Chapter 236
When it was almost eight o'clock, the Entrance Hall was already filled with students, all walking back and forth in excitement. Draco Malfoy also returned to the Slytherin basement, went to his dormitory, and quickly changed into his black formal robes.
This was one of the advantages of boys—they could take care of their appearance in a very short time.
Girls, on the other hand, needed far more effort and time to prepare.
For example, Hermione Granger had returned to her room at five o'clock and begun getting ready for the ball.
She had bought a large bottle of Sleekeazy's Hair Potion. Ordinary shampoo simply couldn't tame her bushy brown hair. It was worth noting that this potion had originally been invented by Harry's grandfather, who used it to quadruple his fortune.
Of course, compared to that, Luna Lovegood's outfit was actually much harder to deal with.
After finishing, Malfoy stepped out of his room and entered the Slytherin common room. Although many students had already rushed to the Entrance Hall, quite a few still lingered there.
They admired their formal attire, discussed dances, and chatted excitedly with one another.
Pansy Parkinson sat quietly on a carved chair, swinging her legs. She wore a light pink, frilled dress today, the warm color making her look unusually lively.
The moment she saw Malfoy, she stood up and walked toward him, supporting herself lightly against the wall.
"Very beautiful."
Malfoy looked her up and down and gave a sincere evaluation.
He knew that was exactly what she wanted to hear—and it was true.
Pansy's cheeks flushed brightly, and she smiled with clear satisfaction.
"Thank you. Just wait, there'll be a surprise later."
"Surprise?" Malfoy raised an eyebrow. "That usually means disaster."
"It's real this time! I promise!" she hurriedly said, flustered, the blush spreading to her ears.
"Alright. I'll look forward to it," he replied. "Hopefully it really is a surprise."
It was almost time.
Malfoy and the other Slytherin students walked through the long corridor and emerged from the underground. The surrounding students slowed their pace, allowing the champions to walk ahead. Only after they separated did everyone begin searching for their partners.
"Where is Luna?"
Malfoy scanned the crowd, expecting to see a striking golden outfit.
"Am I late?"
A light tap landed on his back.
He turned—
—and saw Luna smiling at him.
There was no golden "corn dress."
Instead, she wore a soft blue gown.
She had removed her usual odd accessories—no radish earrings, no Butterbeer cork necklace. The dress was decorated with delicate purple petals from shoulder to waist, with small pearls glimmering between them. The lower half flowed in layered shades of blue, light and dreamy.
As she walked, the translucent fabric swayed gently, highlighting her natural liveliness.
At first glance, she resembled an angel descending to earth.
But when she smiled, she seemed more like a forest spirit—bright, unpredictable, alive.
Even the boys nearby couldn't look away.
The "eccentric girl" they used to mock had become unexpectedly stunning.
"It suits you," Malfoy said, clearly surprised. "What about your original outfit? The one for attracting the Crumple-Horned Snorkack?"
"We'll talk about that later," Luna said, clapping her hands lightly. "Now is the time to enjoy ourselves."
Even she seemed slightly excited by the atmosphere.
Perhaps dancing wouldn't be so bad.
At that moment, the oak doors opened.
Everyone turned.
Igor Karkaroff entered with the Durmstrang students. Viktor Krum walked at the front, with a girl in blue robes beside him.
Outside, the grounds had been transformed.
The lawn resembled a glowing winter grotto. Hundreds of tiny fairies hovered in the air, sitting among enchanted rose bushes or fluttering around statues shaped like Father Christmas and his reindeer.
Then a voice rang out—
"Champions, over here!"
Minerva McGonagall stood by the entrance, wearing red tartan robes and a rather unfortunate thistle wreath on her hat.
The crowd parted.
She instructed the champions and their partners to wait while the rest of the students entered first. Once everyone was seated, they would proceed inside together.
The reactions varied.
Malfoy and Luna were the calmest, leaning casually against the wall as they talked.
Harry Potter, however, looked stiff and uneasy. Though he had attended many feasts at Hogwarts, this was his first formal ball—especially compared to life at the Dursleys'.
Beside him, Parvati Patil seemed completely at ease.
The roles felt reversed.
She moved naturally within the atmosphere—
while Harry struggled to keep up.