Christmas Ball Begins

Hermione was both annoyed and pleased with Bell's previous behavior.

The complaint is that they were in the Gryffindor common room! How could they do such a thing in such a public place?

How embarrassing!

What pleased her was that her carefully prepared makeup had clearly won over Bell. From his previous actions, she had sensed a deep affection in him.

It was worth the afternoon of preparation!

You know, she rarely spends much time on makeup. Wouldn't it be better to use that time to read a couple of books?

So, after an afternoon of makeup, Hermione felt like she was almost cross-eyed.

"Bell, what are you doing dressed like that?"

Hermione asked, puzzled.

It was then that she realized that Bell wasn't wearing a dress, but rather that dark gray Battle Robe.

Although Bell did look quite handsome in that long trench coat, Bell felt a sense of incongruity because they were going to Christmas Ball, not Hermione pre-battle pep talk.

"I don't want to wear that kind of dress. Not only is it troublesome to wear, but it's also very uncomfortable. It's even inconvenient to draw my Wand."

Bell hates wearing those flashy clothes the most.

Look at those Little Wizard dressed up so extravagantly, they all look like peacocks with their tails spread out, it's just awkward to look at them.

"Why are you drawing your Wand? We're going to a ball soon!"

Hermione stared speechlessly at her boyfriend.

She now seriously suspects that Bell's daily training has made him stupid.

Bell is certainly not stupid; he's quite intelligent.

Also, don't forget that Bell was a student of Professor Moody. This is the same kind of paranoia Professor Moody had.

and...

"This is Hogwarts, after all. It wouldn't be surprising if we were attacked by terrorists at a ball."

"How could that be? Hogwarts is the safest place in the British Wizarding World."

Hermione, deeply poisoned by rumors, still naively believes that there is no security at all in Hogwarts.

Are you serious?

Quirrell in the first year, Basilisk in the second, Dementor in the third, who knows what kind of monsters and demons will suddenly appear in the fourth year? Only an idiot would believe that Hogwarts is safe.

Ahem, Bell didn't mean to imply that his girlfriend was brain-dead; his Hermione is quite intelligent.

What he meant was, well... that's basically it, those who know, know.

"..."

Perhaps it was Bell's disapproving look that triggered her past memories, causing Hermione to recall her experiences over the years.

Or maybe they're just too lazy to argue with a brainless idiot like Bell.

In short, Hermione rolled her eyes and stopped dwelling on the matter.

No matter what she says, Bell won't obediently go change her clothes. Besides, the ball is about to start, and there's not much time for Bell to change now.

Arm in arm, Bell and Hermione walked into the Great Hall.

The Great Hall was brightly lit at that moment.

The tables and chairs used for meals have all disappeared, replaced by exquisite and luxurious sofas and coffee tables placed against the walls, leaving a spacious stage in the center of the Great Hall.

The symbols representing the three magic schools are hung on the wall directly opposite the main entrance. Various decorations are placed on coffee tables or suspended in mid-air.

It must be said that many items that are extremely precious to Muggle are readily available to wizards who possess magic.

Looking at the completely transformed Great Hall, which was decorated in a way that made it seem unrecognizable, Hermione's cheeks flushed with excitement.

She hugged Bell's arm tightly, eagerly anticipating the upcoming ball.

After Dumbledore's usual brief remarks, the four Champion participating in the Triwizard Tournament, hand in hand with their dance partners, slowly walked onto the stage amidst cheers from the crowd.

At this moment, everyone's attention was focused on Phoebe in the center of the arena.

As for the others?

Are there any other people here?

It must be said that the already beautiful Phoebe, after dressing up carefully and changing into a gorgeous evening gown, even made the bright moon in the sky pale in comparison.

At that moment, countless Little Wizard were subjected to personal attacks by their dance partners.

If it weren't for the fact that it was too late to replace them, these Little Witch would have loved to kick their lecherous dance partners to death.

Why did you pinch me?

Bell looked at Hermione beside him with a puzzled expression.

"What do you think? Isn't Phoebe beautiful? Aren't you tempted?"

Hermione glared at Bell through gritted teeth, as if she would bite Bell throat off the moment Bell dared to utter a single "yes."

"It looks really good, but I'm not really interested."

Bell said honestly.

While speaking, he deliberately placed his hand on Hermione's head to ensure his personal safety. He would immediately suppress her should Hermione show any signs of aggression.

He had no intention of replacing the four young couples in the room as the new focus of the ball.

"Hmph! Are you regretting it now? Regret not inviting Phoebe as your dance partner? I knew it! You were so adamant about not inviting me in the first place, you must have been agonizing over it for a long time, right?"

Hermione said angrily.

"Huh!? What are you saying... No, don't cry! How could I possibly want to invite anyone other than you!"

Bell was terrified to see tears welling up in Hermione's eyes.

No, what did he do? He's been standing here quietly the whole time, hasn't he? Is that not allowed?

"Then why, before, did you refuse to invite me no matter what you said!"

In fact, Hermione's grievances had been building up inside her for a long time.

Ever since she learned that a grand Christmas Ball would be held at Hogwarts this Christmas, she had been looking forward to dancing with Bell at the ball.

Especially after receiving the evening gown that Bell had carefully prepared for her, Hermione was so happy that she couldn't sleep well for several days.

But then, Bell just disappeared without a trace!?

God knows how she felt at that time.

No, perhaps even the heavens don't know. Because in her eyes, the heavens have already collapsed!

Hermione, tormented by her own anxieties, repeatedly hinted at or explicitly told Bell, but each time her hopes were met with disappointment.

She has no idea how she got through those days.

Fortunately, Bell eventually invited her. This made Hermione happy, but also made her feel even more wronged.

And this pent-up grievance, after seeing the dazzling Phoebe in the arena, somehow just burst forth all at once.

Hermione disliked Phoebe, disliked her delicate face, disliked her silky long hair, disliked her tall and sexy figure...

In short, she hated everything about him! Absolutely, utterly!