Harry Potter and the Hidden Treasure (Volume 3)

Chapter 546 Ailing Krum

"What is that?"

"It's a mast, it's a grand ship!"

In front of everyone, slowly and magnificently, the great ship rose from the water, shimmering in the moonlight.

It had a strangely skeletal appearance, as if it were a resurrected wreck, and the dim, misty lights shining in its portholes seemed ghostly eyes.

Finally, with a loud splash, the ship emerged completely, floating on the choppy water, and began gliding towards the shore.

A few moments later, they heard the splash of an anchor being thrown into shallow waters, and the thud of a gangplank being lowered onto the shore.

People were disembarking; they could see their silhouettes passing through the porthole lights of the ship.

It was astounding. Evan did not expect Durmstrang to possess such a treasure.

He could sense the magical power in the ship and the whimsical craftsmanship.

The ship had been endowed with powerful magic and could travel wherever there was water.

Evan also detected many traces of dark magic, which truly aligned with Durmstrang's style.

"Look at those people, they are so imposing!"

Upon hearing Dennis' sigh, Evan's gaze shifted from the exaggerated image of the ship to the figures on the shore.

They were Durmstrang students and appeared to be built in the style of Crabbe and Goyle. But as they drew closer, walking across the lawns towards the light filtering from the entrance hall, everyone saw that their bulk was due to the fact that they wore capes made of some kind of fuzzy, tangled fur.

However, the man leading them towards the castle wore a different type of fur: shiny and silver, much like his hair.

"Dumbledore!" he called out joyfully as he ascended the slope. "My dear old friend, how are you?"

"Thriving, thank you, Professor Karkaroff," Dumbledore replied.

Karkaroff had a fruity and oily voice, and he appeared to be very cunning.

When he stepped into the light spilling from the castle's front doors, they saw that he was tall and lean like Dumbledore, but his white hair was short and his pointed beard, ending in a small curl, did not entirely mask his weak chin.

As he reached Dumbledore, they shook hands warmly.

"Dear old friend, dear Hogwarts," he said, gazing at the castle and smiling. "It has been many years since I last visited here. How good it is to be here, how good!"

He displayed an exaggerated smile and all could see that his teeth were quite yellow.

Although his face was full of smiles, Karkaroff's eyes did not smile; they remained cold and cunning.

"Well, Viktor, accompany me, to the warmth... you dont mind, Dumbledore? Since the stealthy attack in Diagon Alley by the despicable villain, Viktor has not been in good health lately and has been taking medication..."

Karkaroff called forward one of his students. As the boy passed, Evan caught a glimpse of a prominent curved nose and thick black eyebrows.

He didn't need to be reminded to recognize that profile; it was Krum!

He still looked as grim as before, somewhat sickly and not quite well.

Ignoring the commotion and cheers in the crowd, he followed Karkaroff towards the castle.

"God, it's Krum, I can't believe it!" Ron said in a stunned voice.

By this point, five minutes after Durmstrang's arrival, the Hogwarts students were trailing behind the Durmstrang delegation, hesitating to climb the stone steps.

"It's Krum, Viktor Krum, he came to Hogwarts!" Ron continued, sighing.

"For heaven's sake, Ron, he's just a Quidditch player," Hermione said unhappily.

"Just a Quidditch player?!" Ron said, looking at her as if he couldn't believe what he was hearing. "Hermione... he's one of the best Seekers in the world, and he saved us last time at the World Cup."

"I know, and we are all very grateful, but that's no reason for you to keep talking about him for five minutes."

After seeing Krum, there were only a handful of people who were as composed as Hermione.

As they crossed the entrance hall again with the rest of the Hogwarts students heading to the Great Hall, many people jostled eagerly and Lee Jordan bounced up and down on his toes to get a better look at the back of Krum's head.

Several sixth-year girls frantically searched their pockets as they walked.

"Oh, I can't believe it, I don't have a single pen on me!"

"Do you think he would sign my hat with lipstick?"

"That's ridiculous!" Hermione said haughtily.

She frowned at everyone and walked past the girls, who were now arguing over a lipstick.

"I'll get his autograph if I can," said Ron. "Who has a pen?"

"No, they're up in my bag," said Harry.

"I have it here!" Evan found the paper and pen in the bag and handed it to Ron.

"Thanks, I'll be right back, you guys wait for me!" said Ron excitedly.

Like the girls, he hurried towards the crowd of Durmstrang students.

"He's crazy, we saw the guy last time."

It was astonishing that Ron's admiration for Krum had reached an unparalleled level.

Evan, Harry, Hermione, Colin, and Ginny entered the Great Hall and sat at the Gryffindor table.

It was still chaotic at the entrance, as Krum and his Durmstrang companions were still gathered there.

They seemed unsure of where to sit and how to deal with the young wizards waiting in front of them for Krum's autograph.

The Beauxbatons students who had arrived early had already chosen seats at the Ravenclaw table. They looked around the Great Hall with somber expressions. Three of them were still wrapping scarves and shawls around their heads.

Among them was Fleur, who didn't seem particularly impressed by Hogwarts' architectural style.

In comparison to the luxurious and exquisite buildings of Beauxbatons, Hogwarts was truly too rustic.

Fleur looked around and then at Evan, turning her head haughtily.

But Gabrielle said a few words to her and hurried over, ignoring the surprised looks of the others around her.

"Hello, Evan!" said Gabrielle with a smile, naturally sitting in an empty seat next to Evan.

"Hello, Gabrielle!" Evan replied, introducing the others.