Eventually everyone filed down the front steps and lined up in front of the castle. It was a cold, clear evening; dusk was falling and a pale, transparent-looking moon was already shining over the Forbidden Forest. They scanned the darkening grounds excitedly, but nothing was moving; everything was still, silent and quite as usual. And then Dumbledore called out from the back row, where he stood with the other Teachers: "Aha! Unless I am very much mistaken, the delegation from Beauxbatons approaches!" people looked around. "Where?" many Students said eagerly, all looking in different directions. "There!" Artemas's voice yelled, pointing over the Forest. Something large, much larger than a broomstick, or, indeed, a hundred broomsticks, was hurtling across the deep blue sky towards the castle, growing larger all the time. A gigantic black shape skimmed over the treetops of the Forbidden Forest, and the lights shining from the castle windows hit it, they saw a gigantic, powder-blue, horse-drawn carriage, the size of a large house, soaring towards them, pulled through the air by a dozen winged horses, all palominos, and each the size of an elephant.