Chapter 621 - 622: The Enchanted Evening I & II

Ron appeared to be the most despondent of all, emerging from his quarters with a horrified expression etched across his face. It was impossible to ignore the fact that his robes resembled a skirt.

Desperately, he attempted to infuse a touch of masculinity into his attire, employing a cutting spell to eliminate the ruffles and lace. The spell did work; at least the lace was gone. However, his efforts fell somewhat short, as the collar and cuffs remained rather dispirited.

"Come on, Ron, don't dwell on the dress. It doesn't look that dreadful!" Harry reassured him.

"Indeed, everyone's pretty much in the same boat. These dress robes are rather old-fashioned and don't quite align with contemporary aesthetics," Evan remarked. "They harken back to ancient traditions from centuries ago. Just take a look around..."

The common room had indeed undergone a peculiar transformation. The occupants were no longer clad in the customary black robes; instead, they adorned colorful ceremonial attire. Ron surveyed the scene and noticed that others were also struggling with their outfits, which somewhat bolstered his confidence. However, when he caught sight of Evan, he couldn't help but feel a pang of embarrassment.

One had to concede that Mrs. Weasley had put considerable effort into selecting the dress robes. Among the crowd, Evan's attire stood out conspicuously, with a color palette that was truly striking.

As people entered the common room, their eyes were inevitably drawn to Evan. His sky-blue dress robes exuded an unmatched self-confidence, projecting a noble and aristocratic air. It concealed the underlying nervousness, leaving a lasting impression. It had to be acknowledged that Evan looked quite distinguished in this ensemble, a feat that might not be achievable for just anyone.

If another person were to don these robes, the effect might have been gaudy rather than impressive. Ron lifted his head and glanced towards the exit of the girls' dormitory, attempting to avoid unfavorable comparisons with Evan. After all, individuals like Evan were a rare breed, and most of the boys were currently faring rather poorly.

Moments later, Lavender emerged from the girls' dormitory, accompanied by a group of girls. She looked noticeably more attractive than usual, donning a striking peach-colored gown adorned with a gleaming gold bracelet. Lavender greeted Ron with excessive enthusiasm, giggling away. While the boys in the room gaped at her in astonishment, Lavender remained unfazed.

She sauntered down the stairs, bestowing an overly flirtatious gaze upon Ron, who responded with a somewhat awkward, yet complimentary, wink and a hesitant smile.

"Shall we head down? The ball is about to commence!" Ron said with a dry tone, waving to Evan and adding, "See you later!"

Lavender grinned triumphantly, escorting Ron away as they confidently exited the common room.

"They make quite the pair!" Evan remarked.

Harry nodded but couldn't help but be apprehensive about Lavender's appearance, hoping that Ron could hold his own. Harry wondered about Cho Chang's appearance, followed by Ginny's; he prayed that she wouldn't emulate Lavender's style.

Ignoring the somewhat eccentric demeanor and extravagant attire, Evan found Lavender's proactive approach rather satisfying. Within the school, it was no easy task to find a girl genuinely interested in Ron himself. Upon reflection, Lavender didn't look half bad. If another girl were to encounter Ron in his terrible robes, she might very well turn and flee.

One by one, the girls descended the stairs, departing the common room with their respective partners. Those who had chosen students from Durmstrang and Beauxbatons as their companions also left in groups.

After a brief wait, Angelina descended with a radiant smile, taking Fred's hand. The two of them departed hand in hand, with Fred casting a mischievous wink in their direction.

Following Angelina was Ginny, elegantly attired in a relatively modest light-red dress robe. Her vibrant red hair cascaded freely, framing her rosy cheeks, which displayed a shy demeanor. She was too timid to meet the gazes of Harry and Evan. Ginny looked stunning, her current appearance surpassing that of any girl Evan had seen that night. The robe featured charming puffed sleeves that accentuated her enchanting waist, cinched by a pink belt adorned with a delicate bow. It highlighted her petite frame, exuding an irresistible feminine charm.

All the boys who had lingered behind couldn't help but feel an inexplicable urge to follow suit. Not surprisingly, Harry gazed at Ginny in disbelief, rendered momentarily speechless. It was only now that he realized Ginny was indeed a beautiful girl. His expression underwent a swift transformation, shifting from indifference to nervousness.

"Hermione's still getting ready; she'll be down in a moment!" Ginny announced, her cheeks still flushed.

"Um, let's wait for her and go down together," Harry replied, appearing somewhat embarrassed to accompany Ginny.

"No, I'll stay here and wait for her. You two go ahead," Evan suggested before he could finish his sentence.

Suddenly, the noise in the common room erupted into silence as everyone turned to look at the descending girl. Many opened their mouths in astonishment, unsure of how to react.

It was Hermione, yet she bore no resemblance to her usual self. She appeared more like a celestial being who had descended to Earth. Her hair was no longer unruly but instead appeared soft, shiny, and elegantly tied back in a bun. She donned a flowing robe crafted from a delicate, light violet-blue fabric. There was an undeniable change in her aura, perhaps due to the absence of the usual stack of books she carried.

She smiled back, a touch nervously, and her radiance was undeniable. Hermione looked positively stunning, her ethereal beauty capturing the attention of all who beheld her. She descended the stairs with graceful, butterfly-like steps, her long skirt trailing gently behind her like flowing water.

Evan finally realized just how remarkable Hermione's figure was; usually concealed beneath her school robes, it was a pleasant revelation.

Every eye in the room fixed upon Hermione with open disbelief, leaving those present stunned and at a loss for words.

Among all the girls, Hermione had undergone the most striking transformation, emerging as a true beauty, shattering everyone's preconceptions of her.

"Good evening, Evan!" Hermione whispered as she approached. "How do I look?"

"Absolutely stunning, beyond belief!" Evan replied, his heart racing as he admired Hermione's appearance. He found it nearly impossible to tear his gaze away from her.

Hermione exuded an irresistible allure that captivated those around her. Grinning in response to Evan's compliment, she extended her arm toward the grand staircase leading downstairs.

As they made their way through the crowd, everyone they encountered looked on in astonishment. Evan and Hermione's attire was undeniably conspicuous, particularly Hermione's, which drew a great deal of attention.

Many girls regarded her with a mixture of envy and resentment, while the boys were enchanted and awestruck. Even though they were not attending as warriors, Evan and Hermione emerged as the evening's most prominent couple.

As they proceeded down the staircase, the foyer teemed with students, milling about and eagerly awaiting the opening of the auditorium doors at eight o'clock. Some students needed to reunite with their partners from other schools and navigated through the crowd, searching for one another.

Ron, standing by the doors with Lavender, caught sight of Hermione as she descended and couldn't help but gape in surprise. He briefly pondered his own thoughts, then turned his head away.

After a while, a group of Slytherin students ascended the steps from their underground common room, led by Malfoy, who sported a black velvet gown with a high collar, resembling a priest. Pansy Parkinson donned a frilly, light pink robe and clung to Malfoy's arm, while Crabbe and Goyle, dressed in green attire, resembled two boulders covered in moss. Neither had secured a dance partner.

Malfoy hesitated momentarily upon spotting Evan and Hermione standing near the main staircase. Like the other boys, his gaze rested on Hermione, but he found himself at a loss for words to insult her.

After another five minutes, the oak front doors swung open, and all heads turned to observe the Durmstrang students entering alongside Professor Karkaroff. Viktor Krum led the procession, accompanied by a Slytherin sixth-year girl. Over their heads, a patch of grass in front of the castle had been transformed into a grotto adorned with starry fairy lights. It seemed as though hundreds of living fairies either perched on magically conjured rose bushes or fluttered above statues resembling Santa Claus and his reindeer.

Evan suddenly realized that he and Hermione were drawing far too much attention by standing in the open. Every person entering the foyer was compelled to cast their gaze in their direction, their scrutiny bordering on impoliteness.

Hermione felt a touch embarrassed and prompted Evan to move to the side, positioning herself so that she could use him as a shield. She nestled into his arms, and at that moment, every boy in the vicinity envied Evan for the proximity to Hermione. The gratifying sensation was undeniable, but the pressure was immense.

Fortunately, the arrival of Beauxbaton's students redirected the crowd's attention. Leading the way was Fleur and her dance partner, Roger Davies. Fleur's outfit was exceptionally vibrant, rivaling Hermione's in its eye-catching splendor. The two embodied contrasting styles, both exuding extraordinary beauty. Fleur's presentation was an intricate display, akin to a flower in full bloom.

Her Veela lineage left an indelible impression on every boy, rendering them utterly captivated. While Hermione may not have possessed Fleur's mature beauty or the allure of city and country, her distinct qualities of intelligence, quiet charm, and genuine warmth were sufficient to quicken the heartbeats of every boy present. If Evan were forced to choose, he doubted there was a girl who could compare to Hermione that night.

Nonetheless, there was no denying that Fleur was an absolute showstopper. Beside her, Roger Davies appeared incredulous, as if he couldn't believe his good fortune to have Fleur as his partner.

Bringing up the rear of the Beauxbatons group, Gabrielle and Colin scanned the area as they entered the foyer. Gabrielle, unlike Hermione, Fleur, and the other girls, possessed a unique and exceedingly cute style. She belonged to a class of young girls whose cuteness was endearingly distinctive. Dressed in a white gown, she resembled a porcelain doll, complete with a mischievous smile playing on her lips, and her soulful eyes darting about. Spotting Evan and Hermione near the staircase, Gabrielle quickly tugged Colin over to them.

"Hello, Evan! Hello, Hermione!" Gabrielle greeted them with a smile. She circled Hermione, taking in her outfit, while Colin excitedly shared what he had seen when picking up Gabrielle from the Beauxbatons carriage. The entire castle and its surroundings had been magically transformed, festooned with Christmas decorations and inhabited by various fairies and elves. It was as if they had been transported into a fantastical fairy tale world.

At that moment, Professor McGonagall's voice rang out, "Warriors, please gather over here!"

Professor McGonagall wore a red tartan gown adorned with an unsightly thistle wreath on her hat's brim. She instructed the warriors and their dance partners to wait by the door while allowing others to enter first.

Once the students were seated, the warriors filed into the auditorium. In an orderly procession, they made their way inside, passing through the main entrance, where Fleur and Gabrielle surreptitiously observed them, their eyes tracking Evan's every step.

Krum and Ron remained fixated on Hermione, narrowing their eyes as they observed her. To onlookers, it appeared as though Evan and Hermione were the stars of the evening.

Five minutes later, after everyone had taken their seats in the auditorium, Professor McGonagall directed the warriors and their partners to form pairs and follow her inside. They marched in, heading towards the large, round table at the front of the auditorium, where the judges were seated. The audience erupted into applause.

The auditorium walls sparkled with silver frost, the ceiling resembled a starry night sky, and countless wreaths of mistletoe and ivy dangled from above. The four house tables had been replaced by a hundred small, lantern-lit tables, each accommodating a dozen or so guests.

The warriors proceeded to the front of the guest of honor's table, where Dumbledore sat at the center, beaming with delight. Professor Karkaroff wore a stern expression as his gaze roamed over several warriors before settling on Evan, who sat at the end.

Ludo Bagman, donned in a vibrant purple robe adorned with large yellow stars, applauded as enthusiastically as his fellow classmates. Beside him, Mrs. Maxim had forsaken her usual black satin uniform in favor of a flowing lavender robe.

Notably absent was Mr. Crouch, and in his place, Percy Weasley occupied the fifth seat at the table.