After the First Task ended, I, Ron Weasley, was hiding together with my best friend Harry Potter beneath the Invisibility Cloak, standing in front of the Three Broomsticks in Hogsmeade as snow fell thickly around us.
Why things had come to this requires going back a little.
After the First Task, the situation surrounding Harry improved considerably.
The spectacular chase between the Firebolt and the dragon caused quite a stir, and many students began to accept Harry as a matter of fact. Even among Slytherin, girls started saying things like, "You know, if you look closely, he's actually pretty cute…" That was how far it went.
By the time the weekend arrived, we had completely returned to our normal lives.
The three of us attended Hagrid's classes together, ate bacon and toast in the Great Hall, played chess or cards by the common room fireplace, and went shopping in Hogsmeade on our days off. I never realized how happy such ordinary days could be.
Once Harry had recovered from his exhaustion, I asked him about something that had been on my mind.
"By the way, why didn't you say anything even after Rita's nonsense article came out?"
For some reason, Harry's face turned red.
"Uh, well…"
"I'm curious too," Hermione added.
Harry looked uncomfortable, but after being questioned by Hermione as well, he reluctantly began to explain.
It seemed the trigger had been when Malfoy mocked him.
"Potter, need a handkerchief for when you start crying in class?"
Naturally, Harry left in irritation at a brisk pace. But almost immediately, another voice called out to him from behind.
"Hi, Harry!"
"Yeah, sure! I was just crying my eyes out over my dead mum! And next I was going to—"
Fed up beyond endurance, Harry spun around and shouted, only to find that the person he saw was not Malfoy.
It was Cho Chang, Ravenclaw's Seeker. Slender and petite, with fair, beautiful skin and glossy black hair, she had an incredibly cute smile. Ever since last year's match against Ravenclaw, Harry had been painfully aware of her, and whenever they passed each other, he became awkward.
"That's not it. You just dropped your quill…"
Being treated kindly by a girl he liked, only to snap at her because he mistook her for someone else. Apparently, Harry felt deeply regretful when he saw Cho looking dejected, thinking what an idiot he'd been. Anyone would.
"Oh… I see… sorry."
As Harry mumbled while taking the quill, Cho gently shook her head.
"No, don't worry about it. With your parents and the task and everything, I'm sure things have been really hard…"
"Well, um… yeah, actually. That's true. Thanks for worrying about me."
Hey, you idiot.
"And that's why I couldn't deny it," Harry finished.
Hermione and I exchanged glances, then let out a deep sigh and slumped.
It was probably important to him, but to anyone else, it was an utterly trivial story. Apparently, while I wasn't looking, Harry had grown up. Or rather, he had gotten romantic.
"Well, if you think about it… this could be a chance," I said, trying to encourage the embarrassed Harry.
"You looked cool outsmarting the dragon and clearing the task. Cho must have fallen for you!"
"You think… so?"
"Of course. I bet you're super popular now."
Hermione looked at us as if we were hopeless, but suddenly she let out a small gasp.
"What is it?" I asked.
"I just remembered something. It's a rumor I heard from Lavender."
She hesitated for a moment, then spoke again.
"Apparently, this Sunday, which is today, actually, Slytherin House is hosting a matchmaking party for handsome boys and beautiful girls at the Three Broomsticks."
"Could it be…" Harry murmured.
Hermione nodded.
"Yes. Cho might have been invited too."
At that single sentence, Harry froze, as if he had been stared down by a basilisk.
"…"
"Hey, Harry, pull yourself together."
I shook his limp body. After letting himself be jostled for a while, Harry finally spoke, his voice filled with resolve.
"I have to stop it."
Harry said it clearly.
"I can't let Cho get tricked by those bad Slytherins. I have to do something."
Hermione stared at him in disbelief.
"Are you serious?"
"Of course I am."
"Then I recommend seeing Madam Pomfrey as soon as possible."
But for a boy in love, the word retreat does not exist. Harry's resolve was firm, and this time Hermione was completely exasperated.
"Honestly… love really is blind. But you weren't even invited. How are you planning to stop it?"
"My dad left me the Invisibility Cloak. Times like this are when you need to use your head."
Hermione gave up.
And that is why I am here with Harry, wearing the Invisibility Cloak in front of the Three Broomsticks.
At the familiar entrance of the Three Broomsticks stood a sign reading "Reserved Today," and cheerful laughter could already be heard from inside. Gryffindor sometimes reserved private rooms for parties, but renting out the entire place really showed the difference in funds and organization between us and Slytherin.
"Harry, are you ready?" I asked.
"It's too late to back out now."
After waiting a while, Cedric Diggory arrived with his friends and opened the door. We slipped inside in an instant, not missing the brief opening.
As soon as we entered, Slytherin prefect Euphemia Rowle noticed Diggory and came over.
"Thanks for coming. It was cold outside, wasn't it? Are you okay? Would you like something warm to drink?"
"I'll take you up on that," Diggory replied.
As soon as Diggory accepted a warm Butterbeer from Rowle, a crowd of Slytherin girls gathered around him.
"Hey! Cedric, how've you been? That scarf looks great on you!"
"You were amazing in the last match! I'm from another house, but I couldn't help cheering for you!"
"Cedric-senpai! Long time no see! Do you remember me?"
Girls from Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, Beauxbatons, and Durmstrang took turns crowding around Cedric, waving, giving high fives, and closing the distance. Just as rumored, it really was a gathering of attractive boys and girls from every house and school. I even spotted Krum and Elaina among them. And yet, Fleur Delacour did not seem to have been invited, which felt like a very Slytherin-style double standard.
Once the stylish dishes were laid out and the party began, the Three Broomsticks was quickly filled with the cheerful voices of students. With glasses in hand, they freely moved between tables, becoming eloquent as they tried to flirt with anyone who caught their fancy.
"Let's go to Cho's table," Harry said.
I nodded, and just as we were about to move, the atmosphere around us suddenly stirred.
Following everyone's gaze, I spotted familiar gray hair. Across from us, at another table, sat a handsome face I recognized as well.
It was Elaina and Cedric Diggory.
They looked well-matched, with an air that suggested a dance invitation could start at any moment. Though surely Elaina wouldn't be the type to initiate something like that herself.
"Oh? So you were invited too, Cedric," Elaina said.
"If you defy Euphemia, you pay for it later," Cedric replied.
"Even among prefects, I can see the imbalance of power at work."
"Well, I'm here for similar reasons," Elaina added.
"So, is there anyone here you're interested in?"
Wow. That sounded very on point.
As Elaina casually brought it up, the onlookers who had been eavesdropping erupted in unison.
In the midst of that, as expected.
"El-El-Elaina! I haven't heard anything about this!"
Saya, a Gryffindor underclassman who considered herself Elaina's partner, otherwise known as a stalker, rushed toward Elaina with a livid expression.
(Seriously, that girl shows up wherever Elaina is.)
While the host, Euphemia Rowle, checked the guest list muttering, "Was there some mistake…?" Saya pressed closer and closer to Elaina.
"Well, I didn't tell you anything, Saya…"
"And yet I exist, don't I!?"
After shouting that, Saya shot Diggory a sharp glare.
"…You homewrecker."
"C-calm down. We're drawing attention, so maybe we should move somewhere else…"
"What, is this something you'd be embarrassed to talk about in public? Oh, really?"
Saya shot back instantly, her low voice ill-suited to her cute face.
"Saya, let's calm down for now," Elaina said, looking troubled.
At that point, a Slytherin student finally stepped in.
"Stop it, third-year. Elaina, ditch this runt and come with me—"
Draco Malfoy, his face about fifty percent paler than usual from nerves, spoke up to Elaina as if mustering all his courage.
Suddenly, from the Slytherin girls' table, Pansy Parkinson stood up. The contents of an overturned goblet splashed onto the robes of the girl next to her. But Pansy didn't seem to care, staring intently at Malfoy's back with a severe expression. To anyone watching, it was obvious the situation was getting messy.
Worse still, whether they noticed Pansy's state or not, the two at the center of the trouble were getting carried away.
"I'm not giving my adorable Elaina to some condescending guy like you!"
"Hmph. And just what are you to Elaina?"
"We've sworn eternal love to each other!"
"Elaina looks thoroughly displeased."
Malfoy then turned toward Elaina, his expression stiff.
"You too, Elaina. Saya is bad enough, but Diggory is an enemy as well!"
Several people glanced toward Malfoy's chest.
Support Cedric Diggory!
"…"
"…"
Harry and I exchanged looks. We were clearly thinking the same thing.
"Nice badge," I said.
"Yeah, it really adds credibility," Harry replied.
Meanwhile, Diggory showed the composure of an upperclassman. With a wry smile, he turned back to Elaina.
"Malfoy seems worried. Are you okay with that?"
"Well, I appreciate the concern," Elaina replied.
Malfoy took a step forward. Pansy leaned out anxiously, but before either could act, Elaina spoke.
"I might get killed by Pansy, so maybe…"
Malfoy froze. Pansy struck a triumphant pose.
"But I think what you think matters too," Diggory added unnecessarily.
At that, Malfoy dramatically reversed course, clearly mouthing, "That's the spirit, Diggory!" Behind him, Pansy wore the face of a demon.
"Still… hmm," Elaina said.
She looked directly at Malfoy, their lapis-blue and gray eyes meeting. Malfoy's cheeks turned faintly red. Elaina, looking slightly embarrassed herself, averted her gaze, then spoke.
"I'm sorry. It's just… I've always thought of Draco as a friend, or rather… like a little brother."
(That was a finishing blow.)
Beside me, even Harry's face had gone stiff.
Here is the English translation, keeping the original meaning, flow, and tone intact, with proper grammar and without using em dashes. The name イレイナ is rendered as Elaina, as instructed.
"Um, I really do appreciate the sentiment, you know? But, how should I put this… dancing together when you're like siblings just feels kind of embarrassing, doesn't it?"
Elaina clearly thought she was scrambling to soften the blow, but contrary to her intentions, I could practically see her words turning into a barrage of Avada Kedavras that pierced Malfoy one after another.
"I mean, if it's just fooling around at an internal Slytherin party, that's fine, but at an official event… it's a bit much."
Elaina, stop. Malfoy's mental state has already been overkilled. Look at him, he's wobbling like he just took a full-on Bludger storm to the face.
"Haha… it's okay if I call the match here, right…?"
Malfoy's face looked like someone who'd just been kissed by a Dementor.
"…It's fine. I'm not afraid of anything anymore…"
With unsteady steps, he wandered off toward somewhere that clearly wasn't here. Pansy hurried after him, while the surrounding Slytherins watched the pair with awkward smiles.
I met Harry's eyes.
This is unbearable.
"…I don't know why, but I really want Malfoy to live a strong life."
"That one's on Elaina."
As for Saya.
"I checked the guest list again, and you really aren't an invited guest, are you?"
After finishing her check, Euphemia Rowle advanced on Saya with a whole entourage in tow.
"We didn't invite a single Gryffindor. Why are you here?"
Yet even when facing several upperclassmen, Saya showed no sign of backing down. Instead, she puffed out her chest smugly.
"Heh heh, even if you try to kick me out, it won't work!"
Then, glaring suspiciously at Rowle and the others, Saya declared triumphantly,
"That's because I actually work part-time in the kitchen here!"
"Then hurry up and get back to work."
Fair enough.
In Hogsmeade, a large number of students visit on holidays, so shops sometimes hire student part-timers just for those days. Close examples would be Fred and George, who work part-time at Zonko's Joke Shop as part of their training, with the wages funding their prank product development.
"If you don't go back soon, I'll tell Madam Rosmerta."
"Ugh… very well. I'll withdraw quietly this time."
Saya headed toward the kitchen with clear reluctance. Just when I thought she gave up surprisingly easily,
"In that case, I suppose I'll have to use my final resort… I'll need to ask Hermione later."
Apparently, she had no intention of staying down for free.
"Did Saya and Hermione even have any connection?"
"Probably just when they were making Polyjuice Potion."
Ah.
I looked at Saya again.
"Hehehe… as long as no one finds out it's me, that's all that matters…"
Instinctively, I knew we should not get involved. Harry and I, still under the Invisibility Cloak, quietly retreated toward Cho Chang's table.
After Saya and Malfoy disappeared, Elaina turned back toward me, Cedric Diggory, who was still trying to process everything.
"I'm sorry about Draco and Saya."
At this point, she was practically acting like a guardian. I had felt that vibe for a while now.
"So, about what we were discussing earlier."
Feeling a vague unease in my chest, I cleared my throat before speaking.
"You mean the partner for the upcoming Christmas Ball, right?"
"Yes. As you know, Cedric, champions are required to attend."
As she said, the Christmas Ball was a traditional event of the Triwizard Tournament. It served as an opportunity to deepen bonds between schools. Fourth-years and above could attend, though younger students could be invited, and the champions were expected to open the event by dancing with their partners.
I chose my words carefully.
"There's no one in particular you're especially interested in yet?"
I deliberately added the word "especially." She had plenty of friends regardless of gender, so there were people she might want to talk to more or get closer to. Still, it was also true that there was no one she felt more strongly about than that.
"That's why I joined this party in the first place, to find someone."
"Right."
Elaina spoke calmly, as if discussing the weather. When her lapis-blue eyes fixed on me, I felt a sudden warmth deep inside my chest. I might have even started sweating.
Could it be? No, but… surely not.
My nervousness kept rising, my heart rate steadily climbing. Whether she noticed or not, Elaina spoke.
"If you'd like, would you go with me to the ball?"
She stepped a little closer.
"Of course, I'm not trying to force you…"
Before I could answer, a lifeline, or perhaps a heckler, jumped in.
"Hey, that's not fair, Elaina. Me too, me too."
The voice belonged to Daphne Greengrass, one of Elaina's close friends. With loosely curled blonde hair, she was the cheerful type everyone liked.
"Well? What do you think?"
"Daphne, do you really think you can beat me?"
"Eh, who knows?"
Behind Greengrass's playful "right?" the other Slytherins watched with interest.
"By the way, Daphne, why Cedric?"
"Huh? His face?"
"At least say it was love at first sight…"
Elaina sounded exasperated, considering I was standing right there.
"It's fine. I don't mind."
I laughed lightly.
"Personally, I don't dislike honesty."
Setting aside good or bad, appearance is an important factor. Lockhart two years ago and Lupin's makeover last year were good examples. I wasn't oblivious enough to be unaware of how girls saw me.
Of course, I wanted my personality to be valued too. Still, I'd barely spoken to Greengrass before, so being praised for my inner qualities would have felt strange. Being honest about being attracted to appearances felt far more sincere.
"But, I'm sorry."
If my thinking wasn't wrong.
"Thank you, Elaina."
For the first time, Elaina's composed expression cracked into blank surprise.
"That suggestion was because you were worried I'd feel pressured after you told me about the first task, right?"
I owed Elaina for telling me about the dragon. And if so, then returning that favor properly was simply who I was.
So she had offered a straightforward way to settle that debt.
Would you be my dance partner?
If I said yes here, the debt from the first task would be cleared. Still, because it was framed as a suggestion, the final decision was left to me. I could choose someone else and repay her another way. Or I could refuse outright, thinking I owed her nothing. No matter the choice, she had considered my feelings.
"Oh, so you saw through it?"
Elaina looked slightly embarrassed as she studied my face.
"Your guess is mostly right, Cedric, but please don't romanticize it too much. There's a personal benefit for me too."
She scratched her cheek lightly before continuing.
"You know, we're both ridiculously popular."
"Did you really just say that yourself?"
"It's the truth."
Setting aside how it sounded, I understood her point painfully well. Saying it out loud would make nearly every boy our enemy, but it was the kind of problem where being too popular became a burden.
Of course, it was flattering, but it also brought resentment for things beyond our control, and rejecting people could be painful. Sometimes it only led to awkwardness, but other times to misplaced bitterness or being painted as the villain.
Even short of that, dealing with people who approached with ulterior motives was exhausting and time-consuming. In my case, my position as prefect was often used as an excuse to get close. For Elaina, Slytherin's pure-blood politics complicated matters even more.
"But if we become partners, don't you think people would give up?"
With a hint of honesty showing, Elaina looked straight at me, and I met her gaze.
"But what about you? Is there someone you like?"
Being a famous overpopular figure was restrictive in its own way. Choosing me as her partner made sense, but how did she really feel about romance?
Would she say she didn't have anyone special? Or that friendship mattered more?
Elaina thought for a moment.
"…I honestly don't know."
She looked a little troubled.
"I've read romance novels and listened to love songs, and I think they're beautiful stories. But I just can't really immerse myself emotionally."
"I enjoy talking with Draco, I think you're kind, Cedric, and I want to get to know Daphne better. But I can't become completely obsessed with someone like Saya does."
Saya was an extreme example, but not knowing the difference between affection and romantic love was probably her genuine feeling.
"Everyone seems to love talking about romance. Zabini and Tracy fall for someone instantly, and Pansy's been devoted to Draco forever. When did everyone grow up so fast?"
She joked, but there was clear confusion in her expression.
Being adored by someone you barely know is unsettling. And when a close friend wants more, it's hard to respond with the same intensity.
So you end up turning them down.
It's not a lack of interest. You understand it intellectually, but you can't feel it emotionally.
While everyone else dives in, you feel left behind.
Too mature to pretend indifference, yet not mature enough to understand it fully.
"…It really is complicated."
Elaina, who had seemed far away, felt a little closer now.
"Still, Senior Rowle has been pressuring me to choose a suitable partner, and after all this fuss, I can't just dismiss it."
She added that Rowle was meddlesome, making me smile slightly.
Slytherin valued unity, but it also had complicated hierarchies based on blood status, grades, connections, and appearance.
"So, as things stand, it would help me the most if you became my partner, Cedric."
"Help… huh."
A careful choice of words. Setting boundaries while steadily closing in.
What should I do?
After a brief pause.
"Alright."
Despite all that thinking, the answer came easily.
"Let's dance together."
"…Are you sure?"
Elaina's surprised face looked more like a girl her age than her usual mature self. Not beautiful, but cute.
"This clears our debt."
People need reasons to move forward. Even flimsy ones. Sometimes, without them, you can't move at all.
Maybe I was just going with the flow. There was a faint curiosity, but no destiny, no grand story meant only for us.
Still, there was a small reason. It felt awkward to refuse, convenient for both of us, and the timing happened to align.
Most things people call "fate" start like that anyway.
So.
"Nice to work with you, Elaina."
"Yes, likewise."
Despite how nervous I'd been, choosing a partner ended surprisingly easily.
**
"…Huh? Wait, then…"
Greengrass, who had been quietly listening, muttered.
"So I got rejected!?"
"Well, yes."
"Gah!"
She threw herself back dramatically, though she didn't seem that upset.
"I'm sorry, Greengrass."
She hurriedly put on a smile.
"No, no! It's not like you need to apologize, Cedric! I wasn't trying to put you on the spot, I just… well…"
She trailed off, looking down slightly. Even if she hadn't been serious, being turned down would sting a little.
"…A memory."
"Huh?"
"At least, could I have one small memory with you, Cedric?"
"Greengrass…"
Her green eyes shimmered with faint hope as she looked at me.
"Specifically, I'd like a pair of high-end dragon leather lace-up boots from Gladrags Wizardwear."
"…Has anyone ever told you that you're pretty thick-skinned?"
(End of chapter)
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