Cast spells on the ice, utilizing exquisite transformation arts and immense magical power to form a massive ice and snow castle. If done alone, it would be somewhat strenuous for Amortaza, but with Dumbledore's help, it is no longer an issue.
Amortaza, who had returned to the middle of the crowd, saw the expressions of stunned wonder on the faces of many of those on the shore and smiled contentedly.
"How is it? It's still decent, right?"
The one who had been constantly voicing discontent, Karkarov, was at a loss for words. In response to Amortaza's question, he could only mumble and nod in agreement.
"It's too amazing, Albus!"
Lady Maximin exclaimed heartily, "This is almost like a miracle!"
"I am very honored to receive your recognition, dear Olimus--"
Dumbledore spoke with a happy smile.
"So--"
Amortaza directed his gaze towards the shocked young witches who were at a loss for words, and waved at them.
"Don't wait any longer, everyone! Hurry to your castles and warm up--"
The intense discussions that were expected did not materialize. The young witches descended one by one onto the ice, each with their eyes fixed intently on the castle. They were in a daze until they stood before this fantastical ice fortress, and only then did they manage to pull themselves together.
The students noticed that the lifelike little animals that McGonagall had just created had taken over the open ice fortress. A few reindeer were joyfully racing around the silver fountain that Snape had made, occasionally making melodious bleating sounds.
The little fairies and Cupids flew in groups through the imposing ice blue palace gate, chasing after the ghosts that were drifting everywhere.
The young witches followed in the professors' footsteps, hesitantly stepping into the grand palace, and then they exclaimed again in amazement.
The interior of the palace was incredibly vast, a large auditorium.
Despite being an ice fortress, it was not as cold as expected. Instead, it was bright and warm. Harry looked up at the sky and saw that there were clusters of gold fire about the size of fists forming the emblems of four houses suspended above their heads, while the warmth within the palace also came from those four flames.
Above the four flames flags, there was also an extremely magnificent crystal chandelier. The chandelier was composed of thousands of diamond-shaped ice blocks, each purer than the most flawless crystals. The chandelier emitted a radiant ice-blue light, even Draco, who had seen a lot of luxurious decorations, was momentarily dazzled by its sight.
There were also many plant-shaped ice sculptures in the palace, all lifelike. A small squirrel that McGonagall had created was perched on many of these ice sculptures, tilting its head and winking at the young witches. This heartwarming scene brought many girls to tears with uncontrolled excitement, and they called out softly.
"It's simply incredible!"
Hermione covered her lips, gazing at the world before her, and tears shone in her excited eyes.
"I can't believe it! Magic can actually do something like this!"
Similar exclamations gradually spread, and the students slowly came to their senses. Fleur's sister, the little girl named Gabrielle, excitedly left the Beauxbatons group, occasionally stroking the mane of the lion wandering in the hall, then running to the trees to tease the squirrels perched on the ice branches, emitting a series of tinkling laughter.
Colin, who had unexpectedly got the opportunity to attend the banquet, was about to press his camera until it smoked. For the first time, he felt there was something more worth photographing than Harry Potter.
Fleur, standing next to Harry, stared in a daze at Amortaza Braein, who was chatting and laughing with Mrs. Maximin and Professor Karkarov. Her blue eyes shimmered with deep infatuation.
The dreamlike ice castle had captivated the young witches' attention so much that they were almost indifferent to the upcoming ball.
As people were still admiring the ice castle, Amortaza raised his wand and waved it, causing a sudden rustling sound to echo within the castle.
In the palace's grand hall, seemingly disordered arrangements but actually orderly, the ice sculptures of plants began to grow into tables and two chairs.
"Don't just stand there, everyone--"
Amortaza's voice echoed throughout the spacious hall.
"Take your seats, one table per couple for the dance partners, of course, and students attending the banquet individually may share a table with others. Oh, warriors and your partners, please come to the VIP seats--"
After Amortaza repeated himself once more, the students gradually began to move.
"Come on, Ron--"
Hermione gently tugged at Ron's sleeve, her voice soft.
"Oh, alright--"
Ron's face was as red as a furnace. He still dared not look at Hermione, but he noticed that Cedric, Daphne, and Fleur had all taken their partners' arms after Amortaza's reminder. Feeling a bit awkward, Ron coughed a few times before standing up straight, holding his right fist against his abdomen in a manner that looked like he knew what he was doing.
Hermione pursed her lips slightly, ignoring Fred and George's winking at him, and took Ron's arm.
All of this arrangement had only been rehearsed in Amortaza's mind, and even the staff was a bit confused. Amortaza smiled as he guided everyone to their seats. He noticed that Professor McGonagall was still standing and staring in a daze under a pine tree, so he walked over to her.
Like everyone else, the ice castle gave Professor McGonagall an unprecedented shock. However, there was a hint of melancholy in his gaze as he looked at the magnificent castle, and it seemed that there were some emotions that he was trying hard to suppress within himself.
But when his eyes fell on Hermione, who was walking with Ron, her arm linked with his, he suddenly froze in surprise. The expression on his scarred and discontented face turned to astonishment.
"Granger making Weasley her dance partner?" Professor McGonagall blurted out involuntarily, his voice laced with shock and confusion.
"Is there something wrong with this, Professor McGonagall?"
Amortaza's deep and meaningful gaze reminded Professor McGonagall to regain his senses.
"Oh, nothing at all--"
Professor McGonagall gasped for a few breaths, looked deeply at Ron and Hermione before gazing at Amortaza with a complex expression, and then walked away silently.
The warriors and their partners sat across from the three heads of the school, Amortaza and representatives from the Ministry of Magic. Harry and Fleur were seated between Percy and Ludo Bagman. As soon as Harry sat down, Percy immediately leaned over to him.
"I received your letters, Harry, because I was to be at Hogwarts for the banquet in place of Professor Flitwick, so I didn't write back. What's the sudden concern about Flitwick's recent whereabouts?" Percy asked.
"Let's talk about it later, Percy--"
Harry glanced nervously at Professor Braein a few seats away, lowering his voice.
The commotion gradually subsided, and everyone was looking towards the VIP table, as every table was as empty as if there were no plates to be seen. What were they supposed to eat?
And just then, a small wizard sitting at the lower table suddenly let out a scream.
"Quick, look at the ground!"
This shout of panic was the first to draw people's attention to the ground. There were so many things to look at in the ice castle that they hadn't noticed their feet yet.
The ground of this ice fortress was also a pure and flawless crystal, under the reflection of the ice blue light, they could see the scene underwater to a certain extent. The reason why the small wizard let out a scream at that moment was because there was an enormous shadow standing directly beneath their feet!
"It's the giant squid from the Black Lake!"
It didn't take long for someone to figure out what the colossal creature beneath their feet was. The giant squid from the Black Lake was also one of the famous campus legends at Hogwarts.
Not all the young witches had had close encounters with this giant squid, and some excitedly left their seats, lying on the ground without any care for their image to see what this creature looked like. Ron, who was seated at the VIP table, was also drawn to the giant squid. Although he maintained his posture, his eyes kept scanning downwards--
"Oh--"
Suddenly, many human-shaped shadows moved from under Ron's seat and ran to the giant squid to engage in some sort of negotiation.
"What on earth are these things?"
Ron let out a sound of terror involuntarily.
"Remain calm, Mr. Weasley--"
No one answered Ron's question, but McGonagall's expression soured. "Please don't move, everyone." She ordered, her voice echoing in the grand hall.
Hermione saw what Ron saw. She had been about to give Ron a reminder, as every warrior and their partner were in the spotlight of everyone's attention. But when she heard Ron's question, she instinctively began to think about the answer to it, and her face turned pale when a name popped into her mind!
(Chapter complete)
