Phoebe didn't beat around the bush and asked Morris earnestly, "I just want to ask you if you've discovered the secret of that egg."
So they came to gather intelligence.
Morris nodded to himself, but the other party was likely to be disappointed.
He answered frankly, "My Golden Egg is broken, and its contents have disappeared."
"It broke?" Phoebe asked in disbelief, pressing, "How did you do that?"
" The Severing Charm." Morris said nonchalantly. "I think you can guess what happened."
Phoebe was silent for a few seconds, then asked, "So you don't know any clues at all?"
"Almost."
Upon receiving this answer, Phoebe felt somewhat puzzled.
If that's the case, then why is Morris still able to maintain such a calm and collected demeanor?
They even lay here sunbathing.
Isn't he in a hurry at all?
"Don't worry about me." Morris suddenly smiled at her. "Even without any information, I can handle the game."
Phoebe stared at him for a few seconds, then let out a soft hum.
This attitude annoyed her, but she couldn't quite put her finger on what was wrong.
"I'm not worried about my opponent," she said, lifting her chin. "Arrogance will get you into trouble."
Morris simply shrugged.
The Golden Egg are broken; there's no way to bring them back now.
"And you, Delacour? Do you know what that Golden Egg is for?"
Phoebe didn't reply immediately, seemingly weighing something.
Finally, she spoke up, "What I can tell you is that the second match is related to water."
Morris paused for a moment.
Phoebe's expression didn't seem like she was teasing him.
She actually told him the clue, which was unexpected.
"Thank you," Morris said, his tone very sincere.
Phoebe's lips unconsciously curled up slightly.
Reciprocity is key.
Now that Morris had told her about the Golden Egg, she should give him some information in return.
"That's all I can say," she said, raising her head with a hint of pride. "You should know, we're competitors."
Morris nodded. "I understand. That's enough."
Phoebe stood up, dusted off the dust from her robe, and looked ready to leave.
But she hesitated for a moment, then turned around and suddenly asked, "By the way, Black, have you found a dance partner for the Yule Ball?"
"Not yet," Morris replied casually.
"Really?" Phoebe stared at him. "I don't either."
The silence lasted for two and a half seconds.
What else can be said?
Morris understood immediately, stood up, and formally asked, "So, Miss Delacour, would you like to join me at the ball?"
You invited me?
"Obviously."
"Okay." Phoebe gave a genuine, radiant smile and answered cheerfully, "I promise you."
Morris smiled slightly in return.
The dance partner issue was resolved smoothly, much more easily than he had imagined.
Phoebe turned around; this time, she was really leaving.
"Let's talk again tonight, Morris," she said. " Madame Maxime wants to see me again. Goodbye."
Morris gazed in the direction she had left, then slowly looked away.
On the ground nearby, the Guantou was still foolishly playing with its crystal ball.
Soon, the Christmas holidays will arrive.
As is the case at this time of year, Hogwarts was completely covered in snow.
Nothing particularly noteworthy happened at Hogwarts during this period.
The only thing worth mentioning is that the Weasley Twins have recently been selling a prank cookie in the castle that can turn people into animals, and the sales have been surprisingly good.
One noon.
Morris was having lunch in the restaurant.
Beauxbatons and Durmstrang's students always dined with them.
This wasn't something worth worrying about.
The problem is that Phoebe would occasionally be invited to dances when she left, and she would then readily accept the invitation.
Then, several unreadable gazes would fall upon him.
However, Morris ignored him and continued eating the last piece of cake on his plate.
" Morris, here's your book back."
Suddenly, Hermione appeared beside him and placed a book with an exquisite cover on the table.
"Okay."
Morris put the book away.
That's right, the book is "One Hundred Tips to Make a Witch Beautiful and Elegant".
It's that again!
Hermione borrowed it a few days ago.
Morris's gaze fell on Hermione's teeth, somewhat surprised. "You've had work done on your teeth?"
Hermione instinctively shut her mouth.
"You noticed? That's why I lent you the book," she whispered.
"Obviously." Morris nodded.
"That's strange," Hermione sighed. " Harry and Ron couldn't detect it. I thought it hadn't worked."
She glanced at the plate in front of Morris and frowned. "You ate a lot of dessert again?"
"Yes," Morris said matter-of-factly.
"You need to control yourself, Morris," Hermione's tone immediately turned serious, much like Professor McGonagall's, "Or you might end up like Malfoy's two lackeys."
Goyle and Crabbe?
Morris shook his head. "It's not that bad."
Strangely enough, although he usually eats a lot of sweets, his weight has always remained quite good.
He is unwilling to change his sweet tooth anytime soon.
At that moment, Harry and Ron came over.
Ron, still chewing on something, mumbled, "Did you call my name just now?"
1
"No," Hermione said curtly.
Ron said "Oh".
" Morris," Harry asked in a low voice, "Have you found a dance partner? Don't forget we're Champion, we're to lead the dance."
Morris glanced at him. "Found it."
He always felt that lately, whenever he ran into Harry and the others, the conversation would veer towards the ball.
Ron immediately asked curiously, "Who is it?"
Morris said, " Phoebe."
"Just as I expected," Hermione nodded before Ron could even express his surprise. "I knew it."
Ron, however, wore an envious expression.
"You two are both Champion," he muttered, "A good match, aren't you?"
Morris sensed a hint of sarcasm in the other person's tone.
He changed the subject, asking, " Ron, have you sorted out your dress problem?"
Ron's expression was somewhat subtle. "I guess... it's resolved."
Hermione chimed in excitedly, " Ron's been practicing Transfiguration since the start of the semester, he should be fine, right, Harry? Harry?"
Harry snapped back to reality and blinked.
"Oh, yes," he said dismissively. "Of course, no problem."
He seemed to be in a daze just now, and probably didn't even hear Hermione's words.
" Potter?"
A rough, hoarse voice came from behind.
Moody appeared beside them without them even realizing it.