The entrance hall was packed with students, many meeting their partners from other houses.
The arrival of Alaric, Hermione, and Cho Chang immediately drew everyone's attention.
However, they were soon captivated by another person's charm.
Fleur Delacour approached.
She was dressed in a silver-grey satin gown that complemented her silver hair, exuding breathtaking beauty.
By her side was her sister, Gabrielle Delacour, dressed similarly to her elder sister, resembling a younger version of Fleur.
Upon reaching Alaric's side, Fleur's first action was to scrutinize Hermione and Cho Chang from head to toe.
"Oh, if I had known, I wouldn't have rushed with my dress. Your design skills are indeed impressive," she muttered begrudgingly, unwilling to admit Hermione and Cho Chang's natural beauty.
Then she turned to Alaric, "So, this dress is made from my hair?"
"Yes, I used your hair to weave the golden patterns on the collar," Alaric proudly displayed, puffing out his chest.
"How does it look?"
"It gives me a headache just looking at it," Fleur remarked with lingering discomfort.
Alaric had used her hair for the effect of Veela hair, a process that, despite being charmed, was still quite unpleasant.
Alaric awkwardly adjusted the collar and said, "Shall we proceed?"
"That was a rather abrupt change of subject," Fleur scoffed, but she obediently walked alongside him.
Cho Chang timely joined Hermione on the other side, knowing that tonight, the champions of the Triwizard Tournament were the main attractions.
A group of Slytherin students emerged from their common room staircase.
Leading them was Draco Malfoy in a high-collared black velvet robe, accompanied by Pansy Parkinson in a light pink gown adorned with ruffles, clinging tightly to Malfoy's arm.
Crabbe and Goyle, both dressed in green, resembled moss-covered boulders, unable to find dance partners.
Soon after, the Gryffindor wizards arrived.
Alaric noticed that Harry and Ron were without partners, awkwardly walking together.
Many girls looked at them strangely.
Harry's gaze lingered on Cho Chang.
"It seems Potter does like you," Hermione whispered discreetly, but Cho Chang simply shrugged.
A few days earlier, he had attempted to invite Cho Chang, believing that being a champion would earn him her favor.
Yet, to his surprise, she had straightforwardly declined.
The oak front doors swung open, and all heads turned to see Durmstrang students entering alongside Professor Karkaroff.
Krum led the way, accompanied by a pretty girl in a blue robe whom Harry didn't recognize but Krum glanced at Hermione a couple of times.
"Krum seems to like you too," Cho Chang quickly retaliated, causing Hermione to feign ignorance and look elsewhere.
Krum had been following Hermione for some time, having previously invited her and claiming to visit the library daily just to strike up conversations with her.
"Hey," Fleur suddenly grabbed Alaric's hand and asked.
"Do you realize that the pursuers of your two girlfriends seem to be the other two champions? Don't you feel threatened?"
"Threatened?"
Alaric raised an eyebrow dismissively.
"They are just insignificant competitors, not worth my attention.
Their presence only serves to prove your charm and my discernment."
"Conceited man..." Fleur's spirited retort was defeated by Alaric's response, yet she couldn't help but admit that he indeed possessed a certain dominance.
They continued forward and saw a lawn in front of the castle transformed into a grotto, twinkling with the light of countless fairies.
Several hundred living fairies sat in magical rose bushes or fluttered on statues, which resembled Santa Claus and his reindeer.
At that moment, Professor McGonagall's voice rang out, "Champions, please come this way!"
"See you later."
Hermione and Fleur bid farewell to Cho Chang and Gabrielle, then walked hand in hand with Alaric, creating a pathway through the chattering crowd.
Professor McGonagall, wearing a red plaid robe with an unattractive thistle wreath on her hat brim, instructed them to wait by the door while others entered.
Once the students were seated, they would queue up and enter the Great Hall.
Harry, without a partner, looked bewildered.
Suddenly, Alaric remembered his recent research on Polyjuice Potion and Transfiguration.
He discreetly drew his wand and, when everyone's attention was on Professor McGonagall, pointed it at Ron beside Harry.
The next moment, Harry noticed his friend had transformed into a redhead girl, and his male formal robes had changed into a red dress.
She now bore a striking resemblance to his sister Ginny, albeit with more freckles, essentially a female version of himself.
As they stood there, bewildered and unsure of what had happened, Alaric reminded them.
"No one saw that just now. I think you two should just go along with this for now and not keep Professor McGonagall waiting."
After some thought, Harry nodded thoughtfully.
"You're not seriously considering doing as he says, are you?"
Ron exclaimed in shock, only to realize she had let out a shrill female voice and immediately covered her mouth.
"I'm sorry, Ron, I didn't mean for this to happen either," Harry pleaded, clasping his hands together.
"I just don't want anyone to know that a champion like me couldn't find a partner.
Malfoy would tease me for the whole term! Sorry, Ron, you're my best friend and the only one who can help me now."
"But...," Ron stuttered, struggling to speak in this girl's voice.
"But if anyone finds out the truth, Malfoy will mock us for a lifetime, and we might even end up in the Prophet."
"It won't happen, Ron," Harry reassured.
"As long as we don't slip up, no one will notice."
...
They argued like this for quite some time before Ron reluctantly agreed.
"Fine, I'll help you," she (he) sighed, resigned.
"But only for two dances. After that, you have to change me back. Got it? Oh, and Alaric! You monster, did you hear what I said?"
He immediately nodded and quickly moved forward, wanting to get away from this guy.
Ron turned into a girl and even changed his way of speaking.
Is it his problem or my magic problem? Could this magic change both physiology and psychology together?
Then he glanced at Ron again.
At this moment, he actually noticed that Miss (Mister) Weasley blushed when holding Harry's hand, looking shy.
Could this magic really change even psychology?
Turning a best friend of the same sex into a liked one of the opposite sex?
This, this, this...
This magic must not be used by myself! I must remember that!
After repeatedly reminding himself in his heart several times, Alaric quickly walked away, his eager demeanor surprising the two girls beside him.
--- It seems that he doesn't like dancing, but in his heart, he is quite looking forward to it.
This is probably for my sake. Awesome!
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