Start of the Christmas Gala.
"I still don't get girls, we could've just come together and that's it," said one of the Ravenclaw students, as they walked in a group of boys straight toward the castle entrance hall.
It seemed like all the girls had agreed to kick them out of the common room so they could meet them there instead.
Maybe trying to surprise them, or at least make it feel a bit more ceremonial than just walking down together from their rooms.
"At least someone agreed to be your dance partner, so you shouldn't complain," another one said with a slightly teasing smile.
Each of them was dressed in their formal suits and robes, some even wearing flashy capes. Something that wasn't strange in magical fashion, but… well, let's just say it was a bit much.
Maybe because they didn't have to pay for the outfits themselves, some of them went a little crazy and picked the most expensive or most eye-catching ones, trying to look cool. But sometimes being flashy has nothing to do with actually looking good.
And maybe the girls' decision to meet their partners in the entrance hall would turn out to be the worst one of all, because at least in the common room they could've made them change a few things. For example, the student who now looked like a decorated World War II soldier.
Or the one wearing a bright red top hat, with a suit that, every time he moved, seemed to release an illusionary fire that only made your eyes hurt.
Harry and Draco had a lot to say about these students, but they chose to stay silent as they walked toward the same place, waiting for their respective partners.
When they reached the entrance hall, which led into the Great Hall, many students from other houses and even other schools were already there, waiting with their partners. Others, like the Ravenclaw boys, were nervously waiting, worried their partners might have backed out at the last moment.
"Oh, well if it isn't the two most popular guys in the castle. What, didn't you manage to get dates after all? Or maybe people finally realized that being your partner might be the worst thing that could happen in this world?" said a familiar voice.
The moment they heard it, both Harry and Draco couldn't help but feel a wave of tired annoyance as they turned around to see Carrow standing there, of course accompanied by Crabbe and Goyle, along with a few other followers.
"And you, Carrow, I see no one in your group has a partner either. Or are you all each other's dates? Because if that's the case, I think you and Goyle make a great couple… though Crabbe might get jealous," Harry said with a faint mocking smile.
Immediately, Carrow made a disgusted face as he looked at his most loyal followers, who mirrored his expression without thinking.
"Watch what you say, Potter," Carrow snapped, clearly insulted, though he didn't seem to realize he was insulting his own followers as well. Not that they noticed.
"Don't get ahead of yourself, Potter. Even as champions, you still couldn't get dates. Ah, right, Malfoy did get one… a mud…"
Before Carrow could finish that word, both Malfoy's and Harry's eyes narrowed slightly as they looked at him instantly, and the atmosphere tightened almost immediately.
"Finish that word," Malfoy said, his voice low and threatening.
"And your dance partner will be Madame Pomfrey," Harry added.
For a moment, Carrow hesitated, feeling the intimidating presence of the two. But his pride wouldn't let him show fear, so he simply scoffed.
"Hmph. Don't think the world will fear you forever. When the time comes and you're dragged off your pedestal, I'll be there."
Then he turned and walked away with his group.
"This guy keeps throwing the same empty threats every time we meet. He's really committed to his role as a villain," Harry said, a trace of amusement in his voice.
Draco just let out a quiet scoff, before his gaze shifted toward the stairs… and he froze completely.
Harry looked at him for a moment, noticed his expression, and just as he was about to turn to look in the same direction, his own eyes caught something else… and he froze as well, staring straight toward the hallway leading to the entrance.
"See you later," Draco said, walking toward the stairs, snapping out of it with a slight smile, his eyes never leaving that spot.
"Yeah… yeah," Harry replied in the same daze as he headed toward the entrance hallway.
Both of them wearing soft smiles, a mix of surprise and something else, as they looked at the beautiful girls waiting for them.
Draco reached the stairs and extended his hand. A soft hand, slightly hesitant, took it as she stepped down the last few stairs. Hermione, wearing a beautiful pastel dress, not too frilly, but incredibly elegant. Light makeup on her eyes and lips, shining earrings that looked like solid gold, and her hair styled neatly with a small silver tiara, with two strands falling at the sides in soft spirals.
"Sorry… Daphne was the one who came up with the idea of making the boys wait," Hermione said, a bit embarrassed, noticing everyone's gaze, especially Draco's.
"Sometimes she does silly things… but I can't say it was a bad idea," Draco said with a faint smile. "You look beautiful," he added, remembering his manners, while his ears turned slightly red.
Hermione knew he was saying it out of politeness, but seeing him like that still made a small smile appear on her lips.
"Thanks… you too. I mean, you look nice… well, handsome," she said quickly after stumbling over her words, then shook her head, clearly nervous.
That made both of them laugh softly.
Meanwhile, on Harry's side.
He approached with a smile that quickly turned into something more playful as he looked at Fleur, who had a faintly annoyed expression at having to be his partner… though it was obvious that didn't stop a smile from threatening to appear if she got distracted.
Her gray satin dress matched her platinum blonde hair, which seemed to shine softly. She wasn't wearing anything too extravagant, aside from small silver earrings and light makeup. Her hairstyle was a small braid that circled her head like a princess tiara, decorated with tiny silver and pink flowers, and a few very small red ones.
Seeing Harry's amused smile when he looked at her, Fleur was already expecting one of his annoying comments.
But, against all expectations, Harry's smile softened, and he said:
"You look great. You're really beautiful tonight, Miss Delacour."
For a moment, Fleur's brain froze. She hadn't expected that at all, her expression breaking into a slightly annoyed smile… but she quickly regained control.
Clearing her throat lightly, she said,
"You don't look bad either, Mr. Potter," as Harry slightly raised his arm, standing beside her so she could take it.
She took his arm and looked away, a small smile slipping onto her face.
While all of this was happening, those around them couldn't help but be stunned by Fleur and Hermione, watching as they reunited with their partners, feeling like the world was unfair. Seeing two beautiful pairs come together for the ball… while they themselves were neither as handsome as Harry and Draco nor as beautiful as Hermione and Fleur.
Victor, standing in the middle of all this, seemed to be watching the two pairs for a moment, recognizing them as the demon girl's friends. He couldn't help but glance toward the stairs, wondering if she would come down, after practically forcing him to be her partner.
But she was nowhere to be seen. So he looked around for a moment, because there was no way she wouldn't show up after threatening him just to make him come.
"Who are you looking for?" a familiar voice sounded behind him, and he recognized it instantly, turning around quickly.
And then his gaze, just like Harry's and Draco's before, couldn't help but go a little blank as he saw Daphne standing there behind him… as if she had always been there.
She was wearing a pale blue dress. Her blonde hair was braided and fell over one shoulder, and she had a slightly mischievous smile, her hands behind her back, as if she was enjoying surprising him.
As if her little prank had been completely successful, seeing him so stunned.
"Are you going to stand there like an idiot all day?" she said, looking at him with amusement.
Hearing that, Victor shook his head to regain his composure, but he couldn't seem to find his words, still slightly stunned by seeing Daphne Greengrass, the "demon girl," like this.
Daphne looked at him and lightly crossed her arms, as if waiting for her compliments.
Luckily for Victor, Professor McGonagall stepped out of the Great Hall and opened the doors, letting everyone see the decorations, drawing gasps at the beauty of every detail prepared for the ball.
The floor now looked like pure white marble. Round tables were arranged neatly across the hall, leaving a path through the center. Decorations made of pure ice, while soft snow seemed to fall from the enchanted ceiling.
Every decoration on the tables looked expensive, made of crystal and gold. And every flower along the white walls was accompanied by small fairies that floated gently above them, sprinkling shimmering dust. Some of them drifted softly through the air.
Sirius had clearly spent a ridiculous amount of money just on the decorations.
It didn't even feel like the Great Hall they had known all their lives. It was as if he had stolen a magical ballroom from somewhere else and placed it there.
The students entered, looking around in awe and excitement, while Professor McGonagall had the champions and their partners wait outside for a moment.
They exchanged nods and small smiles among themselves. Luciel's partner was, unsurprisingly, his fiancée Katerina. He gave Fleur and Harry a playful smile for a moment, but both of them avoided him, looking elsewhere.
Marton's partner, against all expectations, turned out to be none other than Pansy Parkinson, who kept sending sharp glances toward Hermione and Draco, who, slightly nervous, avoided her gaze completely.
Especially when Daphne stepped closer and looked at them with a teasing smile, clearly enjoying making them even more uncomfortable.
"Alright, everyone, line up and enter behind me," Professor McGonagall said with a faint smile, perhaps just as excited about the ball.
The champions and their partners nodded, and the students already inside turned toward the doors, watching their entrance without looking away. A group of beautiful girls and handsome young men.
Some watched with jealousy, others with envy, as they were led to the main table where part of the judges were seated.
Among them, Sirius, who looked at his godson with pride and even gave him a subtle wink when he saw his partner. Madame Maxime, who glanced at Fleur and Harry for a moment, seemed slightly surprised… but not too much.
Karkaroff looked at his two students for a moment, as if evaluating their partners, and didn't seem displeased, knowing both came from pure-blood families.
Ludo, who clapped enthusiastically at their arrival.
And, fortunately, the seats of the judges Sirius hated the most weren't even there, as if there had never been any doubt they weren't invited.
None other than Crouch and Dumbledore.
What was even more interesting was that there weren't even seats left for any followers they might have sent.
For a moment, Harry caught sight of Percy Weasley, Crouch's secretary, sitting at a distant table with a confused expression. Beside an old man wearing a striking violet top hat and matching suit, probably sent by Dumbledore.
But Harry lost interest immediately when they reached the table, and suddenly Harry, Draco, Victor, and Luciel moved like perfect gentlemen, almost in sync, pulling out chairs for their partners.
For a moment, the four of them glanced at each other with amusement.
While their partners couldn't help but smile slightly as they sat down.
Only Marton looked at them in confusion, taking a bit longer to realize and do the same for Pansy… but in the end, it still stood out quite a bit.