BANG!

BANG!

Headmaster Zitnik hammered his heavy walking stick twice on the stone floors of Hogwarts Castle and the sound echoed loudly as the doors slowly creaked open to reveal the visitors from Durmstrang Institute.

Silver haired and wearing blood-red robes fastened with an ornate silver clasp, Zitnik kept a stoic look on his face as he took the first few steps into the Great Hall.

His heavy boots made a loud clicking noise as he took each step and his great staff thunked on the floor to his left. Eyes forward, he glanced at none of the students who were flanking the aisle. He raised his right hand and gave it a great flourish. Sparks seemed to fly from his fingertips and into the air behind him.

But they weren't sparks at all.

Red, silver, and gold sparkling stars began to rain down from the enchanted sky.

Headmaster Zitnik stopped ten feet short of the dias and dipped his head in a respectful nod towards Headmaster Tate.

"Thank you for your most hospitable invitation, Headmaster Tate," he said in a low, yet strong voice that could be heard throughout the Great Hall.

Zitnik stepped to one side and struck the floor one last time with his staff.

BANG!

The stars suddenly swirled around and burst into a bright sparkling light near the doorway. The sparkling multi-colored light slowly faded to reveal the champions from Durmstrang.