Chapter 61

Chapter 61 The Foreign Delegations

The days following the delegations' arrival were a whirlwind of cultural exchange and magical spectacle. Hogwarts, once a familiar haven, now pulsed with the energy of a global gathering. The Great Hall, transformed into an international marketplace, buzzed with activity, a kaleidoscope of languages, magical artifacts, and exotic ingredients.

Students from Hogwarts mingled with their foreign counterparts, eager to learn about different magical traditions. Dueling demonstrations showcased the elegant precision of French wandwork and the raw power of Scandinavian battle magic. Potion-making workshops revealed the secrets of ancient Egyptian elixirs and the delicate balance of Japanese herbal remedies.

Liam, his scholarly curiosity piqued, spent hours observing the various magical practices, taking meticulous notes, and engaging in lively debates with visiting scholars. He was particularly fascinated by the runic systems used by the druids from Ireland, their intricate symbols holding a deep connection to the natural world.

Maya, her vibrant energy infectious, immersed herself in the cultural festivities, learning traditional dances from the African delegation, trying her hand at intricate origami from the Japanese wizards, and even attempting to play a haunting melody on a traditional flute from the Andean mountains.

Elara, however, remained vigilant, her gaze constantly scanning the crowd, her senses alert for any sign of hidden agendas. She couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss, that the festive atmosphere was a facade masking a darker undercurrent.

She kept a close eye on the young witch she had noticed during the arrival, the one with the unsettlingly familiar look in her eyes. The girl, who introduced herself as Lyra, was part of a small delegation from an obscure Eastern European wizarding community. She was quiet and reserved, often observing the festivities from a distance, her gaze intense and calculating.

Elara noticed Lyra engaging in hushed conversations with members of other delegations, her words barely audible, her expressions serious. She saw her lingering near the stalls displaying ancient artifacts, her eyes fixed on a particular object, a small, intricately carved box, its surface etched with dark symbols.

"She's up to something," Elara said to Liam and Maya, her voice laced with concern. "I've seen her talking to different delegations, and she seems particularly interested in that box."

"The one with the dark runes?" Liam asked, his brow furrowed. "That's a relic from an old cult, isn't it?"

"Exactly," Elara replied. "And I don't think it's a coincidence that she's showing so much interest in it."

"What do you think she wants it for?" Maya asked, her eyes filled with worry.

"I don't know," Elara said, her gaze fixed on Lyra, who was now engaged in a heated discussion with a burly wizard from the Scandinavian delegation. "But I intend to find out."

They decided to follow Lyra, observing her movements, listening to her conversations, trying to decipher her intentions. They discovered that she was particularly interested in the history of dark magic, the rituals of ancient cults, and the legends of powerful dark wizards.

"She's obsessed," Liam observed, his voice laced with concern. "It's like she's trying to piece together some kind of puzzle."

"A dark puzzle," Maya added, her voice barely a whisper.

Elara's unease grew with each passing day. The festive atmosphere of the competition was beginning to feel like a dangerous illusion, a mask hiding a sinister plot. The foreign delegations, once a source of wonder and excitement, now seemed to hold a hidden threat, a sense of danger lurking bene

ath the surface.