Chapter 145 "Yule Ball"

In the refined ambiance of the Slytherin common room, Draco, adorned in a dignified black velvet high-necked gown, presented himself with utmost poise. By his side, Pansy, draped in a frilly light pink robe, clung to his arm with a subtle elegance.

Nott, often reserved and uninterested in the dance, chose not to make an appearance this evening.

Crabbe and Goyle, both attired in verdant green, resembled stoic moss-covered statues, devoid of dance partners in their vicinity.

In a sophisticated dark green dress, Blaise engaged in a dance with a fifth-year Slytherin girl. Despite her attractive appearance, she prattled animatedly in Blaise's ears, oblivious to the faint crease forming on his brow.

Exiting through the stone wall, they ascended the stairs, arriving in the foyer just before eight o'clock.

The area buzzed with students, navigating the space in anticipation of the auditorium doors opening. Some sought their dance partners from other houses, weaving through the crowd with sideways glances.

A wave of excitement swept through the gathering as Fleur Delacour made her entrance. Cloaked in a silver-gray satin robe, the enchanting allure of her Veela bloodline transformed her into a mesmerizing presence.

Accompanying her was Roger Davies, the Ravenclaw Quidditch team captain.

At the castle's grand entrance, the oak door creaked open, capturing the attention of everyone present.

A procession of Durmstrang students, led by Professor Karkaroff, entered the hall.

Among them, Eleanor took the lead with Cedric as her dance partner, displaying a somewhat unrestrained eating manner.

Notably, Krum was also in attendance, accompanied by a Beauxbatons student as his dance partner, rather than Hermione.

Observing the entrance, Skyler recalled glimpsing Harry and Ron earlier but noticed the absence of Hermione, suggesting she had no intentions of attending the ball.

Seizing the chance as the door remained open, Skyler stole a glance at the scene outside the castle. The lawn in front of the castle had been transformed into a magical cavern, adorned with twinkling fairy lights.

Countless live fairies adorned the scene, perching on magical rose bushes or fluttering their wings atop statues resembling Santa Claus and his reindeer.

Amidst the enchanting spectacle, Professor McGonagall's voice resonated: "Please come forward, brave Champions!"

A hush fell over the chattering crowd as a passage formed to allow the Champions and their partners to approach.

Professor McGonagall, donning a red tartan robe adorned with an unappealing wreath of thistles, directed the Champions to wait by the door while the rest of the students proceeded into the auditorium.

At this moment, Skyler encountered Catalina, the Beauxbatons Champion. Tonight, Catalina looked exceptionally stunning, donned in a pure white off-the-shoulder dress that showcased her beautiful collarbones.

The dress, made of a white material that seemed almost transparent, accentuated her ethereal beauty, resembling an angel immersed in celestial space.

The skirt's hem gracefully curved from high to low, featuring a slight puff that revealed the girl's slender legs, akin to white jade. Adorned with diamonds at the corners, the skirt sparkled like countless beautiful morning dews.

Curiously, her choice of dance partner was Hector Fawley, a tall and thin seventh-grade Slytherin prefect. Like the Crouch family, the Fawley family belonged to the prestigious 28 holy pure-blood families.

They were known for their political fervor, with minimal involvement in business and wealth. Intriguingly, Hector shared the same name as his grandfather, who once became the Minister of Magic by securing a high vote.

However, he resigned due to mishandling during the Global Wizarding War caused by Gellert Grindelwald.

What truly intrigues Skyler is the question of whether Hector Fawley genuinely mishandled the Global Wizarding War or if there was a deliberate intention behind it.

Drawing upon his extensive knowledge of magical history, Skyler is well aware of the staggering number of Aurors who lost their lives in Europe and America during that tumultuous period.

Astonishingly, the casualties among Aurors were disproportionately high, almost reaching a crippling number considering the wizarding population.

What adds a layer of intrigue is the conspicuous absence of casualties from the 28 pure-blood families among the Aurors who perished. A fact that raises intriguing questions.

Since the previous semester, Skyler has harbored thoughts of seeking revenge against the Ghost Society.

In his mind, several suspects for the enigmatic leader of the Ghost Society have emerged, with Hector Fawley ranking as the primary suspect among the candidates.

Narrowing his eyes slightly, Skyler shifts his gaze away from the duo.

On another note, Harry's dance partner for the evening is Parvati, an Indian girl from the same house. While Parvati possesses favorable qualities—a sweet appearance and a decent family background—her dancing companion, Harry, appears rather disinterested.

Judging from Harry's expression, it is evident that he extended the invitation out of necessity rather than genuine interest in his dance partner.

(Note: Dean Thomas acknowledged Parvati as the most beautiful girl in the grade, and in the first grade, Pansy addressed her by her first name, signaling prior exposure to pure-bloods before Hogwarts. (small circle)

Following Professor McGonagall's instructions, the students swiftly took their seats in the auditorium.

Once settled, Professor McGonagall directed the Champions and their dance partners to form pairs, leading them towards a large round table at the front where the judges were stationed. As they entered, applause resounded throughout the auditorium.

The auditorium's walls sparkled with silver frost, and the ceiling portrayed a starry night sky adorned with numerous garlands of mistletoe sprigs and ivy.

The customary four house tables were replaced by a hundred smaller tables illuminated by lanterns, each accommodating around ten attendees.

Approaching the guest of honor at the front, Dumbledore wore a benevolent smile, while Karkaroff maintained an inscrutable expression. Clad in a resplendent purple robe, Ludo Bagman cheered enthusiastically, and Madame Maxime graced the occasion in a flowing lilac gown.

Notably absent was Mr. Crouch. Seated in the fifth spot at the table was Percy Weasley.

The Champions and their partners made their way to the table, where Percy, with a self-satisfied expression, pulled out an empty chair and signaled for Harry to join him.

Harry, comprehending the unspoken invitation, seated himself beside Percy.

Percy, donned in a new navy blue dress robe, promptly shared his recent promotion as Mr. Crouch's personal assistant, narrating his professional achievements with an air of grandeur that suggested supreme rulership of the universe.

As the Champions and their partners settled at the table, each found a gleaming plate accompanied by a small menu. Merely stating their desired dish caused the food to materialize magically on the plate.

The dinner was opulent, delighting most attendees, and the atmosphere brimmed with liveliness. Once the feast concluded, Dumbledore stood, prompting his classmates to rise as well. With a wave of his wand, the tables ascended to the walls, leaving an open space in the center.

He conjured a raised stage on the right wall, adorned with a drum set, guitars, a lute, a cello, and various organs.

At that moment, the Weird Sisters stormed onto the stage, eliciting thunderous applause from the audience.

Dressed in deliberately torn and tattered black robes, each member, boasting thick hair, grabbed their instruments. As the lanterns on their tables were extinguished, the Champions and their partners rose from their seats.

The Weird Sisters began playing a slow, melancholic tune. Skyler took Daphne's hand, leading her onto the dance floor. Placing one hand on her waist, they swayed gracefully to the music.

While Skyler's dancing skills might not be the epitome of excellence, having never invested much time in such extravagant activities in both his past and present lives, being a direct descendant of the Malfoy family mandated possessing basic dance proficiency.

Yet, Skyler possessed a unique advantage. His body had undergone magical transformations repeatedly, rendering him superior in terms of agility and flexibility compared to dance maestros in the Muggle world.

Daphne, a lady of the family, had cultivated her social dancing skills to perfection. Together, their dance steps unfolded smoothly, presenting a spectacle of nobility and elegance reminiscent of a prince and princess gracefully dancing in a beautiful portrait.

On the flip side, the dance between Harry and Parvati turned out to be quite chaotic.

Harry resembled a circus dog, allowing Parvati to lead him in all directions, pulled abruptly from east to west.

"Swept off your feet, Potter?" Even Draco couldn't resist making a few mocking remarks, audible enough for Skyler to catch.

The dance performances of Eleanor and Cedric were satisfactory, without much to criticize.

As for Catalina, a girl nurtured in romantic France, her proficiency in dance was evident. With her graceful figure, each movement exuded soul-stirring beauty.

It could be argued that if it weren't for Skyler's pair, with their advantage in looks, managing to divert half of the attention, Catalina could have easily commanded the entire dance floor, rendering other Champions practically transparent.

Well, at least that's the current plight Harry and Eleanor are facing.

At this moment, even Dumbledore and McGonagall, who were notably biased towards Harry, couldn't help but harbor a thought in their minds: "Fortunately, we still have Skyler..."

Soon after, many others joined the dance floor. Draco and Pansy spun leisurely nearby, and Pansy couldn't help but smile radiantly.

Next to them, Dumbledore was gracefully waltzing with Madame Maxime, his pointed hat just grazing her chin.

On the other hand, Crazy-Eye Moody was navigating an awkward two-step with Professor Sinistra, who nervously avoided his wooden prosthetic leg.

The organ played its final, quivering note, prompting the Weird Sisters to pause, and the auditorium erupted into warm applause once more. The Weird Sisters began to play a lively tune without missing a beat.

Skyler led Daphne away from the dance floor for a brief respite. Though he felt fine from the physical exertion of dancing, he didn't want Daphne to become overly fatigued.

After a short while, Morag and Astoria joined them. Opting out of the dance, they immediately engaged in lively conversation with Skyler and Daphne.

The four of them chatted animatedly, and when the Weird Sisters struck up another beautiful song, Daphne nudged Skyler. He quickly caught on, extending his hand to invite Morag to join them for the dance.

Morag's dance steps were a bit rigid, but with Skyler's attentive guidance, it proved to be a minor concern. After the dance, Skyler courteously escorted Morag off the dance floor, and then gracefully took Astoria's hand for the next dance.

Thanks to Skyler's exceptional physical prowess, being the strongest among wizards, he effortlessly sustained continuous dancing. In his prime, having consumed potions that permanently enhanced physical strength and transformed by Hufflepuff's "source of life," his body allowed him to dance tirelessly.

Skyler's stamina stood out while other wizards were already breathless after just two dances. It seems that the ability to have three girlfriends or none at all boils down to the philosophy of "Rewards goes to the one who risks it all."

As the Weird Sisters played, the halfway point of the dance had already witnessed three song changes.

Amidst the dance fervor, Roger Davies caught up in the moment, summoned the courage to try and kiss Fleur.

However, Fleur, lifting her eyebrows, promptly rebuffed him, leaving him awkwardly standing on the dance floor.

Fleur, scanning the room, spotted Skyler and his companions. She graced them with a captivating smile and approached, saying, "Mr. Malfoy, may I have the pleasure of inviting you to dance?"

"Of course," Skyler replied with a confident smile, "It's my pleasure, Miss Delacour."