Fleur Delacour walked in.
Today, she was not wearing her silk Beauxbatons uniform, but had changed into a simple, well-tailored wizarding robe.
Her long silver hair shimmered softly in the morning sunlight, and she radiated a freshness stripped of all embellishment.
She did not head toward the Ravenclaw table, but walked straight toward Gryffindor.
Everyone's eyes instinctively followed her footsteps.
Her destination was clear.
She passed through the crowd, ignoring every admiring or curious gaze, and finally stopped before the isolated red-haired boy sitting at the end of the long table.
Ron's brain instantly stopped working.
He froze in place like a comical stone statue, half a piece of bread still stuffed in his mouth.
Fleur stopped in front of him. The usual aloofness was gone from her azure eyes, replaced by an intrigued smile.
"Mr. Weasley," she said, her voice as clear as morning dew, "I came to thank you for your reminder yesterday."
Ron's mouth formed an O, and breadcrumbs fell from its corners.
"Although your approach was a little... unusual."
Fleur's lips curved into a lovely smile.
"But you were right. True charm shouldn't come from a power I can't control."
She paused, then dropped a real bombshell under everyone's gaze.
"So, as thanks, might I have the honor of inviting you to be my partner at the Yule Ball?"
At that moment, the world regained its color for Ron Weasley.
Wild joy surged like scalding magma from the soles of his feet to the top of his head.
"I... I'd love to! Of course I would!"
He shouted incoherently, springing from his chair and waving his arms in excitement.
He spun around and looked smugly at Harry, at Ginny, and at the twins, assuming the stance of a victor.
His expression seemed to say: *See! You