The arrival at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry on the day before Halloween was a bumpy one, everyone inside the enchanted carriage was holding onto their seats for dear life even though they had nothing to worry about. So when they were finally allowed out of it, nearly all of the students had to refrain from throwing themselves onto the ground and kissing it, which meant they all shared a look and gave a silent prayer to god that they were alive.

Soon enough everyone began to shiver, albeit Rory who looked at everyone like they had grown three heads at the shivering, she knew that Scotland was cold during Fall and Winter but never in a million years would she begin shivering like a chicken. Granted most of the students present did turn into giant chickens, much to her amusement.

Suddenly someone started to clap, followed by a lot more people, mismatched making it sound like thunder, the headmistress walked forward, allowing a bit of the light to hit them, the famous winter light that Rory had certainly missed, "My dear Madame Maxime," an elderly and wise voice greeted. "Welcome to Hogwarts."

"Dumbly-dorr," said Madame Maxime in a deep voice. "I 'ope I find you well?" a simple pleasantry that had the Beauxbaton students sharing a small look between them, it was perhaps one of the few times that the headmistress had spoken in English.

"In excellent form, I thank you," The same voice replied, a hint of a smile evident in his tone, "My pupils," said Madame Maxime, waving one of her enormous hands carelessly behind her, making everyone stand taller, halt their shivering as to look more presentable, and failing considerably.

"'As Karkaroff arrived yet?" Madame Maxime asked, the name sound half foul as it left the Headmistress's lips, "He should be here any moment," the same wise voice replied. "Would you like to wait here and greet him or would you prefer to step inside and warm up a trifle?"

"Warm up, I think," said Madame Maxime without missing a beat, she knew that she was cold and she could only imagine that her students might be as well. "But ze 'orses—" she began, peering over her shoulder at her abraxans, "Our Care of Magical Creatures teacher will be delighted to take care of them," the person who the Beauxbaton students could only assume was the Headmaster said, "the moment he has returned from dealing with a slight situation that has arisen with some of his other—er—charges."

"My steeds require—er—forceful 'andling," said Madame Maxime, looking as though she doubted whether any Care of Magical Creatures teacher at Hogwarts could be up to the job. "Zey are very strong..." Her words made Timothée, Rory and a few other students that actually spent time with the abraxans to bite their tongues and look away in an attempt as not to laugh, they had been able to mount the steeds without equipment various times without getting hurt, just by showing them love.

"I assure you that Hagrid will be well up to the job," said the Headmaster, his tone once more indicating that he was smiling, "Very well," rebutted Madame Maxime, bowing slightly. "Will you please inform zis 'Agrid zat ze 'orses drink only single malt whiskey?" 

"It will be attended to," said Dumbledore, also bowing. This satisfied the headmistress who turned around slightly to look at her students, eyes locking on Aurore as she knew what the girl was about to ask, merely giving her a nod that had the girl curtsying slightly. "Come," said Madame Maxime imperiously to the rest of her students, and the Hogwarts crowd parted to allow her and her students to pass up the stone steps.

Rory knew that everyone's eyes were currently on her, but she paid them no mind as she walked towards the tired steeds, reaching for her wand and conjuring sugar cubes for each of the steeds as a treat for their efforts.