, Hogwarts was peerless.
But now, before their very eyes stood a school that could rival Hogwarts in every sense.
Standing atop the stone steps, the Hogwarts students could finally see why the ascent had taken so long.
They were on a mountaintop, or rather, an entire mountain range. They were quite literally above the clouds. Wisps of mist drifted past them like ribbons of silk. It felt like you could reach out and grab a piece of the sky.
And nestled in this towering, mist-shrouded range was Uagadou School of Magic, seamlessly fused with the mountain itself. Veiled in clouds and glowing with enchantment, it resembled something out of a dream. One might have thought, at a glance, that it had been built upon the very clouds themselves.
This first meeting offered more than just awe, it gave both sides a silent understanding.
A lion would not make friends with a goat. Likewise, strangers with no knowledge of each other would naturally bare their teeth upon first meeting. This wasn't just a school exchange, it was a showdown. And what better way to show strength than through an entrance this dramatic?
Led by Professor McGonagall, the Hogwarts students marched down the stone staircase in perfect formation. The last foot had barely touched the ground when the stone giant behind them began to shift. With a rumble, it transformed into a tall, tower-like structure of rock.
None of them turned around. McGonagall had instructed them very clearly, no looking back.
Standing still, each young witch and wizard drew their wand. With synchronized precision, they began to chant.
Slowly, an enormous crest shimmered into the air: a golden lion, a black badger, a silver serpent, and a bronze eagle, circling a large shield emblazoned with the letter H.
It was the Hogwarts crest.
Across from them, Uagadou's students summoned their own crest in response.
Beneath the two floating emblems, Professor McGonagall and Uagadou's headmistress exchanged respectful bows and warm greetings. Catching McGonagall's subtle nod, Allen, dutiful ring bearer that he now was, stepped forward with the star chart and offered it up with a formal bow of his own.
To his surprise, the two headmistresses were speaking… English.
Allen nearly choked.
Wait, what?
Don't tell me all that language cramming was for NOTHING?!
And as fate would have it, that's exactly what it seemed like.
The Uagadou headmistress delivered her entire welcome speech in English. And to make matters worse, Allen, standing at the very front of the line, could even overhear scattered bits of conversation from the other side.
Sure, he caught a few phrases in the language they'd studied, but the majority of it was fluent, unaccented English.
Not last-minute English either. This was practiced, polished stuff.
For a moment, Allen stood there with a blank smile, having an existential crisis.
Who am I? Why am I here? What's the point of my life?
But as the designated ceremonial "flower boy," he maintained a smile all the way to the end.
As for the headmistresses' academic back-and-forth? Allen couldn't care less. Just the usual polite speeches and formalities.
Finally, finally, the two schools were dismissed. The Uagadou headmistress announced that a grand banquet had been prepared in the dining hall, and she hoped their guests from afar would enjoy a fine welcome feast.
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