Throughout the day, John had been in a notably weakened state, a shadow of his usual self. The Weasley twins couldn't resist teasing him, inquiring if he had been bitten by the vampire Heinrich, to which John could only roll his eyes in exasperation.
"John, you haven't secured a partner for the Christmas ball yet, have you?" Fu Rong prodded, with the event looming on the horizon. John had indeed been asked by both Parvati and Lavender, but he had declined their offers. His initial plan had been to spend Christmas in the serene Never Breathing Valley, but the treatment he had been administering to Neville's parents had taken precedence. Fortunately, the Longbottoms had awakened and were recuperating well. Percy had relayed a message from them, expressing their wish for Neville to visit after the ball. It seemed they didn't want their son to miss out on the cherished tradition of the Triwizard Tournament.
At lunch, John found himself with little appetite, a sight that prompted Daphne to present her latest culinary experiment: dragon fruit fried rice. John's expression was a mix of surprise and hesitation, but seeing Daphne's hopeful look, he couldn't bring himself to refuse. As he ate, he pondered over Daphne's earnest efforts in cooking, deciding to finish every last grain of rice in support of her endeavors.
The holiday season meant that most students above the fourth grade remained at Hogwarts, making this Christmas particularly vibrant. John, feeling somewhat revitalized, was promptly assisted by Heinrich, much to Daphne's visible annoyance. Given his condition, John opted out of physical activities, instead choosing to delve into magical research in the library. He had recently developed a new spell, one that allowed the caster to delve into the depths of another's heart through dreams, planting a subtle suggestion that could alter behavior more insidiously than the Imperius Curse. Crafting such a spell required extensive knowledge, and John was engrossed in refining it.
Daphne joined him in the library, choosing to work on her Transfiguration homework quietly beside him. The peaceful scratching of quill on parchment filled the air, the library otherwise enveloped in silence. As the sun began to set, John packed up, and Daphne, gathering her things, hurried to join him. He smiled warmly, inviting her to accompany him to dinner.
As they approached the entrance to the Great Hall, John suddenly stopped, turning to face Daphne. Caught off guard, she nearly collided with him, her heart racing as she met his gaze. "Due to certain circumstances, I'll be attending the ball tomorrow," John announced, causing Daphne's heart to skip a beat. Her fingers ceased their fidgeting with the bookmark, a wave of disappointment washing over her as she realized she might not be his chosen partner.
However, John seemed oblivious to her turmoil, casually asking, "Daphne, do you have a partner yet?"
"No!" she blurted out, more quickly than she intended, her heart pounding in her chest. She looked at John, puzzled and hopeful.
"Then, may I extend my invitation to you now?" John said, his smile gentle. He took a step back, bowing gracefully with his left hand behind him and his right hand outstretched. "Miss Daphne, would you do me the honor of being my dance partner?"
Caught in a whirlwind of emotions, Daphne momentarily forgot all her reservations. She reached out, accepting his hand, her heart alight with joy and anticipation for the Christmas ball. Her fingertips brushed against the slender palm, sending a slight tingling sensation from her fingertips through her body and straight to her heart, awakening her senses. "It's my pleasure too, John," she said, her smile blossoming like a rose. Daphne's earlobes flushed pink, and a charming blush spread across her cheeks.
Caught in the moment, Daphne was brought back to reality when John, looking somewhat guilty and tangled in his thoughts, leaned in and whispered, "Actually, I don't know how to dance. Could you teach me?" John's reasoning was straightforward: he couldn't dance and needed someone who appeared proficient. Given Daphne's status as Miss Greengrass, she seemed a perfect choice. Her smile widened, and with a determined look in her eyes, she responded, "I'll practice with you until you get it!"
In John's eyes, Daphne, with a shield in hand and clad in a blue dress, was the captain of a magical team.
The Yule Ball arrived as planned. After a night of diligent practice, John had managed to grasp the basics of dancing, though not without stepping on Daphne's feet a few times. The students arrived in their finest attire; Malfoy stood out in a black velvet gown, his white-blonde hair neatly parted. Astoria Greengrass, in a striking light blue dress, was by his side. Heinrich opted for a dark red suit, his usually unkempt black hair slicked back, revealing his unexpected handsomeness. Percy, too, was without a date, dressed in a navy-blue suit, his hair meticulously combed.
John's gaze found Daphne. After a night of teaching him to dance, she had managed to change into a breathtaking outfit and apply delicate makeup. Unlike her sister's blue dress, she wore a white gown that trailed behind her, adorned with gems that twinkled like stars. Her golden hair cascaded down her back like silk, making her resemble a pure white pearl.
"Didn't I keep you waiting?" Daphne asked, her cheeks still flushed from the excitement and the grandeur of her dress.
"Waiting is for better things, isn't it?" John replied with a chuckle. His attire was less elaborate, a slim black suit that accentuated his tall, slender figure, broad shoulders, and narrow waist, giving him a princely appearance. He stood there, hand outstretched to her.
Daphne had rehearsed this moment countless times in her mind, yet she still felt her heart flutter. Taking his arm, they became the center of attention as they made their way into the ballroom. Astoria's eyes sparkled at the sight.
As they took their seats, it was time for the champions to make their entrance. Fleur Delacour, representing Beauxbatons, was as stunning as ever in a silver-gray satin robe that complemented her hair color perfectly. Her dance partner was Roger Davies, the Ravenclaw Quidditch captain. Cedric Diggory, ever the gentleman, escorted Cho Chang, carefully guiding her steps. Viktor Krum, in a regal red suit, looked every bit the northern prince, with Hermione Granger by his side in flowing lavender blue gowns, her brown hair elegantly pulled back. She looked transformed, her previously oversized front teeth now perfectly proportioned, leaving John in awe. "Is that Hermione? Where are her teeth?" he wondered, quickly reminding himself of the wonders of the wizarding world. Hermione, despite her impressive background, often neglected her personal care due to her focus on academics. However, when she did take the time to groom herself, she left everyone in awe. John found himself puzzled by Hermione's pairing with Krum, unable to grasp what drew them together. His gaze then shifted to Ron, who was accompanied by Parvati's sister, Padma. Padma was strikingly beautiful, but Ron seemed oblivious to her presence, his attention solely on Hermione. This left Padma looking noticeably displeased. Ultimately, all eyes landed on Harry as he made his entrance. His defining feature was his smile, albeit a bit forced at the moment. Harry, known for his sunny disposition, had Parvati as his dance partner. After being turned down by John previously, Parvati had readily accepted Harry's invitation.
The four champions proceeded to the head of the table, where Dumbledore greeted them with a joyful smile. The ball also saw the attendance of Old Barty, who opted for a more relaxed attire compared to his usual tight-fitting clothes. Madam Maxime and Karkaroff were present, alongside other faculty members. Yet, it wasn't the professors who captured the most attention. It was the man donning a silver mask that caused a stir among the students. They whispered in excitement, recognizing him as Johnny Silverhand. Unnoticed by others, John and Johnny Silverhand exchanged a subtle nod. Johnny then averted his gaze, the corners of his eyes crinkling as if he was smiling beneath his mask.
Heinrich, who was also in attendance, scowled upon noticing Johnny Silverhand's presence. He muttered under his breath about Kim Ledisley, labeling him a cunning man. The atmosphere was charged with an intriguing mix of admiration, curiosity, and underlying tensions, setting the stage for an unforgettable evening.
_________
If you are tired of reading I also have this converted to an audio novel on my youtube
https://www.youtube.com/@NovelAudioForge/featured
Direct Link to playlist
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_Hg-qsW4rM&list=PLKskshYG-OcPTR4-Nw7IWFEBZm07D8pBV&ab_channel=NovelAudioForge