After the remaining three had gotten themselves cleaned up to the best of their abilities, the group made their way down to the common room. Most of the students were already seated in different places across the room, whispering quietly to themselves. Just in front of the portrait hole stood Professor McGonagall, clearly waiting for the final students to show up.
"Looking good, Harry!" whispered Alicia as Angelina ruffled Harry's hair playfully. The act earned a glare from McGonagall, who watched as Alicia quickly combed Harry's hair with her fingers. McGonagall looked away once she was satisfied, though not without a disapproving shake of her head.
"What did you do to make her all grumpy?" Katie whispered to Harry.
"What makes you think I did anything? It's probably because of the arrivals; must be stressed or something." Harry said in an equally quiet voice.
Within another five minutes, the remainder of Gryffindor house was now seated throughout the common room, awaiting their head of house's word.
"When we arrive at the Great Hall," began McGonagall, "You are to remain organized. There will be now fooling around, and if anyone is caught using magic they will be given detention for a week."
She scanned the Gryffindor common room, her eyes stopping slightly as she passed Fred, George, and Harry.
"Do try to impress our guests. They are the best of their schools, many of them are people of great influence. You may recognize a few of them, just as they may recognize a few of you. You will not, I repeat, you will not embarrass Gryffindor House in front of the delegations. Not now, and not during any other point of the school year. Get up, organize yourselves from youngest to oldest, and follow me."
The students did as told, quietly following Professor McGonagall out of the portrait hole and through the empty halls. They soon saw their Hufflepuff classmates as they reached one of the many staircases leading towards the Great Hall. Each of the Hufflepuff students looked equally as excited and nervous as most of the Gryffindors felt.
The two houses, as well as Professors McGonagall and Sprout, made their way down to the hall, where the Slytherins and Ravenclaws were waiting for them. The sky was a dark blue, slowly turning black. A gentle breeze swept through the open doors, causing many of the younger ones to shiver slightly.
As Harry and his classmates were settling down at their table, Harry felt a jolt of energy surge through his body. On instinct, the Potter heir turned around, his eyes searching the Great Hall. He could just barely make out the form of Hedwig, who was gliding towards him at a fast pace. She silently landed on Harry shoulder, where she began, as usual, to nip Harry's ear affectionately.
Professor McGonagall's eyes narrowed slightly, but the only thing she said about it was simply, "Keep her quiet."
The students, staff, and Aurors of Hogwarts, along with Hedwig, all waited in anticipation. By now the students of Hogwarts had completely abandoned any ideas of organization, simply standing (or sitting) wherever they desired. For most, that meant whichever place gave the best view through the windows. The professors had tried to restore order for about five minutes, before hastily giving up. They too were excited to see the arrivals.
"How do you reckon they're going to arrive?" asked Dean to the other fourth year Gryffindors.
"Maybe they can apparate! They might be allowed to do that under the age of seventeen, wherever they come from!" Ron whispered excitedly.
"You can't apparate on the Hogwarts Grounds." said both Harry and Hermione, resulting in many chuckles from those around them. Hermione smiled happily at Harry, her buck teeth showing slightly.
"What then, reckon they might come on broomsticks?" asked Seamus, "Or maybe the train?"
"I doubt it." whispered Hermione, "If they were using the train, they would both have to get to King's Cross, which is rather inefficient. And I can't see a group of students flying thousands of miles, that would take too much effort and time."
"So then how are they going to come?" asked Pavarti, sneakily threading a butterfly ornament into her hair when Professor McGonagall's back was turned.
Parvati's question was answered by a shout from one of the younger Hufflepuff's, who was pointing at the sky in awe.
"Would you look at that?" she screamed.
"That, as Ms. Perveniet has chosen to announce," began Professor Dumbledore, pausing as the students chuckled at the blushing girl, "Is the Beauxbatons' Carriage, which contains the school's delegations." Dumbledore made his way to the front of the hall, clearly planning on being the first to greet the guests.
The students watched as the carriage flew closer to the grounds, becoming easier to see as it did so. The carriage was painted a pale blue that matched the sky, decorated with what appeared to be ornate gold designs. It was being pulled by seven incredibly large, white, winged horses, all of whom were proportional to the rather large carriage.
It looks like a large, fancy, French version of Father Christmas' sleigh.
The students of Hogwarts watched as the carriage dropped down onto the earth floor, the Abraxan pulling it skidding to a halt. The carriage had landed on the Hogwarts grounds, a few dozen metres away from them.
.....
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