Dream on, and a Perfect Solution / A Surprise and a Sudden Little Heartache

In this respect, girls are often much more sensitive than boys and are also better at mastering the methods.

To delay this change as much as possible, Hermione's real task is not to spend every day with Harry, but to avoid leaving Luna Lovegood alone.

This measure is even more important than preventing Harry and Luna Lovegood from being alone together in private.

Because... you never know whether the people around you are thinking about someone else when they are with you.

So it's better to just stay with the 'other person' in his heart.

Hermione discovered that even with all her vigilance, she seemed to have failed.

Ever since Harry hesitated to invite Hermione to the ball to spare Luna Lovegood's feelings, she had a pretty good idea of... Harry's emotional shifts, which perhaps even he himself wasn't fully aware of.

Fortunately, Hermione had known this day would come, so she didn't make a big fuss, but she was definitely going to be jealous.

And... it's equally imperative to make Harry pay a price for this.

The Earth doesn't revolve around him all the time, so why should all his plans ultimately come true?

He thought he could tacitly agree to go to the ball with Luna, but considering that Luna Lovegood would definitely not be invited, he secretly wrote a letter to an elder who liked to join in the fun, asking the elder to shamelessly come to the ball and, incidentally, successfully bring Luna Lovegood into the Great Hall.

In this way, he could achieve what he considered the best of both worlds, and perhaps even change dance partners during breaks in the dance.

Such a petty trick, humph~

The academically gifted girl, who had completely grasped Harry's thoughts, couldn't help but let out a cold laugh in her heart.

With less than 24 hours left until the ball starts, let's see where you can conjure up a dance partner!

She prided herself on understanding Harry, even though her brother's personality was completely untrustworthy in some ways, he was still principled... for example, he would only target people like Luna Lovegood, who were close to him.

The same applies to choosing a dance partner, a more intimate social interaction. Harry would absolutely not attend a ball with someone he wasn't particularly familiar with.

"Let's go back and try on the clothes again. And we need to coordinate the dance steps too. I'm wondering... you've never danced before, have you?"

After imagining it to herself, the academically gifted girl was in a great mood. She dragged Luna Lovegood away from the library and went to find a place to continue practicing dance.

However, at that moment, the girl, who thought she had the situation under control, overlooked an important issue.

That means Harry might not have come away empty-handed from this school...

Meanwhile, on the other side, someone who had just suffered a setback was brooding alone in the corridor.

"Deliberate... Hermione definitely did it on purpose!" Harry's head was buzzing as he thought about what had just happened. "She clearly told me with her eyes that it was okay, so why did she change her mind at the last minute?"

While Harry was muttering to himself, at the other end of the corridor, someone else was also troubled by something similar.

"Oh my god... I can't stand here for even a minute longer! Not only is the food greasy, but the decor is also incredibly tacky, especially with all the guys here, it's just awful! There's not a single decent person here!" A pleasant female voice came from the end of the corridor, but the tone was so sharp it could only be described as unpleasant.

Phoebe Delacour, having suffered some injustice, was currently complaining incessantly in the corridor.

"Sister, you can't say that. I think the boys at Hogwarts are pretty good." Gabrielle carefully advised Phoebe, who was in the middle of her princess-like rage. "I heard that Diggory, whom you were eyeing, was quite close to that Cho Chang last year. Besides, isn't that senior Davis who just invited you pretty good too? And then there's Harry ..."

"Hmph, they're all the same~" Phoebe scoffed disdainfully, "A bunch of immature little brats... Huh?!"

She was speaking arrogantly when she suddenly noticed a figure in front of her. Startled, she quickly jumped back to avoid a direct collision.

"It's you?"

"Harry!"

Upon seeing the person's face, Phoebe's eyes widened immediately, while Gabrielle smiled happily.

"Good evening, Miss Delacour." Harry smiled amicably at Gabrielle, then looked at Phoebe with a scrutinizing gaze. "Why are you still wandering around the castle at this hour? Don't you know that violating curfew will get you locked up?"

He had just heard Phoebe's outrageous remarks, so he naturally wouldn't hold back in his words.

"Hey, aren't you just wandering around like that too?" Phoebe retorted nonchalantly.

"I'm the castle's part-time caretaker; I can wander around without any reason, but you can't~"

"Hateful..."

In just a few words, Phoebe met with a rebuff once again.

"Harry, stop trying to upset your sister," Gabrielle quickly and weakly advised, seeing that she was already angry enough today.

"She's angry?" Harry raised an eyebrow, unsurprised. "She brought it on herself. She's always finding fault with everything at Hogwarts. It would be strange if she wasn't angry."

"No, not this time..." Gabrielle hesitated for a moment, then explained softly, "My sister is throwing a tantrum because she can't find a suitable dance partner."

"Huh?" Harry was taken aback. "So you didn't find a dance partner either?"

"Huh? What... Hermione Granger actually found someone else?" Phoebe also looked surprised.

The next second, however, the two pointed at each other and laughed in unison.

"Hahaha! You've finally met your match!" *2

Chapter 656 You're dreaming and having the best of both worlds

Harry and Phoebe were quite delighted to learn that the other girl was also without a dance partner.

As far as Harry is concerned, Phoebe, that sharp-tongued girl, deserves more criticism, so she won't keep nagging about how Hogwarts is no good.

So, you've got what you deserve, haven't you?

Phoebe, on the other hand, never really thought much of Harry from the start. In her opinion, a fourteen-year-old child like Harry should behave like other kids and stop causing trouble.

Showing off and displaying one's excellence are rights reserved for adults like her.

"Sigh..." Gabrielle sighed deeply in her heart as she watched the two guys who were relentlessly mocking each other.

She herself was actually feeling down.

Britain is such a nasty place; it seems like no matter what you do, you have to add an annoying age restriction.

There are age restrictions for Champion for the Triwizard Tournament, and there are age restrictions for visiting Hogsmeade Village. Now, after all this time, a ball is coming up, and there's an age restriction for that too?

This is clearly targeting me at every turn!

Even more outrageous, Gabrielle also heard that there are age restrictions for dating in Britain!

You should know that in France, this is a completely free area!

It's such a pity. I came here with my sister, thinking I'd have lots of fun, but now I can't even attend a dance...

Gabrielle grew increasingly depressed, her little face practically etched with unhappiness; while Harry and Phoebe, back in reality, stopped teasing each other, for they too were caught up in their own frustration.

"Or else..." *2

Suddenly, as if they had thought of something, the two of them looked up in unison.

"I can reluctantly make do with you for a while..."

"You wish!"

After the two spoke again, the surrounding air seemed to freeze instantly.

"What... what did you say?!" Phoebe was furious.

She had just reluctantly mentally prepared herself to reluctantly team up with Harry.

The Harry Granger in front of me, although he's short, not handsome, has a foul mouth, and most importantly, is still a little kid, there's no denying that... this guy with all his bad habits is at least a prominent figure in this wretched place called Hogwarts.

At least aside from that pretty boy Cedric Diggory, he's barely presentable.

But to my surprise, even after I'd condescended to lower myself so much, this guy's response was...

You wish!

This is absolutely intolerable!

"I advise you to give up on that idea. I never intended to have you as my dance partner in the first place. And..." Harry feigned surprise, taking a step back and even adopting a defensive stance, "Well, I originally thought only those lecherous upperclassmen would want to date a young girl. I never expected that someone as decent-looking as Phoebe Delacour would have such thoughts in secret!"

"You damned bastard... Say those words again if you dare!" Phoebe gritted her teeth in fury. If she weren't Half-blood Veela, she would probably be so angry that she would have been Transfiguration on the spot by now.

Feels so good~

However, Harry didn't care at all; in fact, he had been annoyed with this woman for a long time.

She's always finding fault, yet she's the weakest of the four Champion. She's just got a pretty face; what's so great about her?

"Oh God... please have mercy on me~" Gabrielle put her hand to her forehead like a little adult, as if she was extremely worried about the two people in front of her.

"Gabrielle, let's go!" Phoebe grabbed Gabrielle's arm. "You bastard, do you think I wanted to go with you? No dance partner? No dance partner? I'd rather go to the ball with Gabrielle than go with anyone from Hogwarts again!!"

"No... wait a minute!" However, upon hearing Phoebe's words, Harry suddenly snapped back to reality.

He finally realized what was happening!

Phoebe's comment about going to the ball with Gabrielle reminded Harry... a dance partner doesn't necessarily have to be of the opposite sex!

Hermione previously mentioned that her dance partner was in the library, and it was clearly not Roger Davis's group, so it could only be Luna Lovegood!

This girl, she's openly tearing her own wings apart...

But it's okay, Harry has already figured out a solution.

In fact, based on his observations, Harry had already guessed that the Delacour sisters shared the same worries.

"Miss Delacour, calm down. I have a solution that would be perfect for both of you. Would you like to hear it?" Harry softened his tone, trying to ease the tense atmosphere. "It's a solution that can resolve your conflict at the same time."

"Solve our problem..." Phoebe was slightly tempted. Although her face was still very sour, she stopped insisting on leaving.

She was just saying that out of anger, and although it was a last resort, she still hoped to find a decent guy to take to the dance.

Otherwise, if people thought she was completely unpopular and could only keep her younger sister Gabrielle company, wouldn't she lose face?

"I think...it's not just you, Gabrielle must be worried too." Harry smiled at the little girl beside him. "Students under fourth year aren't allowed to attend the ball, and Gabrielle is on the list."

"Yes, that's true," Gabrielle pouted unhappily, "I really want to go to the ball, but I never get the chance..."

"I can take you!" Harry's smile was like that of the Big Bad Wolf tempting Little Red Riding Hood. "Although younger students aren't allowed to attend the ball, students in their fourth year and above can send invitations. So if you go with me, you can go to the ball."

"Me... with Harry?" Gabrielle was stunned. She hadn't expected Harry to invite her instead of her sister!

"Wait a minute! You actually want to invite Gabrielle?!" Phoebe's expression changed drastically upon hearing this. "You, Harry Granger, how dare you criticize me! What are you doing now?! Gabrielle is only nine years old, and you're going to harm her!!"

"Miss Delacour, I was just accompanying Gabrielle so she could experience the ball. Besides, Gabrielle's situation is different from yours; she doesn't need to lead the dance, or even dance at all." Harry nonchalantly shook his finger at Phoebe's accusation. "Furthermore... I know you're just being vain, because I invited Gabrielle but not you, so you're upset."

"You!" Phoebe's expression froze upon hearing this.

Because, to be honest, that's really what she thought.

"So we've made a deal, Gabrielle and I will go together..." Harry said with a confident smile.

"As for your dance partner, I'll take care of that."

Chapter 657 Surprise and Sudden Little Sadness

Finally, Harry successfully solved the problem of finding a dance partner.

He will temporarily team up with the little girl Gabrielle, and Phoebe finally agrees to meet the 'mysterious dance partner' Harry mentioned first.

The reason Phoebe was initially furious but eventually gave in was because Harry had praised the mysterious guy to the skies.

According to Harry, the other party was not only no less handsome than Diggory, but also more mature and handsome. In addition to being extremely wealthy, he was also quite powerful, even more so than Corvus, whom Phoebe was familiar with. He was definitely a benchmark for high-quality male wizards.

Most importantly, he's still an adult.

All these excellent conditions combined perfectly appealed to Phoebe, who had a thing for older men... In short, she agreed.

"Hmph, you better keep your word! If I find out you dared to lie to me tomorrow, then our agreement is null and void, and I'll go with Gabrielle!"

This was Phoebe's threat to Harry before she left, but Harry didn't take it to heart at all.

If she really wanted to be with her sister, none of this would have happened. So, given her prideful nature, she'll definitely agree to Harry's introduction as soon as the ball approaches, as long as it's passable.

Moreover, that person is definitely not just 'passable'.

In the 14 years since Harry's rebirth, out of all the wizards he has encountered, there are only two male wizards that he would describe as 'handsome'.

One of them was Cedric Diggory, and the other... was the dance partner he introduced to Phoebe.

In short, Harry breathed a small sigh of relief after reaching an agreement with the Delacour sisters.

Although there were some minor hiccups before the ball, thankfully it didn't completely fall apart...

The following day, the Christmas holidays arrived as scheduled, accompanied by drifting snowflakes.