Christmas News

Thursday, Transfiguration classroom.

The class was almost over. They had finished the homework assigned by the teacher. The guinea fowl that they had turned into guinea pigs were now locked in a large cage on the teacher's desk. The homework questions were copied onto a workbook made of parchment nailed together—to give examples of how the Transfiguration must be adjusted when performing a cross-species transformation.

The bell could ring at any moment, and Professor McGonagall was giving a concluding speech. "We've basically covered the new material for this semester. Regarding Transfiguration, which doesn't involve cross-species Transfiguration in humans, I have some books I recommend for further reading, but it's not mandatory..."

The little Witch carefully wrote down the book list in her notebook, her little face tense and her expression focused.

"Heh..." Loren yawned, resting his chin on his hand. Suddenly, he heard a chattering sound behind him. He turned around and saw Harry and Ron sparring.

"In the name of Gryffindor!"

"I also do so in the name of Gryffindor..."

Harry brandished a rubber black Cod, while Ron held a tin-plated parrot, exchanging blows in a back-and-forth exchange.

Loren shook his head. The quality of the Fake Wand made by George and Fred was questionable. In just a short while, the head of the black Cod in Harry's hand had been loosened by the parrot's sharp beak and looked like it was about to fall.

"Potter! Weasley! Can you two please pay attention?"

Professor McGonagall's annoyed voice cracked like a whip, startling Harry and Ron, who both looked up, and the other young wizards were also startled, quickly bringing their scattered thoughts back to reality.

"Can't you guys behave a little more like your age...? Pay attention to what I'm about to say, especially you, Potter!"

Professor McGonagall said resentfully, "The Yule Ball is coming soon. It's a traditional part of the Triwizard Tournament and a great opportunity for us to socialize with foreign guests. The Yule Ball is only open to students in fourth grade and above. If you'd like, you can invite a younger student..."

Hermione suddenly felt someone poking her from behind. She turned around and saw Lavender Brown let out a shrill, silly laugh, while Parvati Patil's facial muscles were tense as she desperately tried to suppress her laughter.

Her two roommates winked at Hermione, their teasing gazes darting back and forth between her and Loren.

Hermione blushed and turned back to bury her face in her notebook.

Professor McGonagall continued from the stage, "Put on your formal gowns... The Yule Ball will be held in the Great Hall at eight o'clock on Christmas night and will end at midnight. Listen, the Yule Ball will undoubtedly give us, well... let our hair down and relax."

Professor McGonagall's voice and tone were calm and unhurried, but some of the young wizards couldn't help but laugh out loud— Professor McGonagall's hair was always tied up in a tight little bun, and she never seemed to let her hair down.

"However, this does not mean we will relax our behavioral requirements for Hogwarts students." Professor McGonagall glanced at the students dismissively. "If any Gryffindor student disgraces the school in any way, I will be deeply saddened."

"Potter, stay after class, I need to say a few words to you."

"..."

The bell rang, Harry stayed behind somewhat nervously, while Ron slowly packed his bag and waited for him. A flurry of activity erupted in the classroom as everyone, as usual, stuffed their books into their bags, slung them over their shoulders, and hurried out of the classroom.

"Hermione, we're leaving now."

"Hermione, remember to share with us when you come back tonight."

"Yes, yes, share..."

Hermione's roommates waved at her with knowing smiles, then chattered and squeezed into the crowd of students leaving class, quickly disappearing from sight.

Hermione looked helpless, slung her canvas shoulder bag over her shoulder, and looked around. She quickly spotted a figure in the classroom.

The man held Fake Wand made of a black-striped Cod with its head severed in its hand, making swishing gestures with his mouth. When he met her gaze, he chuckled.

For some reason, Hermione couldn't help but laugh, adjusted her backpack, and walked briskly toward him.

We walked side by side toward the Great Hall. The corridor was quiet, with only a few slow-moving students passing by occasionally.

"You already knew, didn't you?"

"Know what?"

"A lot." Hermione took his hand, her eyes full of laughter. "The Triwizard Tournament, the Yule Ball, the dresses and gowns... Admit it, Mr. Morgan, your surprise plan failed from the start."

"Did it fail?"

"It failed."

"I feel like it's just the beginning."

He would occasionally say something strange, which Hermione ignored. She shook his arm and asked with a smile, "When are you going to give me the dress?"

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"I meant dresses, two dresses, from the Twilfitt and Tatting's, one light purple-blue, and one—" Hermione looked at his stiff face, a faint smile playing on her lips, "Do I need to help you remember, Mr. Morgan?"

"..."

Damn it, that despicable woman remembers it so clearly!

Loren felt aggrieved and complained, "Professor Granger, who is always honest, actually lied. He kept saying he was going to Flourish and Blotts and Blotts, but he ended up going to Tuofan Clothing Store instead."

Twilfitt and Tatting's?

Loren belatedly realized what she meant and squinted at her. "Then when are you going to give me the dress and robe you bought for me?"

Hermione smugly hummed twice. "When I received the dress."

"I refuse!"

Loren said firmly, and facing the girl's astonished gaze, he glared back defiantly. "I don't care, I just want to receive the robe first."

"?"

Hermione was momentarily taken aback.

"Just tell me whether you're going to give it to me or not."

"..."

Hermione was both annoyed and amused, and punched his arm lightly. "Here, I'll give it to you after dinner, okay?"

"Hey..."

Loren grinned, took her clenched fist, and easily clasped her hands together by prying open a few fingers.

The palms are warm and soft, and the skin is delicate and supple.

Dinner time, in the Great Hall.

On the long table in Gryffindor.

"Would you like a jam pie, Seamus?"

Seamus stared suspiciously at the plate Fred offered, hesitating to take it.

Fred grinned. "Don't worry, we didn't do anything to them."

"You need to watch out for the egg and milk biscuits!" George added.

"!!"

Neville looked up in shock, his cheeks bulging, clutching a small piece of egg and milk biscuit in his hand.

Under everyone's watchful eyes, Neville's beak began to elongate, and golden feathers sprouted from his skin, quickly transforming him into a large canary. But the effect lasted for less than a minute before Neville shed his feathers and returned to normal, and the group burst into laughter and commotion.

Not far away, Harry looked away and sighed wistfully.

"What's wrong?" Loren casually placed a custard biscuit on his plate. "Did Professor McGonagall punish you by putting you in solitary confinement?"

"No..." Harry shook his head, then nodded, "But pretty much."

Ron asked in surprise, "Just because you were sparring in class? Why am I okay?"

Hermione looked over curiously as well.

"No, not that..." Harry sighed again. "Professor McGonagall said that, according to tradition, the Yule Ball must be started by Champion and their partners, so I have to dance and find myself a partner."

Hermione glanced at Ginny, who was intently cutting an air steak, her hands trembling nervously.

"What's so troublesome about that?" Ron said nonchalantly, clutching a greasy roasted chicken leg. "You're Champion. You just defeated the Hungarian Horntail. I bet the girls will line up to dance with you!"

With a clang, Ginny's air steak suddenly turned into nothing but air, and her knife and fork fell onto the plate.

Hermione looked away, unable to bear the sight.

Harry was oblivious to their odd behavior, lost in his own fantasy. On Christmas Eve, he was wearing a black top hat and a tailcoat, with a girl beside him wearing a ruffled dress, the kind Aunt Petunia wore to the Yule Ball at Uncle Vernon's company.

He was startled. "I'd rather fight the Fire Dragon one more round."

"Is that so?" Loren raised an eyebrow.

"Sorry, I was just kidding," Harry admitted readily.

The Great Hall was filled with the giggles and whispers of the young wizards, which continued until dinner was over. News of the Yule Ball quickly overshadowed the Fire Dragon project from not long ago, becoming the hottest topic of conversation.

The girls huddled together in twos and threes, bursting into giggles whenever they talked about famous boys. They excitedly exchanged opinions and discussed what to wear on Christmas Eve...

After dinner, Loren took Hermione for a few walks in the courtyard to enjoy the cool breeze and digest their food.

On their way back to the Gryffindor Common Room, a dozen girls walked past them, eyeing the two of them and giggling as they quickened their pace.

Loren was certain he didn't know those people. "Why are they all moving around in groups?"

"I don't know."

"Wouldn't that be very inconvenient? If someone wants to invite one of them, how can they wait until they're alone and then grab one of them to extend the invitation?"

Hermione's gaze turned dangerous. "Who do you want to invite?"

"Hmm, let me think..."

Loren feigned deep thought, "Let's not consider the upperclassmen, and for the lowerclassmen, we don't need to limit ourselves to Gryffindor House..."

He rubbed the soft flesh on his waist where he had been pinched, and grimaced. "You're the one who asked this question. I meticulously organized my thoughts and analyzed the problem, and you got upset again."

Hermione watched him silently, then took out an exquisitely packaged box from her pendant. The ribbon on the box bore the mark of the Twilfitt and Tatting's.

Loren's expression immediately turned serious. "What I just said was merely an analysis from the perspective of an ordinary student, and does not represent my personal opinion. You know, Hermione, I definitely want to invite you to be my dance partner."

Hermione remained expressionless, not even blinking. "This is just a viewpoint, not an invitation."

"Miss Granger, would you be my dance partner and accompany me to the Yule Ball?"

"I need to think about it..."

Hermione's lips curled into a slight smile. She found his seemingly calm but constantly furtive glances at the box extremely amusing. She waited until they reached the Portrait Hole before slapping the box into his hand and nodding gently, "I'll reluctantly agree."

"Miss Granger has good taste." After giving the Fat Lady the password, Loren, holding the box, stepped into the cave first.

Hermione followed closely behind, tugging at his sleeve. "Hmm?"

"What's wrong?"

Where is my dress?

"I forgot where I put it. I'll go back and look for it."

Hermione watched as he quickly ran up the stairs, turned the corner, and disappeared into the boys' dormitory.

"?"

Are you a dog?

Boys' dormitory.

Neville was awkwardly practicing his dance steps in front of the mirror when he heard the door open. He stopped in an awkward position and turned around.

Loren rushed back, quickly closed the door, patted his chest, and took out a dress from an exquisitely packaged box. The dress was made of exceptional fabric and was neatly tailored, clearly very expensive.

Seeing Loren holding the clothes up against himself, then happily squeezing past him to get closer to the mirror with a broad smile, Neville was a little surprised. "Loren, is this your new suit?"

Hearing the sound, Harry and Ron, who were standing by the window worrying about their dance partners, ran over.

But all they saw Loren neatly folding the dress and putting it away in a box, hiding it like a precious treasure, and proudly replying, "It was a gift from Hermione."

Harry and Ron looked at each other and fell into a deep silence.

Look at her, not only does she not have to worry about finding a dance partner, but even her dress is a gift from her partner.

Comparing yourself to others will only make you miserable.

In the last week, some interesting changes occurred in the course.

Seeing that his students were clearly distracted, Professor Flitwick decided to stop lecturing. He allowed the young wizards to play games in his class while he chatted with the wizards in the front row. He talked to Harry about his brilliant Summoning Charm against the Fire Dragon, to Neville about the Toad Choir, and to the young Witch about how he had a hard time finding dance partners when he was young...

Professor Hagrid no longer forced the young wizards to come into contact with the Blast-Ended Skrewts, letting them wander freely in the paddock, enjoying the cold, fresh air. He would casually but awkwardly ask the students for tips on dressing up, how to spray the right amount of perfume, how to choose the right corsage, and how to avoid stepping on their own feet while dancing.

Professor Trelawney Divination Class, became depressed. She would complain in class that Christmas had caused the price of Sherry to rise. When the young wizards met her in the corridor during breaks, they could always smell the strong smell of alcohol on her and hear the professor complaining that the lively discussions and laughter in the Castle were interfering with her Inner Eye.

However, some professors remained unmoved; Professors McGonagall, Snape, and Professor Moody were still unwilling to let their students have any free time.

Professor Binns seemed completely oblivious to the Christmas spirit, continuing his arduous trek through his pile of notes on the Goblin Rebellion, delivering his lectures in a dry and tedious manner, despite the bloody and thrilling Goblin Rebellion event.

As December passed day by day, the weather grew colder and colder, but the Castle became more and more lively and noisy each day.

Rumors spread like wildfire about the Yule Ball, such as: Dumbledore bought eight hundred barrels of Mead from Madam Rosmerta with the Three Broomsticks, booked the Weird Sisters band, and invited Vampire...

Most of the rumors were so outrageous that they would have sounded obviously false if they came from other people, but when they came from Dumbledore, they seemed to have a slight possibility.