Chapter Thirty-One- The Visitors Finally Arrive

                                    

                                          

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A row of witches and wizards entered in long dark blue robes beneath weird woolly red sweaters. They looked comfortable and yet still fashionable enough to look professional somehow. Most of the students looked to be sixth or seventh years, though a few younger ones could have passed for fourth years. 
As they entered the Great Hall a plump smiling woman spoke casually, in a voice that boomed as Dumbledore's had. "Thank you for your warm welcome. I am the Deputy Headmistress and it's so wonderful to be here. We understand we are not who you expected and apologize for the confusion. We have come on Durmstrang's behalf due to...personal issues which prevented them from attending. We are happy to be here and we are the Abraeselts of Abraes Academy in Norway."
Another round of polite clapping arrived as all the students entered the halls. Then everyone fell quiet as every candle was swiftly snuffed out. Sirius heard Remus inhale sharply and actually reach for his wand as if expecting an attack. Sirius felt a little foolish he hadn't had the same knee-jerk reaction before realizing neither did James. The Black heir relaxed as brilliant lights danced through the Great Hall, a pleasant greenish glow, alternating between bluish-green, a soft purple, and every hue in between.
"The Northern Lights," Remus whispered in awe as a sort of refreshing chill filled the room, as if they were somewhere else. It felt like they were in the north watching the lights in the wilderness, the experience completed with the crisp smell of pine trees.
All the Abraeselts started chanting in soft pleasant voices, some language he didn't understand but which sounded nice regardless. Little candles sprung up from the students whose chanting had become louder and more melodic. Suddenly the swirling blob of colour exploded, bursting throughout the hall, the vibrant light wrapping around random students, moving throughout the whole Hogwart population. A burst of pastel green swept across Sirius, making him feel really warm. Then snowflakes started falling, which melted as soon as they touched a student or table, dissolving into nothing. No one was left with so much as a drop of melted snow on them. As the northern lights vanished, apparently sucked into the little candle's flames, the chanting died down again. The snow quickly collected in the middle of the Great Hall as if pulled together by some unseen force, twirling around and around with increasing speed. A blink of an eye later a large plump man, with a twinkle in his eye that could match Dumbledore's, materialized out of the frozen crystals with a greeting of deep booming laughter. Sirius gaped in disbelief at the jolly man with a white beard in a large red suit.
"Holy shit, they brought us Santa," Sirius whispered in disbelief, wondering vaguely if presents would accompany this spectacle. The chanting ceased with the appearance of the man who announced himself as Headmaster Christoph, causing the hall to explode into ecstatic cheering and clapping, even from the Slytherins.
"I don't think that's really Santa," James pointed out, but he sounded unsure. Dumbledore embraced the old man as if they were best of friends, which just increased Sirius' suspicions the plump man was indeed Ol' Chris Kringle.
"I can't wait to ask the students if they randomly get presents. Reckon I can transfer if they do?" Sirius asked eagerly. Remus and James laughed while Peter was clapping too hard to catch what the older boy had said.
"What a wonderful introduction, Headmaster Christoph. Thank you for that spectacular display. Now if your students will please take your seats," Dumbledore said pleasantly. Sirius blinked in confusion, but suddenly there was a fifth table in the Great Hall, though the hall itself didn't seem any more crowded.
"Thank you for your hospitality, hohoho! We're very pleased to be here."
Sirius grabbed James' arm shaking him. "It's Santa, it has to be bloody Santa. He just ho ho'd," he shouted as James just gaped in awe. Soon the Abraeselts had taken their seats, their headmaster joining the table of professors. Sirius could hardly wait for the next school, no longer caring about their status, much. Well not at all if they had really brought them Santa!