Chapter 374 Christmas Ball, Inviting Dance Partners
Shenming Hall.
Aaron placed the golden egg on the top left of the storage shelf. "I'm entrusting this thing to you for now."
"I'll do my best!" the thought form said indifferently. "You were quite the spectacle in front of everyone today. What are your thoughts?"
"My thoughts are that it's best not to have a next time," Aaron said glumly. "For the past three years, I've hidden myself very well, but today, in less than an hour, I exposed three abilities: Dragon Language, illusion magic, and Dragon Slayer Magic."
"And physical prowess and combat skills far exceeding ordinary people."
"Alright, that's four exposed."
"This is all within an acceptable range; we planned for it."
"I know. What I'm worried about are the remaining two items. If things go wrong, I won't be able to hide those either."
"There's no other way. All we can do is meet challenges as they come," the thought form said very frankly, then changed the subject. "Moreover, as long as I'm not exposed, everything is worth it. A fourteen-year-old early stage Archmage and a fourteen-year-old Great Archmage (early stage) are two completely different concepts. The former is astonishing, the latter is a cause for apprehension."
Hearing this, Aaron pouted, then opened his quest panel.
["Participate in the Triwizard Tournament; complete quest reward 2000 magic points, no penalty for quest failure, accepted (1/3 completed)"]
["Win the Triwizard Tournament; complete quest reward 1000 magic points, no penalty for quest failure, accepted"]
The rewards weren't small, but for his current self, they were a bit insufficient.
Not to mention achieving the God of Magic, just reaching the Saint Magister stage was still a long way off.
However, Aaron didn't complain. At the Grand Magisterlevel, trying to improve one's strength required ten or even dozens of times more effort than before.
Compared to others, he was already cheating. Dumbledorewould cry with envy if he knew... After the first task, everything seemed to return to normal.
Hogwarts, Beauxbatons, and Durmstrang all resumed their normal classes as usual.
The five champions were not in a hurry to decipher the golden egg's clue, as there were still a few months until the second task, giving them plenty of time to spare.
The weather in December was even colder, but the dozen or so Blast-Ended Skrewts in Care of Magical Creatures felt nothing at all.
They were now nearly two meters long, their tails constantly exploding and spewing fire, and combined with their disgusting stings and suckers, they were veritable monsters.
Hagrid made the students work very hard to stuff them into crates during Class, and many people suffered burns and scratches.
"I really don't understand why our Care of Magical Creatures Professor is him," Draco said indignantly.
"Malfoy, you need to show some respect to Hagrid... Professor," Harry said.
"Don't be ridiculous," Draco pulled up his sleeve, revealing a red scar on his arm. "Your shoulder was also injured, right? The fact is, this Class is more dangerous than Defense Against the Dark Arts Class. Compared to Hagrid, I suddenly find our Professor Mad-Eye quite a bit more endearing."
"Alright, you two," Aaron said, feeling a bit weary as he mediated. "Both of you, say a little less!"
"Okay," Draco said somewhat reluctantly. "But I really do think he's unfit to be a teacher."
"In fact, Hagrid knows a lot about magical creatures, but Blast-Ended Skrewts don't seem to be within his scope of knowledge."
Crabbe and Goyle walked over from beside a crate. Their robes had a dozen rips, and several shallow streaks of blood seeped out, making them look particularly disheveled.
"Tsk! It really seems necessary to mention this to my father," Draco frowned. "Even if we can't change the Care of Magical Creatures Professor, we have to change the magical creature, otherwise he'll kill us sooner or later."
Crabbe and Goyle exchanged glances, nodding in deep agreement.
In Transfiguration Class, Professor McGonagall assigned homework, then walked down from the podium.
"I have a few words to say to everyone. The Christmas Ball is approaching. This is a traditional part of the Triwizard Tournament and a great opportunity for us to interact with our foreign guests. The ball is only open to students in the fourth Class and above, but if you wish, you may invite a younger Class student. The time is from eight to twelve on Christmas night. Please change into your formal robes and gather in the Great Hall then."
"Professor," Aaron raised his right hand and asked, "Can I not attend?"
Professor McGonagall was stunned for a moment, then said with a stern face, "Of course not. Not only must you attend, but you must also display the grace of Hogwarts, as we are the host school."
"What if someone doesn't know how to dance?"
"Come to me to learn. The location will be the Transfiguration Class classroom. There's still over half a month, and I guarantee I'll teach you," Professor McGonagall said righteously. "Hogwarts School of magic has been respected for over a thousand years, and I will never allow you to tarnish its reputation overnight."
Aaron pouted, feeling that Professor McGonagall was making a mountain out of a molehill.
A thousand years of reputation being affected because someone couldn't dance sounded particularly absurd.
Just then, the dismissal bell rang, and students quickly stuffed their books into their backpacks, creating a commotion in the classroom.
"Potter, Gaius, you two stay behind," Professor McGonagallsaid loudly. "I have some things to tell you."
The two exchanged glances and tacitly sat back down in their seats.
After everyone had left, Professor McGonagall walked between the two of them. "According to tradition, the champions of the Triwizard Tournament open the dance, so you must have your partners."
"What?" Aaron's mouth dropped open in surprise. "Isn't this tradition a bit too demanding?"
"What partner?" Harry asked, somewhat bewildered.
"A dance partner, a partner for the Christmas Ball," Aaronsaid, somewhat unnaturally. "You've lived with Mugglerelatives for over ten years, you shouldn't be so clueless about this, right?"
Harry's eyes were dull. He thought of how his aunt and uncle behaved at those parties and couldn't help but shiver.
"Professor, I don't..."
"No," Professor McGonagall interrupted him firmly, as if she knew what he was going to say. "Champions are representatives of the school, representing the face of Hogwarts, so you cannot refuse."
"Professor, if I may ask. If I have something at home, or if I'm not at school for the Christmas holiday, can I... not go?"
"A very clever idea, but unfortunately, no," Professor McGonagall said meaningfully. "Miss Klein knows about the Christmas Ball, and she asked me to tell you that you must attend."
"She's too nosy!" Aaron said unhappily. "Even if she's just my cousin, even if she were my parents..."
"This is also your parents' wish."
Holy moly!
Aaron felt as if a billion alpacas were stampeding through his mind.
"Understood, I'll attend then."
"Excellent," Professor McGonagall nodded in satisfaction, then looked at Harry. "Potter, do you have any other questions?"
"No, none."
"Then I hope you find your dance partners soon."
The two walked out of the classroom, simultaneously sighing, feeling depressed about having to attend the Christmas Ball.
"Give me a break!" Harry said with a bitter smile. "Finding a dance partner is even harder than a tree branch."
"Good luck to you!" Aaron patted Harry's shoulder. "Since we're in the same boat, I'll give you a piece of advice: find a dance partner quickly, or you'll be left with everyone else's leftovers."
"Not only do you have to find a dance partner, but you also have to know how to dance. Do you know how to dance?"
Aaron raised his right hand, revealing an almost imperceptible gap between his index finger and thumb. "Just a tiny bit."
Harry's eye twitched slightly. He considered himself to know Aaron quite well. A tiny bit? That was a hell of a lot!
... The next day, Hogwarts was filled with a lively atmosphere.
Many people were excited about the upcoming ball, with the girls showing even more enthusiasm. They could be seen in groups of three or five everywhere, discussing the Christmas party.
The five champions of the Triwizard Tournament naturally became hot commodities, and people came to invite them as dance partners from time to time.
Aaron didn't know what the other champions were doing, but he had rejected three girls' invitations in one morning, and the thought of a fourth and fifth coming to invite him made his head ache.
No, he had to act fast!
If this continued, being annoyed to death was only a matter of time.
After much hesitation, Aaron picked up Abey and walked towards the Library.
As expected, a group of girls surrounded Krum, chattering, seemingly discussing who he would choose as his dance partner.
And not far away, Hermione was quietly reading a book alone.
"I knew you'd be here," Aaron placed Abey on the desk, then looked at Hermione opposite him and asked directly, "Miss Granger, would you do me the honor of being my dance partner?"
"Ah?"
A blush rose on Hermione's face, and her heart began to thump.
After being stunned for a while, she turned her gaze to the book, her face flushed.
"I accept."
"That's good," Aaron breathed a sigh of relief. "This is my first time inviting a girl to dance, and it's a good thing you didn't refuse, otherwise I would have been embarrassed."
"Why did you ask me?"
"Among the girls at Hogwarts, you're the one I know best. Who else would I ask?" Aaron said very frankly.
"Is that the only reason?" Hermione's eye twitched slightly, a complex look flashing in her eyes.
"Not entirely," Aaron scratched his head. "Firstly, among the people I know, you're the most reliable, which can save a lot of trouble. Secondly, you're very pretty..."
"Wait," Hermione quickly interrupted. "I'm very pretty? Do you really think so?"
Aaron was stunned for a moment, then carefully scrutinized the girl in front of him, and couldn't help but chuckle. "How little self-confidence do you have?"
Hermione smiled shyly. "It seems I'll have to dress up nicely for the ball."