[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-starting-at-hogwarts-logging-into-elden-ring":3,"chapter-starting-at-hogwarts-logging-into-elden-ring-starting-at-hogwarts-logging-into-elden-ring-chapter-218":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Starting at Hogwarts, Logging into Elden Ring",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1496342,1944,"Chapter 218: Bold Hermione and Ranni Who Refused to Be Outdone","starting-at-hogwarts-logging-into-elden-ring-chapter-218",218,"\u003Cp>Harry and Ron chatted as they headed toward the ballroom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ron's smile vanished the moment he stepped inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first thing he saw was Ginny waving at Harry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Forgetting all about finding his own partner, Ron grabbed Harry by the shoulder and dragged him aside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why is Ginny here?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I invited her to be my partner,\" Harry replied. \"What's wrong?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ron's expression turned grave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You don't have ideas about my sister, do you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The look on his face practically screamed: I treat you like a brother, and you want to become my brother-in-law?!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Harry shot him a speechless glare.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You're overthinking it. I just couldn't find a suitable partner, so I invited Ginny.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But once his sister was involved, Ron's brain clearly stopped functioning properly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What do you mean by that?\" Ron snapped. \"Are you saying Ginny isn't a suitable partner? Then why did you invite her at all?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Harry slapped Ron's hand away—it was crumpling his dress robes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After smoothing them out, he said helplessly, \"That's not what I meant. Are you sure you're focusing on the right problem?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just then, Ginny walked over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ron, why are you dragging Harry around?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was clearly unhappy that her partner had been stolen away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ron shot back, \"I should be asking you—what are you doing here? And where did you even get that dress?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ginny frowned at her youngest brother.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'm here to attend the ball, obviously. And Mum sent me the dress after she found out I was coming.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ron froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why was he given a second-hand disaster while Ginny got a brand-new outfit?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was the youngest son in the Weasley family—did all the love really go to Ginny with nothing left for him?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ginny looked at Ron's dazed expression and decided her brother might be contagious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She leaned toward Harry and whispered, \"Let's go. Don't mind him—his brain isn't working tonight.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Harry nodded in agreement. Ron really was acting strange after entering the hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two quietly moved away, leaving Ron to be dealt with by his own partner.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No sooner had Harry and Ginny separated from Ron than Professor McGonagall approached them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You're here, Potter. Are you and Miss Weasley ready?\" she asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ready for what, Professor?\" Harry asked blankly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"For dancing, of course. It's tradition. The champions always open the ball. I told you,\" McGonagall replied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No, you didn't,\" Harry said honestly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>McGonagall paused, awkwardly rubbing the back of her neck.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…I suppose I forgot.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Well, you know now. Come along—we need to prepare.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She led Harry and Ginny toward the inner hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the entrance, the other champions and their partners were already waiting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The most dazzling pair was undoubtedly Fleur and Penelope.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Penelope wore a sky-blue gown, her long chestnut curls cascading down her back, elegant and radiant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fleur needed no description—Veela blood made beauty second nature. Her silver-gray robes matched her hair perfectly, enhancing her otherworldly charm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nearly all eyes were on them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All except Harry's.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was staring at Cho, held close by Cedric.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing how intimate they looked, Harry felt a sharp ache in his chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At fourteen—the age when feelings first blossomed—his first love hadn't even had time to sprout before it died outright.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the lively warmth of the Yule Ball, Harry suddenly felt painfully out of place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one noticed his low mood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone's attention was drawn instead to the newly arrived trio—Hermione, Ranni, and Arthur.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hermione wore a pale blue-pink evening dress, her hair swept up neatly, giving her a serene, gentle air tinged with mystery.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ranni wore an elegant blue-and-white gown, her long hair loose but perfectly arranged. Paired with her cool, aloof demeanor, she resembled a snow-born spirit—or a full moon encircled by stars.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Between them walked Arthur.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He'd styled his hair slightly, revealing his sharp, well-defined features. Dressed in a fitted black tailcoat, tall and graceful, he looked every bit the refined gentleman.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The three instantly became the center of attention, completely overshadowing even Fleur and Penelope.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Professor McGonagall nodded in satisfaction at her student's appearance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"All champions are present. Let's begin.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The doors opened, and the four champions entered with their partners.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leading the way was Arthur, holding Hermione and Ranni on either side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anyone who didn't know better would've thought he was the Triwizard Champion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Behind them came Fleur and Penelope—the only all-female pair of the night, equally eye-catching.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After those two stunning combinations, the sight of Krum and Harry in ordinary male-female pairings felt almost underwhelming by comparison.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Professor Flitwick stood atop the conductor's platform and signaled the orchestra to begin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arthur placed an arm around Hermione, and the two glided onto the dance floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ranni stepped aside—for the first dance rightly belonged to Hermione, the champion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arthur had already promised Ranni the next dance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ginny noticed Harry's stiffness and took the initiative, lifting his hand and placing it on her waist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hold properly,\" she teased. \"The music's started—don't step on my feet.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She even gave him a playful wink.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Harry's heart skipped a beat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In that moment, he decided to bury his failed first love and simply enjoy the present.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the music swelled, more students joined the dance floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Skill levels varied wildly, but everyone was smiling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially Hagrid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His partner was none other than Madame Maxime.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were dancing too—though Hagrid's posture was… questionable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since Madame Maxime was taller than him, Hagrid's head ended up resting far lower than appropriate, and the hand meant for her waist had drifted somewhere it definitely shouldn't.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether it was accidental or intentional… no one could say.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arthur and Hermione glanced over just in time to see Madame Maxime forcibly move Hagrid's wandering hand upward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So the big, honest-looking half-giant was a closet pervert after all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the music ended, Hermione—perhaps swept away by emotion—leaned in and kissed Arthur passionately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arthur hadn't expected such boldness, especially in front of so many people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as he was about to respond properly, the surrounding crowd erupted into applause and cheers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hermione snapped back to her senses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Realizing what she'd just done, her face turned bright red.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She fled from Arthur's arms, covering her face as she vanished into the crowd, leaving the rest of the evening to Ranni.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arthur didn't chase her—Hermione needed time to calm down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And besides, he still owed Ranni her dance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So he turned and took Ranni's hand for the second song.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ranni, never one to lose, refused to be outdone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the second dance ended, she leaned in and kissed Arthur as well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The hall fell silent for a full thirty seconds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only when the Weasley twins began clapping did the noise return.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most students had suspected something unusual about Arthur's trio, but seeing it confirmed left them utterly stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Muggle-born students were in disbelief—how could someone juggle two girlfriends in a society built on monogamy?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pure-blood students were far less shocked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some old families practiced far more extravagant arrangements, all in the name of lineage and inheritance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Malfoys were actually the exception.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucius and Narcissa both came from the Sacred Twenty-Eight, evenly matched in status and power. Lucius was also famously devoted, never taking mistresses or secondary partners.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Regardless, envy was universal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The boys envied Arthur for having two lovers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The girls envied Hermione and Ranni—for sharing a man that exceptional.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Advance Chapters Available on Patreon\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>patreon.com\u002FWhiteDevil7554\u003C\u002Fp>",1220,"2026-06-06T04:19:46.381Z",1,"novelbin.me","e1b623211dfca76c114e122a374145711cb59e190bfac48526ee061664e5461b","starting-at-hogwarts-logging-into-elden-ring-chapter-219","starting-at-hogwarts-logging-into-elden-ring-chapter-217",281,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fstarting-at-hogwarts-logging-into-elden-ring-cover.jpg"]