No one knew who had secretly leaked the news, but word that Beauxbatons Champion Mathew Delacour had successfully invited Hogwarts Champion Alice to be his dance partner spread like wildfire through Durmstrang Castle.
The matter caused quite a stir among the students and became a topic everyone eagerly discussed.
Although many envied Delacour's good fortune, they also genuinely acknowledged him. Handsome and a genius in his own right, Mathew was indeed barely worthy of Hogwarts' favored daughter.
Such remarks dealt a heavy blow to James, who had only just worked up the courage to invite Alice to be his dance partner, leaving Gryffindor's genius Seeker utterly dejected.
"You're..."
Miss Pruett raised her brows slightly and looked James up and down. Unable to resist teasing him, she asked, "Did that blow leave you completely crushed?"
"You wouldn't understand, and it has nothing to do with you." James listlessly waved Pruett away, signaling that she needn't bother with him.
"The last time I heard Alice say it herself..." Miss Pruett stared at James and said meaningfully, "she never believed there would be anything between her and that handsome guy from Beauxbatons."
"Really?" James abruptly looked up.
"Didn't you say I wouldn't understand?" Miss Pruett sneered. "I really don't know what you've got in that head of yours."
"Who wouldn't like a gentle, beautiful older girl?" James glanced at Pruett and muttered, "Besides, Alice is popular with practically every boy. If you don't believe me, go ask Edrich and the others."
Miss Pruett seemed annoyed by James' words. She turned and left at once.
"Women's jealousy," James muttered.
Pruett suddenly stopped, turned around, and said to James, "If I were you, I'd confess to Alice before someone else did."
"So she can ruthlessly reject me like all the other boys?" How could James