The white robes made Sunny Finch look like a celestial being from legend.
Her extraordinary presence combined with the outfit gave her an ethereal quality.
Hermione was completely srized.
Draco noted, "She looks nothing like the girl who stord Durmstrang’s door that day."
Harry and Hermione nodded in agreent. Hermione had to admit that no matter how much she had prepared, she felt sowhat overshadowed by Sunny. That outfit was a definite advantage.
Sunny approached Hermione. "My, you look stunning today!"
"You’re the one who looks gorgeous!" Hermione replied, admiring the robes. "That outfit is incredible."
Sunny smiled. "It’s my first ti wearing traditional attire like this. It’s called Hanfu, from my holand. If you like it, I’ll have one made for you."
Hermione nodded eagerly. It was rare to find a witch who didn’t appreciate fine traditional robes, regardless of age.
One by one, Pansy and the others arrived, naturally causing a stir. Pansy wore a sleek black gown, while Cho Chang sported a fitted cheongsam. Penelope Clearwater wore a light blue evening gown, and Cassandra Vablatsky wore bright crimson. Each was stunning in her own right.
But when Fleur Delacour appeared, it nearly stopped ti itself. Fleur possessed Veela blood, and the fashion sensibilities of her holand were distinct from England’s. Her dress perfectly accentuated her figure, making the younger witches feel quite inadequate by comparison.
Aside from Charlotte, Erwin’s seven dance partners gathered together. Entering the Great Hall, they drew nearly every eye. The other witches paled in comparison. What infuriated them most was that their own partners—chosen as fallback options—were also staring at the group of seven. If they hadn’t been pressed for ti, who knows how many confrontations would have erupted?
Once the students had arrived, the doors to the Great Hall closed. The lights dimd instantly, and a spotlight illuminated the center of the floor. Dumbledore appeared, smiling.
"I’m really not accustod to this contraption Erwin invented," he said, his voice echoing through the hall, "but I must admit, it creates a wonderful atmosphere!"
The students laughed.
Dumbledore continued, "First, a warm welco to our guests from Beauxbatons, Durmstrang, and the Kunlun Institute! Hogwarts is honored to host this Christmas Ball for the four schools. As is customary, we shall begin with the opening dance. While it used to be the champions exclusively, considering the large number of guests, we have adapted the rules—after all, this isn’t the first ti we’ve modified tradition tonight!
"So, please welco our first dancers: Headmistress Olympe Maxi of Beauxbatons, and her partner, Rubeus Hagrid!"
Filch, acting as the gatekeeper, opened the doors. A spotlight hit the entrance. Maxi and Hagrid stood there. Even the usually disheveled Hagrid had dressed in formal attire. Hagrid extended his hand, and Maxi placed hers delicately on his wrist. They approached Dumbledore, who bead at them.
He announced, "Next, we have Headmaster Igor Karkaroff of Durmstrang, and his partner, Professor Sprout!"
The doors opened again. It was clear Professor Sprout looked less than thrilled, but there was no avoiding it. Aside from Professor Flitwick, who couldn’t easily participate due to his stature, all staff were expected to join the opening. Sprout had no choice but to endure the company of the disagreeable Karkaroff.
Dumbledore continued, "Next, you all know them well: Professor McGonagall and Professor Snape!"
As the doors reopened and the spotlight swept the entrance, the Great Hall fell into stunned silence. Every eye turned to Snape.
"rlin’s beard? That’s Professor Snape?"
"His hair is so... clean!"
"Look at how handso he is! I never noticed before!"
Even the other professors, including Dumbledore, were montarily stunned. They barely recognized him. Dumbledore smiled warmly. Looking at Snape, he seed a completely different man. Dumbledore was genuinely pleased; it ant Snape had finally erged from the shadows of his past.
Professor McGonagall stood beside Snape, her face lit with a radiant smile. She had been startled when she first saw him. The Snape of today lacked his usual lancholy. He seed to have returned to his youth—handso, composed, and radiating a quiet pride that seed etched into his very bearing. For a mont, McGonagall felt transported back to her own youth, eting him for the first ti.
Snape seed unaccustod to the attention. He extended his arm, and McGonagall placed her hand gracefully on his wrist. She whispered, "Severus, my dear friend... welco back to the light."
Snape froze. Before he could respond, McGonagall moved forward, and he quickly followed. They reached Dumbledore’s side.
"Severus, you remind of days long past," Dumbledore said softly. "I prefer you this way. Welco back."
Professor Sprout smiled warmly as well. Looking at the colleagues he had worked with for years, Snape was overwheld with emotion. After a mont of silence, a genuine smile spread across his face.
"Yes, I’m back, everyone. It’s been too long."
The students, seeing Snape smile, thought they might faint. It was such a rare sight, yet undeniably captivating. So of the younger witches looked ready to swoon.
Dumbledore cleared his throat. "Now, for the pair you’ve all been waiting for: Erwin Cavendish and Charlotte Theresa!"
Reviews
All reviews (0)