Chapter 304: Two by the Lake
Sean naturally saw the Beauxbatons group entering the entrance hall.
Therefore, Sean only bowed slightly to others within the Age Line and didn't throw his name into the Goblet of Fire, walking out of the Age Line and returning to the bewildered Blaise's side.
"Sean, why didn't you throw your name in?"
"The Triwizard Tournament is so dangerous. Why would I throw my name in?"
These words from Sean weren't fake at all. He really thought the Triwizard Tournament was dangerous. After all, Voldemort might very well be lurking in the shadows watching like a tiger, and once he got truly involved, while Harry had protagonist luck, he certainly didn't.
Moreover, in the first year, Voldemort had already seen the Pure White Pocket Watch and knew this magical item was in his hands. Trying to use the Pure White Pocket Watch to ambush him again would be completely impossible, so it was better to avoid involvement when possible.
Hearing Sean's words, Blaise blinked. He felt something was off but couldn't quite put his finger on it.
Just then, a Ravenclaw girl called to Blaise from a distance. Seeing her, Blaise immediately abandoned Sean and ran over excitedly. The two whispered together for a while, then quickly left the entrance hall hand in hand.
Looking at that Ravenclaw girl, Sean raised an eyebrow slightly. That Ravenclaw girl should be the girlfriend Blaise had found in second year. Later they broke up, and Blaise thoroughly ended his philandering lifestyle, becoming devoted. Then last year, they seemed to have got back together, and this scene perfectly proved that point.
However, that Ravenclaw girl was quite beyond Sean's expectations.
She had no outstanding appearance or figure. She looked like a very gentle, intellectual girl next door. Wearing glasses with delicate features, clean and tidy clothing, and long hair tied back. A very ordinary girl, yet she gave people a feeling of peace and comfort.
It seemed Blaise had truly chosen the right person.
But still...
The feeling of being ditched midway was really quite awful.
Just as Sean was about to return to reading, that familiar graceful figure came to his side again.
"Fleur, don't you need to prepare for the Triwizard Tournament?"
Fleur smiled at Sean: "I've prepared about as much as I can. There's no way to prepare more. But what about you? Why didn't you throw your name in just now?"
"Compared to competing, I prefer reading."
"By the way, I heard you won the triennial Golden Cauldron Best Paper Golden Cauldron Award?"
Nodding, Sean replied: "Yes, I was lucky to win this award together with Master Damocles."
"That wasn't luck. That was the result of your own efforts, wasn't it?"
Looking at Fleur, Sean's eyes met her emerald green ones. Turning his head aside, Sean coughed lightly and glanced at the Hogwarts and Beauxbatons students looking their way, then smiled at Fleur: "It's too noisy here. Let's go out for a walk. I can show you around Hogwarts, just like when you showed me around Beauxbatons before. How about it?"
"Of course..." Fleur's face bloomed with a smile, immediately causing some nearby boys to lose their composure. "I'd be very happy to."
The two walked out of Hogwarts castle and began touring around.
They went to see the Quidditch pitch under construction, the greenhouses, and the Black Lake.
Worth mentioning was that when they came to the Black Lake, Karkaroff was leading Durmstrang students down from their ship and happened to see them, which genuinely stunned him for a moment.
"Sean, do you think I can become Beauxbatons' champion?"
"You definitely can."
Letting out a breath, Fleur smiled: "Actually, I'm still quite nervous. Both my family and school have considerable expectations of me. I don't want to let their expectations down.
And there's my sister Gabrielle. She's always expected me to bring the Triwizard Cup back."
"Fleur, others' expectations can be your motivation, but they shouldn't become the reason you do certain things. You're participating in the Triwizard Tournament because you want to participate, because you want to prove yourself, and then because of others' expectations, you have more motivation to compete. I think you should understand what I mean, right?"
Crouching by the Black Lake, Fleur looked up at Sean standing beside her, gazing out over the lake. She tucked a strand of silver hair blown by the wind behind her ear, showing a slight smile and nodding: "Yes, I understand."
Standing up, Fleur looked at Sean: "Sean, please take me back."
"Alright. Where's your carriage? By the edge of the Forbidden Forest?"
"Yes, near that gamekeeper's hut."
When mentioning the gamekeeper, Fleur's expression was somewhat strange.
Actually, all the Beauxbatons students were quite surprised by Hagrid's existence. That same height as their headmistress. Fleur could even sense that her headmistress had extra fondness and curiosity toward Hagrid. The headmistress, who usually didn't like chatting with strangers, had strangely talked with Hagrid about Abraxans for a long time last night when she met him.
Sean escorted Fleur to near the carriage by Hagrid's hut.
By this time, the Beauxbatons students had already returned here. Some people saw Sean bringing Fleur back and gathered to whisper among themselves, occasionally glancing at Sean and Fleur before quietly giggling.
Regarding her schoolmates' reactions, Fleur was also helpless. She turned to look at Sean and asked: "Sean, would you... like to come in for some tea?"
Glancing at the somewhat stern-faced Madame Maxime, Sean shook his head: "Not today. There will be other opportunities. We'll see each other often this school year, won't we?"
Nodding lightly, Fleur said: "You're right. Well then, goodbye."
"Goodbye, Fleur."
Sean turned to leave. Just as he was about to walk away, he suddenly heard a calling voice behind him.
Turning around, he saw Harry running out from Hagrid's hut and quickly approaching him: "Sean, what are you doing here?"
"Showing my friend from Beauxbatons around Hogwarts, then escorting her back."
"I know. Your friend is that girl with Veela heritage, right?" Harry smiled somewhat teasingly. "We all saw yesterday."
Seeing Harry's expression, Sean shook his head with a smile: "I'm well aware of that, just like how you keep secretly looking at Ravenclaw's Cho Chang. I've seen that too."
With this, Harry, who had originally wanted to tease Sean, instantly turned bright red and became tongue-tied as if he'd lost the power of speech.