At the guest table, Dumbledore engaged in conversation with old Barty Crouch Sr. "Where has Ludo gone?" Dumbledore inquired, scanning the room for the usually vibrant Ludo Bagman.
Barty Crouch Sr., no longer wearing his previously stiff smile, replied, "Ludo has recently encountered some issues, preventing him from attending today."
"That's unfortunate," Dumbledore expressed with a hint of regret. "Today's dance is quite the lively affair."
"It might be even more lively where he is," Barty Sr. remarked with a meaningful smile. He had only recently discovered that Ludo Bagman's grandson had attempted to manipulate the game from behind the scenes, which infuriated him. After waiting for so many years for a chance to elect a new Minister of Magic, this scandal threatened to turn him into a laughingstock.
Upon learning of this, Barty Sr. decisively sought help from John, knowing well that Ludo would not heed advice. John, anticipating Barty's request for assistance, had 'kindly' invited Ludo to the office of Silver Hand, holding him captive in the garden of the Silver Hand's store, disguised as Johnny Silverhand. With the Auror office under John's control, no investigation into the Ministry of Magic official's imprisonment ensued. Barty Sr., wanting Ludo to learn his lesson, kept the Ministry in the dark about the situation.
Ludo, deprived of his wand and trapped for over a day, lay against the wall, his attempts to escape futile. The sight of a field of flowers, eerily reminiscent of Johnny Silverhand's warning during the first task, sent shivers down his spine, especially when he stumbled upon an unknown bone among the flowers.
Meanwhile, the Christmas ball was in full swing, with Dumbledore ensuring everyone was well-fed before the dancing began. John, examining his menu, found the items listed peculiar. "Fried Tianshan snow lotus? Salt and pepper scorpion heads? Sauce burst centipede legs? Mouse tail juice? This is outrageous, even for someone as skilled in martial arts as I am," John mused, suspecting someone had tampered with his menu. His gaze landed on a bashful Daphne, unaware that the house-elves had prepared this unique menu just for him, a gesture of deep respect influenced by Daphne's suggestions.
Gratefully, John thanked them for the pineapple pizza, silently apologizing to Italy for the unconventional choice. After braving the pizza, he decided against trying any other items on the menu.
Daphne, meanwhile, elegantly enjoyed her steak, cutting it into small, manageable pieces. Once she finished, Dumbledore stood, prompting the students to do the same. With a wave of his wand, Dumbledore cleared the tables to the walls, creating a spacious dance floor and conjuring a stage with instruments.
As the students admired Dumbledore's transfiguration skills, John couldn't help but comment, "Brilliant transfiguration." The stage was set for the famous wizarding band, the Weird Sisters. Despite their name, the band comprised entirely of men, known for their thick hair and deliberately torn clothes. From John's perspective, their edgy, beggar-style appearance seemed to be a unique fashion statement in the wizarding world. At the rock circle, the atmosphere was a blend of sharp style and melancholic tunes. Fleur, with her confident smile, gracefully invited Roger Davis to the dance floor. Roger, utterly enchanted by Fleur, would have done anything for her at that moment, even if it meant confronting Harry.
Cedric, ever the gentleman, extended his hand to Cho Chang, and together, they made their way to the dance floor. The fusion of Eastern and Western elegance was a sight to behold, as both were undeniably attractive.
Viktor Krum, with his characteristic grace, asked Hermione to dance. Hermione accepted, causing a ripple of jealousy through the crowd, particularly from Ron. It seemed Ron was more interested in sulking than dancing with Padma Patil, who was just as renowned as her sister at Hogwarts. This left John pondering the complexities of Ron's jealousy.
Harry was the last to join, his expression one of discomfort as he danced with Parvati Patil. John couldn't help but notice Harry's gaze fixed on the ceiling, as if he found it more appealing than his dance partner.
Amidst his observations, John was caught off guard when Daphne Greengrass stood up and invited him to dance. Swallowing his amusement, John took her hand with a smile and led her to the dance floor. As they danced, their movements were a fluid blend of practiced steps and spontaneous grace, drawing the attention of many, including Astoria Greengrass, who watched them with admiration.
Meanwhile, Draco Malfoy's attempt to invite Astoria was thwarted by her fascination with John and Daphne's dance. Feeling slighted, Draco turned to Pansy Parkinson, only to be rebuffed. His mood soured further when Gregory Goyle mocked him, leading to a heated exchange between the two.
The situation escalated until Severus Snape intervened, dragging both boys away by their ears. The altercation outside was a stark contrast to the elegance of the dance floor.
As the evening progressed, John couldn't help but laugh at the absurdity of the events unfolding around him. The night was a mix of elegance, jealousy, and unexpected confrontations, making it an unforgettable experience. John gently wrapped his arms around Daphne's slender waist, intending to help her up. However, he applied too much force, inadvertently pulling her close against his chest. Daphne reacted as if she had touched a scalding kettle, hastily retreating from the embrace. The contact was fleeting, yet when John glanced at Daphne again, her face was flushed with such a deep red that he worried she might be feverish. "Are you okay? Do you need to visit the school infirmary?" he asked with genuine concern.
Daphne, overwhelmed by the situation, covered her face and fled, leaving John unable to stop her. He stood there, puzzled and scratching his head. "What just happened?" he muttered to himself. The collision had been unexpected, and given his current state of recovery, it was more painful than it should have been. He couldn't recall ever noticing how hard Daphne's head was before.
As he contemplated taking a moment to rest, Padma Patil from Ravenclaw approached him with a smile. "Would you like to dance with me?" she asked invitingly.
From a distance, a pair of onlookers, known for their fondness for gossip, nearly sprang into action, ready to confront Padma. They were indignant at the thought of someone making a move on their friend's (or best friend's) interest in her absence.
John glanced over at Ron, who was completely absorbed in watching Hermione, oblivious to Padma's approach. A wave of loneliness washed over John, prompting him to reflect aloud, "I'm lonely."
This moment highlighted the complex web of relationships and emotions at play, with John caught in the middle, trying to navigate his feelings and the social dynamics of Hogwarts.
_________
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