Chapter 111: Contents of the Golden Egg
Harry did not know when he had passed out, only remembering the Weasley Twins frantically forcing brandy down his throat, and others passing him Butterbeer one after another.
When Harry woke up, he found himself lying on the bed in his dormitory.
Ron and Neville were sleeping on the floor in a strange posture.
Suddenly, Harry felt a splitting headache, and his stomach churned violently.
"Oh? Already up? Take this."
Hode suddenly appeared in front of Harry, and then threw a bottle of potion at him.
"What is this?"
"Something that will make you fly to the sky after drinking it."
Hearing Hode's words, Harry didn't think much and drank it all in one gulp.
Soon, Harry's head stopped hurting, his stomach felt comfortable, and his whole being felt refreshed.
"Thanks, Hode. What on earth happened yesterday? Why do I have zero recollection of it?"
"You? The way you drank yesterday was completely out of this world! You stubbornly dragged Ron and Neville to accompany you, and in the end, the three of you collapsed straight onto the ground, so I carried you back."
Harry scratched his head, then looked at Hode in puzzlement.
"I remember you seemed to have drunk even more than me..."
"Sorry, I never get drunk! It's not that easy to get a Dragondrunk!"
Hode recalled yesterday when the Weasley Twins led everyone to force drinks on him, and as a result, they all collapsed on the ground in the end while he was completely fine.
And even Hermione accompanied him to drink a bit, after which she became all dazed and even reached out to touch Hode.
So after Hode sent everyone back to their dormitories, he took Hermione back into the suitcase to sleep. (Just sleeping)
Harry nods, then looks at the Golden Egg on the bedside table beside him, and picks it up.
"Hode, the content of the second task Ludo mentioned yesterday is inside the Golden Egg. Should we open this Golden Egg?"
"You can open it and take a look."
Hode said with a mischievous smirk, and then secretly cast a silencing charm on himself so he wouldn't hear the sound.
Harry didn't hesitate, digging his fingernails into the groove of the Golden Egg and opening it.
There was nothing inside, but along with the opening of the Golden Egg, an extremely sharp and piercing screech resounded through the entire room.
Even Ron and Neville, who were lying on the floor, were awakened by this sound.
"What the heck! What is this sound! Turn it off quickly!"
Ron shouted with all his might, but against the sound emitted by the Golden Egg, it seemed exceptionally weak. Fortunately, Harry reacted quickly enough and immediately shut the Golden Egg.
"Merlin's red thong! This sound is simply like a banshee's screech! Harry, your next task won't be dealing with a banshee, right?"
Neville rubbed his ears and then said to Harry.
Harry put on an expression of hoping so, "It would be great if it were a banshee; this is much simpler than a Dragon."
Hode also removed the silencing charm and said to Harrywith a smile.
"You can try taking the Golden Egg to soak in the Prefects Bathroom; you might get an unexpected harvest~ Oh right, the password is: Fresh Pineapple."
As his voice trailed off, Hode disappeared. The others were also used to it; Hode always came and went without a trace now.
Harry looked at the Golden Egg in his hand and muttered silently, "Will there really be unexpected harvests by going to the bathroom..."
Let's do it!
"Let's go! Let's go to the Prefects Bathroom together!" Harry looked at the two of them, and then went to get the Invisibility Cloak.
Ron and Neville exchanged glances and also stood up from the ground.
The three of them ran towards the fifth-floor prefectbathroom just like that.
Finding no one around, Harry said to the fourth door on the left of the statue of Boris the Bewildered.
"Fresh Pineapple."
The door slowly opened, the three of them quickly entered, and then casually closed the door.
"Whoa, no one ever told me the prefect bathroom is so luxurious!"
Ron couldn't help exclaiming as he looked at the decorations of the bathroom.
Above the bathroom hung a chandelier lit with candles, everything was made of snow-white marble, and the sunken bathtub looked like a rectangular swimming pool.
By the edge of the pool there were about a hundred golden faucets, each faucet handle inlaid with gems of different colors, and even a diving board!
A pile of fluffy white towels was placed in the corner, and a painting hung on the wall, set in a gilded frame. The painting featured a blonde mermaid sleeping soundly on a rock, her long hair brushing against her face, trembling slightly with every breath she took.
"This is simply too cool! I really want to take a bath here every day!"
Ron said while stripping off his clothes.
"Ron, we are here to find the secret of the Golden Egg! Not to take a bath!"
Neville reminded him from the side, but Ron showed no intention of stopping at all.
"Didn't Hode say that bringing the Golden Egg to soak in a bath would yield unexpected discoveries? Besides, we're already here."
Harry also nods in agreement, and then takes off his clothes.
Seeing that both of them intended to take a bath, Nevillechanged his mind and began stripping off as well.
Finally, the three of them stripped naked, leaped down from the diving board, and lay in the warm bath.
"Ah~ So comfortable~"
Ron leaned against the edge of the pool, immersing everything below his shoulders in the water.
"Next year I must become a prefect, this treatment is simply too good!"
Hearing Ron's words, Harry said: "Being a prefect is very tiring, managing this and that. Next year we also have to prepare for the O.W.L. Exams, and our already scarce time will be squeezed further."
"You're right, but I really like this bathroom. It seems we should just become prefects in our sixth year instead."
Harry nods, then looks at the Golden Egg in the water; there was no change.
"Harry, why don't you try opening the Golden Egg in the water?"
Neville gave a suggestion from the side, and Harry also nods in approval, then opens the Golden Egg.
This time, the Golden Egg did not emit a banshee-like screech, but rather muffled singing.
The three exchanged glances, then took a deep breath and dived into the water together.
Finally, the singing became clear, and the three listened carefully. The general meaning was:
We have taken your most beloved darling! You only have one hour, and if you haven't found it by then, it will never appear again!
After listening once, the three surfaced and wiped the water from their faces with their hands.
"I heard it, the second task is to find your most beloved thing that they took!" Ron said loudly.
"I know, but I need to confirm again."
Harry said, diving back into the water. After a while, Harrysurfaced.
"So who on earth took my thing? How am I supposed to find it?"
Harry looked at the two in puzzlement, and Nevillethought for a moment, then said.
"I feel like it's Merpeople... The singing said they can't sing on land, which is just like Merpeople, and when they sing in the air it also sounds like a screech."
Hearing Neville's words, Harry felt that must be it, and immediately got up.
"Then let's hurry to the Library to check out information about Merpeople, and I also have to tell Professor Moodyand let him give me some advice."
Chapter 112 Gillyweed and Bubble-Head Charm
"What's the rush? I still want to soak a bit longer."
Ron wore a reluctant expression; he certainly didn't want to waste the chance to enjoy the Prefects Bathroom.
It was already morning, what if a prefect took a bath in the morning? Hurry up!
Hearing Harry's words, Ron finally got up and got dressed reluctantly.
The three of them came to the Library, starting to look for information about various creatures in the Black Lake.
"If the second task is in the water, what should I do?"
Hearing Harry's question, Neville thought of something, and then brought a book over from the Library.
"Here! I remember! Gillyweed, eat it before you go into the water, it can let you breathe underwater!"
Harry looked at the place Neville was pointing to; the book introduced the various functions and growth methods of Gillyweed.
"Thanks, Neville. But where should I go to find Gillyweed? Is it sold in Hogsmeade?"
"I think Snape's office definitely has some! We can—"
Ron whispered to the two of them, and then was stopped by Harry.
"Ron, I'd rather go to Hogsmeade or ask my parents and godfather to help me than go to Snape's office!"
Neville also nods, and if they were discovered, he didn't even dare to imagine what kind of hell would await them.
Harry returned the books and then said to the two of them.
"I'm going to find Professor Moody to see if he can give me some advice."
"Are you really going to find Moody? Don't forget that every year's Defense Against the Dark Arts class Professorhas some issues, I'm really afraid just in case..."
It was no wonder Ron said that; Quirrell was possessed by Voldemort. Lockhart was a buffoon, only knowing how to use the Memory Charm on people. Lupin was also a Werewolf.
This made it hard to believe Moody didn't have any problems, especially since he was quite odd to begin with.
"But Moody helped me with special training before and thought of a way for me to get past the Dragon, I think he can be trusted."
After finishing, Harry walked towards Moody's office.
Ron and Neville looked at each other, shrugged, and then walked towards the Great Hall, knowing that they hadn't eaten breakfast yet!
For the two of them in the dormitory who had the biggest appetites besides Hode, this was extremely painful.
Bang——Bang
Harry knocked on Moody's office door, and then heard a voice coming from inside.
"Coming, wait a moment."
Moody opened the door and saw Harry holding the Golden Egg standing at the door.
"Harry! Come in quickly, is there something you need me for?"
Harry walked into the office. In his second year, this place was filled with Lockhart's self-portraits, and in the third year, it was filled with various dark creatures kept in cages for Lupin's teaching.
But now, this place was filled with all sorts of gadgets Harry had never seen before.
Noticing Harry's curiosity, Moody smiled and explained: "These things were all confiscated when I was an Auror, and many of them are quite useful."
Hearing Moody's words, Harry snapped back to reality, and then told Moody the sound he had heard in the bathroom.
"Your guess is probably right! I once heard Merpeoplesinging on the shore, and it sounds very similar to the voice of the Golden Egg!"
Moody pressed Harry into a chair and then sat opposite Harry.
"So your next task will probably be in the water looking for something you hold most dear, and there will definitely be obstacles! And I think the task will likely take place in the Black Lake."
Harry also nods; he, Ron, and Neville all thought so.
"The first problem you need to solve now is breathing underwater, and then dealing with those things in the Black Lake that might stop you."
Harry also immediately said: "I plan to find Gillyweed to solve the breathing problem."
Hearing Harry's words, Moody patted Harry's shoulder approvingly.
"Gillyweed is indeed a good idea, but it's not safe enough. I can teach you the Bubble-Head Charm, a double insurance is secure enough."
"You're right, Professor. That's indeed safer."
Then Moody continued: "Next is how to find and deal with the underwater creatures that might stop you... No rush for those, have you eaten breakfast?"
"Uh... Not yet, Professor. After I woke up, I rushed non-stop to the bathroom, then came to the Library, and finally to your place..."
"Harry, your strength is enough for you to handle most crises, and you still have plenty of time. Now—let's go get some food first!"
Moody didn't give Harry time to reply, grabbed Harry and walked towards the Great Hall.
"Harry! And Professor Moody."
Seeing Harry, Ron immediately shouted, and then saw Moody behind Harry.
"Harry, eat more. After eating, let's go to the Room of Requirement from before."
Moody patted Harry and then walked straight to the staff table.
"Harry, you still have plenty of time, there's no need to be in such a rush! You can take a good rest for a few days and relax."
Hearing Ron's suggestion, Harry smiled and shook his head.
"I don't want to lose to Fleur and Krum, and making preparations early is always right. It'll be fine to relax after I'm ready; I certainly don't want my parents and others to see me lose miserably."
Then Harry began to eat heartily. Seeing that his friend already had a plan, Ron didn't say any more.
After Harry finished eating, he came to the Room of Requirement with Moody.
Moody began to pace back and forth, silently chanting in his heart: I want a pool deep enough for diving...
The door appeared. After the two entered, they saw a pool of at least one hundred square meters, with an estimated depth of three meters.
"The Room of Requirement really can transform into anything!"
Harry couldn't help but sigh, and then remembering this morning's Prefects Bathroom, he wondered if the Room of Requirement could also turn into a bathroom.
Moody took off his clothes and said: "Come on Harry, we need to check your swimming skills first."
Harry nods, took off his clothes and jumped directly into the pool. Seeing Harry swimming quite well, Moody nods.
Then the teaching of the Bubble-Head Charm began, along with Moody imitating some aquatic creatures to launch attacks.
Harry's magic talent was very good; under Moody's teaching, he quickly learned the Bubble-Head Charm.
Until evening, Harry sat panting by the edge of the pool.
His hands and feet were wrinkled and turned white from soaking.
"Well done, Harry. As I said before, your strength is enough, just come find me every weekend from now on."
Harry nodded with difficulty, then put on his clothes, and the two walked towards the Great Hall again.
"Harry, you really have the makings of an Auror. Although I'll only teach for a year, I'll do my best to nurture you into an excellent Wizard."
"Thank you, Professor Moody. I've talked to my parents about becoming an Auror."
"Oh? What did they say?" Moody asked curiously.
"My dad and Sirius both strongly approve, saying they'll support whatever I want to be. But my mom is very worried, she thinks an Auror is too dangerous."
"Hahahaha, I knew Lily would think that!"
Moody laughed and said: "Rest assured, Lily is just too afraid of losing you, but if you've set your mind on it, she'll support you."
Chapter 113 Harry: Look, he still has to thank me!
In the Transfiguration Class classroom on Thursday, Professor McGonagall was having the students turn guinea pigs into guinea fowl.
With a mere wave of Hode's hand, he completed the task assigned by Professor McGonagall.
Hermione was still the second to finish, followed by Harry, Draco, and Ron.
Neville took a little while to succeed, but he still wasn't as good at Transfiguration as Harry and the others.
Seeing that the vast majority of people succeeded, McGonagall nodded in gratification.
Seeing that class was almost over, Harry and Ron pulled out the fake Wands given by the Weasley Twins, imagined them as swords, and began exchanging swordplay moves back and forth.
"Ahem!"
Hearing Professor McGonagall's cough so close by, the two were startled into quickly putting away the fake Wands and looking up.
"Mr. Potter and Mr. Weasley! Can the two of you act your age!"
McGonagall gave the two a fierce sweep of her gaze, then walked up to the podium and said,
"Soon—the Yule Ball is approaching! This is a traditional event of the Triwizard Tournament, which allows us to interact with people from the other two schools and also allows us to relax ourselves."
McGonagall's expression began to soften, and then she continued,
"The ball is only open to students in the fourth year and above. Of course, you can also invite younger students to allow them to attend."
Hearing McGonagall's words, almost all the girls in the classroom looked at Hode, and then at Harry.
They knew they probably had no hope with Hode, since Hermione snuggled up with Hode every day, and asking him would surely result in rejection.
As for Harry, he was quite a good choice! He was both a champion and didn't have a girlfriend.
Harry, on the other hand, began to imagine if he were to invite Ginny, would she agree?
Ron and Neville were thinking about whether there would be a lot of food at the ball.
Meanwhile, Draco was also staring blankly at Harry, wondering what he was thinking about.
Seeing that the students were all starting to lose focus, Professor McGonagall raised her voice and said loudly,
"Remember to wear your dress robes! The Yule Ball will be held in the Great Hall at eight o'clock on Christmas night, lasting until midnight at twelve."
Then McGonagall changed back to a serious expression, "The ball is a relaxing activity, but—that does not mean we will relax our requirements on the behavior of Hogwartsstudents!"
McGonagall's tone was serious, making her look very imposing as a whole.
"If someone from Gryffindor brings shame to Hogwarts in any way! I will deal with it very severely!"
McGonagall's words indeed played a deterrent role; at least Ron and Neville were now starting to think about how to eat delicacies gracefully at the ball.
The class bell rang, and McGonagall looked at Hode and Harry.
"Class is dismissed, everyone go ahead. Hode and Harry, stay behind."
Ron and Neville patted Harry on the shoulder, then left without looking back.
Hermione looked at Hode and said, "Then I'll wait for you outside."
"Okay," Hode replied.
After everyone had left, McGonagall looked at the two.
"In case you didn't know, champions must have their own partners! When the ball begins, you are required to open the dance."
Harry wore a look of utter disbelief, "What! But I don't know how to dance!"
"But you must dance! You can come to me, and I will teach you. In short, you need to find a dance partner in advance."
McGonagall didn't say this to Hode, because anyone with eyes could see that Hode would definitely invite Hermione.
A week ago, Harry probably would have thought that dancing at a ball was no big deal, and certainly not harder than fighting a Dragon.
But now Harry truly felt that dancing was worse than letting him fight a Chinese Fireball once more.
When the two walked out the door, Hermione took hold of Hode's hand.
"Then we'll be leaving first, Harry. Hermione still has to teach me how to dance!"
Hode used his free hand to wave at Harry, then vanished away with Hermione.
Harry: "Isn't this bullying a single dog? (T＿T)"
Walking on the way back to the dormitory, Harry could see groups of girls whispering in the corridors from time to time.
At this moment, he discovered that there were actually so many girls at Hogwarts; he hadn't paid much attention before.
Whenever a boy passed by, that group of girls would burst into loud laughter, and Harry didn't know why they were laughing.
And when he passed by, their laughter grew even louder! Their eyes kept staring fixedly at Harry, making him dare only to look straight ahead and walk away quickly.
Walking into the Gryffindor Common Room, Harrycomplained to Ron and Neville, who were sitting on a sofa, about what had just happened.
He deeply regretted forgetting to have Hode bring him back along the way, which led to him wondering if he had become a laughingstock or something else to those girls.
"We encountered it too, and I even purposely listened in; what they were chatting about was what clothes to wear at the ball, and who wanted to be invited by whom, and things like that."
Ron leaned against the back of the sofa, complaining speechlessly, while Neville at the side nodded along.
Harry: "Then do you guys have anyone you want to invite?"
Ron: "I don't know... Do you think if I invite Fleur, would it succeed?"
Harry and Neville:...Man, you must be drunk... She's the universally recognized belle of Beauxbatons!
The two didn't dampen Ron's spirits, only saying, "You can give it a try..."
Harry looked over at Neville again, and Neville said tremblingly,
"I... I don't know either. I was wondering if I should invite Luna, otherwise she won't be able to attend the ball."
"But Luna is so pretty, there should be quite a few people inviting her, right," Harry said.
In Harry's impression, apart from Cho Chang, Luna was the prettiest. So without even thinking, he could guess that many people would definitely invite Luna.
Neville thought about it, feeling that what Harry said made sense, and then said, "I kinda want to invite Hannah..."
Harry and Ron both looked at Neville simultaneously, their eyes full of gossip.
"So—Neville, do you like Hannah?"
"How come we never saw you two hanging out together before? Could it be a secret crush?"
Facing the two's questions, Neville blushed, not knowing what to say. Truly unable to hold on any longer, Nevilleimmediately ran back to the dormitory.
"Alright, looks like Neville was scared off by the two of us. So Harry, who do you plan to invite?"
Hearing this, Harry's eyes began to dart around; he simply didn't look at Ron.
If he were to say that he wanted to invite Ginny, he wondered if Ron would fight with him...
At this moment, Harry thought of Neville's words and immediately put what he learned into practice.
"I remember Ginny seems to be in the third year, right? How about I invite her so that she can also attend the ball?"
Ron didn't notice anything amiss, instead foolishly believing that Harry was sacrificing his own chance to choose a dance partner in exchange for Ginny being able to attend the ball.
Ron patted his friend's shoulder with a grateful look, "That really wrongs you, good brother. Thank you so much for caring about Ginny, I thank you on her behalf!"
Harry: "Look, he still has to thank me!"
Chapter 114: Dance Partner
In the following days, scenes of people inviting others could be seen everywhere at Hogwarts.
Harry encountered it several times too!
At first, it was a second-year little witch and a Fifth Yeargirl who was two inches taller than him, but Harry flatly refused.
Afterward, many girls whose names he couldn't even recall sent him invitations, and Harry refused them one by one.
After finishing training with Moody over the weekend, Harry returned to the Common Room and looked at Ron, who looked utterly dead inside, alongside Ginny, who was holding back her laughter to comfort him.
Harry sat on the sofa opposite the two of them and then asked, "Ginny, what is wrong with Ron?"
Ginny tried hard to hold back her laughter, making her face turn completely red, and finally laughed as she said.
"Ron invited Fleur just now! But she didn't even pay attention to him."
Harry looked at Ron in shock. *Dude, you actually dared!*
Ron also scratched his hair frantically in annoyance, "I don't know why either. As soon as I saw her, I couldn't help myself, and then I invited her..."
Ron recalled just now that he had run into Fleur walking with other Beauxbatons students in the corridor. Then, acting under some strange impulse, he walked over to Fleur and asked her if she could be his dance partner.
And Fleur merely glanced at him and then walked away, chatting and laughing with those students.
Ron didn't know how long he had stayed there in a daze. Anyway, when he came to his senses, many people around were looking at him, and then he hurried back in a panic.
Harry showed an understanding expression and said, "I get it~ Fleur is actually part-Veela, so she probably has that kind of ability that makes people unable to control themselves."
"So that's how it is! Then I'm definitely not the only one; others must have been ignored too!"
Ron guessed, and suddenly felt that being ignored wasn't such a big deal after all. People are just like that; once there is someone with the same experience as you, you no longer feel ashamed.
Harry looked at Ginny again, hesitated for a moment, and finally said, "Ginny... would you be willing..."
"I'm willing!"
Harry:?
Ron:???
Ron looked at Ginny with a strange expression, "Harryhasn't even said anything yet, why did you agree already?"
Ginny: "Shut up and get lost!"
Blushing, Ginny grabbed Ron's clothes with both hands and gave a mighty swing, throwing Ron out.
Harry: "... Ginny, are you really willing to be my dance partner?"
"Of course! Th... then it's a deal..."
Harry nodded, his face turning red as well. He hadn't expected it to be so easy to invite Ginny.
Ginny stood up nervously and then said, "Th... then I'll be going first."
"Okay..."
Harry watched Ginny walk away briskly, the corners of his mouth curling up slightly.
"Hiss—this lass, why is she so strong?"
Ron touched his bruised bottom and couldn't help complaining.
"You'd better think about who to ask first. I heard Nevillehas already invited Hannah!"
"What! How is he so fast too! You guys actually abandoned me just like that!"
Ron shouted in disbelief. Seeing that both of them had dance partners instantly made him feel unbalanced.
"That's why I told you to hurry up, otherwise all the good girls will be picked."
Hearing Harry's advice, Ron waved his hand.
"Impossible. As long as it hasn't leaked that Hode's dance partner is Hermione, those girls won't give up! Besides, George and Fred haven't found dance partners yet either!"
Ron looked at the newly entered Weasley Twins, and his heart finally felt balanced.
Hearing this, the twin brothers immediately sat on both sides of Ron and locked Ron's neck with their arms.
"Oh! Our Little Ronnie has really grown up, actually mocking his older brothers!"
"You're right, George. But Ronnie, we're just not in a rush to find one, whereas you can't find one at all."
Ron struggled to pry open the two people's arms, and then taunted Fred: "Bragger!"
Fred smiled and didn't say much. Instead, he turned his head to look at the other end of the Common Room, where Angelina was chatting with other girls.
"Hey, Angelina!"
Fred shouted loudly to make sure she could hear him.
Hearing the voice, Angelina turned her head to look at Fred, "What's up?"
"Would you like to go to the ball with me?"
"Okay!"
Angelina replied loudly as well, then continued chatting with her friends. But her cheeks began to flush, and the corners of her mouth curled up slightly.
Fred smiled at Ron and said, "Done, a piece of cake."
Then the Weasley Twins ruffled Ron's hair vigorously before leaving.
Ron tidied up his hair and couldn't help complaining.
"How come it's so easy when they do it! I really don't know who to look for..."
"What about Parvati?"
Harry's words made Ron jolt!
"That's right! There's also Parvati! Why didn't I think of that?"
Parvati Patil, from India, one of Gryffindor's recognized beauties. And she happened to be in the same year, so Ronthought he and Parvati were a great match.
Right on cue, speak of the devil, Parvati and Lavenderwalked in from the door.
Ron immediately stood up and ran to Parvati's side.
"Hey, Parvati, would you like to go to the ball with me?"
Looking at Ron's nervous appearance, Parvati covered her mouth with a smirk and said, "Sure."
"Niceeeeeeeeeee! Thank you so much, Parvati!"
After saying that, Ron skipped back to Harry's side.
"How about that, I am truly breathtakingly handsome. Simple and easy, easily solved the dance partner matter."
As Ron spoke, he intentionally tidied his hair, combing it back into the look of an adult.
Harry: "... Incredible."
Ron: "Incredible what? Where is the incredible?"
Hode suddenly appeared with Hermione, and upon hearing what Ron said, he replied without even thinking.
"The deity is behind the plain."
"Hode, Hermione. We were just inviting dance partners."
Harry simply replied, "I invited Ginny, Ron is with Parvati, and Neville is with Hannah."
"Oh oh~ As long as you found one, it's better than nobody wanting you. Let's go, let's go eat."
Then Hode and Hermione walked in front, with Ron and Harry following behind.
Along the way, many girls stopped them and issued invitations to Hode, but every time Hode pulled Hermioneinto his arms and said.
"Sorry, I already have a dance partner."
Then the rejected girls looked at Harry instead, and Harrywaved his hands hastily, saying that he also had a dance partner.
Those girls left one by one with dejected looks.
Ron: "What? Why aren't they asking me? Am I really that unbearable?" (T_T)
Harry seemed to sense Ron's mood, and then patted his shoulder.
"It's fine, Ron. Don't you already have a dance partner? Being cornered by those girls is actually quite annoying."
Hode also said from the side, "That's right, it's really great that you won't be bothered by girls~"
Ron: "... Thanks, I feel so comforted..."
Chapter 115 Ginny and Harry
Several of them came to the Great Hall, and as soon as they entered, they found many pairs of eyes looking at them.
Discovering that it was Hode and the others, they began to whisper among themselves.
But Harry could still distinctly hear Hode's and his own names. He guessed it was about the Yule Ball, after all, he had been hearing enough of it these past few days.
Furthermore, he also noticed that Fleur and Krum were here as well, surrounded by members of the opposite sex who seemed eager to invite them to the ball.
Fleur and Krum looked over at them too, but Hode and Hermione seemed not to care at all, walking towards the Gryffindor table together.
As soon as the four of them sat down, a second-year little witch from Gryffindor nearby spoke to Hode.
"Senior Hode, may I ask if I can be your partner?"
Harry and Ron first looked at the little witch. Her face was very red, seemingly due to nervousness and shyness. Then they looked at Hermione, only to find her passing a steak to Hode, seeming completely unconcerned.
Or perhaps it was out of confidence; anyway, Hermionedidn't even glance at that witch.
"Sorry, I already have a partner, and it's Hermione!"
Hode refused quite decisively, and then began to enjoy the steak on his plate.
Harry saw that tears slowly welled up in the little witch's eyes, but she tried hard to control them, not letting them fall, which caused a noticeable film of water to form in her eyes.
"I... I know, I'm sorry! Sorry for bothering you!"
After finishing, the little witch lowered her head and walked quickly out of the Great Hall.
Harry could guarantee that she would definitely cry for a while after going back.
Ron looked at Hode with an envious expression. He also wished he could be that popular, and then strike a cool pose to reject his little fangirls.
Then Ron began to fall into a daydream.
But what he didn't notice was that Fleur, whom he had once mustered up the courage to invite, slowly began to lose her expectant look upon hearing Hode openly and unashamedly state that his partner was Hermione.
Then Fleur ignored the male Wizards trying to curry favor with her nearby and walked straight out of the Great Hall.
Next was Krum. He also walked toward the outside. Before leaving, he looked back at Hermione, who was pouring pumpkin juice for Hode, and finally left with his head lowered as well.
When the four of them finished eating, Hode took Hermione's hand and said, "Hermione still needs to teach me how to dance, so the two of us will be leaving first."
With that, the two disappeared.
"Let's go too, Harry." Ron stood up, getting ready to head back.
"Ron, I still need to go to Professor McGonagall's place. After all, I don't know how to dance yet! I need Professor McGonagall to teach me."
"You still don't know how to dance ballroom dancing? Merlin's crusty, stinking socks! Didn't your parents... Oh... Sorry, I forgot..."
Ron regretfully scratched his hair, seeming to have been exasperated by his own stupidity.
"It's fine, but does your whole family know how to dance ballroom dancing?" Harry waved his hand, not feeling offended at all.
Hearing Harry's question, Ron nodded and replied.
"Of course, my mum taught us very early on."
"Then I can find Ginny and have her teach me!"
Harry said excitedly; this way, he wouldn't need to trouble Professor McGonagall anymore.
And to be honest, he was still quite afraid of Professor McGonagall, mainly because she was very stern, and few students wouldn't be afraid of such a teacher.
Although everyone in Gryffindor would be afraid, they still liked Professor McGonagall very much because she was extremely fair, dutiful, and cared for her students.
"That really is a good idea. Anyway, Ginny is your partner, so having her teach you is just right."
"Then what are we waiting for, let's hurry up and go!"
Harry grabbed Ron and ran quickly toward the Common Room.
Meanwhile—
Hode was carefully following Hermione's pace, dancing slowly step by step.
"Very good, just like that. You've actually got quite a bit of talent."
Hermione and Hode held hands, and the two of them finished dancing a song very smoothly.
"Of course, under these eyes, any movement can be perfectly replicated."
Hermione looked at Hode with a smile, her eyes practically melting with affection.
"Right, are our dress robes ready?"
"Of course, I've taken this matter very seriously. I'll take it out and show you right now."
As he spoke, Hode took out a box, which contained the dress robes he had meticulously prepared.
"They look so gorgeous!"
"As long as you like it, everything is worth it."
Hode: (づ￣ ³￣)づ
————
Over at the Gryffindor Common Room, Harry asked Lavender, who happened to be passing by, to help call Ginny out.
In a little while, the sound of "da da da" came from the girls' staircase, and Ginny dashed down at a speed Harryhad never seen before.
"Harry! What's the matter that you're looking for me?"
Ginny looked at Harry, panting, her eyes full of fear.
Harry didn't know that when Ginny heard Harry was looking for her, her first reaction was that Harry regretted inviting her, so Ginny ran downstairs full of nervousness and fear.
"Er... Ginny, can you teach me how to dance ballroom dancing?"
"Teach you how to dance?!"
Ginny shouted loudly, leaving Harry somewhat at a loss, thinking that Ginny was angry because he didn't know how to dance yet still invited her.
But Ginny was just excited upon hearing that it wasn't what she had thought, so her voice was a bit loud.
"Ginny... If you're not willing..."
"Of course no problem! When do we start?"
Hearing Ginny agree, Harry breathed a sigh of relief and then asked.
"When are you free?"
"Right now!"
Harry:???
Harry scratched his head, somewhat puzzled by Ginny's meaning, but still said, "Then how about we do it right now? I know a room that can be used for practicing dance."
"Okay, then let's go."
Harry nodded, then led Ginny to the front of the Room of Requirement on the eighth floor.
Then, imitating Moody's manner, Harry walked back and forth opposite the tapestry of Barnabas the Barmy being bashed by trolls. In his mind, he silently chanted:
I want a room for practicing dance!
When Harry silently chanted it for the third time, a door suddenly appeared, giving Ginny a start.
"Don't be afraid, Ginny. This is the Room of Requirement. Trust me, let's go in."
Harry took Ginny's hand and flashed a kind smile. This made Ginny's face instantly turn bright red, and she let Harry lead her into the Room of Requirement.
Walking into the room, Ginny saw a gigantic room.
Inside, there were only some simple dance-assisting tools, and the floor was professional wooden flooring sprayed with dance flooring mats.
Hanging from the ceiling was a chandelier composed of dozens of crystal lamps, and the wall opposite the door was replaced by a huge mirror.
Ginny looked around in disbelief. "This is so gorgeous! I can't believe Hogwarts has such a magical place!"
"Yeah, the Room of Requirement is very magical!"
Harry proudly rubbed his nose. Anyone who didn't know better would think he was the one who discovered it.
Ginny: "Then let's begin."
"O—okay."
Chapter 116: Everything is Ready, with Only the East Wind Lacking
Afterwards, Ginny began to teach Harry hand-in-hand.
During this period, Harry often stepped on Ginny's feet, and every time Harry would nervously apologize to her, but Ginny would wave her hand to indicate it didn't matter.
The two practiced like this until close to curfew, before hurriedly running towards the Gryffindor Common Room.
In the days that followed, goodness knows how it spread, but all the girls in Hogwarts knew that Hode and Harryalready had dance partners, so they also began accepting invitations from other boys.
In the corridors, in some empty room, outside the castle, and other places, boys or girls could often be seen making invitations to the opposite sex.
There were successes and failures, but it undoubtedly added more gossip to Hogwarts.
In the Common Room, Harry could from time to time hear girls chatting about who accepted whose invitation and who rejected whom.
Another rest day arrived, and Harry, Ron, and Neville sat on the sofa, unwrapping the dress robes sent to them by their parents.
Neville was the first to unwrap the box, inside of which was a set of red robes with gold patterns, made of very soft and lightweight silk, and one could tell at a glance that they were not cheap.
At the bottom of the box was also placed a gold-and-red pendant, inside which was engraved the crest of the Longbottom Family.
"Cool ~ Neville, these dress robes must be very expensive!" Harry and Ron exclaimed from the side.
"Er, these are our family's heirloom dress robes, my mom and dad said they wanted me to wear this one."
"That looks great too, if it doesn't fit you can also ask Hodeto help you alter it."
Neville nodded.
Then came Harry; his dress robes were a clean white, very much in an aristocratic style.
Harry said with satisfaction: "These were prepared by my dad and godfather, I have to say, they look quite good."
Finally it was Ron's turn ——
With a nervous heart, Ron opened the box, and immediately smelled an indescribable, pungent scent that seemed exclusive to old people.
Ron picked up the dress robes; it was a very, very old and worn robe that looked just like a dress! And it had an abundance of creases and lace.
Ron felt like he had been betrayed.
"What the—! You should have gotten me nice dress robes!"
They were both family heirlooms, so why did Neville's look like European aristocracy, while his looked like tattered old clothes discarded by his great-great-grandmother!
Harry and Neville looked at the dress robes in Ron's hands, and then began to imagine what Ron would look like wearing them.
"Pfft!"
The two men tightly covered their mouths, struggling to keep straight faces.
"Sigh... If you want to laugh, go ahead and laugh, anyway when I wear it out others will laugh too."
Ron sighed, and then heard Harry and Neville laughing uninhibitedly.
"Hahaha —— Ron, these dress robes of yours really... Hahahahaha!"
Harry clutched his stomach, seeming to have laughed so hard he couldn't catch his breath, and Neville beside him was doing the same.
"Damn it! I'm going to find Hode and have him help me alter this ragged piece of clothing!"
Ron shouted, which then attracted the newly entered Weasley Twins.
"Oh! Our Little Ronnie, what are you holding in your hand? Is it our great-great-grandmother's foot-binding strips? Hahahahaha!"
"Shut up! Fred, George! Maybe your dress robes are even older!"
"Oh, sorry, Little Ronnie. We bought our own dress robes!"
As the two spoke, they opened the box that had just been delivered by an owl.
Two identical, exquisite, and handsome red robes appeared in their hands.
"On what grounds?"
Ron shouted unconvinced, feeling that he had suffered a second betrayal.
Fred: "What do you think we make so many prank items every day for? The two of us still have this much money."
George: "We are really looking forward to you wearing those dress robes at the Christmas party, and then we'll take pictures and show them to Mom, she'll definitely be very happy. Hahahahaha!"
Ron: "Get lost!"
The twins: "Hahaha, Little Ronnie is panicking!"
The Weasley Twins laughed at Ron while walking towards the dormitory.
After the two of them left, Ron collapsed onto the sofa, and then said angrily.
"The naturally evil We... Twins! Sooner or later I'm going to get some dirt on them!"
———— Evening came.
Hode and Hermione returned to the suitcase, and Ron, who had been waiting here for a long time early on, immediately hugged Hode's leg.
"Hode! My life is bitter! You must help me!"
Hermione looked at Ron with an expression of disgust, then turned her head to look at Hode.
"What's wrong with him?"
"Who knows, probably realized his brain wasn't working well and wanted me to help fix his head."
Hearing what the two of them said, Ron immediately shook his head in denial, and then said loudly.
"Hode, you must help me, help me alter the dress robes my mum gave me, I really have no face to wear them out to see people!"
Hermione was a bit curious about what kind of clothes could make Ron like this.
Then, at Hode's signal, Ron immediately ran to the dormitory and brought out the dress robes that were hundreds of years older than him.
"Pfft! Hahaha, Ron, your mum's taste is quite good!"
Hermione buried her head on Hode's shoulder, laughing until her body shook.
While Hode easily kept a straight face, pointing at the dress robes in Ron's hands and saying.
"Do you really want to alter them? Trust me, if you wear these to attend the party, I guarantee you'll be the most eye-catching guy in the entire room!"
Hearing this, Ron turned into a mad dog and roared: "Eye-catching what? The gaze of mockery?!"
Hode was also amused, and then waved his hand.
"Alright, I'll help you alter them."
Finished speaking, Hode gently tapped with his hand, and Ron's dress robes began to transform.
Finally, under Ron's expectant gaze, they slowly turned into a gray robe.
Ron carefully felt them, the soft fabric forming a sharp contrast with the previous rough texture.
The style was relatively simple, but suitable to match with any decoration. Ron touched them lovingly, and then looked up to thank Hode.
"Many thanks, Hode! If it weren't for you, I wouldn't dare imagine what the scene would be like when I attend the ball."
"A small matter." Then Hode took Hermione and left.
As for Ron, he couldn't wait to return to the dormitory and show off his new dress robes to Harry and Neville.
"How is it, isn't it much better looking? I'm going to put it on and try it right now."
Ron said, and immediately began to change clothes.
While Harry and Neville looked on with disappointment, they really wanted to see what kind of scene it would be if Ron wore those old dress robes to the party!
When Ron had finished changing, the two also played along and applauded.
"Very good, Ron. It suits you well."
"That's right."
Hearing the two men's words, Ron also began to laugh loudly.
"Hahaha, now the most crucial dress robes are also ready! Everything is ready, with only the east wind lacking!"
Chapter 117: The Upcoming Yule Ball
Finally — — The first school year was over!
Although, besides Professor Flitwick, the other Professors had all assigned quite a bit of homework.
It didn't affect the students' joyful playing in the slightest!
At this moment, on the stairs, in the corridors, and everywhere in the castle, students could be seen cheerfully chasing and playing around.
It even made it feel noisier and more crowded than during school days.
Because of the Yule Ball, basically no students in the fourth year and above would go back, and even among the lower years, most stayed behind.
Now, without classes, the students had plenty of time to vent their youthful energy.
Many students gathered outside the castle for a snowball fight, and some were flying wildly on the Quidditch pitch.
There were also many lower-year students teaming up to play hide-and-seek inside Hogwarts.
Fred and George were also selling various prank items they made for the students to play with.
Dumbledore and Hode were in the Headmaster's Office, looking at the playing students below through the window.
Hode: "It's so great to be young!"
Dumbledore:??? Is this your line that you're just using?
Dumbledore looked at Hode speechlessly, "At your age, you should be playing down there just like them."
"Didn't you call me here?" → _ →
Dumbledore was stunned for a moment, then smiled awkwardly.
"I'm getting old, I forgot. I called you here mainly to tell you that Lucius sent me a message, Peter Pettigrew has already brought Voldemort to his manor."
Hearing this, Hode nodded, "Lucius is very smart; he won't let Voldemort discover any clues. Now we can let Barty Jr.cooperate with Voldemort to complete his 'Grand Resurrection Plan'."
"Yeah, I've also contacted the members of the Order of the Phoenix, and Moody said his Aurors are on call. Everything is ready."
"As long as it's ready, then I'll be leaving first."
Just as Hode was about to leave, Dumbledore called out to him again.
"Hode, I'll be very glad to see the day you become Headmaster."
Hode turned his head back and saw Dumbledore smiling all over his face.
"Heh... Then you'd better just wait slowly." As his voice fell, Hode disappeared.
Dumbledore turned to look at the window, where the laughter of the playing students could still be heard from outside.
— — — — Coming to Christmas day.
"Jingle bell — — Jingle bell!"
Hode turned off the alarm clock, then kissed Hermione on the forehead.
"Merry Christmas, Hermione!"
Hermione sleepily rubbed her eyes, trying hard to open them wide.
"Merry Christmas, Hode!"
After a minute or two, Hode and Hermione were fully awake, and then began exchanging gifts.
What Hode gave Hermione was a pair of translucent, crystal-clear crystal high heels.
As for what Hermione gave Hode, it was a cloak.
Hode picked it up. The cloak was entirely black, with the Gryffindor crest printed on the outer middle part, and his and Hermione's names engraved on the inside.
"It looks really nice, I think wearing it during the third task will be just right."
"As long as you like it."
Hermione smiled, and after the two finished washing up, they came to the Gryffindor Common Room.
The two returned to their respective dormitories and unpacked the gifts others had given them.
After Hode arrived at the dormitory, he saw Harry, Ron, and Neville carefully looking at a Firebolt.
"A Firebolt? Was it sent by Sirius?"
Hearing Hode's inquiry, Harry nodded, "Yeah, my godfather agreed to give it to me! This is the fastest broom in the world!"
Harry stroked it gingerly, truly unable to put the Fireboltdown.
Ron also sighed from the side, "Your godfather is really amazing! I heard that Firebolts are priceless and unavailable!"
Hode ignored the three of them anymore, instead looking at the pile of gift boxes piled like a small mountain on his bed.
Hode sighed helplessly, then his eyes quickly swept over the gifts inside the boxes.
Then, with a flick of his hand, several boxes flew out from the small mountain, and then the boxes automatically opened, and the gifts inside flew out.
There was special honey from Honeydukes sent by Dumbledore, woolen socks and ties sent by Gellert and Rosier, as well as books sent by Professor McGonagalland other Professors, and so on.
Harry and the other two stopped looking at the Fireboltand successively took out the gifts they had prepared and handed them to Hode.
Hode took them and looked: Harry and Ron sent candies from Honeydukes, and Neville sent a quill.
Then, seeing the expectant looks of the three, he said, "Why are you three acting like kids."
Hode helplessly took out the boxes he had prepared long ago and threw them to the three.
The three eagerly opened them up. Ron's was a set of broom care kits, and Neville's was a pair of exquisite Dragonhide Gloves.
As for Harry's, it was a ring set with an ordinary-looking black gem.
"Hey Hode, why are you giving me a ring?"
Harry hugged himself with his hands, putting on a scared look.
Hode rolled his eyes and said irritably, "Stop being disgusting. Wear it since I gave it to you; it can save your life at a critical moment anyway!"
Hearing Hode say this, Harry decisively put the ring on the middle finger of his right hand.
"Thanks, Godfather, you know, I've always respected you, no matter what you give I like it!"
Hode: Who on earth taught you to be so shameless?
Hode ignored the clowning Harry, and instead turned around to destroy all the chocolates spiked with Love Potion sent by those girls, and then threw all those messy things into the Room of Requirement. Anyway, it was already cluttered there, a little more wouldn't hurt.
Then several of them came to the Common Room, and just as Hermione walked out, the five of them walked towards the Great Hall like this.
Along the way, they could see many pairs of male and female Wizards walking together, talking and laughing.
Must say, the Yule Ball really filled Hogwarts with a romantic atmosphere, allowing students to experience the beauty brought by youth.
And when they reached the Great Hall, boys and girls sat together even more so, picking food for each other.
At the staff table, Dumbledore was watching the affection of those couples with a kindly face.
The other Professors turned a blind eye, completely ignoring issues like early romance.
Only Snape silently memorized those couples in his heart, intending to use this as an excuse to spray venom at them later.
This made Hode couldn't help sighing that Hogwarts' happy education was really comfortable.
Even the heavy homework that the students wailed about felt very easy in Hode's eyes.
Hode saw Fleur; right now she was sitting together with Roger Davies, just like in the original work, Fleur had agreed to Roger's invitation.
Roger was looking at Fleur with admiring eyes, completely unable to look away. He didn't expect he would be so lucky to be able to become Fleur's dance partner.
Hode looked at the intoxicated Roger and couldn't help sighing.
"As expected, can Roger in this world not escape the Great Depression Era either?"
PS: In the One Piece manga, Shakky was the world's greatest beauty at the time, and many powerhouses chased after her frantically, including the Pirate King Rogerand his crew members. So Roger's generation was called the Great Depression Era.
Chapter 118 Yule Ball 1
After finishing their meal, the five of them returned to the Common Room and lay on the sofas browsing their phones.
"Yo, you're all here!"
The Weasley Twins walked out of the dormitory carrying a stack of fireworks and greeted the group.
"Fred, George. Where did you guys get so many fireworks?" Ron asked, tilting his head.
Fred: "Of course we made them!"
George: "The fireworks are a hot commodity today! We also offer a complimentary lighting service to give customers' sweethearts a surprise! How about it, anyone want to buy some?"
The group all shook their heads, having no interest in these.
Then the twins walked out carrying the fireworks, wondering if the professors would catch them.
Today at Hogwarts could be said to be the liveliest Christmas.
After waking up, the students began messing around; Seamus, along with Colin and his younger brother Creevey, directly hoisted Harry and the others and headed outside.
Before long, several fireworks suddenly rushed into the Common Room, and it didn't take much thought to know it was the Weasley Twins' mischief.
Fortunately, Hode destroyed those out-of-control fireworks, otherwise those two would probably have been thoroughly pampered by Professor McGonagall.
Hode and Hermione returned to the suitcase and spent a quiet day.
And Hogwarts' students played like this until the afternoon, when the ladies successively returned to their dormitories to start putting on makeup.
Ron looked at the leaving Parvati and Ginny, somewhat puzzled.
"It's only five o'clock! There are still three hours until the party starts!"
The other boys also didn't understand why girls took so long to put on makeup.
Having no choice, Harry and the others also returned to their dormitory, took off their clothes, cast Scourgify on themselves, and finally changed into the prepared dress robes.
Harry and Ron also specially combed their hair back, giving themselves an adult hairstyle.
Neville: "Are you guys copying Draco?"
Harry & Ron:...
Although they didn't want to admit it, Draco's slicked-back hair seemed to attract girls even more, which was why they imitated him one after another.
Then the three of them came to the entrance of the Great Hall and began waiting for their partners.
Ron tugged at his somewhat tight tie and started complaining.
"Why haven't they arrived yet? Does putting on makeup take this long?"
Harry patted Ron on the shoulder and comforted him: "Alright, it's not even seven o'clock yet, waiting a bit longer is fine."
After a while, the students from Durmstrang and Beauxbatons also arrived outside the Great Hall.
Krum and Fleur were at the very front of their respective groups, after all, they were the school champions.
Beside Fleur, Roger was following her with an excited face. And Krum's partner was Pansy!
This really surprised Harry and the others; they had thought Pansy would be Draco's partner, since she used to always follow behind Draco.
Soon, Draco also walked over, and his hand was tightly holding Astoria's hand.
"Hey, Draco, who is this?"
Draco looked at his partner with a gentle expression and then introduced:
"She is my partner — Astoria Greengrass!"
Astoria gracefully lifted her skirt and then gave a gentle bow.
Harry and the others also hurriedly bowed, and then pulled Draco aside.
"What's going on? I remember she seems to be only in second year! You had a change of heart and are now robbing the cradle?!!"
Hearing Ron's words, Draco instantly flew into a rage.
"Go on with you, stop talking nonsense! I never had anything with Pansy, she was the one who kept clinging to me. And I only invited Astoria to be my partner, I didn't say we're a couple! I certainly don't want to get shocked!"
The group nodded, and then returned Draco to Astoria.
And Astoria covered her mouth and smiled, "Draco, you're really close with them. It's so great that you're able to make friends."
Draco complained with a constipated expression: "Am I really that repulsive in your eyes?" (╥_╥)
"That's not it, I was just worried that your personality would cause you to not be able to make friends."
Harry and the others secretly listened, then looked at each other, planning to have Hode give Draco a shock to prevent him from losing his mind and making a move on Astoria, who was only in second year.
Draco: I think you guys are purely jealous!
And Cedric also walked here holding Cho Chang's hand. Seeing Harry and the others, the two walked towards them.
"Everyone, you've arrived pretty early. Harry, you must lead the dance well today."
Cedric shook hands with Harry, and Harry also smiled in response.
"Of course, I've been practicing for several days."
Although Cedric didn't become a champion, no one would think his strength is weak.
Nowadays, Hogwarts students had long made a strength ranking list, in which Hode was undoubtedly first, followed by Harry in second, and Cedric in third.
Originally, Harry and Cedric's positions were swapped, but ever since Harry defeated the Chinese Fireball, everyone placed Harry ahead of Cedric.
After a while, Ginny, Parvati, and the others also walked over.
Ginny was wearing a light yellow long dress and white high heels. Her red hair no longer had any restraints, allowed to drape down freely.
Harry stared blankly at Ginny, not coming to his senses even when Ginny walked right in front of him.
"Harry? Are you alright?"
Ginny's voice pulled Harry's mind back, and then he stammered:
"Gin... Ginny... You... You look... so pretty today!"
Hearing the words she wanted, Ginny linked her arm with Harry's, "As long as you like it."
As soon as these words were spoken, Harry's face instantly turned completely red, his brain almost smoking from burning up.
And Ron looked at the strange Harry, and Ginny who was very intimate with Harry, couldn't help frowning.
Could the two of them... Oh no! His family's princess was stolen by his own brother!
Parvati and Hannah also came to Ron and Neville's side. Although they were also dressed up very prettily, they were still a bit lacking compared to Ginny.
"Hi~ Everyone!"
At this moment, Luna's highly recognizable voice came over, and everyone turned their heads to look.
Luna was wearing a very simple white dress, but her clothes were hung all over with various bizarre little trinkets.
Such as: quills, nail clippers, little bee stickers, and so on.
Her ears still wore that pair of radish-shaped earrings, as well as a necklace made from a Butterbeer bottle cork.
Making people feel like a little elf walking out of a fairy tale.
And following beside her was Michael Corner, a Ravenclaw student in the same year as Harry and the others.
"Luna! Your dress is so pretty!"
Ginny grabbed Luna's hand, and then several girls began whispering to each other.
"How come Hode and Hermione still aren't here?" Ronsearched for half a day without seeing the two of them.
Harry beside him shrugged, "Just like Hode said, the main characters always make their entrance last, they'll probably be here soon."
As soon as his voice fell, a burst of exclamations sounded, and the group looked over.
Hode and Hermione were walking towards them step by step.
Chapter 119 Yule Ball 2
Hode was dressed in a black and gold robe, with golden patterns forming a giant dragon on the back, and wearing the red scarf Hermione had once given him around his neck.
His hair was meticulously groomed, and his straight, strong physique filled out the formal wear stylishly, just like an invincible king.
As for Hermione, she was wearing a dark blue long dress, upon which Hode had cast divine power, causing an infinite galaxy to appear and shift across the dress, and on her feet were the crystal high heels Hode had given her.
Then her teeth were also specially shrunk with magic, and her usually bushy hair became soft and smooth because of magic.
Looking like a noble queen, Hermione was linked in Hode's arm, and the two walked down the stairs step by step.
Standing together, the two looked like a golden boy and jade girl, a match made in heaven.
Everyone was stunned by the two, even forgetting the dance partners by their sides.
"How is it? Do I look roguish?"
Hode's familiar, off-tune voice rang out, bringing Harry and the others back to their senses.
"Too cool! Hode, your robe is simply drop-dead gorgeous!" Harry and the others exclaimed, then stared fixedly at it, seemingly intending to ask Hode to help them get one if he had time.
Meanwhile, Ginny, Luna, and a few other girls gathered around Hermione and began chattering away.
"Merlin's silicone pads! Hermione, you've actually worn the starry sky on your body! What kind of magic is this? It's simply too gorgeous!"
"That's right, that's right! You are truly so pretty today! Look at that group of boys, their eyes are almost falling out."
Facing their words, Hermione merely covered her mouth and smiled, saying, "The clothes were made by Hode, and I don't know what kind of magic it is either. Besides, you guys are also very pretty today!"
Soon, time was almost up, and Hode took Hermione's hand and came to the very front of the Great Hall, followed by Harry, Ginny, Fleur, Krum, and their dance partners.
The four champions were in front, followed by the other students.
After the doors of the Great Hall opened, Hode and Hermione, like leaders of the people, walked into the Great Hall first, and then sat at the main table, right next to Dumbledore.
The other three champions also sat down one after another, followed by the other students.
When everyone was seated, Dumbledore gave everyone a demonstration.
He picked up the menu on the table, looked at it, and then said, "Pork chops."
A piece of pork chop appeared on Dumbledore's plate.
Everyone suddenly understood, then followed suit, picked up the menus in front of them, and began chattering.
"Steak, pasta..."
The delicacies they ordered began to appear on the students' tables.
At the high table, the champions were also chatting with their dance partners.
Fleur was complaining about how ugly the suits of armor in the castle were, as well as the frequently mischievous Peeves. After finishing her complaint, she even slapped the table.
Roger Davies at the side wore an infatuated expression, seemingly not listening to what Fleur was saying at all, but he still cooperated and said,
"That's right!" Then he also imitated Fleur and slapped the table.
Meanwhile, Krum's eyes kept glancing at Hermione, and he couldn't even aim his fork at his own mouth.
Pansy at the side looked at Krum with a resentful expression, and then looked toward Hermione. But she quickly withdrew her gaze, as she certainly didn't dare to offend Hode.
Harry and Ginny were chatting about everyday matters, but as they chatted, their bodies gradually drew closer.
As for Hode and Hermione, the two openly snuggled together, feeding each other.
When everyone had finished eating, Dumbledore stood up and waved his Wand.
All the tables, along with the students, were controlled by magic and flew to the walls.
Then a tall stage turned into being in the middle of the open space, and several musical instruments were conjured to the side.
At this moment, The Weird Sisters suddenly appeared, then picked up their instruments, and the lights went out accordingly, leaving only a bit of light in the center of the stage.
"Let's go, it's our turn to go up."
Hode looked at Hermione, then tightly grasped her hand.
Hermione nodded, and the two entered the stage first, followed closely by the other three pairs.
Hode and Hermione walked to the very center, and The Weird Sisters immediately began to play music.
Accompanied by the playing of a slow, sorrowful tune, Hode placed one hand on Hermione's lower back and held Hermione's hand with the other.
The two began to dance ballroom dancing, and the other champions also began one after another.
Hode and Hermione's movements were almost perfect; under Hode's eyes, any subtle movement could be discovered by him and quickly adjusted.
Soon, many people also entered the stage, and the champions were no longer the center of everyone's attention.
Ron and Parvati, Neville and Hannah, Draco and Astoria, and other students joined in.
Even the professors entered the floor one after another!
Dumbledore took Professor McGonagall's hand, and Hagrid also mustered up the courage to invite Madame Maxime.
Fortunately, Madame Maxime nodded, took Hagrid's hand, and the two traced a very wide path on the stage.
Fortunately, the other students had stayed far away from the two early on; otherwise, aside from Hode, probably no one could have withstood a collision from the two of them.
As the tune ended, Hode and Hermione walked off the stage and came to a nearby table to drink beverages.
Then Harry, Ginny, Draco, and Astoria also came to Hode's side.
"Fortunately nothing went wrong, at least it lives up to Ginny teaching me so many times."
Harry let out a sigh of relief, while Ginny smilingly patted Harry's shoulder.
"Good thing you didn't lose Hogwarts' face, Potter. But your dancing is truly mediocre. Hode, I have something..."
Draco was still nagging at Harry, but because they were born into a pure-blood family, Draco and Astoria's dancing was truly solid and good.
Before Draco finished speaking, Hode looked at Astoria, who was leaning against Draco with a pale face, and said,
"Astoria, are you suffering from the Blood Curse?"
Hode's voice appeared very faint in the Great Hall full of music and noise, but Hermione and the others heard it extremely clearly.
"The Blood Curse?!" Hermione looked at Astoria with a worried expression.
She knew what the Blood Curse was; any Wizard who contracted this illness would have their body in a long-term state of weakness, and hardly many people could live past forty.
And in the original work, Astoria died right before forty.
Draco and Astoria's hands were tightly clasped; he knew the horror of the Blood Curse, which was why he immediately came to Hode's side after Hode stepped off the stage.
Draco looked at Hode with a pleading expression, his tone filled with expectation.
"Hode, I beg you! Save Astoria! I'm willing to pay any price!"
"Oh? Really? What if I say wanting to cure her requires half of your lifespan?"
Hode looked at Draco seriously, his expression very solemn.
"Wh... what, half... of the lifespan..." Draco looked at Hodewith a terrified expression, his body trembling unconsciously.
"That's right, I recently invented a magic that can add the lifespans of two people together and then divide them equally between the two. And Astoria doesn't have much lifespan left; if this is done, you will probably live thirty years or more less."
Hearing Hode's words, Astoria immediately grabbed Draco's clothes.
"No! I'm not worth you doing this! It doesn't matter."
Draco turned his head to look at the shaking-headed Astoria, closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and then looked at Hode.
"Alright! Taking half of my life to save a person, it's worth it!"
Harry and the others all widened their eyes; they never expected that Draco, who had always been solipsistic before, would actually say such words.
Astoria at the side also shed tears of emotion, but she still said,
"No! If you do this, I will never forgive myself! Absolutely no..."
Before Astoria could finish speaking, her mouth was covered by Draco.
"This isn't free! From now on you will be my, Draco's, woman, otherwise I'd lose out completely~"
As soon as these words came out, Astoria's tears flowed even more.
"Clap—clap"
Hode unhurriedly started applauding, and then praised Draco,
"Not bad, not bad, gutsy! You're a real man!"
Chapter 120: Real Man!
Hearing Hode's praise, Draco also puffed out his chest and then pounded it.
"I am a real man!"
"A real man!" Harry also chimed in from the side.
Hode smiled and then reached out his right hand.
"Snap"
A crisp snap came from Hode's hand, and then Hodecontinued speaking.
"Alright, her Blood Curse is gone."
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone looked at Hode in shock, and Draco was even groping himself all over.
"It's already cured? So fast? How much of my lifespan is left now?"
Looking at the panicked Draco, Hode laughed heartily.
"Hahaha, I'm not teasing you anymore. Actually, your lifespan wasn't needed at all. It's just a mere Blood Curse; it can be cured easily."
Hearing this, Draco's nervous heart finally calmed down.
"Turns out I don't have to live a few decades less? That's really— Yugada!"
"Thank you! Classmate Hode! Truly thank you for curing my illness!"
Astoria hurriedly stood up and bowed to Hode to thank him, while also breathing a sigh of relief. If Draco had truly given up his lifespan to save her, she really wouldn't know how to repay Draco.
However, thinking of Draco's bold speech just now, Astoria's face began to flush.
Astoria: "Goodness! Were those words from Draco a confession to me? Then should I say yes to him or agree to him?"
Hode waved his hand, "Small matter, small matter. No need to be infatuated with me, I'm just a legend."
Another song ended, and Ron, Parvati, and Luna all stepped off the stage and came over to the group.
"I'm exhausted to death, Neville is actually still dancing with Hannah! The two of them really are energetic."
Ron leaned against the chair, drinking iced Butterbeerwhile speaking.
Draco rolled his eyes, "It's not that they are energetic, it's that you are too weak!"
Hearing Draco's words, Ron immediately couldn't hold back.
"Weak?! I think you're the weak one! Stepping down after dancing just one dance, who is weak I won't say!"
As soon as these words were said, Hode and Harry both looked at Ron. Hode couldn't help but chuckle softly.
"It seems our Little Ronnie is quite brave. Since you're not weak, then go exercise a bit more!"
Seeing Hode's mischievous smile, Ron instantly broke out in a cold sweat and hurriedly tried to ingratiate himself.
"Wrong, wrong, wrong! Godfather! I was wrong! What I just said was nonsense, please let me off!"
Unfortunately, Hode seemed as if he hadn't heard at all, and just gently snapped his fingers, causing Ron to instantly vanish.
Several people looked at Hode curiously and asked, "Hode, where did you send Ron?"
"Pacific Ocean, Point Nemo."
Harry and the others nodded.
"So it's the Pacific Ocean... What! The Pacific Ocean!"
Far away in the very center of the Pacific Ocean, a place known by people as Point Nemo, the closest person to here was still an astronaut in space, and the nearest land was 2,688 kilometers away.
At this moment, Ron was blankly looking at the endless ocean. The icy seawater combined with the roaring waves made him, who was already dumbfounded, even more at a loss.
"Oh my, where did this bring me? Is this still the country?"
Ron sneezed. It was fortunate that he knew how to swim; otherwise, let alone freezing to death, not drowning first would have been a miracle.
Harry was a bit worried about Ron and then persuaded Hode.
"Hode, punishing Ron a little bit should be enough, it shouldn't be necessary to throw him into the Pacific Ocean..."
"Don't worry, I'm just letting him stay for a bit, I'll let him back soon."
After receiving the reply, Harry didn't say anything more. Anyway, nothing would happen, and it was good to let Ronunderstand the principle that trouble comes from the mouth.
As for Ron, he was currently swimming frantically. The icy seawater forced him to increase his body heat through swimming.
Furthermore, there wasn't even a single fish around, only the endless sound of crashing waves, which made Ron feel uneasy.
———— Hogwarts.
After Hode and Hermione danced a few more songs, they came outside the castle.
In the sky, delicate snowflakes drifted slowly through the air, and the ground had long since accumulated a thick layer of snow.
The surrounding small bushes were trimmed into various simple patterns, and strings of colorful lights were hung upon them.
Fireworks appeared in the sky from time to time, with patterns of Hogwarts's four symbolic animals. One didn't need to think to know who did it.
Hode held Hermione's hand, strolling leisurely in the snow. Occasionally, they could see a couple making intimate gestures in some corner.
Some bolder ones even crawled straight into the bushes to do indescribable things.
And then they were discovered by Snape, who was walking and chatting with Karkaroff.
"Fawcett and Stebbins! Because of your two shameful behaviors, Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff will each lose 20 points!"
Then the two discovered individuals quickly fled the scene.
Snape glanced at Hode and Hermione in the distance. Karkaroff also noticed the two of them and then said to Snape.
"Then I'll be leaving first!"
Having said that, Karkaroff immediately walked toward Durmstrang's temporary residence.
"What are they talking about?" Hermione asked doubtfully.
"About Voldemort. The Death Eater mark on Karkaroff's arm is summoning him, so he panicked and is just looking to Snape to save his life."
Listening to Hode's explanation, Hermione glanced disdainfully at Karkaroff.
"You can tell at a glance he's not a good person, he even wants to cheat in the tournament!"
Hode tightly grasped Hermione's hand, "Rest assured, he won't be able to bounce around for much longer."
Then the two continued walking aimlessly. Hermione felt Hogwarts's atmosphere filled with romance, and then looked at Hode.
"Hode... what kind of relationship do we have now...?"
Hode was slightly stunned, and then asked in confusion, "Aren't we a couple?"
"You have never confessed your feelings to me!"
Hearing Hermione's words, Hode laughed heartily.
"Sorry, sorry, I always felt that the two of us were already like an old married couple, so there was no need to go through this step. But since you mentioned it, then—"
As Hode spoke, he conjured a ring set with a colorful, dazzling gemstone.
"Would you be my girlfriend, Hermione!"
After hearing the words she wanted, Hermione smiled slightly.
"I do!"