Chapter 300: Krum Is No Longer Appealing
When Karkaroff and Dumbledore walked into Hogwarts castle, he deliberately brought Viktor Krum by his side, giving off a feeling of parading around with his star student.
It must be said that Karkaroff's behaviour was correct. When the Hogwarts students saw Krum, they immediately created quite a stir. Even Blaise beside Sean became somewhat excited.
Sean watched this scene. It was probably like the feeling of a celebrity suddenly appearing at school in his past life.
Regarding Krum, Sean only had interest in duelling him. In fact, not only Krum. Among all the students in the Beauxbatons and Durmstrang delegations, Sean was interested in duelling all of them.
The dozen or so people chosen by a school were undoubtedly the cream of the crop. There might very well be some powerful geniuses among them, like Krum and Fleur.
Unfortunately, with the Triwizard Tournament approaching, Sean couldn't possibly duel them. Even if they agreed, Maxime and Karkaroff wouldn't.
Having treasure chests in front of him but being unable to open them. Was there anything more tragic in the world?
Of course, speaking of treasure chests, there was a super-large treasure chest in Hogwarts' Room of Requirement. It was just that Sean really wasn't confident he could defeat it. You had to know the diary was only Voldemort from his student days, while the other Horcruxes were from adult Voldemort, whose strength was inevitably greater. He needed complete preparation before attempting to open it.
Speaking of Horcruxes.
Sean thought of the other Horcruxes.
Setting aside living Horcruxes like Harry and Nagini, the Horcruxes Sean currently knew about were: Ravenclaw's Diadem in Hogwarts' Room of Requirement, Marvolo Gaunt's ring in the Gaunt family ancestral home, Slytherin's Locket that Voldemort thought was in that cave but was actually in the Black family ancestral home, and Hufflepuff's Cup hidden in the Lestrange family vault at Gringotts.
Sean knew the specific locations of all these items. However, currently only Ravenclaw's Diadem in the Room of Requirement and Marvolo Gaunt's ring in the Gaunt ancestral home could be obtained immediately.
The Black family ancestral home hiding Slytherin's Locket was currently serving as Order of the Phoenix headquarters with a Fidelius Charm cast on it, making it impossible to sneak in. To enter and get the locket before it was stolen by Mundungus Fletcher and fell into Dolores Umbridge's hands, he would need to become involved with the Order of the Phoenix.
As for Hufflepuff's Cup, as long as he could find either Bellatrix or Rodolphus Lestrange, there would be a chance to go to Gringotts and find it.
Regarding Horcruxes, what must be noted is that Sean had to obtain them before others did. Otherwise, once someone else found them first, whether Death Eaters on Voldemort's side or Order of the Phoenix members on Dumbledore's side, it would be basically impossible for Sean to get them. Therefore, Sean had to be faster than them.
Especially with himself as a butterfly having flapped his wings countless times, there was no guarantee what changes might occur.
"Sean, which house do you think they'll sit with?"
Blaise's words brought Sean back to his senses.
Turning to look at the staff table, Filch had already added four chairs to it, positioned on either side of Dumbledore.
Just then, two Ministry officials walked in from the other side of the Great Hall and successively shook hands and greeted Dumbledore, Maxime, and Karkaroff.
Head of the Department of Magical Games and Sports, Ludo Bagman.
Head of the Department of International Magical Cooperation, Barty Crouch.
Sean recognised them and immediately knew that the judging panel for this Triwizard Tournament should consist of the three headmasters and these two Ministry officials.
Sure enough, after everyone was seated, Dumbledore stood up to speak.
"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, ghosts and honoured guests. It is with great joy that I welcome you to Hogwarts. I hope and trust that you will be comfortable and happy here.
The Triwizard Tournament will officially begin when the banquet ends. Before that, I will introduce Madame Olympe Maxime, headmistress of Beauxbatons Academy of Magic; Mr. Igor Karkaroff, headmaster of Durmstrang Institute; Mr. Ludo Bagman, Head of the Department of Magical Games and Sports; and Mr. Barty Crouch, Head of the Department of International Magical Cooperation.
The five of us will form the judging panel for the Triwizard Tournament, evaluating and scoring the champions selected by the three magical schools to participate in the competition.
Now then, please eat and drink to your heart's content, as if you were at home."
As Dumbledore's words ended, abundant food appeared on all four house tables and the staff table.
It was evident that this time Hogwarts' house-elves had put forth their full effort in preparing food. The food now appearing on the tables was not only many grades more exquisite than usual but also very abundant in variety. Not just the usual fare, but also various French and Nordic dishes.
At this time, students from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang also gradually sat at various house tables. All the Durmstrang people sat at the Slytherin table.
Krum and his friends especially received the most attention. When Krum sat near Malfoy, the pride on Malfoy's face looked as if Krum had proposed to him. He was very attentive in introducing Krum to some British foods.
Most of the Beauxbatons students sat at the Ravenclaw table, obviously having more affection for the scholarly Ravenclaw. As for why it was "most"...
A graceful figure in blue robes sat directly beside Sean.
This stunned Blaise and the other two.
Sean turned to look at Fleur sitting beside him and smiled: "Long time no see, Fleur."
"Not that long. Just a few months."
Fleur picked up a knife and fork without any awkwardness and cut herself a small piece of smoked fish to taste.
Sean reached over and took the French fish soup from in front of Blaise, placing it before Fleur.
"You still remember I like this."
Sean's action immediately brought a radiant smile to Fleur's face. In that instant, not only the Slytherin boys but even boys from the other three houses who noticed this from afar were mesmerised by Fleur's smile.
At this moment, Malfoy, sitting beside Krum, immediately felt that the rough and burly Krum was no longer appealing.