In the resplendent hall, Professor McGonagall led the champions and their partners forward.
"Hello, Harry," Cho Chang greeted with a smile, "And hello, Parvati!"
Parvati eyed Cho with an openly suspicious gaze, and she wasn't the only one. As the doors of the Great Hall opened and students from all three schools entered, several girls from Beauxbatons shot venomous glares at Cho.
It seemed Cho had become the enemy of all the girls in the school. With a faint bitter smile, she gently tightened her grip on Augustus's hand, drawing warmth from his palm. Gradually, her expression returned to calmness.
Once everyone was seated, Professor McGonagall instructed the champions and their partners to line up in pairs and follow her. They walked in single file toward the large round table at the front, where the judges were seated. The hall erupted into applause as they entered.
The champions took their seats at the head table. Viktor Krum, pulling Hermione alongside him, sat down next to Cho and Augustus. Hermione's cheeks were flushed, her hair styled into an elegant bun, sleek and shining rather than the usual bushy mess.
Golden plates gleamed before them, though no food had yet appeared. Each person had a menu in front of them. Dumbledore glanced at his menu and said clearly to his plate, "Pork chops!" Instantly, the food appeared. Everyone else caught on and began summoning their meals as well.
Krum, however, seemed to have little interest in the food. Sitting beside Augustus, he eagerly struck up a conversation.
"We have a castle too," Krum began, "but it's smaller than Hogwarts and far less comfortable. Ours only has four floors, and we can only light fires using magic. But our grounds are much larger—though in winter, the daylight is so short we can barely use them. In summer, though, we're always outside, flying over lakes and mountains..."
Augustus smiled faintly. "It seems your school must be located quite far north."
Cho added thoughtfully, "You can tell from their attire—it must be in a colder region."
Just as Krum was about to elaborate further, his headmaster, Karkaroff, interjected with a laugh that didn't reach his cold eyes.
"Enough, Viktor! Let's not give away all our secrets, or Augustus and his charming friend here might figure out exactly where we're located!"
Dumbledore chuckled, his eyes twinkling. "Igor, such secrecy... People might think you're not keen on visitors."
Although Krum toned down his revelations at Karkaroff's urging, he continued quietly sharing his school's unique features with Augustus.
Cho exchanged a resigned glance with Hermione. Krum seemed to have entirely forgotten about Hermione and was dominating Augustus's attention, leaving Cho little room to engage.
"You know, our school has always included Dark Arts as a course of study," Krum explained, waving a hand passionately. "To me, magic itself isn't inherently good or evil—it's all about how it's used. Magic is like a tool, just as guns are in the Muggle world. Would you ban guns simply because they can harm people? It's absurd."
Augustus responded with calm composure and a hint of a smile. "The reason Dark Arts are prohibited in Britain is primarily due to their potential to corrupt the user. Without a strong will, repeated exposure to negative energy can affect one's mind. It's like giving a child a weapon—they might harm others, but they're just as likely to harm themselves."
"True," Krum nodded, "Without the right temperament, great power can make one its puppet. One's inner strength determines the breadth of their world. What you've said, Augustus, is truly thought-provoking."
After the meal, Dumbledore rose and motioned for everyone else to stand. With a flick of his wand, the tables along the walls flew to the sides, clearing a space in the center of the hall. He conjured a high stage along the right wall, complete with drums, guitars, a lute, a cello, and several keyboards.
Cho breathed a sigh of relief. Finally, she could escape Krum's endless chatter. The entire feast had been an ordeal, with Augustus barely getting a moment of peace.
At that moment, the Weird Sisters took the stage to thunderous applause. Their wild hair and deliberately tattered black robes gave them a rebellious air. As they picked up their instruments, Harry watched them with eager anticipation, momentarily forgetting what he was supposed to do next. The lights around the other tables dimmed, and the champions and their partners stood up.
The Weird Sisters began with a slow, mournful tune. Cho and Augustus stepped into the brightly lit dance floor. Augustus wore a snow-white robe, while Cho was dressed in a vibrant red gown. As Augustus placed his hand gently on her waist, he found himself momentarily dazed. The last time he had danced, it had been at an imperial banquet when he was just an apprentice mage. Time had passed like water, and everything had changed.
Cho's dark eyes reflected Augustus's flawless, handsome face. Her delicate hands rested lightly on his arm, and as they moved to the music, her fiery red dress flared out like a blooming flower from the underworld. She smiled, her lips curving into a perfect arc.
Augustus's white robe billowed gracefully as he danced, the deep purple cloud patterns on his sleeves flowing with each turn. His golden hair fluttered, and his silver eyes gleamed like moonlit water—clear, profound, and unyielding.
His ethereal movements exuded elegance, weaving red and white waves across the grand hall. Cho followed his lead, her flowing dress trailing behind her. The crowd's attention gradually fixated on the pair. Under the dazzling starlight and the enchanting melody, they seemed like celestial beings descended to earth, dancing in a realm of their own.
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