chsdbacks Chapter 210 Weasley Discusses Dance Partners at Meal
Chapter 210 Weasley Discusses Dance Partners at Meal
Chapter 210 Weasley Discusses Dance Partners at Meal
Picking up where we left off, Harry swiftly brought down his knife, and with a burst of golden light, the golden egg split in two.
The students in the room were so shocked that they froze, as if they were ice sculptures or snow sculptures.
It should be known that this golden egg was originally a crucial item in the three-way competition, containing the secret to the second challenge. Now that it has been severed by this one stroke, it is like a kite with a broken string, leaving one wondering how to find its way back to the right side.
Although the students were full of doubts, none of them dared to utter a sound. They only stole glances at the scarred man, all holding their breath and concentrating.
To everyone's surprise, Harry sheathed his knife and burst into loud laughter. The laughter made the candlelight flicker, displaying a truly heroic spirit.
"Damn it! Finally, some peace and quiet from those noisy birds. Time for a big toast!"
Having said that, he bent down to pick up the silver wine cup and shouted loudly, "Fill this cup to the brim!"
Harry's shout immediately brought the Great Hall back to life, as if a spell had been broken. People were all smiles and pouring drinks, creating a lively atmosphere.
Harry ate several more rounds, his face flushed, before summoning a house-elf. He pointed haphazardly at the golden egg, now split in two, and ordered, "Take this egg back to my room!"
After saying this, he and his classmates went straight out of the auditorium to the classroom.
On the way, he told Hermione and Ron about the Extis in detail, leaving the two speechless for a long time.
"This is...outrageous!" Ron exclaimed incredulously. "So Dementors are your personal property?"
Hermione clutched the notebook tucked into her robes, her heart pounding with excitement: "Maybe we really can decipher the runes on the Invisibility Cloak!"
Harry and Ron exchanged a glance and burst into laughter, saying, "Big sister, you're mistaken. We don't have such abilities; we'll have to rely on you."
The next morning, the Daily Prophet published a shocking secret: Fudge, the Minister of Magic, had apologized to the entire British wizarding community.
It turns out that Azkaban was reduced to ruins, with nine out of ten prisoners dead and nine out of ten alive, while the Dementors escaped without a trace. The root of the problem, however, points to a dark wizard from five hundred years ago.
The news was truly earth-shattering. Within days, it spread like wildfire throughout the British Isles and even crossed oceans, reaching the magical world of foreign lands.
Its prominence is comparable to the news of Harry building a mound of Jingguan a few months ago.
However, the reason this matter spread so quickly was at most because the Dementor had gone out of control and was roaming around, causing widespread panic and making it impossible for people not to pay close attention.
Beware that the Dementor is immortal and indestructible, solely dedicated to sucking away human souls. No matter how heroic or valiant you are, encountering it will inevitably result in your soul being scattered.
This monster, even more dangerous than a level 5X magical creature, has now run rampant and is nowhere to be found. In the magical world, who is not terrified? Who is not filled with fear?
Rumors spread like wildfire throughout the three streets and six markets.
This Dementor can multiply by thousands in a single day; another claims that it has been found in the coldest places, the North and South Poles; and yet another asserts with absolute certainty that a witch in Godric's Valley was abducted by a Dementor to reproduce!
All sorts of words spread like wildfire, causing chaos and panic throughout the streets and alleys.
From then on, the Guardian Incantation became incredibly popular, with people of all ages and genders vying to learn it, as it became the key to survival.
Even the sorcerers in Africa, when scaring children, no longer mention, "If you don't go to sleep, Harry Potter will come and chop off your head."
They only changed their tune to "Dementors love to capture disobedient children to breed Dementors."
The magnitude of this upheaval is evident.
"Harry, do you think Fudge might step down?"
During Transfiguration class, Hermione crouched down and hid a copy of the Daily Prophet under her desk, whispering to Harry, "Many people at school think Scrapped is more suitable to be minister than Fudge."
Naron was also buried in his bookshelf, reading a book called "The Quibbler".
The article above, titled "Dementors Attack the Witches of Godric's Hollow," was so captivating that without looking up, he retorted, "My dad thinks Fudge has a 50/50 chance of stepping down—what's the difference between that and saying nothing at all?"
Harry, who also held a copy of the Political Situation Report in his hand, pondered for a moment before speaking: "In my opinion, Fudge won't be brought down anytime soon."
"The destruction of Azkaban was not a major event; it was merely a prison city, and rebuilding it elsewhere would not require much effort."
"The death of a few prisoners is not a big deal; it will only cause the noble families a few days of trouble. If we really drive away Fudge, this docile dog, I'm afraid they will be unable to sleep at night."
"The only thing that matters most is that Dementor. Little do people know that these dark magic creatures are entirely under my control and cannot harm anyone."
"Since no one has actually been attacked, the turmoil will naturally subside in three to five months."
"At that time, Fouché will bribe some newspapers, put on a show, shed some tears, and then he will have secured his position as minister again."
Harry's words were so well-reasoned and clear that Hermione was completely convinced. She couldn't help but sigh softly, a hint of regret on her face.
"What a pity, I thought Mr. Scrinker had a chance to become the new minister."
Upon hearing the name Scrimgeour, Harry clicked his tongue. "Although Brother Scrimgeour is a close friend of mine, he's a stubborn man with quite a few tricks up his sleeve."
"If he really takes over the Ministry of Magic, I'm afraid this damned institution will have to linger on for several more decades."
"Isn't this a good thing?" Hermione asked, puzzled. "We can't just overthrow the Ministry of Magic for the sake of overthrowing it, can we?"
Upon hearing Hermione's question, Harry suddenly recalled Mundungus's words at the ruins of Azkaban. He shook his head and said, "The Ministry of Magic has long been riddled with holes by the noble families and the Death Eaters; no one can save it now."
"Only by tearing down and starting over can we achieve the right thing to do. As the saying goes, 'No destruction, no construction; destruction precedes construction,' and this is the reason why."
Hermione didn't quite understand the "no destruction, no construction" saying, and just nodded blankly.
Just then, McGonagall shouted, "Transform immediately!"
The sound was still ringing in their ears when a magical incantation shot straight toward the three people's desk like lightning.
Harry and Hermione were both quick-witted and agile; upon hearing the incantation, they had already slipped the newspapers into their pockets without making a sound.
But this desperate Liu Lang threw "Singing a Different Tune" into the air, quickly pulled out the willow demon stick from his ear, and with a powerful parry, "Bang!" he actually knocked the incoming curse light into a scattering mess.
As McGonagall watched the Quibbler flutter to the ground, her face remained impassive. She simply said in a deep voice, "Gryffindor, deduct five points."
"Mr. Weasley, your excellent Transfiguration skills do not grant you any special privileges from me."
Ron politely declined, then quickly straightened up and sat up straight.
"Alright, I'm sure no one's daydreaming now." McGonagall glanced at Harry and Hermione again. "Now I have something very important to say."
"One of the traditions of the Triwizard Tournament is that the Christmas Ball is coming soon." Before the words were even finished, a buzzing discussion immediately arose in the hall, like a beehive collapsing.
McGonagall suddenly raised her voice, like a golden bell resounding, instantly silencing the clamor.
"So! I hope you can be well prepared, practice your dance, and find a good dance partner."
"Oh, and also, the ball is only open to students in fourth grade and above. However, if you'd like, you can invite a student from a lower grade—"
Upon hearing that a dance partner was needed, the students in the hall began to murmur amongst themselves again. They weren't talking about their own dance partners, but rather guessing who Harry had invited to the ball.
"Who do you think Harry's dance partner will be?"
"Is it possible that the student is from another school?"
"He'll probably find a girl he's close to—"
Hermione, who was listening to these words, felt her heart pounding like a drum and her face burning.
Upon hearing this, Harry suddenly understood. Only then did he realize the deeper meaning behind Lupin's gift of that exquisitely crafted suit for his birthday.
Ron frowned, racking his brains over the girl he knew, but still couldn't figure her out.
You should know that ever since he got that willow-shaped magic staff, he has been busy practicing staff techniques, honing his muscles and bones, and learning magic spells day and night. He has not had a moment to spare for romance.
With so few connections, I now realize how difficult it is.
Just as he was at a loss, he saw that Seamus was in a similar predicament and raised his hand to ask, "Professor McGonagall, must the dance partner be of the opposite sex?"
McGregor paused for a moment. "I respect your sexual orientation, Finigan."
"But if you're saying this because you're worried about not finding a dance partner, don't worry, I'll arrange a spot for you at the dance where you can enjoy all the delicious food."
Nassimus's face flushed red when his secret was exposed, and he tried to explain that he was asking on behalf of his best friend.
McGonagall ignored him and turned her gaze to Harry.
"Mr. Potter, I must remind you one more thing. According to tradition, the ball is started by the warriors and their partners."
As he spoke, he glanced at the faces of the girls below, adding, "So you'd better hurry up."
Upon hearing this, Harry retorted, "I'm a boorish man, what do I know about dancing and singing?"
"If you want me to cut off a head to entertain you all, that would be quite something!"
"Won't anyone die at the Christmas dance?" McGonagall's eyelids twitched. "You have about ten days to start learning ballroom dancing."
No sooner had the words left his mouth than the school bell rang loudly. The students poured out of the classroom like a tidal wave, each rushing off to find their dance partners.
Harry, Hermione, and the others headed straight for the Great Hall for their meal. As they walked, Harry kept asking Hermione about the rules of the ballroom dance.
Upon hearing that the dance required holding hands and being physically close, Harry shook his head repeatedly: "Men and women shouldn't touch each other. What kind of decorum is this, pulling and tugging like that?"
"That's why it's called ballroom dancing," Ron said with a grin, putting his arm around Harry's shoulder. "Its purpose is to establish relationships with the opposite sex."
Seeing his sudden change in demeanor, Harry became curious and asked, "Brother, you were looking so worried just a moment ago, how come you seem so relaxed now? Have you already made some plans?"
Ron shrugged, seemingly unconcerned, and said, "Didn't Professor McGonagall say she'd be willing to provide a table for those without dance partners?"
Then, changing the subject, she added, "But Hermione, we need to find Harry a dance partner who is worthy of him."
As the saying goes, a good match is a perfect union. Harry, a hero renowned throughout the wizarding world, would be a laughingstock if he were to casually choose an ordinary dance partner.
The three of them sat down at the table in the Great Hall. Hermione, holding a pepper sausage, casually asked, "How's your sister Ginny? She's the most beautiful girl in her third year, and she gets tons of love letters."
Ron took a sip of pumpkin juice and snorted, "Her personality is too unruly; I'll teach her a lesson sooner or later."
Hermione said, "What about Fleur Delacour? She's quite beautiful, and almost all the students in Beauxbatons listen to her."
Ron shook his head repeatedly. "She's just a Veela who's become a spirit. She only knows how to use her beauty to bewitch people. She's not good enough for Harry."
Hermione said, "There's a girl from China who might also know about talismans, and she and Harry should have a lot in common. Do you think Cho Chang would be suitable?"
"Cho Chang and Cedric are quite close; they seem to be boyfriend and girlfriend."
Hermione said, "There's a girl who's really good at Quidditch, flying around so gracefully. Is Angelina even worthy of being Harry's dance partner?"
"Just an ordinary Quidditch player, nothing special."
Hermione said, "There's a very eccentric girl, and she's very beautiful. Although she likes to talk nonsense, she can also say some very philosophical things occasionally. Do Luna and Harry make a good match?"
"His personality is a bit too eccentric. He's fine with private parties, but not so suitable for large public balls."
Hermione asked, "What about Parvati and Lavender?"
Ron clapped his hands and laughed, "That's too ordinary!"
Hermione hesitated for a moment, then finally let out a long sigh, "Then—then I don't know who else could be worthy of Harry."
Ron shook his head and counted on his fingers, "To be Harry's dance partner, firstly, you have to get along with him; secondly, you have to have a certain level of fame; and finally, you have to be good enough—"
"Now that you mention it, Hermione, I think you're perfect for the role."
Hermione's wrist trembled upon hearing this, and the silver fork clattered to the ground.
Just then, Pipi Ghost set off a box of fireworks in the corner, making a loud bang that hurt everyone's eardrums.
She calmly bent down to pick up the fork and casually tidied her hair at her temples.
"Pee-pee is so annoying, he scared me half to death."
A later poet praised it, saying:
A young girl's heart is filled with springtime feelings; when she reveals them to her dance partner, he is horrified.
Cleverly using ghosts as cover, adapting to changing circumstances with uncanny skill.
Ron seemed not to hear him, and instead poked Harry in the ribs. "Harry, what do you think?"
Harry, engrossed in his fried meat, replied in a muffled voice, "My elder sister and brother have already said everything, so what is there for me to say?"
"It will only be the two of you."
Hermione's heart pounded wildly at Harry's words. She quickly picked up her silver cup and gulped down several mouthfuls of pomegranate juice, stealing glances at Harry several times before feigning composure and casually asking, "So, would you like me to be your dance partner, Harry?"
As the saying goes: Harry remained oblivious to the stirrings of spring, while Hermione harbored a secret, unspoken feelings. Her words swirled on her tongue three times, a testament to the unspoken nature of a young girl's heart, and the unsuspecting man's bewilderment at her lover's secrets. Whether Harry would ultimately grant her request or not, we shall find out in the next installment.