The Return to Hogwarts

Amosta and Barty Crouch didn't leave their hotel room all day. After enjoying an authentic French lunch, Amosta spent half an hour strolling around the courtyard in the room.

Working with Barty Crouch was absolutely torture for Amosta.

The only consensus that the two sides could reach was to keep their distance from each other. Therefore, apart from topics related to the contingency plan, the two sides basically had no other communication.

It was 5:30 p.m., half an hour before the banquet began. Amostella put away the preliminary plan he had just finished reviewing and took out a suitcase from his suitcase that he hadn't worn in years to start getting ready. After all, he was now representing not only himself, but if he showed up at the party in an old wizard's robe, Hogwarts would inevitably be laughed at.

"The reception is on the second floor; we can't be late."

Barty, dressed in a flawlessly ironed black evening tuxedo, strode briskly across the courtyard toward the door. Amostella, following behind him and adjusting her bow tie, casually asked...

"So, what about Ludo? Doesn't he have to participate?"

"Oh, I think he's already there."

"Barty Crouch said with a hint of sarcasm, as he walked to the entrance of the room that stood abruptly in the stone path and pulled open the door. Just then, a man happened to pass by them. Hearing the noise, the man glanced at them casually out of the corner of his eye, then stopped in his tracks."

"what--"

The tall, thin man with a goatee standing in front of the door showed a hint of unease, but then he grinned at Barty, revealing his yellowed teeth and spreading his arms in a greasy smile.

"I didn't expect to run into you here, Barty."

"Hello--"

Barty Crouch nodded stiffly.

"Kakarov--"

Chapter 396 Gathering

2023-07-30

Karkarov is Igor Karkarov, the principal of Durmstrang School.

A few years ago, Amosta traveled all over Europe. While in Germany, he heard wizards there discuss Durmstrang School and its current principal, Igor Karkaroff.

As is well known, Durmstrang is the least respectable of the three world-renowned magic schools in Europe. The school still retains many traditional teaching methods. By "traditional," I mean that the school's attitude towards magic is closer to that of traditional wizards, and it doesn't see the line between black magic and white magic as so clear.

It is perhaps precisely because of this kind of teaching environment that dangerous wizards like Gettler Grindelwald were cultivated.

Current headmaster Igor Karkaroff has taken Durmstrang's "free" teaching style to a new level. Rumors circulate that he practically condones professors teaching dark magic at the school, and there are even whispers that Karkaroff was once a Death Eater.

Judging from the resistance and disgust that Barty Crouch exuded, these rumors were not entirely unbelievable.

Barty's indifferent expression did not embarrass Karkaroff, who had just regained his senses. His face still wore a warm smile as he casually glanced at Amosta. He was momentarily confused, but quickly realized who the young man standing behind Barty Crouch, who appeared to be Barty's subordinate, was!

"If my eyesight isn't failing me—"

A glint of shrewdness flashed in Karkarov's blue eyes. He reached around Baty's side and extended his hand to Amosta, his tone subtly unsettling.

"This must be Mr. Amosta Blaine, the head of the Hogwarts Office of Student Safety?"

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Professor Karkarov."

Amosta wore a solemn smile as he shook Karkarov's rough hand.

"Ah, I didn't expect Dumbledore to send you out, Professor Blaine. It seems he's truly determined to win over the organizers of this Triwizard Tournament—"

Karkaroff smiled smugly.

"Your name is still known even in Durmstrang. The other day, almost all the kids at school were talking about how you killed Fenrir Greyback. They couldn't believe that a wizard could kill so many werewolves all by himself. They, and my faculty and staff, are very interested in your Fiendfire. Ah, I mean 'spiritfire'. It is indeed an interesting spell, isn't it?"

"Heh, just a trivial trick."

Amosta smiled slightly.

"But I really didn't expect to be welcomed at Durmstrang. I'll go back and talk to Dumbledore about it. If he doesn't give me a raise, I'll threaten him to switch jobs and teach at Durmstrang."

Amosta's little joke made Karkarov laugh out loud, but Amosta was certain that he couldn't detect a hint of amusement in Karkarov's eyes.

This is a smiling tiger, definitely not a kind person.

"We don't have time for pleasantries, the reception is about to begin."

Barty seemed unable to tolerate Karkarov's laughter any longer. With a stern face, he uttered a single sentence and strode towards the elevator lobby. This rather rude behavior only elicited a fleeting shadow of gloom in Karkarov's eyes.

“I’ve known Batty for many years—” Karkarov joked, “and his impatience hasn’t changed at all.”

"Really?" Amosta then took a step forward, feigning interest. "How did you two meet?"

"Ahem--"

Karkarov hadn't expected Amosta to ask that, and for a moment he didn't know how to answer. After an awkward cough, he said casually,

"We've only had business dealings with each other. You know, keeping a school running isn't easy. We need to purchase a lot of things for teaching, and some of the materials from British manufacturers we can't get without Barty's approval."

To keep his distance from Karkaroff, Barty Crouch didn't even wait for the elevator and went down to the second floor on his own. When Amosta entered the banquet hall, Barty and several wizards from the International Wizarding Federation were already chatting. As expected, Ludo Bagman was already there, smiling broadly and chatting animatedly with a group of people surrounding him.

Compared to the hotel's main decor, which leans towards a fairy-like style, this banquet hall seems to better suit the aesthetics of wizards.

A huge crystal chandelier hangs from the ceiling of the square hall, and artistic sculptures are carved on the four white walls. The air is filled with a pleasant floral fragrance, and the silverware used to serve wine and pastries is exquisite.

The banquet hall was bustling with noise, everyone chatting happily with those around them. In Amosta's view, it was more like a social gathering than a preparatory party for choosing the organizers of the Three Kingdoms Tournament.

No wonder Dumbledore was unwilling to continue participating.

Amosta muttered to himself.

Speaking of which, isn't the Triwizard Tournament supposed to be kept secret during the preparation stage? Look at the hundred or so wizards in the banquet hall with their different clothes and skin colors, is there really any need to keep it a secret?

"Oh, you've arrived first, Karkaroff—"

Amosta was surveying the venue when a deep voice suddenly came from the doorway, catching his attention. He turned his head and his brow twitched slightly.

A woman, almost as big as Hagrid, appeared at the hotel entrance with a girl who looked like a student.

“Ah, Madame Maxime, and Miss Delacour—”

Karkarov grinned, revealing his yellowed teeth, and strode forward with an exaggerated smile, grabbing Amosta's arm as he did so.

The two people who arrived were quite eye-catching. Mrs. Maxim was much taller than Hagrid, and she was also much thinner, which made her look even taller, so much so that she had to duck to pass through the bright entrance.

Beside Mrs. Maxim was a remarkably elegant girl, who appeared to be about the same age as Percy, with a cascade of silver hair that reached her slender waist. In the bright candlelight of the banquet hall, the girl's alabaster skin radiated a subtle, warm glow.

In terms of temperament, this girl is basically on par with Vitia Cliona, except that she lacks some of the natural approachability.

For the others, Amosta was also one of the more conspicuous figures in the banquet hall.

Among the attendees, who were generally over forty, there was a young man who showed no stage fright, with a tall and handsome figure and a calm demeanor. Whenever his gaze met the light purple eyes of the man, his soul would tremble, as if there were an abyss there that could freeze his soul.

"That cunning fellow Dumbledore has a new representative, Mrs. Maxime—"

Karkarov grinned, pointing at Amosta with a gaze devoid of any genuine smile.

“Mr. Amosta Blaine, I’m sure you’ve all heard of him. He’s a formidable opponent. I think our defeat is inevitable, isn’t it?”

Upon hearing this, Amosta glanced at Karkarov without showing any emotion, a flash of lightning appearing in his otherwise expressionless eyes. Karkarov, who was about to stir up trouble, suddenly felt a tightness in his chest, and his grip on Amosta's arm involuntarily loosened.

"Nice to meet you, Mr. Blaine--"

Madame Maxime extended her large hand, adorned with magnificent opals, and gave Amosta a fairly friendly smile.

"I've heard about the amazing things you've done; they're truly remarkable."

"It's just luck—"

Amosta raised his hand to his cheek, shook hands with Madame Maxim, and then politely nodded to Miss Delacour, who was looking at him with great interest. He was about to say something when a commotion from the main stage of the banquet hall caught his attention.

A group of ladies dressed in elegant, flowing gowns filed in through a small door behind the main stage, carrying musical instruments as they ascended the stage via the side steps.

Each of these ladies was exceptionally beautiful, surrounded by pink light and fluttering fairies with transparent wings. After taking their seats on the stage, they began tuning their violins and string instruments.

"The Mountain and Forest Fairy Troupe".

Fleur Delacour explained to Amosta in a melodious voice,

"They are very famous in France."

Chapter 397 The Cocktail Party (Part 1)

2023-07-31

Inside the magnificent banquet hall, to the accompaniment of slightly cheerful music, distinguished wizards from all corners of the world were exchanging toasts and drinks.

Amos Tower hadn't attended many parties. Just recently, after gaining fame for killing Greyback, he stayed in London for a while to cooperate with the Ministry of Magic's plans. At that time, he was suddenly inundated with invitations to parties, and Amos Tower selectively attended a few.

The current party is not much different from those he has participated in in London, except that he is no longer the absolute center of attention.

Barty Crouch and the high-ranking officials from the French and German Ministries of Magic who were attending the reception were surrounded by a group of people. Mrs. Maxime of Beauxbatons and Principal Karkaroff of Durmstrang were talking with people from the International Confederation of Wizards. Ludo seemed to have let loose and had completely forgotten his mission, boasting about his career to everyone who toasted him.

Meanwhile, the little girl that Mrs. Maxim brought was never short of guests; many people at the party pretended to walk past her just to get a closer look at her.

Of course, Amosta was never without people around him.

What people are most interested in about Amostella is his defeat of Greyback. Many are also interested in the Basilisk, after all, the legend of Slytherin's Chamber of Secrets has been passed down for millennia, and many have coveted the 'treasure' that might exist within that chamber.

However, there were not many people who showed awe towards Amos Tower. The wizards who appeared here were the best of the magical civilizations of various countries. The magic power to kill the werewolves alone was not enough to intimidate these proud wizards. In their eyes, it was hard to say how much of a role Dumbledore played in the werewolf incident!

Perhaps Albus Dumbledore wanted to promote Amosta Blaine to the top, which is why he orchestrated this whole thing.

After a while, Barty shook off the officials from the German and French Ministries of Magic. His sharp eyes swept across the room, instantly etching the actions of those who were noteworthy into his mind. Then, his gaze settled on Amosta, a hint of surprise in his hawk-like eyes.

It was far too much for a young wizard.