Lucian Thornwick entered the Great Hall wearing a simple black formal suit.
There were no decorations, no flashy embroidery.
Yet somehow, the suit seemed to come alive on him.
His posture was straight, his aura calm and confident.
He looked far more composed than any other fourteen-year-old.
Under the crystal lights of the hall, his deep eyes seemed to hold an entire night sky.
Beside him stood Cho Chang.
She looked breathtaking.
Her lake-blue evening dress shimmered with tiny silver sparkles like stars.
Her long black hair had been carefully styled, making her delicate Eastern features even more striking.
Holding Lucian's arm, cheeks slightly flushed with happiness, she walked into the hall.
At that moment—
She was the brightest girl in the entire room.
Together, they looked perfectly matched.
Like they belonged in the center of the ballroom.
Parvati Patil whispered dreamily:
"They look like a prince and princess from a fairy tale…"
The Opening Waltz
The orchestra began the waltz.
According to tradition, the champions and their partners stepped onto the dance floor first.
Lucian extended his hand to Cho with elegant composure.
When his hand rested lightly at her waist…
they began to move.
Instantly, every eye in the hall turned toward them.
Lucian's dancing was precise and graceful.
Every step was confident.
Every turn is smooth and controlled.
He guided Cho effortlessly through the rhythm.
She followed naturally, her blue dress spinning like a blooming flower.
He didn't look like a boy attending his first formal ball.
He looked like a nobleman who had danced in grand halls all his life.
Cedric watched them with a gentle smile.
He felt no bitterness now—only genuine happiness for his friend.
Fleur Delacour also watched closely.
Her blue eyes shone with an even deeper admiration than before.
At a nearby table, Hermione gripped her glass tightly.
Watching Cho's radiant smile as she danced with Lucian…
a quiet ache spread through her chest.
After the First Dance
The final note of the waltz faded beneath the icy ceiling decorations.
Lucian and Cho finished with a perfect pose.
Thunderous applause erupted.
"Thank you, Lucian," Cho said shyly.
"That was the best dance I've ever had."
"You're a very light dancer," he replied politely.
He escorted her back to the Ravenclaw table.
Her friends immediately burst into teasing cheers.
But before Lucian could sit down—
a familiar fragrance approached.
Fleur Delacour stood before him.
She had just finished her opening dance and came straight through the crowd.
Students instinctively stepped aside for her.
"Lucian," she said softly.
"I must thank you again… for your hint about the golden egg."
"It worked."
She had tested his suggestion.
Underwater in the prefects' bathroom, the terrible screaming from the egg had transformed into a clear mermaid song, revealing the second task's clue.
This boy possessed not only extraordinary power—
but also astonishing insight.
"It was nothing," Lucian replied calmly.
"To me… it was not nothing," Fleur said.
Then she lifted her skirt slightly and performed an elegant curtsy.
"Would you grant me the honor of a dance?"
The surrounding students fell silent.
The proud Beauxbatons champion had just invited Lucian herself.
Lucian extended his hand.
"My pleasure."
The Dance with Fleur
When Lucian and Fleur stepped onto the dance floor, the entire hall erupted again.
If his dance with Cho had been like a fairy-tale prince and princess…
then dancing with Fleur looked like a meeting of gods.
Their movements were perfectly synchronized.
Their presence was so striking that other couples unconsciously moved aside.
They became the absolute center of the ballroom.
Ron stared in disbelief.
"Harry… pinch me."
"First Cho Chang… now Fleur Delacour…"
"The two most beautiful girls here are dancing with him?"
Harry didn't answer.
Because he was just as stunned.
Nearby, Hermione clenched her fists.
Watching Fleur smile at Lucian with obvious admiration sent a shock through her heart.
No more waiting.
No more hesitation.
If she stayed silent now…
she would regret it forever.
Hermione's Courage
When the music ended and Lucian escorted Fleur back to her table—
Hermione stood up.
She pushed through the crowd.
In front of everyone, she walked directly toward him.
Her voice trembled slightly.
"Lucian…"
"Would you… dance with me?"
Lucian looked at her flushed face and determined brown eyes.
Then he smiled gently.
Without saying a word—
He extended his hand.
Hermione's eyes lit up like fireworks.
When they stepped onto the dance floor together, the hall practically exploded with excitement.
At that moment, every student shared the same thought:
Lucian Thornwick was somehow attracting every beautiful girl in Hogwarts.
One Week Later – The Second Task
The magic of the Yule Ball faded.
Soon the tension of the Triwizard Tournament returned.
One freezing morning, the four champions gathered beside the Black Lake.
Ludo Bagman addressed them.
"Inside the golden egg, you heard the mermaids' song."
He pointed to the dark lake.
"Your most precious treasures have been taken."
"They are now at the bottom of the lake."
"They are people."
The champions' faces went pale.
Dumbledore stepped forward calmly.
"Do not worry," he said.
"They are under a magical sleep and are perfectly safe."
"Your task is to dive into the lake, find them, and bring them back within one hour."
The meaning soon became clear.
The "treasures" were the partners chosen for the first dance at the Yule Ball.
Cho ChangFleur's sister GabrielleKrum's close friendCedric's partner
The champions immediately began preparing.
The Other Champions' Plans
Fleur Delacour focused on the Bubble-Head Charm, which creates a breathable air bubble around the head.
Cedric Diggory chose the same reliable spell.
Viktor Krum attempted a risky partial shark transfiguration to swim faster.
The castle buzzed with preparation.
But Lucian…
did absolutely nothing.
In his view, the challenge simply wasn't difficult.
Competition Day
The morning of the task was freezing.
The champions stood on a wooden platform by the lake.
Cedric and Fleur nervously checked their wands.
Krum stretched for his transformation.
Lucian, however, stood calmly in his Hogwarts robes.
He hadn't even changed into swimming gear.
From the stands, Ron whispered nervously:
"What is he planning?"
Hermione frowned.
"I checked every water-survival spell in the library."
"None explain how he could survive underwater without preparation."
She looked worried.
Professor McGonagall approached Lucian.
"Lucian," she asked kindly.
"The task is about to begin."
"How will you breathe underwater?"
"The Bubble-Head Charm?"
"Or Gillyweed?"
Lucian shook his head calmly.
"Thank you for your concern, Professor."
Then he said something that left her completely stunned.
"But I don't need to breathe underwater."
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