Chapter 263 - 263

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The farewell feast was surprisingly lively. Festive tables dazzling with bright colors, students and guests in ceremonial robes. The walls were decorated with canvases with the coats of arms of three schools, but the largest canvas above the high table belonged to our school. Everyone was vigorously discussing something, enjoying a festive dinner, in general, having fun. Towards the end of the dinner, the headmaster rose from his seat, attracting the attention of those present.

"Dear students and guests of Hogwarts," his voice rang out again without magic in the silence of the hall. "Another school year has come to an end, more eventful and exciting than ever. Events both joyful and sad."

After a dramatic pause, Dumbledore continued:

"Our Ministry of Magic does not want me to tell you this, but Lord Voldemort is back, and we have all witnessed it. Perhaps some of your parents will be horrified by what I have done. Either because they don't believe Voldemort is back or because they think you're too young to talk about it. But I'm sure: the truth is preferable to lies either way."

The students were stunned and frightened, but not too much - they had really seen it, and the rumors were doing their job, even if many subconsciously didn't want to believe it.

"I'd like to point out two students. Harry Potter and Maximilian Knight."

It was amusing to watch as if a wave ran through the hall as everyone turned their heads first to us and then back to the headmaster.

"Harry Potter showed courage that not every adult wizard has shown in the face of Lord Voldemort by going out to duel against him. Maximilian Knight, thanks to his relentless training and firmness of character, managed not only to protect himself from the sudden killing curse but also, having come to his senses, instantly show excellent skills and knowledge, eluding Voldemort and taking Harry Potter with him. I drink in their honor."

Almost everyone in the room raised their cups, looked at Potter and me, and said: "To Harry Potter. To Max Knight." Nice.

"However, I hasten to note," Dumbledore continued. "The purpose of the Triwizard Tournament is to strengthen mutual understanding among wizards around the world. In light of what happened, that is, the return of Lord Voldemort, such an understanding becomes more important than ever."

This time, Dumbledore looked around not only at the students, but also at the guests and professors at Hogwarts.

"Each guest of this hall will be gladly welcomed here at any time. I want to repeat once again: in the light of the rebirth of Lord Voldemort, we are only as strong as we are united and as weak as we are divided. Lord Voldemort is famous for his ability to sow discord and enmity. We can fight this by creating strong ties based on friendship and trust. Differences in our traditions and in our languages are insignificant if we share the same goals and our hearts are open to each other. I am sure, and never before have I so badly wanted to be wrong, that dark and difficult days lie ahead of us. Some in this hall have already suffered at the hands of Lord Voldemort. Many families have been destroyed. If the time comes to make a choice between the easy and the right, remember how that day two fourteen-year-old boys almost lost their lives that happened to be in Voldemort's way."

After that speech, we were all released to go about our business, and an hour later, we were all crowded in the courtyard outside the castle, waiting for the carriage to the Hogsmeade platform. The students of Beauxbatons and Durmstrang were also here, saying goodbye to new acquaintances - they decided to walk. In addition, the distance was ridiculous - a couple of hundred meters, and the carriage was still standing at the very gate.

"And why was it necessary to oblige us to go in our school uniforms?" muttered Hermione with ill-concealed displeasure, folding her arms under her chest and tapping her foot on the grassy lawn of the yard.

"Max!" a woman's voice distracted me from standing idle in the company of classmates and Hermione. We are stupidly tired of waiting in line for carriages.

I turned toward the voice and saw Fleur walking quickly down the stairs from Beauxbatons carriage. The girl in her school's purple uniform skirt suit and a light cape over the top quickly ran up to me.

"We'll meet, I hope?" said Fleur, holding out her hand. "I hope to get a job here. I want to improve my English."

I intercepted the hand and kissed the air above it.

"Tsk..." Hermione rolled her eyes to the sky and made such a face that even though I saw her only out of the corner of my eye, I can't help but be surprised by the similarity with one famous actor in my past life, or rather, a character. Just like Stark in his young female form! And a genius, too.

"He's good enough already ..." Ron's zombified voice interrupted our quite pleasant farewell. It was a good thing that Harry, who was standing next to him, immediately dragged him away, although Ron tried to break himself a neck, twisting around to look at Fleur a little more. Where did he come from, anyway?

"And yes, thank you very much..." quite naturally embarrassed Fleur. "For that warning... I don't even know what came over me..."

"How could I have done otherwise?"

Fleur approached impulsively, kissing me on the cheek. She pulled away quickly, a little shy, and a mischievous smile spread across her face.

"When will it stop?" Hermione, who was standing almost close to me, was indignant.

"Thank you, too," Fleur kissed the girl on the cheek no less impulsively, bringing her to a stupor.

Fleur hurried off to her school carriage while Dean and Seamus materialized nearby, and Parvati and Lavender cooed around Hermione, still looking at the carriage.

"She doesn't even care who to kiss?" the girl was indignant, but the giggling friends, eager to ask who knows what, immediately drew attention to themselves.

"Well, you're the man, Max," Seamus clapped me on the shoulder. "Half of the girls are looking at you now."

"Well, what can I say. Yeah."