It was nearly midnight, but the ball showed no sign of ending. The Great Hall was still bustling, and during the walk back inside, much of the blush on Hermione's small face had faded.
The Weird Sisters were still playing rousing rock music on the stage Dumbledore had conjured, and most people were on the dance floor, swaying to the beat.
If there had been a spinning ball overhead casting multicolored beams, the scene would have looked just like the revelry in a bar in the Muggle world.
Ginny and Harry seemed to have just come off the dance floor. Judging by the shy, happy smile on Ginny's face, she had thoroughly enjoyed herself.
Harry was panting as he grabbed a drink from the table and poured it down his throat.
Your stamina's lacking, young man. Su Er could not help shaking his head.
Looking back at the dance floor, he saw Ron and Lavender Brown kissing in each other's arms again. Well, having just experienced kissing himself, Su Er understood Ron a little better now. That feeling really was wonderful.
Sorry, you other three Champions. First place in the Second Task is mine to claim.
At that thought, Su Er could not resist looking at Hermione's little mouth again. Noticing his gaze, Hermione gave him a reproachful look.
Hagrid and Madame Maxime had also returned to the Great Hall from outside shortly after Su Er and Hermione came in. When Hagrid saw Su Er, he cast him a grateful look.
From the way Madame Maxime covered her mouth and "giggled," it seemed Hagrid had taken Su Er's advice and had not brought up the subject of his and Madame Maxime's ancestry outside.
It seemed that, barring any surprises, he would get to see a little Hagrid born. In this