As everyone's gaze followed the three-headed dragon to the edge of the Forbidden Forest, a suppressed rumbling and sucking sound echoed from the darkness, like some monster exhaling.
"In the lake! Look at the lake!" someone shouted loudly.
The calm surface of the water suddenly erupted into huge waves, and a pitch-black sailboat broke through, like a legendary ghost ship, dim, eerie, exuding a decayed aura, sending chills down the spine.
Then, a tall, slim man with silver-white hair descended from the sailboat with his students, heading toward the castle.
"Dumbledore, my dear old friend, how are you?"
The man shouted enthusiastically, with a sickly sweet voice.
"Great, thank you, Professor Karkaroff." Dumbledore replied.
Karkaroff walked up the slope and as the castle's lights illuminated him, he also saw Ivan beside Dumbledore, his expression slightly changed.
"Ivan Petrovich." Karkaroff's voice squeezed out from between his teeth, he said through clenched teeth: "Didn't expect you to be here too."
"Surprised?" Ivan seemed to enthusiastically greet him, his large hand slapped Karkaroff's shoulder, causing the latter to stagger slightly.
"Igor, unhappy to see an old friend?" Ivan laughed heartily.
Karkaroff's eyes flickered with gloom, then he forced a smile without warmth: "Old friend… happy to meet again, of course."
Just as the atmosphere turned somewhat tense, a peculiar buzzing sounded from the sky, low and rhythmic, like a giant fan hanging above.
"By Merlin's beard, what is that?" A junior student pointed at the sky and screamed.
"A fire dragon… no no no, it's a giant bird…"
But as the distance closed in, everyone realized that flying in the sky was actually a chubby helicopter, barely a dozen meters long, seemingly able to seat only a couple of people.
The helicopter landed smoothly, and on its side, the words "Salem Academy" glowed. The closed hatch then opened, and a tall witch emerged, her deep blue robe adorned with stars and moon symbols.
Accompanying her was a very handsome blond wizard, whose face was lit with a sunny smile, his deep eyes showed affection as he looked at Hogwarts Castle.
"Hello, Dumbledore." The witch extended her hand, saying: "Very pleased to meet you."
"I am too, Ms. Owens." Dumbledore bowed and kissed the back of her hand: "Your means of arrival is truly surprising."
"Thunderbirds are too capricious, easily make people dizzy, this helicopter is our latest achievement." Owens turned to introduce the young man beside her: "This is Professor Antoine Moro, three-time champion of the Duelling Contest."
"Hello, Headmaster Dumbledore." Antoine stepped forward and bowed.
"Welcome, Professor Moro." Dumbledore said: "I hope you enjoy your time at Hogwarts."
"I look forward to it as well." Antoine's gaze swept over the castle's dark towers, then glanced at the students standing on the steps, his eyes filled with deep laughter.
Vid turned his eyes towards the helicopter's entrance as Salem's students lined up to exit, their deep purple robes bore silvery-grey feathered snake patterns.
Under Professor McGonagall's guidance, the students from different academies also entered the castle to rest.
"They're all in warm places, yet we have to stay here to greet them." Michael grumbled softly: "Can't these people arrive all at once?"
"Some like to be first, some think arriving late makes them seem more important." Padma said.
Vid flicked his magic wand, a swirl of warm air rose, heating the ground warmly, the robes of everyone were billowing.
"Wow, much better." Fred's voice emerged from the Gryffindor ranks: "Excellent, Vid."
The warm breeze didn't dissipate, but continuously blew, leading Harry to pull his cold hands from his pockets, reaching out to the warm air, saying: "I feel like I'm in an oven."
"Oven?" Ron asked doubtfully beside him: "What's that?"
The sky suddenly darkened, a vast shadow enveloped the whole lawn, Dumbledore looked at the sky, chuckling: "Looks like Mando and Akadim have arrived together."
Many stretched their necks searching the sky, but saw nothing beyond the thickening clouds.
Suddenly, a dense, dark cloud descended, as it neared the ground, its color lightened into a bright white cloud.
The mist broke apart, an elephant emerged, its giant feet landed soundlessly, its long trunk swaying occasionally.
Behind the elephant was a carriage inlaid with gems, with golden bells hanging, swaying with the elephant's steps.
Beside the elephant, a vividly patterned and refined flying carpet appeared, with over ten people on it, donned in colorful silk printed robes, either seated or reclined, relaxed, led by a petite witch adorned with feather accessories.
A kindly faced, dark-skinned elder stepped out of the carriage, short-statured, dressed in a simple white robe, followed by students equally clad in plain white cotton robes.
"Welcome, Professor Usha, Professor Sunil."
When the witch named Usha extended her hand, Dumbledore shook it, then embraced the elder, bending down to touch cheeks.
Usha said: "May peace be upon you, Professor Dumbledore."
"Thank you for accepting my children, Albus." Sunil said: "May the true God bless you."
Right then, a brisk drumbeat and click-clack sounds emanated from the edge of the Forbidden Forest.
With a long blast of the whistle, a colorful train broke through the air, roaring forth, with the head shaped like a soaring macaw, the train trailing silver glimmers behind.
The door opened, an ancient bronze-skinned witch stepped out, cloaked in a colorful robe, her neck adorned with several strings of crystal necklaces, a gentle smile on her face.
"Headmaster Cavaleiro!" Dumbledore spread open his arms: "Your train is dazzling!"
The witch laughed heartily, engaging in a warm cheek-to-cheek greeting: "Albus, we sped up specifically not to miss Hogwarts' banquet! Come on out, children!"
She yelled towards the train.
Over a dozen children jumped down cheerfully, some darted right back onto the train, shouting: "So cold, freezing to death!"
Headmaster Cavaleiro smiled awkwardly, turned back, kicking the students off the train one by one.
Professor McGonagall turned to see, actually the students from Mando and Akadim were shivering too, having misjudged the late October weather in the Scottish Highlands, without bringing any thick cloaks.
Thus Professor McGonagall promptly arranged for students from both schools to be sent into the castle too.
Before leaving, Headmaster Cavaleiro asked: "We're not the last, are we, Albus?"
"Certainly not." Dumbledore chuckled: "Only Uagadou and the Magic Institute haven't arrived, but they should be here any moment."
"Oh…" Cavaleiro raised his eyebrows, seeming to think of something, revealing an ambiguous smile.