Chapter 208
Harry, Ron, and Hermione headed to the school courtyard, where ice covered everything, and they stayed there until five o'clock, then returned to the castle to prepare for the Christmas Ball.
Harry shouted after Hermione, "Who are you going with?!"
But she didn't answer him and hurried to prepare for the ball. There was a feast as part of the events of this celebration, so everyone went up after finishing playing with the snowballs to wear their celebration robes, and everyone was concerned about their appearance, but not like Ron, who started looking at himself in the mirror, confident that his celebration robe looked more like a dress than anything else.
As a final attempt to make it look otherwise, he used a simple spell to remove the bow and the white cuffs, and it succeeded to a large extent, although the tail of the robe was still embroidered. Then he went down with the rest to the common room, which looked strange this time, as it was filled with people wearing clothes of different colors instead of the black school uniform. Parvati was waiting for Harry at the end of the stairs, and she looked truly beautiful. She was wearing a pink dress and studded her hair with some shiny golden rings, like the bracelet that surrounded her hand, and Harry was very happy that she was not laughing this time, so he said hesitantly, "You... you look beautiful!"
She said to him, "Thank you," then she turned to Ron, saying, "Padma will be waiting for you in the entrance hall."
Ron said, looking around, "Well... where is Albert? Hermione?"
Parvati ignored him, saying, "Shall we go down now, Harry?"
Harry answered her, wishing he could stay in the common room, "Alright... let's go!"
The entrance hall was full of students waiting for eight o'clock, and the doors of the Great Hall opened. Parvati found Padma, so she greeted Ron, looking at his clothes, and he returned the greeting before turning his head and rushing to stand behind Harry... Fleur Delacour was passing in front of him, wearing a shiny silver dress, accompanied by the Ravenclaw Quidditch team captain, Roger Davies, and as soon as they disappeared, Ron reappeared again, so he asked again, "Where is Albert?? I haven't seen him today?!"
The Slytherin students entered the hall, led by Malfoy, who was wearing a black silk robe with a high collar that made him look like a monk in Ron's eyes, and Pansy Parkinson was gripping Malfoy's arm, wearing a light pink dress, while Crabbe and Goyle were wearing green clothes, and Harry was happy that neither of them found anyone to accompany them.
Meanwhile, as Albert entered the hall with confident steps, the attendees stopped talking for moments, shocked by his majestic beauty and undeniable elegance. He wore a dark black suit, meticulously designed, consisting of three pieces: the jacket that draped lightly over his body, the waistcoat that highlighted the golden watch with its shiny chain, and coordinated trousers that emphasized the sophistication of the design. The white shirt with the high collar added a touch of purity, and the tightly knotted dark tie increased his solemnity. Every piece of his attire seemed to speak of refined taste and luxury, making everyone in the hall unable to look away, captivated by the beauty of the scene and his enchanting elegance.
Albert used a magical potion made by the Potters, which contained a unique blend of ingredients that added a magical touch to his appearance. The potion, which he called "Shadow's Sheen," included rare extracts from night flowers and drops of glowing dew, in addition to drops of luxurious amber oil. When applied to his hair, his strands turned into shimmering waves, combining vitality and luster, with perfect flow resembling the silk of night. The potion gave the hair a natural, eye-catching sheen without looking pretentious, and it also added a light, attractive aromatic scent, making everyone wonder about the secret of his unique attractiveness.
Harry and Ron were in awe like everyone else, but Albert stepped forward towards Harry, ignoring everyone's reactions, saying, "Harry!!.... Tell me!! Have you seen Hermione?!"
Parvati, who was Harry's partner for the ball, spoke in a voice of astonishment, drawn to Albert's beauty, saying with a smile, "She is still upstairs on the second floor!! She is in the room with Ginny!!"
After Albert heard the answer he wanted, he ran at full speed in the direction she indicated.
He passed a few steps that were numerous, to the extent that Albert felt for the first time that there were more of them than usual, but after he reached the second floor, he got close enough to the room to start hearing the sound of crying and sobbing along with the voice of another girl saying, "It's alright, Hermione... it's just a dance party!! I understand how you feel!!"
After Albert heard the girl's voice, he discovered that Ginny was the one comforting Hermione, and Hermione was naturally the one crying!
Hermione: (In a broken voice) "I can't believe it... how could this happen? How could Albert be so oblivious? I was so clear... I didn't accept anyone else's invitations just because I was waiting for him!"
Ginny: (Calmly and warmly) "Hermione, dear, please don't blame yourself for this. Albert might be the smartest student in the school, but he can also be completely oblivious to emotional matters. Maybe he never realized how much you admire him."
Hermione: (Wiping her tears) "But he knew! I'm sure he knew... he could see how I avoided others, and how I always tried to be near him in the library or during classes. Wasn't that enough?"
Ginny: (Smiling gently) "Hermione, I know you feel like everything is obvious, but sometimes boys can be completely blind to the feelings of others. Maybe he didn't connect your actions with your admiration for him."
Hermione: (Lowering her head and sighing) "I was watching him all the time. How he talks, how he smiles... he seemed to fully realize, but he ignored it. I was a fool, Ginny. I refused invitations from Neville and the others, just to wait for someone who didn't even think of me."
Ginny: (Putting her hand on Hermione's hand) "Don't say that. You weren't a fool, you were honest with yourself and your feelings. You are the type who doesn't accept half-measures, and that's a wonderful thing about you. But maybe it's time to talk to him clearly."
Hermione: (Raising her eyes to Ginny) "Talk to him? How can I do that now? After the ball has started and everyone has started dancing? How can I tell him that I refused everyone just because I was waiting for him?"
Ginny: (With encouraging enthusiasm) "Why not? It's never too late when it comes to feelings. If you want to clear your heart and express what you feel, you have to be brave. Albert might be oblivious, but he's not cruel. Maybe if you tell him how you feel, he'll understand."
Hermione: (Hesitantly) "But... what if he doesn't reciprocate my feelings? What if he only sees me as a friend?"
Ginny: (With a reassuring smile) "In that case, at least you will know the truth instead of living in a cycle of questions. Hermione, you are a wonderful, smart, and strong girl. If he is not able to see that, he is the loser."
Hermione: (Sighing deeply) "Maybe you are right. But... just thinking about talking to him makes me feel terrified."
Ginny: (Holding her hands firmly) "And I will be here beside you, whether you want to talk to him now or later. The important thing is that you do what makes you feel comfortable and peaceful."
Hermione: (Smiling slightly amidst her tears) "Thank you, Ginny. Your presence here means a lot to me. I don't know what I would have done without you."
Ginny: (Smiling and patting her shoulder) "We are friends, and that's what we do. And now, let's make sure that this ball doesn't end without you feeling some happiness."
Albert stops at the door, looking at Hermione with clear astonishment...
Hermione quickly turns her head towards him, and her eyes open in surprise. Ginny also turns around and looks at Albert with a subtle smile.
Albert: (In a low, shy voice) "You... are very beautiful today, Hermione."
Hermione felt extreme embarrassment, so her cheeks flushed red, and she lowered her eyes shyly. Ginny, on the other hand, could not hide her smile.
Ginny: (Cheerfully, crossing her arms) "Well, it seems someone has finally admired what was in front of him all this time."
Albert swallows, feeling embarrassed, and tries to gather his courage. He remembers his father's letter that was included with the gifts.
Albert: (Smiling nervously) "I knew the dress would look beautiful, but... I didn't expect it to be this beautiful on you, Hermione."
The dress Hermione was wearing was the same dress Albert had bought for her during his last visit to Hermione's house in the Muggle world.
Hermione: (In a faint, confused voice) "Thank you, Albert."
Ginny: (Intelligently) "You know, Albert, if I were you, I would say something extra. This moment seems very appropriate, doesn't it?"
Albert feels more embarrassed, but he takes a deep breath. He remembers his father's words: "Do not be afraid to express yourself, for in difficult moments, courage is the greatest strength."
Albert: (Looking at Hermione with clear shyness) "Hermione, I want to say something."
Hermione: (Looking at him with slight fear) "Yes?"
Ginny left the room, leaving Albert and Hermione exchanging smiles while a beautiful feeling of comfort and understanding prevailed between them.
After Albert and Hermione were alone inside the room, he finally gained a little courage and said, "I couldn't ignore what you felt. I heard what you said before I entered. I also couldn't keep the matter inside me, so I felt afraid that your response would be negative... well, I admire you... since I first saw you inside the train to school... but I couldn't tell you. I was also surprised when I heard you talking about your admiration for me a little while ago, so I'm telling you now."
After Hermione heard Albert's response, she opened her eyes in astonishment, looking at Albert in surprise. She did not expect the matter. She almost thought she was dreaming.
Albert: (Breathing deeply) "I was afraid, afraid to ask you to accompany me to the ball and have you reject me. But after hearing you, I realized I was a fool."
Hermione: (In astonishment) "What...?"
Albert: (Extending his hand to her slowly) "Hermione, would you accept to be my partner for the ball?"
Hermione stopped silent for a moment, feeling a mixture of shock and happiness. But something gently nudged her with her elbow.
Hermione's thoughts were saying positively, "Come on, Hermione, don't let him wait any longer than this."
Hermione: (In a faint, smiling voice) "Yes, Albert. I would be happy to go with you."
Albert smiles shyly but feels relieved.
Albert thought to himself, ^I think I won the battle now, Father!! Thank you for this, Father!!^
To be continued...