"Sherlock?" When Ludo Bagman announced the start of the ball in his unique way, Hermione looked nervously at Sherlock.
"Let's go," Sherlock smiled slightly, taking Hermione's hand and standing up.
In contrast, on Harry and Cho Chang's side, it was Harry, the boy, who was nervous. When he stood up, he stepped on his own robe and nearly tripped. Fortunately, Cho Chang was quick to catch him.
At this moment, the Weird Sisters had already played a slow, melancholy tune, obviously intending to let everyone ease into it. Sherlock and Hermione, Harry and Cho, Cedric and Fleur led the way into the brightly lit dance floor. The next moment, they began dancing to the music.
Hermione had been somewhat worried that in this situation, Sherlock would still be like before. After all, just an hour ago, he had said to her, "You finally read that book 'Makeup for Beginners'?" But Hermione's worries quickly dissipated.
Sherlock's hand warmly and firmly enveloped hers, while the hand at her waist transmitted clear and elegant guidance. At this moment, Hermione's face could be described as radiantly beautiful. She almost couldn't believe that she had actually become Sherlock's dance partner.
But next, her surprise deepened.
Because Sherlock wasn't passively following the rhythm of the music but was actively leading Hermione through each turn and glide with a control that could almost be called elegant.
Sherlock lowered his head slightly, his gray eyes focused on Hermione, the corners of his mouth bearing a shallow smile different from his usual contemplative expression.
Hermione could feel the precision and fluidity of his steps, without the slightest hesitation, instead filled with unhurried rhythm. Seeing Sherlock like this, Hermione also cast aside distracting thoughts and bravely raised her head to meet Sherlock's gaze. The two were like two harmonious stars, tracing smooth and harmonious trajectories across the dance floor.
Hermione only needed to follow Sherlock's guidance slightly to perfectly merge into this beautiful rhythm.
Their coordination was as seamless as if they had rehearsed countless times. The initial tension in Hermione's eyes was quickly replaced by surprise and an indescribable sweetness. She looked up at him, almost forgetting everything around them.
Because of the strong contrast Hermione displayed today, she and Sherlock even became more attractive than Cedric and Fleur, that handsome couple.
In stark contrast were Harry and Cho Chang, just a few steps away.
Harry appeared extremely stiff. The moment his hand reached Cho's waist, his entire face turned red. His gaze sometimes nervously swept over his feet, sometimes drifted aimlessly around, not knowing what to do, and his palm holding Cho's hand was slightly sweaty. He obviously wasn't used to this slow-paced waltz, clumsily trying to keep up with the music, his movements appearing somewhat awkward.
In comparison, Cho Chang appeared patient and gentle. Her face bore a reassuring smile, gently gripping Harry's hand back, applying subtle guidance.
Seeing Harry couldn't quite keep up with the pace, Cho actively adjusted the rhythm. She didn't demand complex movements but slightly turned sideways, skillfully using body language to guide Harry, allowing him to gradually find his balance and feeling.
Under Cho's considerate guidance, Harry gradually found his rhythm. It didn't seem that difficult after all? He followed Cho slowly turning in place, thinking this to himself.
When he saw Sherlock and Hermione, his gaze couldn't help but reveal a trace of amazement. And Cedric and Fleur were also another beautiful sight. Cedric wore a gentle smile, displaying the composure and grace of a Hogwarts champion.
Fleur was like a blooming anemone, light and elegant. Their dance steps were standard and fluid, coordinating seamlessly, drawing many admiring gazes.
While Hogwarts' three champions led the dance, Beauxbatons and Durmstrang champions also entered the dance floor. Then came everyone else besides the champions.
The Weird Sisters' melodious, melancholy tune seemed to have a kind of magic, dissolving the initial awkwardness. One pair, two pairs, ten pairs—colorful robes and skirts like surging waves of flowers gradually filled the dance floor's space. The sounds of music, laughter, and whispers merged into a warm ocean.
The champions' figures were soon submerged in this moving, colorful tide of people. They were no longer the sole focus of attention. The dance floor truly became a shared space of joy for everyone present.
From this moment on, the special moment belonging to the Triwizard Tournament champions temporarily faded, and the Christmas Ball belonged to every young person present enjoying their youth.
Sherlock's gaze swept across the dance floor. He noticed that Harry had now shed his initial awkwardness and was immersed in dancing with Cho Chang. Not far from them, Ginny was frequently frowning and dodging because Neville kept stepping on her feet.
The Weasley twins and Patil twins were also coordinating well.
However, Sherlock noticed that Fred's partner had become Padma from Ravenclaw, while George's partner had become Parvati from Gryffindor. This didn't match their initial arrangement. But of everyone present, only Sherlock noticed this detail.
Luna appeared very happy, but Ron was miserable. Because he and Luna simply couldn't coordinate. Luna seemed to be dancing to the music but had her own beat. Ron wasn't very good at this to begin with, making matters worse, looking as if he couldn't wait for it to end.
Besides the students, the teachers were also dancing gracefully. The two schools' headmasters Dumbledore was waltzing with Madame Maxime. Dumbledore, over six feet tall, wasn't short at all, but compared to Madame Maxime at this moment, he seemed like a little person. The tip of his pointed hat could only just touch Madame Maxime's chin, making this scene appear quite comical.
However, despite Madame Maxime's height and weight, her dance steps remained elegant and nimble, attracting considerable attention. Especially from Hagrid.
Sherlock could tell without thinking that once Dumbledore and Madame Maxime finished this dance, Hagrid would definitely rush up.
Professor McGonagall and Professor Snape, Professor Sprout and Professor Lupin, Mr. Bagman and Professor Sinistra were all dancing.
Only Mad-Eye Moody and Professor Flitwick sat beside the table, contentedly watching the people in the dance floor dancing.
The reason these two didn't dance with anyone was self-evident.
Hermione was wholeheartedly immersed in this dance with Sherlock. She knew very clearly in her heart that once this dance ended, Sherlock would belong to Gemma.
She was filled with gratitude for Gemma's generosity. But precisely because of this, she cherished this opportunity even more, throwing herself completely into the dance.
Even when she discovered Sherlock's gaze sweeping across the entire dance floor over her head, she said nothing. Even while dividing his attention, Sherlock remained perfect and impeccable in their dance, drawing frequent glances from several nearby dancing couples.
The organ played its last trembling note, the Weird Sisters stopped playing, and the hall once again erupted in enthusiastic applause. Ron couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief, immediately releasing Luna.
"Let's rest for a while."
"What, you're not continuing to dance?" Luna raised her head, asking curiously. "This tune seems even more interesting!"
Luna said this because the Weird Sisters had begun playing a new tune. Compared to the soothing and slightly melancholy tune just now, this tune had a much faster rhythm.
Obviously, after one song, everyone had gotten into the mood, and the performers had stepped it up.
"No good, I don't really like it," Ron lied. Actually, he quite liked this tune. But he simply couldn't coordinate with Luna.
"I know, it's because you can't keep up with my steps, right?" Luna said, suddenly understanding. "Why don't you try inviting her instead?"
Having Luna so bluntly point out the reason, Ron already felt helpless, but seeing the girl Luna was pointing at, Ron simply didn't know what else to say. Because Luna wasn't pointing at anyone else but Fleur Delacour, who had just finished dancing with Cedric.
Several boys had already rushed in front of her to invite her. If he didn't know Luna's personality was just like this, Ron would almost think she was doing it on purpose.
"No. Need. To!" Ron said almost through gritted teeth, wanting to pull Luna out of the dance floor.
"Then I'll go dance with Sherlock!" Luna said, waving to Ron. "Thank you for inviting me to the ball."
Ron: (;一_一)
Watching Luna skip and hop toward Sherlock, Ron suddenly felt like he had become a tool. He took a deep breath and left the dance floor.
But before he could find a place to sit, Lavender Brown walked over. "Want to dance?"
Ron looked at Lavender in surprise, glancing left and right. "Where's Seamus?"
"Why do you care about him?" Lavender said irritably. "Just say whether you want to dance or not!"
Ron hesitated slightly, then nodded. "Dance!"
A smile immediately appeared on Lavender's face, and she pulled Ron back into the dance floor.
On the other side, the skipping Luna also came to Sherlock and Hermione's side.
"Sherlock, dance with me!" She directly extended her hand toward Sherlock, saying this.
Hermione looked at Luna in surprise. "What about Ron?"
"He said he didn't like this tune, but I think it's because he can't keep up with my movements." Luna blinked, then turned to Sherlock. "I want to ask you to dance, come with me!"
When Luna Lovegood's clear voice rang out while extending her hand toward Sherlock, the air seemed to freeze for an instant. Hermione looked at this Ravenclaw junior in surprise, about to explain that Sherlock might already have arrangements, when another voice with an elegant smile interjected.
"Sorry, Miss Lovegood." Gemma Farley appeared beside Sherlock as if stepping to the light notes. Her face bore a proper yet slightly playful smile, very naturally linking arms with Sherlock. "Sherlock has already been reserved by me!"
Hermione's gaze swept over the arm Gemma was linking with Sherlock's, then also helped explain. "Luna, this is what we agreed on. After Sherlock's first dance with me ends, then—"
Before Hermione finished speaking, Luna showed an expression of sudden understanding. Those slightly protruding silver eyes blinked twice, her gaze flowing between Gemma's confident smile and Sherlock's calm smile. She had no embarrassment at being rejected but instead seemed to have solved an interesting puzzle.
"Oh, so that's it—like how moonlight vines entwine around their reserved oak trees." However, that unique metaphor still bore Luna's distinct personal characteristics.
That wasn't all. After saying this, she turned to Sherlock once again, saying with a smile, "Then can I reserve the third dance, Sherlock? I think dancing with you would be very interesting, like chasing the trajectory of a Dirigible Plum."
Sherlock looked at her whimsical manner, a trace of interest in his gray eyes. "Of course you can."
Hermione and Gemma immediately exchanged glances. Hermione couldn't help but recall the conversation Gemma had with her before the end of last term.
Luna, this girl who seemed somewhat neurotic to others, indeed had something different about her feelings toward Sherlock.
"Great!" Luna clapped her hands happily, then bounced and skipped away, melting into the crowd, her silver robes shimmering with a dreamlike luster under the lights.
Her every movement gave the impression that she had really just come to announce a reservation, then contentedly went to chase her Dirigible Plums, leaving Hermione and Gemma smiling at each other.
"I'll leave this to you two," Hermione said, and without waiting for their response, immediately turned and caught up with Luna.
Being able to be Sherlock's dance partner, Hermione was already very satisfied. Next, naturally, she should reciprocate and let Gemma enjoy her time alone with Sherlock.
Seeing them leave, Gemma also released Sherlock's arm. She elegantly stepped back half a step, performed a classical invitation gesture, and playfully winked at him. "It's our turn, Sherlock. I've been looking forward to this for a long time."
Sherlock readily agreed, taking her hand, his other hand gentlemanly and lightly resting at her waist. As the Weird Sisters' light and lively new tune began, the two glided into the center of the dance floor.
Almost the instant they began moving, many gazes that had been dispersed between Cedric and Fleur, Harry and Cho, focused on them again. If Hermione's stunning appearance came from an incredible contrast of beauty, then Gemma Farley was purely a blooming of charm.
She was tall with perfect proportions, her carefully tailored dark blue evening gown making her skin appear snow-white. Her smooth, shining chestnut hair was arranged in a simple yet exquisite bun, with a few loose strands lazily hanging by her cheeks.
Her face was impeccable under the brilliant lights, especially those sea-blue eyes that seemed to reflect the Aegean sunshine, now sparkling with confident and joyful smiles.
In terms of appearance and temperament alone, Gemma was in no way inferior to Fleur's allure, adding a few touches of a mature witch's capability and the refinement of an English rose.
She and Sherlock standing together were like a perfect couple stepping out of a classical oil painting, their presence harmonizing to an astonishing degree.
The only slightly discordant aspect was that she was even taller than Sherlock. Gemma had considered this point long ago.
The reason she didn't actively invite Sherlock, besides the reason she had told Hermione before, this was another important factor. Because guarding a man's dignity is a woman's greatest restraint. Even if Sherlock didn't care.
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