Although Natalia didn't really give Clementine any hints about the second task, she couldn't keep being sarcastic once Clementine softened her attitude.
The conversation between the two gradually turned into light-hearted chit-chat, and from a distance, they seemed like close friends with a harmonious relationship.
When everyone was seated, there was still no food on the golden plates, only a menu placed in front of each person. Many students looked around in confusion, craning their necks to see if there was food on the other tables.
Vid picked up the menu and flipped through it. Although he knew what to do, he still glanced over at the teacher's table.
Dumbledore looked at the menu and said cheerfully, "Pork chop!"
A sizzling grilled pork chop immediately appeared on his plate, and this demonstration made everyone realize how it worked, so they all followed suit.
Vid casually said, "Pan-seared foie gras, onion soup, carrot beef stew..."
Whenever he mentioned a dish, the corresponding item would suddenly appear on the table, shining enticingly against the golden tableware, emitting an aroma that made mouths water.
Clementine was recommending to Natalia, "Say no more, you have to try the butter-baked snails, it's the most authentic dish here..."
Natalia also talked about their school—
"At Kodostorians, there's always borscht that automatically refills on the table, no matter when you go, it'll never disappoint you."
"Our castle is much larger than here, and the classrooms are much more spacious. At Hogwarts—oh, sorry, Vid—Hogwarts classrooms always feel a bit cramped to me."
"I heard Kodostorians has the Gate of Hell sealed within it, is that true?" Clementine asked curiously.
"Hahaha... That's just a legend!" Natalia laughed. "Our school doesn't have any places that mysterious; the most worth seeing are those ice sculptures that never melt."
"Maybe you just don't know about it," Clementine said thoughtfully. "Old magic schools have lots of secrets, but they're always stingy about telling students, right, Mr. Gray? I bet Hogwarts has countless secrets."
"Maybe?" Vid speared a piece of foie gras and said with a light laugh, "Just like you said, as students, even if there are secrets, we wouldn't know."
Clementine gave him a serious look, then turned to Natalia and whispered, "Nonsense! He definitely knows a lot of secret rooms, he's just not telling us."
"If he doesn't want to say, then let's not ask," Natalia said indifferently. "This caramel pudding is good, do you want to try it?"
After the last piece of mille-feuille disappeared from the plate, Dumbledore made everyone stand up and then gave a light wave of his magic wand.
The tables and chairs quickly flew to the walls, transforming the hall's center into a dance floor as the Weird Sisters (a famous rock band in the magic world) took the stage to applause.
As the cello began to play, the magic candles on the ceiling dimmed, replaced by countless floating starlights slowly rotating in the dark.
Some firefly-like lights floated down, drifting among the people like little fish swimming in the air, making the dance floor especially dreamy.
"It's our turn!"
Natalia quickly reapplied her lipstick as she saw Vid stand up, then gave a slight bow and extended her hand.
"Are you ready?"
"Of course!"
Natalia took a deep breath, placed her fingertips in Vid's palm, and reminded him, "Be careful not to step on my dress."
"Don't worry, I'm not great at dancing, but I shouldn't be that clumsy."
Vid's hand lightly held Natalia's waist, his other hand clasping hers as they twirled into the dance floor, her skirt blossoming like a deep blue cornflower.
"You dance quite well." After a moment, Natalia smiled and asked softly, "Did you practice in secret?"
"My mother taught me."
Vid explained simply, leading her in a circle.
His peripheral vision swept over Harry, who was slowly turning in circles and already had a sheen of sweat on his forehead, as if dancing with a girl was more exhausting than fighting a fire dragon.
Harry didn't ask Vid to teach him to dance because he knew Vid's time was too tight. So, during the holidays, Harry secretly used the Disappearing Cabinet to go to Hogsmeade and spent several days learning from Sirius. Now that it was time for the real thing, he still seemed a bit stiff.
Hermione and Krum danced much better. Hermione wore a radiant smile, her dance steps were light, and Krum kept perfect pace with her, his eyes never leaving Hermione's face.
"What's wrong?" Natalia's voice suddenly sounded in Vid's ear, with a hint of playful chill, "Is my dancing not as captivating as theirs?"
"Sorry," Vid laughed softly, spinning her away from the other students before saying, "Harry isn't good at dancing, so I was actually looking forward to seeing him mess up."
"Oh? I thought you liked that girl in the blue dress!" Natalia emphasized "blue dress," lifting her eyes to look at him with teasing humor.
"Hermione is my friend," Vid said quietly, "and it seems she's getting along well with Krum."
"Getting along well is an understatement; Krum seems to be in love," Natalia laughed.
...
After the champions opened the dance, others immediately joined the dance floor, making the once spacious hall feel crowded with swirling robes and skirts.
The first dance melody was melodious and soothing, but the subsequent tunes became increasingly lively, with the guitars bursting into energetic notes and the drums urging everyone to pick up their pace.
Vid and Natalia danced through three songs, but as the prelude of the fourth began, Vid stepped back slightly, letting go of her hand.
"Not dancing anymore?" Natalia asked regretfully, her breathing slightly rapid from the dancing.
"I plan to take a break," Vid adjusted his collar, asking, "Do you want something to drink? I'll get it."
In the dance floor interwoven with light and music, everyone's exuberant emotions seemed to leave him untouched, as his gray eyes remained very calm.
"No need," Natalia said, looking into Vid's eyes and smiling, "I plan to dance a bit more!"
As soon as they parted, a boy almost apparated over, immediately bending down to invite her for a dance.
Natalia glanced at Vid again before gladly placing her hand in his.
Vid threaded through the pairs of whirling dance partners and headed towards a table in the corner. As soon as he approached, a clear cup of water appeared on the table.
After drinking, somewhat relieving the heat of the dance, the mixed sounds of laughter, music, and even arguing made his temples throb.
Vid didn't plan to stay in the bustling hall any longer; he walked out of the castle through the foyer, the cold air outside clearing his mind immediately.
As he was considering whether to return to the dormitory or head to the Room of Requirement, he suddenly heard a stifled sob.
"Give me back my Galleons, Bagman!" Professor Trelawney cried, her trembling voice particularly sharp as she cried, "My money... all my savings... you fraud!"