Since Cassandra was quite cooperative, Harry didn't continue forcing her to dance.
He led Cassandra back to their original seats and sat down. Only after settling into the chair did Cassandra let out an almost imperceptible sigh of relief.
She really couldn't stand any longer. This little rascal was truly...
"Care to dance?"
Veratia's voice came from Harry's left. Only then did he notice that, at some point, Veratia and Poppy had taken seats at the table just behind them.
"When did you two get here?"
Harry looked at the two girls in astonishment. They were also dressed in full formal attire, in the style of a hundred years ago.
Compared to Cassandra, Veratia's gown lacked strong Slytherin characteristics and instead featured distinct Austro-Hungarian imperial elements.
On her head, she even wore a silver-white princess crown of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, gleaming brightly.
"We've been here for a while, ever since you entered the dance floor," Poppy said with a beaming smile. "We saw everything that just happened, Harry. You're not being honest!"
"Not honest?"
Harry laughed in exasperation. Am I not honest enough?
If I were truly dishonest, I'd have claimed all three of you long ago. What need would there be for your chatter?
"Yes, we saw it all," Veratia said with a faint smile, reaching into Cassandra's arms. "Look at what you've done to Cass. Treating a lady like that in public—doesn't your conscience hurt?"
"He has no conscience!" Cassandra said indignantly. "He even made me call him master just now."
"Oh, the slave riding the master?" Veratia bent down, resting her chin in the crook of Cassandra's shoulder. "I never imagined you two were so... playful. Calling him master now—what will it be later? Brother? Or..."
"Daddy," Poppy chimed in from the side, fanning the flames. "With how perverted Harry is, he'd definitely love that title—"
"Why don't you say I call Veratia mommy?" Harry rolled his eyes. "You know, my mom was Veratia's student..."
Veratia said nothing, only reaching out to pinch Harry's cheeks and pull them apart.
After being tugged once, Harry behaved.
"Dance with me, Veratia," he said, standing up and rubbing his reddened cheeks as he extended the invitation.
Veratia rose gracefully, placing her hand on Harry's arm.
"Then I'll borrow your Potter for a bit, temporarily," Veratia said with a smile to Cassandra, then suddenly gasped dramatically, covering her lips. "Oh, sorry, I forgot—he's not your Potter anymore. He's your master..."
"Are you asking for death, Grindelwald!" Cassandra snapped in embarrassed fury, grabbing whatever was at hand and hurling it at Veratia.
Instead, Veratia used ancient magic to redirect the fluffy doll, which struck Cassandra's head and sent her reeling backward. If Poppy hadn't caught her, she would have fallen flat on her back.
Harry stared at Veratia in shock. To think they'd use ancient magic in mere sisterly banter...
Should I call you impressive, or what?
"Come on," Veratia said, taking Harry's hand and leading him to the center of the dance floor. "Let's dance... Do you remember the waltz we danced back then? At Nurmengard Castle, when Gellert was still..."
At the mention of Gellert, Dumbledore's dance partner suddenly shuddered.
The two paid no attention, lost in their dance and reminiscing about old times.
"That was so long ago," Harry replied with a smile. "We have to look forward, Veratia—we still have plenty of dances together..."
As he spoke, he leaned close to her ear. "You should know, I absorbed the energy of the Philosopher's Stone. In theory, I have a very long lifespan ahead—and I can transfer life energy to you all..."
"Live like the Flamels?" Veratia curled her lips. "I'll pass. I'd rather die in the full bloom of summer than linger in the withering winter."
Women...
"Oh, it's not that bad," Harry murmured. "Life force, as the name suggests... it can also keep you from aging..."
Veratia understood his implication. She looked at him with a half-smile. "So you mean I'll have to rely on you from now on? Right?"
"Listen to you," Harry said, pinching her slender waist and whispering in her ear. "What's mine is yours. Whenever you need it, I won't hold back—you know that, Veratia?"
"Hmph." Veratia hummed in satisfaction, then said softly, "Has Cassandra given you her Christmas gift...?"
"Not yet," Harry replied. "But she said she's preparing it and will make it up to me eventually."
Veratia said nothing. She knew exactly what Cassandra's Christmas gift meant.
If she hadn't returned to Hogwarts, that plan would have succeeded by now.
Looks like I came back at the wrong time...
But despite the thought, Veratia felt no regret about returning.
"Look at Dumbledore's dance partner," Harry whispered to Veratia. "I have to say, it's the first time I've seen... a partner like that. So old, and she can't even dance?"
The cross-dressed Gellert, nestled in Dumbledore's arms, shuddered again.
No, what the hell?
Can't you keep your eyes on the beautiful girl in front of you? What's with staring at an old hag like me?
Is my sister not attractive enough, or do you have some kind of problem?
Veratia turned her head and glanced at Gellert.
One look was all it took—Veratia suddenly found the person strikingly familiar.
She searched her memory. She didn't know many elderly women, and this one clearly wasn't among them.
So who could it be?
Or was it just an illusion?
But Harry's wandering hand pulled her attention back.
"Still not keeping your hands to yourself?" Veratia asked with a faint smile. "Looks like this afternoon wasn't satisfying enough for you?"
"Habit," Harry said sheepishly. "Just... natural. What are your plans for tonight? Heading back to Austria after the ball, or staying at Hogwarts a bit longer?"
"The original plan was to leave after the ball, but looking at things now... Cassandra doesn't seem intent on giving you her Christmas gift afterward," Veratia said with a smile. "So I've decided to stay a few more days. I can handle Ministry work from here anyway, and as for the minor tasks... Farley's got it covered."
"Farley?" Harry wracked his brain before remembering. "You mean the old Slytherin prefect, Gemma Farley?"
"You still remember her," Veratia said leisurely. "Well, you two did duel in first year, so it's normal... Yes, it's her. As expected of a Slytherin prefect—I value her abilities highly."
"Besides Miss Farley?" Harry asked again. "How many others did you take from Hogwarts?"
"Four, I think," Veratia said with a smile. "You know Slytherin traits—they're ambitious, perfect for the Ministry, especially in old Europe's environment."
Though Harry didn't fully agree with sorting traits by house, he had to admit there was truth to it.
Hogwarts' Sorting Ceremony: put on the hat, then draw the line.
As the dance ended, Veratia released Harry.
"Go invite Poppy for a dance," she said. "She's been waiting a long time."
Her tone was complex, but Harry missed the subtext.
"Alright." He escorted Veratia back to the girls, then turned to Poppy. "Poppy? Poppy?"
Poppy jerked her head up, a cute little bubble still on her nose.
"Oh, I fell asleep!" Poppy declared proudly. "Sorry, I was a bit tired just now..."
"Care to dance?" Harry extended his hand.
"Sure!" Poppy stood, placing her hand in his.
Harry noticed Veratia, upon sitting, seemed to be whispering something to Cassandra, her eyes fixed on the dance floor.
That gaze clearly wasn't for him—Harry was confident. Though Veratia was Europe's Vinegar King 1.0, she'd approved his dance with Poppy. She wasn't the type to go back on her word or get angry over it.
He realized Veratia's stare was aimed at Dumbledore nearby.
"Have you noticed..." Harry whispered to Poppy, "Veratia's gaze seems a bit hostile?"
"Huh?" Poppy's ahoge stood straight up. "No way? Is she mad because we're dancing? Oh no, please don't..."
"No," Harry whispered. "It's not that—she approved us dancing... She's not watching us; she's watching Dumbledore."
"Huh?" Poppy relaxed. "Dumbledore? Why? Hasn't she moved past the old matters? Or is there something I don't know?"
As she spoke, Poppy's face screamed gossip.
Gossip was instinct—even a Hufflepuff like Poppy couldn't resist.
"We just noticed Dumbledore's partner seems familiar," Harry whispered. "Don't you feel it? Super familiar, but you can't place who?"
Poppy tiptoed, peeking over Harry's shoulder, adorably showing half her head.
"Hey!" Poppy patted his shoulder excitedly. "She does look familiar... but I can't remember who... Could she be under a Confundus Charm?"
"Not necessarily," Harry shook his head. "If so, we might not even see her."
"Then what's going on?" Poppy thought, then said, "Let's get closer—I'll sniff and see who it is..."
Sniff? Who?
Are you a dog?
Sensing Harry's confusion, Poppy said sheepishly, "Unicorns have a keen sense for magic. Since regaining human form, I can use unicorn abilities in this shape too..."
Oh, that makes sense.
Harry led Poppy closer.
Up close, he greeted Dumbledore.
"Merry Christmas, Professor Dumbledore."
"And to you, Harry," Dumbledore replied with a warm smile.
Poppy politely leaned in. "Hello, Professor Dumbledore. Merry Christmas."
After Dumbledore returned the greeting, Poppy pulled Harry aside.
"Well?" Harry asked, seeing Poppy's face light up like she'd uncovered a huge scoop.
"Guess who?" Poppy said excitedly. "It's Assistant Gell... no, Gellert. Gellert Grindelwald! Their magic smells identical—I'm absolutely sure. That's Gellert Grindelwald..."
Harry: ?
"..."
He fell silent.
Even if you killed him, he wouldn't have guessed.
That old hag was Gellert Grindelwald?
"What's wrong?"
Seeing Harry deep in thought, Poppy asked tentatively.
"Quiet!" Harry rubbed his eyelids. "I'm thinking..."
Oh, thinking...
It was worth thinking about. Even Poppy felt her worldview shattering.
An old man like that, cross-dressing to attend Hogwarts' Christmas ball for his lover?
Is this human depravity or moral decay?
"I think we need to tell Veratia," Poppy said seriously. "She at least deserves to know. What do you think, Harry?"
"Why does Veratia need to know... oh!"
Halfway through, Harry caught the gleeful "let's stir the pot" glint in Poppy's eyes.
Right, Veratia absolutely must know!
Her brother, Gellert Grindelwald, doing this at Hogwarts!
Utterly disgraceful!
Terribly damaging!
"Let's go!"
They abandoned the dance, eyes blazing with gossip fire.
Seeing them leave the floor, Cassandra asked curiously, "Why'd you stop? The song just started."
"We discovered something huge!" Harry said gravely, glancing around. "Where's Veratia?"
"Oh, she stepped out to take a call," Cassandra said, then asked curiously, "What huge thing?"
Poppy scooted over, clinging to Cassandra's right arm and beckoning Harry.
"Harry, quick, tell her!"
Harry sat on Cassandra's left, cleared his throat, and said, "Look at Professor Dumbledore now—look at his partner."
Cassandra glanced over and nodded. "Yeah, I see."
"Guess who?" Harry asked mysteriously.
"Who?" Cassandra took a sip of pumpkin juice from the table.
"Gellert," Harry whispered. "Gellert Grindelwald."
"Pfft—"
Cassandra couldn't hold it in—pumpkin juice sprayed all over Harry's face.
--
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