Chapter 375 Clues to the second project, dance partner and hostage?
"So you still invited her?" the thought form couldn't help but smack its lips. "I don't object, and I approve of your decision, but isn't it a bit too hasty?"
"These things are better done sooner rather than later; dragging it out only causes unnecessary trouble, and for me, the choice of a dance partner isn't extensive," Aaron said, counting on his fingers, methodically. "First, all the upperclassmen are out. It's not that they aren't pretty, but the way they look at me is like a wolf looking at a lamb. I'm afraid they'll devour me.
Next, everyone I'm not familiar with is out. The tradition of the Triwizard Tournament might have some special meaning; otherwise, our Vice Principal wouldn't be so insistent.
There are some suitable lowerclassmen, but they also have to go home for Christmas.
Considering all that, there aren't many options, and among them, Hermione Granger is the most reliable.
The most important thing is that since I've decided to attend the Christmas Ball, finding a dance partner quickly is essential. Otherwise, it would be more than just awkward for the lead dancer to not have a partner."
"Uh... what if we don't dance and just use an illusion to cover it up?"
"I did think of that, but can you guarantee that Dumbledorewon't attend the Ball?"
"No, the Principal will definitely be there."
"Then that settles it," Aaron shrugged. "Choose a dance partner early, and you won't have to worry about this mess. Wouldn't it be better to use that time to practice Forbidden Magic arrays?"
"With our current level, we are far from being able to do that," the thought form pouted. "Forbidden Magic is a magicthat only a Saint Magister can use. The two of us combined are only a Great Archmage (early stage), and separately, we are just a Archmage (early stage)."
"I'll leave the practice of the ultimate magic array to you, while I'll take time to practice the Forbidden Magic array.
Getting familiar with it in advance will make it easier when the time is right, and I can recall the thought form and practice then."
"Alright."
"How's the secret of that golden egg coming along?" Aaronasked.
"Almost there," the thought form took the golden egg from the storage shelf. "When this thing opens, there's a terrible sound, but there's no denying that the clue to the next task is in that sound.
I think if we just filter out the noise, we'll get what we want."
As it spoke, the thought form pointed its wand at the hot spring pool in the Shenming Hall, and a stream of clear water flew from the pool, enveloping the golden egg.
The knob at the top of the golden egg automatically opened, and a beautiful sound began to echo through the Shenming Hall:
Seek us where our voices sound,
We cannot sing above the ground.
And while you search, ponder this well,
We've taken what you love best of all.
You have an hour to find and retrieve what we took,
After an hour, all hope is gone, it has vanished completely, never to appear.
Click!
The thought form closed the golden egg. "That's the clue for the second task, a concise and clear song."
"The location is underwater, involving singing..." Aaronstroked his chin and pondered for a moment. "Mermaid, it must be a Mermaid."
"That's right. If nothing unexpected happens, the location should be the Black Lake.
The second task is to find the object stolen by the Mermaidfrom the Black Lake within one hour."
"But what do I have that's worth them stealing?" Aaronasked, somewhat puzzled. "There are many good things in the Shenming Hall, but they absolutely cannot enter.
The defensive magic and self-destruct mechanisms here mean that even if Dumbledore came, he wouldn't leave unscathed, let alone a group of Merpeople who are difficult to land!"
"What if it's not an object?" the thought form said, looking somewhat serious.
Aaron froze for a moment, then turned to look at Abeyswimming in the pool, and the corner of his mouth twitched involuntarily.
Don't be ridiculous. A mere Mermaid trying to catch a dragon? It would be lucky not to be roasted into fish jerky.
"It can't be him, absolutely not."
"Something very important to us, so much so that we have to go to the Black Lake to find it," the thought form frowned. "Besides Abey, who else is there?
Professor Snape? No, unless the Merpeople don't want to live in the Black Lake anymore, they wouldn't be foolish enough to offend the Dean of Slytherin.
There are quite a few classmates and friends: Draco, Syrin, Neller, Harry, Hermione... Oh my god!"
"Damn it!"
Aaron seemed to have figured it out too, a flicker of anger in his eyes.
No wonder the champions were required to have their own dance partners. This was clearly a hostage selection for the Merpeople.
If there were no suitable targets, they would kidnap the dance partners, and kidnapping students would be much less difficult and pose no danger.
"They sure know how to play!" the thought form slapped its forehead. "Is it still too late to change dance partners?"
"I'm afraid it's too late," Aaron said calmly. "Besides, a dance partner is just a backup option. No matter who the Merpeople kidnap, according to the competition rules, I have to rescue them."
"In that case... the most important thing for the second task is to breathe underwater for an hour.
The Water-Repelling Charm would come in handy, and with jack sparrow's compass, finding someone would be very easy."
"So, this round requires exposing the Water-Repelling Charm and the compass?" Aaron said, wincing a bit.
"You could also try using the Bubblehead Charm," the thought form suggested. "Although it can't compare to the Water-Repelling Charm, it can at least allow you to breathe underwater. At worst, you'll just swim a bit further."
"Let's stick with the Water-Repelling Charm!" Aaron said helplessly. "This magic isn't that astonishing; at least compared to the first task, it's already considered low-key.
As for jack sparrow's compass, let's try not to bring it out."
"Whatever makes you happy," the thought form shrugged indifferently, then placed the golden egg in Aaron's hand. "This thing is useless now, but I don't know if the school will reclaim it. It's not very suitable to keep it here."
...The last week of the semester, and Christmas was just a few days away.
The school was getting livelier, with all sorts of news about the Christmas Ball echoing everywhere, though eight out of ten rumors were false.
Some teachers' teaching attitudes had also shifted. Professor Flitwick allowed everyone to chat in Class, Professor Binns' lectures became even more tedious, but Professor McGonagall and Professor Moody remained as diligent as ever. As for Professor Snape, he required all students to write an assignment in the last Class.
Students above the fourth Class sat scattered in the Great Hall, writing furiously on parchment, while Professor Snapepatrolled, maintaining order.
"Finished," Aaron placed three pages of parchment on Professor Snape's hand.
Professor Snape glanced at it briefly, a slight curve forming on his lips. "Well done. Come to my office after Class."
"Understood."
Aaron yawned, about to return to practice carving the Forbidden Magic array.
"Oh god, at this rate, only we won't find dance partners."
Ron's voice suddenly reached Aaron's ears, immediately piquing his interest. He immediately put down his notebook and sat down in front of them.
"What did you just say? You haven't found a dance partner yet?"
"It's pretty embarrassing, isn't it!
But we're not the only ones who haven't found a dance partner; Neville hasn't either," Ron teased. "He's been practicing dancing alone in the dormitory these past few days."
"Uh... he must have found a dance partner to be training like that."
"Impossible," Harry laughed incredulously. "We're sure he hasn't found a dance partner."
"Actually, he has," Hermione interjected. "Neville invited Ginny."
Ron and Harry exchanged glances. "Now that's even more depressing."
Just then, a crumpled piece of paper was passed to him; it was from Fred: 'Actions speak louder than words, or you'll miss out.'
"Profound," Aaron commented directly.
"So who are you going with?" Ron asked his brother.
Fred, unhurried, tossed the paper to Angelina. "Would you like to go to the Ball with me?"
"To the Ball? Sure!" Angelina pondered for a moment, then smiled and agreed.
This move left several people nearby somewhat dumbfounded. Aaron even gave a direct thumbs-up. "I'm not as good. In front of girls, I'm just a bit too thin-skinned."
"You haven't found a dance partner either?" Harry asked in surprise, but also felt a little secretly pleased.
Aaron was definitely a hot commodity for the Ball. After the first task, his popularity might only be slightly less than Krum's.
Now that he hadn't found a dance partner, he and Ronwouldn't be so embarrassed.
"What are you thinking?" Aaron said, speechless. "I found a dance partner on the second day; I was just a little shy when I invited her."
"Oh, I see." Harry lowered his head dejectedly.
"I remember I reminded you to find a dance partner early. You haven't been putting it off until now, have you?"
"I just... haven't been ready," Harry said somewhat stiffly. "Girls always go in groups, it's hard to invite them individually."
"You're even thinner-skinned than I am.
By the time you're ready, the opportunity will be long gone."
"Hermione, you're a girl, right?" Ron suddenly said.
"You have good eyesight," Hermione said coldly.
"Then pick one!" Ron pointed to himself and Harry. "Hurry and pick. It's one thing for boys to go alone, but girls would be miserable."
"Uh... sorry," Aaron said, somewhat speechless. "She's my dance partner."
"What? You two, this..."
Ron stammered, unable to speak coherently, and Harry's eyes widened in shock.
The next moment, both of them received a slap on the back of their heads.
Professor Snape stood expressionless behind them. "You seem to have forgotten you're writing an assignment."
"Hahaha." Hermione couldn't help but laugh, but seeing Snape's dark face, her laughter abruptly stopped.
"Professor, I'm finished," she placed the parchment on Professor Snape's hand, not giving him a chance to act, and quickly stood up and left.
After Snape walked away, Harry and Ron exchanged glances, a newfound determination in their eyes.
"Listen, no matter what, we have to find a dance partner.
Before tonight's common room meeting, we have to find a dance partner, okay?"
"Agreed."
The two constantly sifted through suitable dance partners in their minds, preparing to brazenly look for an opportunity to invite someone.
But they didn't notice that Snape had already returned. Seeing the two talking distractedly, he rolled up his sleeves and pressed both their heads onto the table.