I Will Remember

Harry was also troubled, just like Skylar.

The day after the Yule Ball was announced, a curly-haired Hufflepuff third-year student—whom Harry had never spoken to before—invited Harry to the ball. Of course, as an orphan raised by his disliked aunt, Harry had never received any education about the opposite sex, so he bluntly rejected the girl.

The girl walked away, looking deeply hurt. For the entire History of Magic class, Harry had to endure Dean, Seamus, and Ron's taunts and mockery of the girl. This happened several more times.

As the date of the Yule Ball drew closer, Harry felt increasing pressure. He actually had someone he wanted to invite, but he just couldn't muster the courage.

Ron and he were practically brothers in misfortune. Ron hadn't managed to invite a dance partner either, but he wasn't under as much pressure. He wasn't Champion, and he wasn't obligated to attend the dance.

Meanwhile, many changes also took place inside the castle.

The Hogwarts teachers and students showed a strong desire to impress the guests from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang, and they seemed determined to present the castle at its best for this Christmas.

The school was brightly decorated, with icicles hanging from the Marble Staircase railings that would never melt. The twelve Christmas trees that usually stood in the Great Hall were adorned with all sorts of trinkets, from Winky holly berries to live, chirping golden owls. Their armor was enchanted, and they would sing Christmas carols whenever someone passed by.

It was truly hilarious to hear an empty helmet singing "Oh, come on, you devout people." The armor only knew half the lyrics, and the caretaker Filch, had to pull Peeves out of the armor several times because Peeves would hide inside and fill in the gaps in the armor's singing with his own lyrics—all very crude and unpleasant words.

That evening, Skylar finished his magical research and sneaked into the kitchen to get some late-night snacks. To be honest, he hadn't had a proper meal in a long time because of his dance partner's invitation. The Sprite knew that Skylar was the heir to Hufflepuff and were very hospitable to him, preparing many exquisite delicacies for him to enjoy.

Before he could even start eating, the kitchen door suddenly opened, and an unexpected person appeared in the doorway.

It's Hermione.

"What a coincidence, Miss Granger." Skylar was a little embarrassed. After all, since her falling out with Hermione, the two of them hadn't been alone together, although it couldn't really be called being alone now—did they think the Sprite didn't exist?

Hermione's answer surprised Skylar. She looked at Skylar firmly, took a few deep breaths, and said, "It's not a coincidence. I used some kind of magical artifact to see where you were and came here specifically to find you."

Skylar knew that this so-called "magical item" was Harry's Marauder's Map, which was imbued with a name- Tracking Magic called the "Homonculous Charm," capable of revealing the whereabouts of everyone on the map.

The practicality of this tool is actually exaggerated in the original work. Because Hogwarts Castle is so huge, such a small map can only display each person within the map's area as a tiny black dot, smaller than an ant. Therefore, unless you are focusing on a specific area or a specific person, it is impossible to monitor everyone's actions.

(Note: "Homonculous" comes from Pottermore's Map of the Marauder. This spell has no official translation; "Homonculous Charm" is the author's personal translation.)

This means that Hermione had been watching him on the map for quite some time before she was able to successfully ambush him here.

Skylar's face remained expressionless, but he was secretly wondering what Hermione wanted to do after going to such lengths to find him.

This semester, he has been almost completely cut off from Harry, and the trio. Apart from Potions and Defense Against the Dark Arts classes they attend together, as well as Hagrid's Care of Magical Creatures, he has spent almost all his time on various schemes and research, and has had virtually no interaction with Hermione.

However, out of politeness and courtesy, he still asked, "You specifically sought me out? Is there something you need?"

Hermione slightly raised her chin, a hint of stubbornness and pride in her eyes, her hands hanging at her sides in her wizard robes, her fists clenched tightly. This scene made Skylar feel somewhat dazed; he seemed to see three years ago, that little lion in the library, head held high, with an unyielding expression, that proud girl who said she would defeat him in her studies.

"Skylar Malfoy," her voice was a little hoarse, but her eyes shone with an unprecedented light, "I came here just to tell you one thing—"

I like you. I'd like to ask you to be my dance partner!

Ah?

Ah?

What's going on?

Even with Skylar's composure, he was deeply shocked. Had he been confessed to?

As for honey traps, conspiracies, or anything like that? Skylar hadn't even considered it. Harry wasn't that kind of person, and Hermione, with her strong personality, would never do such a thing.

Skylar quickly calmed himself down. He looked at the girl's face, which had matured considerably. Without realizing it, Hermione had really changed a lot. He didn't know when it started, but Hermione's signature front teeth had suddenly shrunk, and although her hair looked fluffy, it was clear that it had been simply combed and didn't have the messy look it used to have.

Upon closer inspection, Hermione was indeed much prettier. The girl next door had gradually developed a gentle and youthful charm, leaving even Skylar, who was used to seeing beautiful women, feeling a sense of amazement.

While she was stunning, Skylar wasn't particularly moved.

Although the woman was beautiful, fate led them down completely opposite paths.

He immediately thought of Meredith and the three girlfriends who had silently supported him, and once again sternly warned himself not to get involved in any more romantic entanglements. Then, he straightened his expression, cleared his throat, and said, "Miss Granger, thank you for your interest, but I'm sorry, I already have girlfriends, and more than one..."

He looked intently into Hermione's eyes, which were beginning to dim. "You're a good girl, really. You're smart, lovely, and perhaps a little arrogant sometimes, but your kind heart makes up for everything. You're loyal to your friends and have the courage to defend your truth and principles. But matters of the heart can't be forced, and I absolutely cannot lie about this..."

"We... are not suitable to be together."

Hermione smiled, even though two lines of tears streamed down her face.

"Skylar," she said with a smile, "Please allow me one last time to call you by your name, so impulsively. I appreciate your honesty. You don't need to worry about anything, really, because I expected this outcome before coming here..." Her voice began to choke, "But... ****, the Avadakine melon!"

She sniffled, wiped away her tears with the back of her hand, and looked at Skylar with red, swollen eyes, forcing a smile, "Being able to give you a big surprise in Avada, that's enough. I hope you can give me a big surprise in the Triwizard Tournament, and... and... I hope you will give me a big surprise... Perhaps, one day you will give me a big surprise, perhaps after this, we will never have another chance, but you just need to remember--"

"Avadakin melon, ****, Avadakin melon, ****, Avadakin melon, ****."

Skylar felt a sudden pang of pain in his heart, but his face remained expressionless. So, I really was once moved by you?

Skylar sighed and said solemnly, "Hermione, Avadakken melon, ****, Avadakken melon, ****, Avadakken melon, ****."

Hermione finally couldn't hold back any longer. Her emotions seemed to have reached their limit, and she burst into a heart-wrenching sob. Tears streamed down her face like a burst dam. She quickly covered her face, turned around, and ran away from the kitchen as fast as she could.