Chapter 145: The Ball Begins

Inside the Shrieking Shack, the two of them huddled together.

Neither spoke, but the flush on their faces never faded.

Both being novices at love, neither knew how to take the next step.

To say they were already together felt like it was missing something; after all, they hadn't even exchanged a formal confession.

Yet to say they weren't together—that kiss just now was too real to deny.

And so, both tacitly maintained this newly sprouted intimacy.

Who knows how much time passed.

*Gurgle~*

Suddenly, the sound of a stomach growling broke the beautiful moment.

"Ahem!" John quickly raised his hand and pretended to cough twice.

Hermione was startled at first, then couldn't help but burst into a giggle.

She looked at John with slightly reddened cheeks, a mischievous smile tugging at the corners of her mouth.

"Looks like someone is starving."

"Actually, I'm fine..."

John said, putting on a brave front.

No sooner had he finished speaking than another *gurgle* sounded~

John's face turned bright red instantly, and he rubbed his stomach in embarrassment.

Hermione laughed even harder, her eyes curving into crescents.

Then she continued to tease him.

"Doesn't seem like your stomach agrees."

John could only scratch his head helplessly and let out a dry laugh.

*Gurgle~*

Just then, another stomach growl sounded.

But it didn't come from John.

It was Hermione.

Hermione's smile froze instantly, and her cheeks quickly flushed an even deeper red.

The two looked at each other; John couldn't hold it back and laughed first, then Hermione gave John's shoulder a shy, angry slap before she couldn't help but laugh along.

Their laughter echoed in the empty room, helping them regain a bit of their familiar rapport and ease.

"Let's go, back to the castle for dinner."

"Only if we're full will we have the energy to dance at the ball tonight."

After laughing for a good while, Hermione pulled John's hand to stand up, winked at him, and said.

John nodded with a smile, followed Hermione out of the Shrieking Shack, and walked back along the secret passage.

Their hands were held as usual, yet there was a bit more intimacy and attachment than before.

When they poked their heads out from the Whomping Willow, they happened to run into Sirius and Big Orange passing by.

After seeing them, Sirius was stunned for a moment, then gave a meaningful smile, said nothing, and headed straight for the castle.

John and Hermione both subconsciously shrank their necks.

A sense of embarrassment at being caught red-handed surged in their hearts; plus, they had just done some things unsuitable for children, so their faces couldn't help but flush red.

Fortunately, Sirius didn't tease them.

Big Orange, as usual, came up to rub against Hermione's leg, as if nothing had happened.

The two finally breathed a sigh of relief, then looked at each other and smiled, feeling a secret, stolen sweetness.

Afterward, they returned to the castle together, which was still filled with the festive atmosphere of the holiday.

Everything was as usual, but from their tightly clasped hands, one could tell that some relationships had quietly changed.

Time quickly reached the evening.

The ball was about to begin, and the little wizards had all changed into their formal wear, heading toward the Great Hall in unison.

John, dressed in a black tuxedo, stood quietly at the entrance of the Gryffindor common room.

He didn't go to the Great Hall to wait for Hermione; instead, he chose to wait for her here.

Passing students cast glances their way.

Several young witches saw the dashing John, their cheeks reddening slightly as they whispered and quickened their pace.

Just then, Harry and Ginny happened to come out together.

Harry was wearing a black tuxedo, and Ginny was in a bright yellow gown.

Seeing John, both of their eyes lit up.

"Hey John, are you waiting for Hermione?"

Harry stepped forward to greet him, and Ginny nodded at him as well.

"Yeah, have you two seen her?"

Both shook their heads; Ginny wasn't Hermione's roommate, so she didn't know Hermione's situation.

Just then, Ron and Lavender came out too.

Ron was wearing a vintage purple robe, which actually looked quite good, while Lavender was in a light blue tulle dress.

They happened to hear John's question, and Lavender, Hermione's roommate, spoke up.

"I just saw her putting on her shoes; she should be down soon. When she comes out, you'll definitely be shocked."

Lavender wasn't very close with John, but she often heard Hermione mention him, so she smiled and said to him.

John nodded; hearing her say that made him a bit nervous, and he subconsciously straightened his bowtie.

Just then, a sound of light footsteps came from the entrance of the common room, and everyone subconsciously turned back.

Hermione walked out slowly, wearing a light pink gown.

She had pinned her hair into an elegant bun, with only a few soft strands left falling by her ears, making her brows and eyes look gentle and moving.

The hem of her dress swayed gently with her steps, like ripples on moonlight.

To avoid being taller than John, she had specifically chosen a pair of low-heeled dance shoes.

The moment she appeared, everyone's gaze was involuntarily fixed, and even their breathing grew lighter.

It was because Hermione's appearance at this moment was like a different person from usual; she was unimaginably beautiful.

John was also slightly stunned, but he quickly regained his senses and walked up to meet her with a smile.

"My dear Miss Granger, you look truly breathtaking tonight."

He smiled while extending his hand, palm up, in a gentlemanly invitation.

"Smooth talker~"

Hermione looked at him, a shy yet bright smile rising at the corners of her mouth, and she placed her hand gently into his palm.

Then she naturally tucked her hand into John's arm, and the two looked at each other and smiled.

John turned back to look at Harry and the others.

"Let's go, everyone."

Harry and the others also recovered from their stupor and followed along.

The group arrived at the entrance of the Great Hall, and the lineup of the two warriors immediately attracted the attention of the entire room.

John and Harry each held their dance partners and came to Professor McGonagall's side.

At this moment, Professor McGonagall was holding the list, her gaze pausing slightly between John and Hermione, a hint of gratified laughter flashing in her eyes.

Fleur and Krum were also standing a bit further away with their partners, waiting.

Seeing them, they also cast glances; John didn't recognize Krum's partner, who seemed to be a Hufflepuff girl, while Fleur's partner was indeed Roger from Ravenclaw.

Roger gave John a thumbs-up; they were at least acquaintances, so John nodded with a smile in response.

Krum, however, looked at Hermione in a slight daze, but was immediately blocked by the very petty John, who also deliberately pulled closer to Hermione, as if declaring some inviolable sovereignty.

Seeing this, Krum frowned slightly but had to withdraw his gaze.

Hermione saw John's childish appearance and couldn't help but chuckle, but she still sensibly leaned against him, responding to his possessiveness.

Just then, Professor McGonagall cleared her throat, signaling them to stand in their designated positions.

The ball was about to begin.

The rest of the students entered the Great Hall one after another, until only the four pairs of warriors remained.

The music in the Great Hall began at the right moment.

The melodious tune flowed like a stream into every corner of the hall, and the sides of the hall were filled with students.

John and Hermione looked at each other and were the first to step into the Great Hall.

Today, the Great Hall had changed from its usual solemn decor to an Ice Palace-like setting.

Crystal snowflakes drifted lightly in the air, and in the center of the hall was a dance floor made of ice crystals.

Amidst the applause and cheers of the students on both sides, they stepped into a section of the dance floor.

The other three pairs followed closely behind, entering the dance floor one by one and occupying a corner.

After standing still, the Great Hall grew quiet again.

And on the innermost high platform, the vocal class led by Professor Flitwick had quietly played the first note.

As the music slowly progressed, John lightly held Hermione's waist.

After the two looked at each other and smiled, they moved lightly on the dance floor, their steps in sync, their hems and robes drawing beautiful arcs as they spun. ===== CHAPTER 146 =====