bioinnovel Chapter 327 Deception
Chapter 327 Deception
Chapter 327 Deception
Near midnight, Belvina and Bassheda returned to the castle.
At this time, the auditorium was still bustling with people, and the dance floor was filled with the fluttering of dresses.
Neither of the professors wanted to continue dancing, so they found a quiet corner to sit down.
For the remainder of the ball, Belvina and Bassheda stayed in a corner, chatting quietly.
At midnight, the eccentric sisters stopped playing, and the Christmas ball came to a close amidst applause. Everyone headed towards the foyer.
Some people wished the dance could last longer, ideally until dawn, while others couldn't wait for it to end, because they weren't having a good time.
In the now crowded lobby, men and women bid each other farewell with reluctance, as if they would never see each other again tomorrow, and some were even searching for their companions.
Take Hagrid, for example. Tonight, Hagrid was wearing an ugly, furry brown suit and anxiously searching for Mrs. Maxim in the crowd.
"It seems like something's wrong with those two," Bassheda muttered. "I mean, Hagrid and Mrs. Maxim."
"Perhaps our reckless friend has made another mistake!" Belvina said, "like those blasting snails he illegally cultivated."
Looking at Hagrid frantically searching for someone, Bassheda said softly, "I don't know why, but now I'm starting to have some doubts about Hagrid's belated love."
"She's the headmistress of a magic school. Hagrid has to travel a long way to get close to her," Belvina said. She also didn't think Hagrid would have a chance at success; the gap between them was too big.
Orim Maxim is the headmaster of Beauxbatons, while Hagrid is merely an elective professor at Hogwarts, his position entirely dependent on Dumbledore's patronage.
Orim Maxim has an elegant, sophisticated style, while Hagrid has a wild, unkempt style and often walks the line between law and law, illegally breeding magical creatures.
Aside from sharing a special bloodline, Hagrid and Maxim have almost nothing in common. Their social status and lifestyles are worlds apart, giving them a strong resemblance to a poor boy and a rich girl.
"What an interesting night! Some people are happy, some are sad, and some are worried. It's really funny," Belvina continued. "I'm going back to sleep now. I hope I have a fun dream."
"I'm going back to sleep now, hoping to dream of endless delicious food!" said Bassheda.
After they finished speaking, the two parted ways at the marble staircase, and Belvina turned and walked upstairs.
She hadn't gone far down the stairs when Belvina saw the heartbroken woman from tonight. Hermione walked past her with a cold expression, and the little girl didn't even stop to say hello.
Hermione stole the show tonight, not only outshining all the other beauties but also standing next to Viktor Krum, a position many people dream of.
However, Hermione's Christmas ball was anything but happy, all because of those two useless men.
Speaking of those two useless men, Harry and Ron indeed appeared.
Ron, looking gloomy and unhappy, seemed to be possessed by Krum.
Harry, standing beside him, was the same, his eyebrows and eyes drooping downwards, looking like he was always accompanied by bad luck.
The two, preoccupied and dejected, walked past without stopping to greet each other, as if they hadn't seen Professor Black on the stairs at all.
Belvina shook her head. She didn't know if fourth-year boys were simply not old enough to understand, or if Harry and Ron just weren't perceptive enough.
Professor Black, who prides himself on impartiality, simply wants to say that all the unhappiness Harry and Ron experienced tonight was entirely their own fault, and they have no one else to blame but themselves.
The moonlight was perfect outside the castle. Belvina looked out the window at the bright moonlight and began to hum the tune of "Ode to the Bells" softly.
Fortunately, the lyrics she hummed were related to Christmas, so it didn't turn into a mix of stars returning to their seats.
On the second day of Christmas, everyone got up late.
It wasn't until the sun was high in the sky that the castle, its body hollowed out, slowly awoke.
Even at lunchtime, the entire school's teachers and students still seemed listless and yawned constantly.
The campus was quiet, devoid of laughter and chatter, and the chasing and playing were so still that it felt somewhat unsettling.
In the afternoon, Belvina walked alone across the snow-covered grounds toward the shore of Black Lake.
She didn't come here to watch Durmstrang's group of muscular winter swimmers, nor to chat with Igor Karkarov.
Harry and Cedric had already arrived at the shore of the Black Lake and were waiting. Both of them looked listless and as if they hadn't woken up yet.
"Come here." Belvina stood on the shore of the Black Lake and beckoned to Harry and Cedric.
Two Hogwarts warriors walked over, yawning.
Cedric looked at Harry with a puzzled expression, unable to understand why Harry had suddenly become hostile towards him.
From the moment he left, Harry stood far away from Cedric and didn't say a word to him.
At this moment, both of them were standing next to Belvina, but Harry still tried to keep his distance from Cedric, not even willing to glance at him.
Cedric was completely baffled, utterly unaware that Harry had long considered him a rival in love.
"Christmas is over," Belvina said. "The Christmas holidays are also halfway over."
Harry and Cedric nodded.
The two champions of Hogwarts knew very well why Belvina had called them out.
"Have you two figured out the secret of the golden egg?" Belvina asked. "You probably don't have the mind to solve it, do you?"
Harry and Cedric nodded in unison again.
When the first project ended, the two of them were still inseparable from the egg, constantly thinking about how to crack the clues in the golden egg.
However, after the news of the Christmas ball was announced, the two warriors began to spend less time on the golden egg, and eventually even threw the golden egg into the corner of the chair to collect dust.
Cedric was busy dealing with the women surrounding him, and most importantly, solidifying his relationship with Cho Chang.
Harry, on the other hand, was heartbroken because of his unspoken teenage feelings and the fact that Cho Chang had rejected his invitation to the ball.
As for the clues about the golden egg, what is the second project that started in February?
"Gentlemen, cheer up!" Belvina clapped her hands. "You are the champions of Hogwarts, destined for the Triwizard Tournament!"
Harry and Cedric both lowered their heads in shame.
Lately, their minds haven't been on the competition; they've been completely preoccupied with Qiu Zhang.
What does this mean?
This shows that if one has no woman in their heart, then drawing the staff will naturally bring divine intervention.
"January is just around the corner, and after January comes February. In February, we'll start our second project. What are your plans?"
"I'm going back to study the golden egg and find the clues hidden inside," Cedric said shamefully.
"Me too," Harry quickly chimed in. "We'll go back and figure something out."
"I expect to hear good news from you within a week," Belvina said. "Get lost!"
As soon as the words were spoken, Harry and Cedric didn't dare to delay for a moment and left without stopping.
The two Hogwarts warriors swiftly departed, but Belvina remained standing on the shore, her gaze fixed on the three-masted sailboat moored in the shallows.
Belvina wasn't quite sure about Durmstrang's educational level, but she was certain that Durmstrang's students were incredibly resistant to the cold.
On Durmstrang's large boat, moored on the lake, several boys walked from the cabin onto the deck. They were all dressed very lightly, with the leader, Viktor Krum, wearing only swimming trunks.
Krum nimbly climbed onto the gunwale, spread his arms, and then leaped into the Black Lake at the end of December.
After Krum, a series of splashes rang out as all the Durmstrang boys jumped into the icy water.
Belvina stood on the shore and watched for a while, but still didn't see anyone with leg cramps from the cold. Feeling bored, Belvina turned around and prepared to leave.
At that moment, Igor Karkarov's slick voice suddenly rang out.
"Professor Black, please wait."
Upon hearing this, Belvina not only didn't stop, but walked even faster.
Belvina ran fast, but Karkarov chased even faster and caught up with her not far away.
"Professor Blake, did you enjoy what you just watched—" Karkaroff stopped abruptly halfway through his sentence, not daring to tease Belvina.
"Speak your mind, Igor," Belvina said. "You may be a nuisance, but given that you're the principal of Durmstrang..."
I should offer you my help.
Assistance is something that should be provided, in order to demonstrate the fairness and impartiality of the organizers.
However, whether it's right or wrong is entirely up to Belvina. If she wants to help, then it's right; if she doesn't want to help, then it's wrong.
"Professor Blake, there are less than two months left before the second project, and I'm getting anxious!" Karkaroff said.
"Professor Karkaroff, why the rush? Krum will definitely get a perfect score with you anyway," Belvina said with a smile. "What's the rush?"
Belvina is a very vengeful person; she hasn't forgotten a thing about what Karkaroff did in the first project.
Knowing his own situation best, Karkarov was well aware that his actions had deeply offended Belvina, but he still wanted to get more information from the organizers, especially the details of the second project.
"How about this, if you can agree to two conditions, I can give you some personal advice," Belvina said. "How about it?"
"No problem," Karkaroff said hastily. "Not just two conditions, but more are fine too!"
Upon hearing this, Belvina raised an eyebrow.
"What is the first condition?" Karkarov asked hastily, afraid that Belvina would make any more demands.
"Fairness and impartiality are the first conditions," Belvina said. "Don't try anything funny with me, Igor, I really can be angry."
Karkarov took a deep breath and said, "No problem, I guarantee I will be fair and impartial as a judge in the second event. What's the second condition?"
"What did you and Severus talk about last night?" Belvina asked, this was what she was most interested in, the information she most wanted to get from Karkaroff.
This time, Karkarov hesitated for a long time, repeatedly reaching out to touch his goatee.
After a long while, Karkaroff slowly rolled up his sleeves to show Belvina the Dark Mark on his arm.
Compared to the Dark Mark previously seen on Snape's arm, Karkaroff's mark is much clearer, indicating that Voldemort's power has increased.
"I've already shown you mine, now it's your turn." Karkaroff's face was ashen, his eyes revealing unease.
"The second project was underwater," Belvina said. "Krum did a great job, didn't he? He could stay underwater for so long in such cold weather."
"Of course I know the second project is underwater!" Karkaroff growled in a low voice. "I need the details! The level design!"
Or perhaps something is hidden in the lake!
Belvina smiled and said, "Don't worry too much, Igor. The second event is the easiest. As long as Krum doesn't drown, he'll definitely finish the race."
After saying that, Belvina turned and left, giving Karkarov no chance to catch up with her.
If Igor Karkarov wants to know what's beneath the Black Lake, why doesn't he just jump in and find out?