Chapter 146 "Skyler's Dance With Catalina"

Fleur lived up to her title as the "Flower of the Court," showcasing dancing skills that could rival even Catalina.

When paired with Skyler, their dance became a spectacle that overshadowed even the most stunning girls in the room. Despite her brilliance, Catalina couldn't reclaim the spotlight from the enchanting duo.

As they moved gracefully from a distance, Skyler saw Fleur as a fairy, her beauty almost unreal. In their proximity, the allure of a complete Veela bloodline became evident. Fleur's near-perfect features, gem-like eyes, and a touch of spring in the corners arousing irresistible thoughts in Skyler.

A sudden accent note from the Weird Sisters marked a change. Fleur gently embraced Skyler, pressing her chest against him, and their faces drew close.

Everything happened swiftly.

Before Skyler could register the surge of blood and rapid heartbeat, Fleur's red lips met his ear, whispering seductively, "Be careful of Catalina; the Moreaus are currently planning something behind the scenes."

This alluring gesture brought an abrupt calmness over Skyler, like a sudden splash of cold water.

Though Skyler already knew something was amiss with Catalina's sudden proposal, if Fleur herself goes out on her way to warn him about it, then there must be something indeed at play.

Before another word could be uttered, the crescendo reached its peak, and the Weird Sisters concluded their spectacular performance.

Slowing down, Skyler and Fleur gracefully separated, resembling elegant butterflies. Skyler exchanged a knowing glance with Fleur, and as the music came to a close, he expressed his admiration.

"Miss Delacour, not only are you beautiful and enchanting, but your dance skills are truly superb. It's an honor to have danced with you tonight," Skyler complimented, taking Fleur's hand and tenderly kissing its back.

Fleur responded with a bright smile, "Mr. Malfoy, your dancing skills are commendable as well. I thoroughly enjoyed tonight's dance."

As Fleur departed, an unexpected guest approached Skyler.

"Mr. Malfoy, you're an exceptional dancer. I truly envy your dance partner! Could Mr. Malfoy spare a dance with me if that's fine with you?" Catalina said softly while locking her gaze with Skyler.

Being in Great Britain and at Hogwarts, Skyler represented the warriors of Hogwarts and stood as a prominent figure among the young nobility. As the host, refusing outright would be considered impolite.

Skyler gallantly kissed the back of Catalina's hand and extended his arm, guiding her onto the dance floor.

Catalina, a breathtaking beauty and the legitimate daughter of a wealthy and esteemed family, appeared to be a delightful dance partner.

Skyler remained vigilant despite her seemingly favorable attributes, not letting his guard down following Fleur's cryptic warning.

Initially, the dance unfolded smoothly, but as the music reached its midpoint and quickened in tempo, Catalina revealed her dancing skills, leaving even the most accomplished dancers in embarrassment.

Her every step was a blend of grace and power, requiring Skyler to rely on his extraordinary agility and reflexes just to keep pace with her. Intriguingly, despite the energetic dance, not a drop of sweat adorned Catalina's hands.

Skyler found himself questioning the conventional wisdom that wizards lacked physical strength. Entrusting all other thoughts to the recesses of his mind, he concentrated solely on the intricate dance steps.

This was a competition that transcended magical abilities. Skyler, representing the honor and prestige of the Malfoy family and Hogwarts, was also a recognized figure in business, academia, and various international circles.

Even if not known for their dancing prowess, such figures were expected to conduct themselves with grace and dignity.

As the tempo of the music escalated, Skyler and Catalina's dance gained momentum, their steps growing progressively lighter.

The dance floor cleared, making way for the mesmerizing performance that was unfolding. Observing the spectacle, both professors and young wizards were left in awe.

Eventually, as the onlookers retreated from the dance floor, the ball evolved into an exclusive showcase for Skyler and Catalina.

Leveraging his photographic memory and exceptional reflexes, Skyler gradually discerned the nuances of the dance.

Though challenging, he managed to keep pace with Catalina's graceful movements.

Suddenly, Catalina donned an innocent smile reminiscent of a young girl. "Mr. Malfoy, not only are you a formidable wizard, but you're also a dance virtuoso," she remarked.

The smile was enchanting, catching Skyler off guard, and had it been any other suitor, he might have been captivated.

Struggling to maintain composure, Skyler responded with a polite smile, "Such praise is truly an honor. My proficiency owes much to Miss Moreau's exceptional lead. I merely followed your graceful performance." With that, they concluded their dance.

After the initial dance concluded, applause echoed through the room. Dumbledore's eyes glittered as he ceased his conversation with others, focusing intently on the interaction between Skyler and Catalina.

While many perceived it as a splendid dance, Dumbledore seemed to discern something more profound in their performance.

The majority of female onlookers directed their gaze toward Skyler, their eyes expressing a mixture of admiration and caution.

Astoria and Morag, too, were captivated by Skyler's dancing prowess, concurrently harboring envy for Catalina.

Daphne furrowed her brows slightly, a subtle worry lingering on her face. She couldn't pinpoint the reason, but an unsettling feeling nagged at her.

Eleanor had already concluded her dance with Cedric, yet her focus remained fixed on Skyler and Catalina's dance. Her eyes emitted an icy chill, betraying no semblance of appreciation for the performance; instead, she seemed to be observing a scene as an outsider.

Draco, holding Pansy's hand, ceased dancing as well. Standing together, they both turned their attention to the pair on the dance floor, Draco appearing contemplative.

As for Harry and Ron, Harry grew weary of the ball and disappeared without a trace. Meanwhile, Ron sat in a secluded corner, his countenance gloomy, casting envious and resentful glances toward Skyler.

With the onset of the second musical piece, Catalina ensnared Skyler with a firm hold around his waist, leaving him no room for escape.

As she pressed her chest against him, a captivating fragrance emanated from her body. Skyler recognized the scent as the same perfume from their previous encounter, yet this time, a subtle nuance made it even more potent.

When Skyler inhaled the fragrance, he found himself succumbing to various enchanting thoughts, rendering Occlumency ineffective.

Impressively, this was a well-prepared move, executed with meticulous planning.

Left with no other recourse, Skyler relied on breathing techniques learned in his previous Muggle life. He endeavored to adjust his breathing, slowing it down to regain control over the desires and sensations flooding his mind.

This can't persist; it's not Skyler's style to passively endure without retaliation. Skyler rallied and sneered, "What an extravagant display for a black flutter, blooming only once in a thousand years?"

This time, it was Catalina's turn to appear taken aback.

The full name of the fluttering flower is the Flutterby Bush. Most young wizards are acquainted with this magical plant as it's part of the fourth-grade Herbology curriculum.

In Chapter 61 of Volume 4, the book mentions that this plant blooms once every hundred years, and its flowers are blue. However, the black fluttering flower is distinct.

It is a variant of the fluttering flower, blooming only once in a thousand years. It is even rarer and more precious, found exclusively in certain hidden mountains on the border of France.

A shrewd glint gleamed in Skyler's eyes. He was aware that the 12 French Holy Blood families essentially controlled the production and distribution of this product.

He even suspected it to be a unique specialty of the Moreau family. The black Flutterby Bush had always been a cherished treasure among French pure-blood nobles, with ordinary French wizards seldom even hearing of it.

Yet, Skyler could identify it with just a few whiffs, leaving Catalina visibly surprised.

A vulnerable expression graced Catalina's beautiful face as she uttered, "Mr. Malfoy is truly deserving of admiration. Catalina holds great respect for him." She raised her head slightly, casting a gaze upon Skyler with what seemed like affectionate eyes.

As Skyler pondered what kind of trouble this woman was brewing, her countenance suddenly shifted. Her pupils initially flickered like lightning, followed by the emergence of a crystal mist in her eyes, akin to the dew and rain of early spring.

Her gaze became so luminous that it was impossible to avert one's eyes.

As the spring rain receded, it resembled the sun ascending over the earth, with a bright and alluring look subtly flickering in the depths of her eyes.

Skyler's mind gradually blanked out, and Catalina's fairy-like visage became deeply etched in his thoughts.

Daphne's, Astoria's, Morag's, and Meredith's faces slowly faded away. Skyler was suddenly overtaken by the notion that he could no longer resist her. He simply wished to kneel before her now and become her most loyal devotee.

First, she drained his physical strength and energy, then she utilized the rare and precious black fluttering flower, and finally, she resorted to this cunning tactic.

Although Skyler had initially suspected the woman's ill intentions and remained cautious, he had underestimated the intricacy of her plan. Her scheme unfolded with sophistication, each link seamlessly connecting to the next.

Simply put, in this game of deceit, Skyler faltered.

If nothing unforeseen occurred, he was on the verge of falling deeply in love with her, potentially becoming her submissive puppet under her control.

Unlike Harry, Skyler lacked the protection of the protagonist's halo. If he succumbed, not even the author could salvage his fate; he would be left to fend for himself.

A surge of magical power erupted within him, uncontrollably flooding his mind, causing him to tremble and abruptly snap out of the enchantment. In an instant, he comprehended the perilous situation.

Regardless of Catalina's plotting, she couldn't have anticipated that Skyler possessed an active magical power that had been dormant for a thousand years — the achieving of the "Trinity"!

For the first time, Skyler revealed to outsiders his "magic eyes," long concealed in the depths of secrecy.

An overwhelming influx of magical power surged into his eyes like a torrent. His eyeballs heated up, pupils emanating a sacred milky white light.

In a silent confrontation, he locked eyes with Catalina, refusing to yield.

Pansy's subdued exclamation echoed from the sidelines. It turned out that Draco had unintentionally gripped her hand too tightly, causing discomfort.

In response, Draco maintained his earlier expression, his mouth slightly upturned, and a profound gleam flickered in his eyes.

Dumbledore wore a genuine expression on his face. Skyler's extraordinary talent had finally found a rational explanation in his eyes.

On the other hand, Catalina initially displayed a moment of surprise, followed by a subtle expression of confident victory.

Skyler and Catalina continued dancing on the floor, seemingly ordinary at first glance. However, their pace had slowed slightly, both intensifying their mental efforts to engage in an imperceptible dance, unbeknownst to the other attendees.

Catalina's pupils emitted a continuous mist, forming and dissolving, dissolving and forming, resembling a captivating kaleidoscope.

Meanwhile, the milky white radiance emanating from Skyler's eyes gradually intensified, becoming increasingly striking.

Catalina's lineage strength stems from the Grindelwald family's ability of having a highly unnatural charisma and a way with their words to rally and inspire people under his banner, while the Moreau family's bloodline talent, "Duelist Heart," bestows her eye power with the ability to pierce defenses.

On the other hand, Skyler's magic eyes excel in mental prowess, lacking the means to utilize his pupil power for mental attacks. He must rely on his superior mental capabilities to forcibly bridge the gap in pupil skills between them and defend resolutely.

The standoff persisted.

Both contestants were momentarily shaken as the Weird Sisters' song concluded with an organ accent.

Seizing the opportunity, Catalina feigned a stumble, and Skyler promptly assisted her, effectively concealing the covert struggle that had just taken place.

Catalina leaned close to Skyler's ear, her tone light-hearted, "Mr. Malfoy, you truly are remarkable. Let's engage in another round next time we get the chance."

Following this, she exhaled a fragrant breeze and executed a graceful turn before departing. It was only then that Skyler realized his back was already drenched, and his eyes experienced a faint tingling sensation.

Post this incident, Skyler's interest in remaining at the ball waned, prompting his return to the Slytherin lounge in the company of his girlfriends.

Meanwhile, Harry and Ron exited the Great Hall, where a rose bush triggered a conversation between Karkaroff and Snape, as well as a dialogue between Hagrid and Maxim, details omitted for brevity.

As the clock struck midnight, the Weird Sisters concluded their performance. The crowd erupted into warm applause for the final time, marking the official end of the dance.