Christmas Ball, Inviting a Dance Partner

Divine Thunder Hall.

Aaron placed the Golden Egg in the upper left corner of the storage shelf. "I'll leave this to you for now."

"Just do your best!" the Thought Form said indifferently. "You really showed off in front of everyone, Tian. How do you feel about it?"

"My thought is that I hope there won't be a next time," Aaron said dejectedly. "I hid one ability very well during the three days, but in less than an hour, I revealed three abilities: Dragon Language, illusion magic, and Dragon-Slaying Magic."

"They also possess physical attributes and fighting skills far exceeding those of ordinary people."

"Bah, you've exposed four kinds."

"This is all within our budget, we've planned for it."

"I know, what I'm worried about is the remaining two projects."

"If the whole thing can't be hidden, the rest can't be concealed either."

"There's nothing we can do but deal with whatever comes our way," the Thought Form said, then changed the subject, "And as long as I'm not exposed, it's all worth it."

A fourteen-year-old novice Archmage and a fourteen-year-old Beginner Grand Archmage are two completely different concepts; the former is astonishing, the latter is terrifying.

Upon hearing this, Aaron pursed his lips and then opened the mission panel.

Participate in the Triwizard Tournament;

The reward for completing the task is 2000 Magic Points. There is no penalty for failing the task. The task has been accepted (1/3 completed).

[Winner of the Triwizard Tournament]

The reward for completing the task is 1000 Magic Points; there is no penalty for failing the task. [Accepted]

The rewards weren't small, but they weren't enough for him right now.

Leaving aside the possibility of becoming God of Magic, he still has a long way to go to reach the level of Holy Magus.

However, Aaron did not complain. Once you reach the level of Grand Archmage, you have to put in ten or even dozens of times more effort to improve your strength than before.

Compared to others, he's already got a cheat code. If Dumbledore knew, he'd be envious to tears.

After the first competition event, everything seemed to return to normal.

Hogwarts, Beauxbatons, Durmstrang all began their classes as usual.

The five Champion were not in a hurry to crack the clues to the Golden Egg. After all, there were still several months before the second competition, and they had plenty of time to spare.

The weather in December is much colder, but the dozen or so Blast-Ended Skrewt in the Care of Magical Creatures don't seem to feel it at all.

They are now nearly two meters long, with their tails constantly exploding and spewing fire, and with their disgusting spikes and suckers, they are truly monsters.

Hagrid made the students struggle to stuff them into the box during class, and many of them suffered burns and cuts.

"I really don't understand why he's our professor for the Care of Magical Creatures," Draco said, looking indignant.

"Malfoy, Professor, you need to show some respect to Hagrid," Harry said.

"Don't joke around." Draco pulled up his sleeve, revealing a bright red scar on his arm. "Your shoulder is injured too, right?"

In fact, this kind of class is even more dangerous than Defense Against the Dark Arts.

Compared to Hagrid, I suddenly find our Mad-Eye Professor quite endearing.

"Alright, you two," Aaron said wearily, trying to smooth things over. "Let's both keep quiet for a bit!"

"Damn it," Draco said somewhat reluctantly, "But I really think he's unfit to be a teacher."

"In fact, Hagrid knows a lot about Fantastic Beasts, but Blast-Ended Skrewt doesn't seem to be within his knowledge."

Crabbe and Goyle walked over from beside a box. Their robes were torn in more than a dozen places, and blood seeped out from several shallow streaks. They looked particularly disheveled.

"Tsk! Looks like I really need to bring this up with my dad." Draco frowned. "Even if we can't change the professor for the Care of Magical Creatures, we have to find a Fantastic Beasts, or he'll kill us sooner or later."

Crabbe and Goyle exchanged a glance and nodded in deep agreement.

During the Transfiguration Class, after assigning the homework, Professor McGonagall stepped down from the podium.

"I have a few words to say to everyone, the Yule Ball is coming soon."

This is a traditional part of the Triwizard Tournament and a great opportunity for us to interact with foreign guests.

The ball is only open to students of level 4 or above, but you may invite a student of a lower level if you wish.

The meeting will be held from 8 PM to midnight on Christmas Eve. Please change into your formal attire and gather in the Great Hall then.

"Professor," Aaron asked, raising his right hand, "Can I not participate?"

Professor McGonagall paused for a moment, then said with a stern face, "Of course not."

Not only must we participate, but we must also demonstrate the Hogwarts spirit, after all, we are the host school.

"What if someone can't dance?"

"Come and learn from me, the location is the Transfiguration Class Classroom."

"There are still more than two weeks left, and I promise I will teach you." Professor McGonagall said righteously, "Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry has been revered for thousands of years, and I will not allow you to tarnish its reputation overnight."

Aaron pursed his lips, thinking that Professor McGonagall was making a mountain out of a molehill.

It's utterly absurd that a reputation worth thousands of dollars could be affected by someone's inability to dance.

Just then, the bell rang, and the students hurriedly stuffed their books into their Backpack, causing a commotion in the classroom.

"Potter, Gaius, you two stay behind," Professor McGonagall said loudly. "I have something to tell you."

The two exchanged a glance and tacitly returned to their seats.

After everyone else had finished, Professor McGonagall approached the two of them and said, "According to tradition, the Triwizard Tournament's Champion always start the dance, so you two need to have your own partners."

"What?" Aaron's mouth dropped open in astonishment. "Isn't this tradition a bit too much to ask?"

"What partner?" Harry asked, somewhat bewildered.

"A dance partner, a dance partner for the Christmas Ball," Aaron said somewhat awkwardly. "You've lived with your Muggle relatives for over a decade; surely you know something like that?"

Harry's eyes were glazed over. He shuddered as he thought about how his aunt and uncle had behaved at those banquets.

"Professor, I don't..."

"No." Professor McGonagall interrupted him firmly, as if she knew what he was going to say. "The Champion are the representatives of the school, representing the face of Hogwarts, so you cannot refuse."

"Professor, may I ask a question?"

If I have family, or if they say I won't be spending the Christmas holidays at school, can I... not go?

"A very clever idea, but unfortunately, it's not possible," Professor McGonagall said meaningfully. "Miss Klein knows about the Christmas Ball, and she asked me to tell you that you must attend."

"She's meddling way too much!" Aaron said, annoyed. "Even if she were my parents..."

"This is also what you mean by 'sickly'."

Generous crab gift!

Aaron felt as if a million alpacas were galloping through his mind.

"Understood, I will participate."

"Very good." Professor McGonagall nodded in satisfaction, then looked at Harry. "Potter, do you have any other questions?"

No, that's all.

"Then I hope you can find dance partners soon."

The two left the classroom, both letting out a sigh, feeling annoyed that they had to attend the Christmas Ball.

"Spare me!" Harry gave a wry smile. "Finding a dance partner is harder than finding a treetop."

"Go find your own partner!" Aaron patted Harry on the shoulder. "I'll give you a piece of advice since we're in the same boat: hurry up and find a dance partner, or you'll only find the ones that are left over."

"Not only do you have to find a dance partner, but you also have to know how to dance."

Can you dance?

Aaron raised his right hand, revealing a barely perceptible gap between his index finger and thumb. "I know a little bit about it."

Harry's eye twitched slightly; he considered himself to know Aaron fairly well.

A tiny bit, that's a billion bits!

On the first day, Hogwarts was filled with a lively atmosphere.

Many people were excited about the upcoming dance, and the girls were even more enthusiastic, with groups of three discussing the Christmas party almost everywhere.

The three Champion in the Triwizard Tournament are so sought-after that they are frequently invited to be dance partners.

Aaron didn't know what the other Champion did. He had turned down three girls' invitations that morning, but the thought of a fourth, or even the 1st, girl inviting him gave him a headache.

No, we need to act quickly!

If this continues, I'll be driven crazy by this sooner or later.

After hesitating for a long time, Aaron picked up Abei and carried her to the library.

Unsurprisingly, a group of girls surrounded Krum, chattering away, seemingly discussing who he would choose as his dance partner.

Not far away, Hermione was quietly reading a book by herself.

"I knew you'd be here." Aaron placed Abei on the desk, then looked at Hermione across from him and asked directly, "Miss Granger, would you be my dance partner?"

"Ah?"

Hermione blushed, and her heart pounded in her chest.

After a moment of stunned silence, she blushed and looked at the book.

"I agree."

"Then I'll go." Aaron breathed a sigh of relief. "This is the first time I've ever asked a girl to dance, and I'm so glad you didn't refuse, otherwise I would have been embarrassed."

Why did you come to me?

"Of all the girls at Hogwarts, you're the one I know best. Who else would I turn to if not you?" Aaron said bluntly.

"Just this reason?" Hermione's eyes twitched slightly, a complex expression flashing in them.

"Not entirely," Aaron scratched his head. "Firstly, you're the most reliable person I know, which saves me a lot of trouble. Secondly, you're very beautiful..."

"Wait a minute," Hermione interrupted hastily. "I'm pretty? You really think so?"

Aaron paused for a moment, then carefully examined the girl in front of him, and couldn't help but sneer, "How insecure are you about yourself?"

Hermione smiled sheepishly. "Looks like I'll have to dress up a bit for the ball."