Too Busty and Brutal!

Overall, the trip to the Horcrux Cave had a mixed outcome.

The bad news is that the Horcrux was taken by someone else; the good news is... they know who took it.

This was, of course, just wishful thinking; knowing who had taken the Horcrux didn't make William too happy.

Finding the location of the Horcrux is already difficult; there are coincidences and various subtle clues involved.

Now that it has been found, and only one last step is needed to destroy it... it has inexplicably been lost, adding a lot of unexpected complications.

But you can't blame Regulus Black.

What right do you have to blame me?!

Dumbledore only truly realized that Voldemort had created Horcrux after seeing the diary.

Regulus discovered Horcrux more than a decade ago.

Not only did he steal the Horcrux right under Voldemort's nose during Voldemort's prime, but he also tried to destroy it.

Most importantly, Regulus was a typical Death Eaters.

A Death Eaters betrayed the Dark Lord at his peak, but turned back early, intending to destroy the Horcrux.

This kind of awareness clearly transcends simple views of love and hate, and moves towards a profound understanding of righteousness.

What right do you have to criticize such a noble and courageous wizard? To put it bluntly, he is the true number one in "resisting the attack"!

But why is William unhappy?

Regulus is dead, and no one knows whether he destroyed the Horcrux.

If it wasn't destroyed, where did he hide it?

Moreover, Regulus's death was suspicious; how did he die?

Horcrux inherently possess a bewitching power.

If Regulus is bewitched by Tom inside the Horcrux and subsequently killed by him... no one knows where the Horcrux will go.

This is undoubtedly like finding a needle in a haystack.

Therefore, knowing who took the Horcrux is certainly good news for the situation.

But compared to the fact that it could have directly destroyed the Horcrux... it's only slightly better than nothing.

What happened next was quite simple: either live or Horcrux, they had to see the Horcrux!

Sirius would be happy because it meant he finally had something to do.

William received letters from Sirius more than once, complaining that he was bored and spent all his time cleaning the house.

Sirius's task will also undergo a fundamental change: from general cleaning... to a more in-depth cleaning!

William's trip wasn't entirely fruitless; he not only stole some Potions but also gained valuable experience in studying Wizard-Banishing Charm.

The latter, in particular, was a timely boon for William.

Because he's been getting more and more trouble lately, a bunch of girls are constantly flirting with him.

The reason was simple: the Yule Ball... was approaching.

Professor McGonagall announced this during Tuesday's Transfiguration class.

She was... in session that was running overtime.

"After explaining this spell, we'll be dismissed." McGonagall tapped the blackboard with her wand, as if going overtime wasn't a big deal.

The students started complaining. They always went overtime, by five minutes each time.

"Quiet, everyone quiet down," Professor McGonagall said, tapping the blackboard.

"I've explained the key points of this spell so many times, and you're still getting it wrong? Raise your hand if you're wrong!"

More than a dozen students raised their hands.

"Look, look!" Professor McGonagall exclaimed angrily, "It was right here on the blackboard! The marks are still there!"

Qiu craned her neck, peering at the blackboard, searching for Professor McGonagall's so-called "mark"—where exactly was it?

Why can't she see it?

Girls who are too serious usually don't have very good luck.

So Professor McGonagall called on her to answer the question.

Qiu stammered and hesitated, but with William's support from the sidelines, she managed to get through the ordeal.

Professor McGonagall lingered for five minutes, glanced at the time, and quickly said, "Alright, that's all for today. There's one more thing I need to tell you."

The students all looked at her, and many well-informed girls straightened their backs and revealed Akali's mysterious smile.

"The Yule Ball is coming soon—a traditional part of the Triwizard Tournament and a great opportunity for us to interact with foreign guests."

Yes, the dance is only open to students in fourth grade and above—you may invite younger students if you wish.

Of course, inviting older students is also an option, the key is that you yourselves... think it's a good idea.

After all, this is a ball that only happens once every few years; it's a rare opportunity.

Marietta let out a shrill, silly laugh.

She seemed completely absorbed in the ball.

Eloise secretly took out a small mirror and carefully looked at herself.

If you ignore her acne, and add some smoothing treatments, Botox injections, and double eyelid surgery, she's still a stunningly beautiful woman.

Qiu glanced at the boys in her class with a reserved air, her gaze critical.

It seemed there weren't many boys in this classroom that she found decent.

Compared to the girls' precociousness, the boys seem somewhat clueless and naive.

Many people looked completely bewildered, seemingly still wondering, "What exactly is a dance party?"

Want to watch the girls dance?

And... was there a lavish Christmas dinner that night, just like before?

They were getting a little annoyed by the girls' critical looks.

Professor McGonagall continued, "I hope everyone will attend. The academic pressure has been too great lately; it's essential to relax a bit."

Everyone agreed on this point. Fifth graders are indeed under too much pressure and need to release it completely.

"The ball will be held in the Great Hall at 8 p. m. on Christmas Eve and will end at midnight. Listen—"

Professor McGonagall looked up and calmly surveyed the entire class.

"The Yule Ball certainly gives us the opportunity—well—to let our hair down and relax."

She said it in a dismissive tone.

"Don't be shy or reserved... I don't encourage early romantic relationships, but if you meet some good friends, cherish them."

Marietta laughed even harder, covering her mouth tightly with her hand to stifle the sound.

Eloise was completely captivated by her own beauty.

She wondered if releasing this stress would make her acne disappear.

Who should I ask for help to release them?

Some students even egged them on, shouting, "Professor McGonagall, are you going to the ball too?"

"Well... strictly speaking, every professor has to participate," Professor McGonagall said somewhat flusteredly. "Of course I have to participate too."

Everyone laughed.

Professor McGonagall always wore her hair in a tight Xiao Yuan bun; she never seemed to let it down.

The students couldn't imagine what would happen if she disbanded.

William, meanwhile, squinted, deep in thought... who would be Professor Snape's dance partner!

Karkaroff... Dumbledore... or Professor Flitwick?

There aren't many candidates left for Snape.

Seeing the students laughing, Professor McGonagall laughed too. Then she immediately straightened her face:

"While the Yule Ball is a social event, it doesn't mean we'll relax our behavioral requirements for Hogwarts students."

I would be deeply saddened if any of your students brought shame to the school in any way.

After class, everyone got up and left, discussing the dance.

Professor McGonagall raised her voice and called out through the noise, "Choo—please stay a moment, I have a few words to say to you."

"William, why was Autumn left behind?" Marietta deliberately stayed behind and asked in a low voice.

"Champion need their own dance partners," William explained, looking up. "Traditionally, the dance is started by the Champion and their partners."

Professor McGonagall probably told her about it.

"The Champion are going to dance... How wonderful." Marietta looked longingly at William, then secretly glanced at him.

In fact, it wasn't just her... many girls who were pretending to pack their things and falling behind were secretly glancing at him.

William pretended not to see it, packed his things, and prepared to go to the Great Hall.

At that moment, Marietta suddenly called out to him.

"William..."

"Hmm, what's wrong?"

"N-nothing... it's nothing." Marietta hurriedly shook her head.

"I'll be going now." William hurried off.

The girls' eyes were practically ravenous.

Marietta aside, Eloise, in particular, seems to be trying to relieve stress on him in order to reduce the acne on her face.

That's just too much of a chest bulge.

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