On Thursday, after Professor McGonagall's Transfiguration class ended, all the students including me, Harry Potter were told to gather in the Great Hall.
I wondered what it could be about, but when I arrived, I saw that fourth-year students and above from Slytherin, Hufflepuff, and Ravenclaw were already there.
At the staff table sat Snape, Professor Sprout, and Professor Flitwick, while Filch had somehow prepared a phonograph with a huge trumpet-like horn. For some reason, Professor Franc was seated there as well.
"Everyone, I have an announcement. Some of you may already know, but the Christmas Dance is approaching."
Professor McGonagall looked over the students in her usual stern tone, prompting giggles from the girls and smirks from the boys.
The dance was scheduled from 8 p.m. until midnight, but by now, most students had already accepted it as inevitable. Whether they were looking forward to it, found it bothersome, or felt pressured varied from person to person.
"For students in the fourth year and above, it is a tradition of the Triwizard Tournament to spend a joyful Christmas Eve with our guests from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang without letting a single moment slip by."
At the mention of Durmstrang, all eyes turned toward Hermione. The incident of Viktor Krum inviting her had quickly spread through all three schools, and by now, almost no one was unaware of it.
After Krum's invitation, Hermione had initially postponed her reply.
"I'm happy to be invited, but… I think it's better if we get to know each other a little more first."
Krum, in turn, did not push her. He made small talk during meals and conducted himself appropriately as part of international exchange—but this annoyed Ron.
"He's from Durmstrang! He's Harry's enemy!"
Ron kept scolding Hermione as if she had committed some unforgivable crime.
"And yet, there you are—clinging to Krum, Harry's enemy!"
"Enemy? The purpose of the Triwizard Tournament is to meet foreign wizards and become friends, isn't it?"
"No! The goal is to defeat the enemy and win!"
Ron shouted, and Hermione frowned, clearly irritated.
"Oh really? Who was making such a fuss when he arrived, demanding his autograph?"
"He's a student of Karkaroff," Ron ground out.
"Trying to get close to Harry to find a weakness, or using that 'S.P.E.W.' thing to deceive you…"
Insulted, Hermione snapped back.
"So—that's your true opinion! I understand perfectly how you really feel about Viktor, about S.P.E.W., and about me!"
She glared at Ron and stormed off through the crowd.
"Hey! What are you going to do?"
"I'll answer him! And of course—the answer is yes!"
So, Hermione became Krum's partner, welcomed with congratulations from most of Gryffindor, excluding Ron. Perhaps due to her reputation from the S.P.E.W. incident, many Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw students were also genuinely pleased.
Slytherin students, however, reversed their attitude so obviously it was almost laughable.
Tracy Davis and Sophie Roper, who had spent so long gossiping about "mudbloods," suddenly began calling Hermione "Hermione-chan" or "Ms. Granger" the moment she became Viktor Krum's partner.
"Somehow, after a full circle, even Malfoy and Pansy, who are still petty enough to gossip about me, seem refreshingly honest in comparison…"
"That's just human nature. People gossip on a whim and overpraise based on the mood. The key is to ride it well—that's what some bad adult told me."
Hearing Elaina's words, a woman with glasses who looked like a beetle came to mind, though it was probably just my imagination.
Meanwhile, ignoring the students' murmurs, Professor McGonagall continued speaking.
"Listen carefully. You must not tarnish the reputation our school has maintained for over a thousand years in just one night. Every student must be aware of their responsibilities and fulfill their role."
Students with flashy romantic reputations, like Blaise Zabini, Roger Davies, Shirley Forsythe, and Tracy Davis, were teased by their friends with "This is about you, lol," while they pretended to be innocent or raised their middle fingers with a smile.
"Dance freely, expressing yourselves. Among the boys, lions will take flight, and among the girls, elegant swans will soar."
At this, Ron jokingly whispered to Seamus.
"'Elegant swans'? You mean Eloise Midjon or something?"
"You shouldn't say that, Ron."
Having already been frustrated by the Krum situation, Ron probably deserved it for teasing acne-faced Eloise Midjon. The students trying to hide their laughter suddenly drew the attention of the now-motionless Professor McGonagall.
"Now, I will demonstrate. Mr. Weasley, please come here."
"Wha—!?" Ron stammered, but McGonagall beckoned him over. Reluctantly, he moved to the center of the hall, while Dean and the others stifled their giggles behind him.
"Now, Weasley, place your right hand on my waist."
"Huh? Where?"
"The waist."
With a grimace, Ron set his lips in a straight line, then, as if steeling himself, placed his right hand on McGonagall's waist. The other students struggled to contain their laughter.
"Stretch out your left hand… One, two, three."
Filch started the music on the phonograph. Ron took awkward steps, while Professor McGonagall danced surprisingly well. In the Slytherin seats, even Malfoy and Daphne were snickering.
"It's a shame Weasley got such a lovely partner."
"That'll be a memory for a lifetime."
Fred and George, perhaps feeling sorry for him being teased by the Slytherins, kept their heads down, though they occasionally elbowed each other while trying not to laugh.
"Now, everyone, join in!"
At McGonagall's signal, we paired up to practice a simple dance. Those with partners danced with them, and those without partnered with nearby students.
While practicing with Parvati and glancing around, I noticed the pair of Pansy Parkinson and Draco Malfoy.
Pansy's usual sharp personality was gone, replaced by a radiant smile exuding happiness. Malfoy, surprisingly, danced with elegance and gentlemanly poise, completely unlike his usual spoiled rich-kid self.
(They're actually amazing at dancing…!)
Though I didn't say it because of past grudges, the two were far and away the best. Being from old pure-blood families, their technique was flawless, and having grown up together, their movements were perfectly in sync.
Not only that pair, but Slytherin students in general were often very skilled at dancing. Students from old, noble families had been accustomed to social events from a young age, and even those who weren't, being clever and experienced with social maneuvering, seemed relaxed when taking a partner's hand rather than awkward or tense.
Of course, not every Slytherin was a natural dancer. Theodore Nott moved like a robot, stiff and jerky, and surprisingly, Elaina wasn't entirely confident either—she stepped on Cedric's feet several times. As for Crabbe and Goyle, there was no need to even comment.
"Potter, come here."
After practicing for a while, Professor McGonagall beckoned me from the staff table. Elaina and Cedric were already there, and Professors Sprout and Franc were sipping tea.
"Listen carefully, Potter. The champions and their partners, following tradition, dance first at the beginning of the party."
I felt my face heat up. It wasn't exactly a surprise, but the pressure of not yet having found a partner made my insides twist with dread.
"In other words, Potter, you must find a partner."
"…Yes," I replied in a weak, defeated voice, catching Snape's sadistic smirk in the corner of my vision.
"It may be unfamiliar to you, but this is tradition. You are a representative of Hogwarts. You must do what is required of you. Make sure to bring a partner."
"But… I still—"
"Yes, of course," McGonagall said with a huff.
"However, the champions of Hufflepuff and Slytherin have already found partners."
"Ah…"
Cedric looked slightly apologetic, and Elaina simply shrugged, as if it didn't matter. Somehow, both of them were comfortably unbothered.
(Well, they really do make a good pair…)
They were a perfect match, it seemed. Despite being from different houses and years, they had some connection already, and both were Quidditch players with friends across other houses. They were both excellent students, but opposites in temperament—Cedric, the sensible one; Elaina, unpredictable. They seemed to complement each other perfectly.
Above all, they both had presence.
Standing, Elaina was a beautiful girl; sitting, a gentle lady; walking, a princess. Cedric could be described as handsome, charming, or prince-like—the male counterpart of that elegance.
However, with Cedric being tall and Elaina petite, their height difference was over a Quaffle's length, making them feel more like a beautifully matched brother-and-sister pair than a typical handsome-and-beautiful couple, at least in my view.
"In short, that is the situation."
Professor McGonagall fixed her gaze on me. If I were the only one unable to find a partner, it would reflect poorly on Gryffindor's reputation.
Glancing at Snape, I felt his mocking smirk grow even more pronounced.
"Do you understand, Potter?"
"…Yes."
I nodded, thinking that battling a Hungarian Horntail again might be easier than this.
"—Well done, Celesteria."
After McGonagall left, I stood there feeling helpless, while Snape, a little distance away, ostentatiously praised Elaina.
"To have found a partner so quickly… and a prefect at that, the champion's partner. I am… quite proud. A perfect combination, worthy of presenting anywhere."
Every word seemed aimed at me. I could almost see his plan: if I failed to find a partner, he would ridicule me without mercy.
"Oh, by the way—"
Glancing at Snape with a sour look, Elaina suddenly spoke.
"Professor Snape, who are you dancing with?"
"…Huh?"
Snape froze, completely dumbfounded. McGonagall's eyes widened, Professor Sprout spat out her tea in surprise, Flitwick choked on a cookie, and Professor Franc scrambled to perform a rescue. Even the students practicing stopped mid-step.
"My… partner?"
Snape's voice cracked as he asked, while Elaina gave him a look that clearly said, You must be joking.
"Yes, Professor, you will dance with me."
"…I do not dance."
"Yes, you will."
As expected, Elaina let out a long sigh, hands on her hips, pointing firmly at him.
"Professor Snape, you are the head of my house, the esteemed Slytherin, and as such, you cannot fail to find a partner and spend the Christmas Dance alone in a corner of the Great Hall. You simply cannot show such a pitiful sight in front of students from other schools."
Snape was flustered, and many Slytherin girls voiced their support for Elaina. Malfoy looked on in mock pity, crossing himself as if praying, "God, save this lost lamb."
Before I knew it, even Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff students were straining to watch, curious, and all Gryffindor students were desperately trying not to laugh.
"B-But I am staff—"
"Then all the more reason to set an example for the students."
"…."
Finally, Snape couldn't take it and looked away from Elaina. He cast pleading glances at his colleagues, but Professor Sprout pretended to read a book (upside down), Flitwick whistled poorly while looking out the window, and Franc gave a cheerful thumbs-up.
"Minerva…"
Snape's last hope clung to McGonagall, who inhaled deeply and adjusted her glasses.
"And Miss Celesteria is quite right. Indeed, as staff, we are to set an example for the students… especially as house heads. We must act in a manner worthy of the champions we oversee."
"Wait, Minerva… reconsider"
"As Deputy Headmistress, I am ordering you. Do you understand, Severus?"
With that, McGonagall walked away, leaving Snape standing there utterly defeated.
That day, for the first time in my life, I truly felt sympathy for Snape.
(End of chapter)
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