"Stand up straight, yes... imagine you're carrying a copy of ' The History of Magic ' on your head, and you can't let it fall."
"Take this step lightly, don't act like you're fighting Troll... Look at me when you turn, don't stare at the floor, the floor won't tell you the way..."
"Tsk, this waist... feels nice, just a bit stiff. Relax, move with me..." Draco commented.
This made Hermione's cheeks burn again, and she almost stepped on his foot again. " Draco! You better teach him properly!"
"I was trying to teach properly," Draco said innocently. "Body language is part of dance too."
Thanks to Draco's unconventional teaching style and Hermione's earnest efforts, progress was surprisingly smooth.
Perhaps it was because of a different mindset, or perhaps it was because her coordination had improved with age, but Hermione quickly regained her footing, and her basic steps became increasingly fluid.
After a weekend of practice, Hermione was able to keep up with Draco's guidance with relative ease.
It's also possible to complete simple waltz routines.
Hermione even started experimenting with adding her own little variations while spinning, or deliberately pausing on a certain beat, in an attempt to counter Draco's guidance.
"Wow, you're learning pretty fast," Draco said admiringly, looking at Hermione with a hint of smugness. "You even dare to dance with me now?"
"Of course!" Hermione lifted her chin, though her cheeks still had a healthy flush from exercise.
"Nothing can stump me if I want to learn. But... you're still the best teacher." Her voice trailed off at the end.
"Likewise, my good student."
This rare, straightforward praise widened Draco's smile. He tightened his arms around her and led her in a smooth spin to the music, her skirt tracing a graceful arc.
Life at Hogwarts passed by amidst studies and dance practice, but the world outside the castle was far from peaceful.
News about the power shift at the Ministry of Magic began to appear in the Daily Prophet with increasing frequency.
Substantial and significant news followed one after another.
For example, the Dementor officially announced that they would no longer obey Minister Fudge and were willing to accept temporary control from the Department of Special Operations Division's task force!
This news caused a huge uproar in the Wizarding World.
In the photo, hordes of Dementor, like black rags, silently float above the sea off Azkaban, alongside several wizards with the emblem of the Department of Mysteries embroidered on their sleeves.
The article is carefully worded.
However, it explicitly states that the Dementor collectively expressed deep concern and distrust of the current minister Cornelius Fudge's, leadership, and agreed to accept temporary command from a special task force authorized by Wizengamot during the transition period.
This was practically an open coup, stripping Fudge of control of one of his most crucial violent institutions.
Inside the castle, students eagerly passed around newspapers during breakfast, and the Great Hall was filled with a buzz of discussion.
" Merlin's beard! Dementor aren't listening to him anymore? Fudge is really doomed this time!"
"There must be someone behind the Dementor!"
"Nonsense, even a fool could tell who it is."
"Exactly, Draco's dad's been appearing in the newspapers almost as often as he's been on the Quidditch leaderboard lately."
Draco ignored the whispers and strange looks around him. Hermione quickly skimmed through the article. "Isn't this a huge step? Directly targeting the Dementor..."
Draco calmly handed her a slice of toast smeared with butter and said, "When the time is right, we should go all out."
" The Dementor' defection means Fudge has run out of cards, but the real show is about to begin."
really,
Just one week later, an even bigger bombshell dropped.
Lucius Malfoy has submitted a crucial chain of evidence, and the Wizards' Council has officially launched emergency impeachment proceedings against Fudge!
This time, the reaction within Hogwarts was much more intense. Almost everyone was talking about it.
At the Gryffindor table, Ron's mouth dropped open, nearly spitting out his Pumpkin Juice: "My God! Minister of Impeachment! My dad said nothing like this has happened in the Ministry of Magic in centuries!"
Hermione quickly analyzed the information in the report and whispered to Lavender and Parvati beside her, "This isn't just about taking down Fudge; it's about reshaping the power structure of the Ministry of Magic."
"I just hope that no matter who is minister, Hogwarts will be safe and sound." Hannah is a typical Hufflepuff.
The heated discussion lasted for several days.
But like all trending news, the initial shock gradually faded over time.
For most students, the power shifts within the Ministry of Ministry of Magic are still quite distant from their daily lives.
The pressure from OWLs and NEWTs, the Quidditch Cup competition, the upcoming Easter holiday, and the endless papers and experiments are the more pressing realities they need to face.
"Whether Fudge steps down or Malfoy comes to power, our Potions Class papers won't be any shorter," Seamus complained dejectedly, prompting Dean to chuckle beside him.
"Exactly, all I care about now is whether my Transfiguration can turn the rat into a snuff bottle before the exam, instead of a half-rat, half-snuff bottle monster," Neville whispered in agreement.
He looked worriedly at the mouse on his table, which was trying to turn its tail into a teapot handle but only managed to produce a small tuft of fur.
Life, in the end, returns to its essence, a path composed of countless trivial troubles and small joys.
The weekend before Easter is the third-year students' last chance to go to Hogsmeade this term.
The weather has warmed up, the snow has melted away, the roads are a bit muddy, but the sunshine is very nice.
The students, in twos and threes, flocked to the little village filled with the aroma of candy, joke toys, and Butterbeer.
Draco and Hermione were naturally among them.
They first went to Honeydukes to replenish their candy stock, which Hermione mainly prepared as encouragement for the House-elf' class.
Then I bought some parchment and ink at Scrivenshaft's Quill Shop.
The procurement is nearing completion.
Carrying their purchases and feeling tired after relaxing, the students walked back along the path leading to Hogwarts Castle.
Draco and Hermione walked side by side, slightly ahead of each other.
My friends walked behind me.
It carries the lazy atmosphere unique to the weekend.
Ron was complaining to Harry that Fred and George had come up with another prank, this time targeting Snape's storeroom, and he hoped they wouldn't blow themselves up.
Harry listened absentmindedly, his brow furrowed, his gaze fixed on the castle's spire, as if deep in thought.
As he walked, Ron suddenly felt that something was wrong.
Harry next to me... is so quiet.
Harry became much more active after having a godfather.
But this " Harry," from the moment he started complaining about the twins, remained silent, simply walking with his eyes fixed ahead.
And... Ron caught a glimpse of " Harry's" hand out of the corner of his eye.
That was just holding the wand very tightly.
This doesn't look like Harry in a relaxed state.
A strange feeling crept into Ron's heart.