bioinnovel Chapter 237 Anglo-French Friendship
Chapter 237 Anglo-French Friendship
Chapter 237 Anglo-French Friendship
In the conference room of the International Department of Magical Cooperation, the debate over which party should host the Triwizard Tournament continued.
Igor Karkarov said that Durmstrang has a large venue and magnificent scenery, and regards Viktor Krum as a golden brand.
Olem Maxim said that Beauxbatons is surrounded by mountains, has magnificent buildings, and a pleasant climate, and he repeatedly mentioned the school's illustrious history and the great alchemist Nicolas Flamel.
Although Belvina is the youngest, she knows the history of Hogwarts like the back of her hand, and insists that the Triwizard Tournament was only able to be held again thanks to the initiative of the British Ministry of Magic.
As the three argued back and forth, unable to reach a conclusion in their battle of civility and politeness, the tension in the meeting room grew increasingly palpable.
Out of consideration for the century-old friendship between England and France, Mrs. Maxime resolutely joined forces with Karkaroff, intending to eliminate the powerful Hogwarts and Belvina first.
"Hogwarts cannot host this year's Triwizard Tournament!" Madam Maxime declared emphatically. "The last tournament, in 1792, was held at Hogwarts, and what happened?"
Karkaroff, stroking his beard, understood immediately and said, "The chicken-bodied, snake-tailed monster caused chaos at the tournament and even injured the then-headmaster of Hogwarts."
"Hogwarts wasn't the only headmaster who got injured back then," Belvina retorted. "Don't make fun of your second brother, big brother. It wasn't just Hogwarts that got injured by the serpent-bodied monster. The headmasters of Beauxbatons and Durmstrang weren't much better off either."
Without pausing, Belvina continued rapidly, "Besides, the current headmaster of Hogwarts is Albus Dumbledore. Do you think he can't handle the serpent-bodied monster, Igor?"
"This year's Triwizard Tournament won't feature any dangerous magical creatures like the Chicken-bodied, Snake-tailed Monster!" Igor Karkaroff said through gritted teeth.
Igor: Kakalo's silence on the question does not mean that Maxim has conceded defeat.
The extremely burly Mrs. Maxim said slowly, "Hogwarts cannot host the tournament; it's too dangerous there. As far as I know, students from your school were attacked by the Basilisk a couple of years ago."
Upon hearing this, Karkaroff's expression changed; he hadn't expected that Hogwarts had ever been in trouble with the Basilisk.
In recent years, Igor Karkaroff has stayed in Durmstrang, living a secluded life and knowing very little about the British wizarding community.
Having lived in peace and tranquility for too long, Karkaroff's vigilance gradually decreased, and he even dared to swagger back to England and make a high-profile appearance at the Ministry of Magic.
"The basilisk did appear at Hogwarts, but it was quickly killed," Belvina said. "Mrs. Maxim probably doesn't know that I killed the basilisk myself."
As soon as the words were spoken, Mrs. Maxim looked surprised. She hadn't expected that the young Belvina would have the strength to kill the basilisk. On the other side, Karkaroff curled his lip in disdain. He didn't believe that a pretty face like Belvina could kill the basilisk.
Coincidentally, Igor Karkarov looked down on Belvina, and Belvina disliked him just as much.
Before becoming the headmaster of Durmstrang School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Igor Karkaroff was a Death Eater. Mad-Eye Moody pursued him for six months before finally getting Karkaroff into Azkaban.
Karkaroff, who was imprisoned, gave the British Ministry of Magic a list of Death Eaters in exchange for his freedom, thus avoiding punishment.
Igor Karkaroff named many people, including Antonin Dolokhov, Evan Rozier, Travers, Moorseber, August Lukwood, and Severus Snape.
This same Death Eater who betrayed the Death Eaters transformed himself into a school principal more than a decade later. One can only say he truly lived up to Durmstrang's reputation.
Thinking of this, Belvina's eyes darted around, and she looked at the seemingly respectable Karkaroff.
Belvina said, "If we're talking about level of danger, I think Durmstrang is the most dangerous. Igor, as far as I know, Grindelwald is very popular among your students."
Upon hearing this, Mrs. Maxim frowned; she had also heard about this matter.
"Igor, your students have Grindelwald's logo everywhere—on textbooks, on clothes, and it looks like they've even tattooed it on their bodies," Belvina continued. "That won't do, Igor, absolutely not."
"Only a few students, even Hogwarts has them all."
"Igor!" Belvina interrupted Karkarov loudly. "I'm really worried about my students going to Durmstrang, and I can't even imagine what they'll encounter. After all, many parents have already taken their children out of Durmstrang."
At this point, Mrs. Maxim, with a lithe figure that belied her large size, reiterated her opinion, saying, "I agree with Miss Black's view."
Mrs. Maxim took a deep breath and continued, "Beauxbatons finds it hard to accept the Durmstrang students' adoration of Grindelwald. Many of our students have lost loved ones because of Grindelwald."
With Beauxbatons switching sides, Durmstrang was instantly eliminated and no longer qualified to compete for the Triwizard Tournament hosting rights.
Of course, Igor Karkarov could also flip the table if he, on behalf of Durmstrang, refused to sign, thus ending the Triwizard Tournament.
But Karkaroff was unwilling to overturn the table; he desperately needed a three-way championship to improve Durmstrang's declining reputation.
To improve Karkaroff's poor reputation.
Durmstrang School of Witchcraft and Wizardry was founded in the Middle Ages by the great witch Nerida Vokanova. After her mysterious death, Harfon Monte took over as headmaster.
The second headmaster, Monte, instilled a tradition of emphasizing dueling magic in Durmstrang, and thereafter students embraced dark magic and refused admission to Muggle-born individuals.
In the 20th century, Gellert Grindelwald emerged. To this day, his inscription remains on a wall on the Durmstrang campus.
With the appointment of the current principal, Igor Karkarov, Durmstrang School's reputation has once again plummeted, and many parents have taken their children out of the school.
Under Karkaroff's rule, the school descended into chaos, the campus becoming a breeding ground for fear and intimidation. Some students even invoked the name of their predecessor, Grindelwald, to demonstrate their own superiority.
Therefore, Igor Karkarov dared not overturn the table; he wanted to use the Triwizard Tournament to reverse his precarious reputation.
Faced with the unbreakable Anglo-French friendship, Durmstrang had no choice but to withdraw from the competition for the hosting rights.
However, Karkarov had no intention of swallowing his pride, and his indifferent gaze frequently swept over Belvina or Mrs. Maxim.
With Durmstrang's withdrawal from the competition, the friendship between Beauxbatons and Hogwarts came to an end, and the two sides, who had just joined forces against each other, immediately turned against each other.
Mrs. Maxim said quietly, "Miss Black, according to you, Hogwarts is not qualified to host the Triwizard Tournament."
With his way, he also gave his body.
Durmstrang produced Gellert Grindelwald, and Hogwarts produced Voldemort.
Durmstrang's students admire Grindelwald, and Hogwarts has Slytherin, which is known for producing Death Eaters.
"Your Excellency, Hogwarts is not like Durmstrang," Belvina said. "Both the Ministry of Magic and Hogwarts are cracking down on the Dark Lord and his cronies."
"I'm still worried about certain groups of students at your school," Mrs. Maxim said, still hoping to use Slytherin as a starting point to seize the hosting rights and gain home-field advantage.
Belvina patiently explained, "Madam, Hogwarts doesn't teach students dark magic, nor do the students leave the Dark Mark everywhere."
As she spoke, Belvina glanced at Igor Karkarov again, her gaze sweeping over his arm hidden under the desk.
Belvina adopted a somber tone and continued, "Madam, the pain inflicted by the Dark Lord is felt throughout the British Isles. The situation you fear will not occur at Hogwarts. With Dumbledore here, you can rest assured of that."
While others resort to quantum mechanics when in doubt, Belvina resorts to Albus Dumbledore when in doubt.
Belvina, who uses deceptive language and dabble in others' affairs, frequently brings up Dumbledore's name, and the key point is that Dumbledore's name actually works.
Sure enough, after bringing up Dumbledore's name, Mrs. Maxim couldn't think of a rebuttal. Who could refuse Dumbledore, who had defeated Gellert Grindelwald?
"Ha! All he talks about is Dumbledore, so why doesn't he come to the meeting himself?" Karkaroff said, stroking his beard with dissatisfaction. "Dumbledore isn't here, Crouch and Bagman aren't showing up either. Hogwarts' attitude towards the Triwizard Tournament is nothing special."
Maxim looked at Kakalo with slight surprise; she hadn't expected him to set aside past grievances and help Beauxbatons.
In contrast to the presence of both Headmasters Beauxbatons and Durmstrang, Hogwarts only sent a young man who wasn't even the Headmaster.
It did seem somewhat perfunctory and dismissive.
However, on the other hand, Dumbledore's status and position are far inferior to those of Mrs. Maxim and Karkaroff, even though they are both headmasters of magic schools!
"First, I am a professor at Hogwarts, and I have full authority to represent Dumbledore," Belvina said. "Second, I am the Deputy Director of the Department of International Magical Cooperation at the Ministry of Magic, and I have full authority to represent the Ministry. Any further questions, Igor?"
Although younger than the two principals, Belvina carries more weight. No, Belvina's dual identity makes her even more significant.
"Ultimately, it's because Dumbledore and Crouch didn't take the Triwizard Tournament seriously enough," Karkaroff said sarcastically. "If you continue with this attitude, we might just repeat the story from two hundred years ago."
Mrs. Maxim remained silent. With Karkaroff leading the charge, there was no need to offend the young man who held two positions.
"Igor, this is the third time I've heard Crouch from you today." Belvina smiled and held up three fingers. "Looks like you miss Mr. Crouch!" She nodded and continued, "Well, you two are old acquaintances."
Instantly, Karkaroff's expression changed drastically; he didn't want to see Barty Crouch at all.
Igor Karkarov's eyelids twitched violently. He saw Belvina's malicious grin and the disdain in her eyes.
Belvina turned halfway around and called out to the conference room door, "Percy, come in."
The conference room door opened with a click, and stood a young, red-haired wizard wearing glasses. He said respectfully, "Miss Black,"
What are your orders?
"Go see if Mr. Crouch is back. If it's convenient, come over. An old friend is looking for him," Belvina said. "Oh, and while you're at it, ask where Alastor Moody is."