Chapter 209: The Crazy Ball

When they each found their seats and began eating lightly to settle their stomachs, Harry noticed Krum entering. He wore a red uniform-like formal coat with a single-sided fur-trimmed cape over his left shoulder, which, combined with his naturally rugged face, made him look quite dashing.

It was said that because Krum had no particular talent for facial expression, Karkaroff had told him that with his demeanor, simply maintaining a stern look was always enough to appear impressive.

Or perhaps he was genuinely unhappy, which was why he wore that scowl—because beside him, Renata, with her pale golden hair and silver crystal-embellished gown, was equally icy.

Renata wore long white gloves, her arm entwined with Krum's red coat, making the contrast striking. Both wore expressions of cold detachment, which somehow looked cool. Many couldn't help but be drawn to the pair, for apart from their expressions, they were undeniably beautiful.

At eight o'clock, the champions were to lead their partners to the professors' table to bow to the judges, then sit at the side tables. Harry and Zhang Qiu rose naturally; Zhang Qiu adjusted the ribbon hanging from her arm.

Cedric and Fleur walked first, both beaming brightly. Harry stared at the large expanse of Fleur's bare white skin and involuntarily swallowed hard, causing Zhang Qiu to pinch him.

Harry managed to avoid making a fool of himself—in fact, he did quite well. Madame Maxime praised him for his "great poise," while Karkaroff said he looked "like a Muggle"—though for most, "like a Muggle" wasn't even a criticism.

When Ron and Elina bowed to the judges, Madame Maxime burst into giggles, and Dumbledore laughed and said, "You look wonderful." In fact, Dumbledore himself was dressed in an extravagantly flamboyant manner.

Next came Krum and Renata. Karkaroff and Vaskov spoke in unison: "Have fun, children." But their stern expressions didn't soften one bit.

Once everyone was seated, Harry finally had the chance to examine the hall in detail. The walls shimmered with starlight; the ceiling hung with wreaths of mistletoe and ivy; ice sculptures lined the room, glowing like diamonds. The Forest Nymph Choir stood in one corner, singing sacred hymns with haunting grace. A warm, comforting feeling rose in his chest—he realized Clara's stories about napping had all been true.

He also noticed Fleur whispering softly, while Cedric focused intently on slicing his steak. Harry initially worried they weren't getting along—but when Cedric handed Fleur the sliced steak, Harry smiled in satisfaction and looked away.

Ron and Elina chatted merrily; Elina's smile never faded, and both their expressions were slightly exaggerated. Harry could catch snippets of their conversation if he listened: "... onald's having another fit again—look at him, 'I've already picked up my napkin!' Look at his expression, his gesture."

"According to him, I need to hand him a cigarette, and he'll go have his fit somewhere else." Elina laughed, miming handing a cigarette with a French fry.

Harry couldn't help glancing down at another table—Donald was holding his napkin in an absurdly dramatic pose. Perhaps it was a joke from one of his stories; Harry didn't quite get it, but he found it amusing.

At the professors' table sat Prince Montbatten, dressed in a proper white shirt and bow tie, talking with Clara. But what made Harry's eyes widen was that students seated among the professors weren't just Hermione.

Donna sat beside Barty, and they seemed to be getting along well. Harry found this hard to understand—after all, she'd mocked Barty's Scottish accent mercilessly—or hadn't she already found a partner? He couldn't make sense of it; it was simply too insane.

Jack Harkness, the most discussed among Beauxbatons students, had restrained himself from choosing a male partner and instead led away Barty's female assistant. She was Black, but not very dark—perhaps of Latin American descent. After her makeover, she carried a distinct allure.

Harry's gaze circled back to the champions' table. Renata and Krum's conflict remained unresolved; they faced each other, silently eating their food. Krum was breaking apart a roasted garlic clove—Harry could think of no reason for eating garlic before a ball except to sulk; Renata was eating cheese soaked in yogurt, which seemed hardly better than garlic.

He then noticed Renata had worn extremely high heels to match Krum's stature—Harry could hardly imagine how she'd walked in without toppling over.

Thinking of it, he glanced down at Zhang Qiu's heels—not very high, but not low either. Her calves seemed to glow with an odd luster: soft, smooth, vividly radiant—until he realized it was the common East Asian sheer stockings, and immediately received a sharp tap on the head.

"What are you looking under the table for?!" she scolded.

After eating half-heartedly, at Madame Maxime's signal, the Forest Nymphs began playing a dance tune. The four champion pairs entered the floor first, beginning their first dance.

Harry and Ron still moved with ease, thanks to the dance party Eve had insisted on holding over summer—they'd both practiced well. Cedric, by contrast, was entirely guided by Fleur's steps.

Krum was even more absurd. Renata insisted on dancing a difficult tango, and though Krum couldn't dance, he matched her step for step through sheer physical strength and athleticism, stomping his shoes heavily on the floor as if trying to crush her toes; Renata, meanwhile, always moved her foot just in time, her high heels tapping crisp, clear rhythms against the floor, drawing many glances without even trying.

After the opening dance, couples began streaming onto the floor. Krum and Renata seemed determined to continue their tango duel—but everyone else decided to rest for now and return later.

Harry and Zhang Qiu walked to the side, looking for seats. Suddenly he spotted a familiar figure and sat beside him—also to give Ron and Elina more privacy.

"Hi, I remember Donna calls you Sean." Harry greeted him.

"That's right. I'm Sean Temple." The lone boy replied in accented English.

"Why did Donna go dance with Professor Crouch?" Zhang Qiu asked curiously. They seemed to be dancing well together.

"Female vanity," Sean sighed. "She saw how outstanding the champions' partners were and didn't want to seem outdated."

"You're handsome too. Dancing with you wouldn't be outdated at all," Zhang Qiu said.

"But why Crouch?" Harry scratched his head. "He's not even the most handsome professor."

"Because Professor Crouch is married. She didn't want me to feel uncomfortable," Sean said. "Last time I saw him in his office, he'd written half a letter. Most of it was incomprehensible, but he addressed the recipient as 'Dear Bazhu'—and the letter was full of intimate phrasing."

"Bazhu?" Harry mused. "That's a strange name. Is he Asian?"

"No Asian would take a name like that," Zhang Qiu shook her head.

"Anyway, Professor Crouch has no interest in balls," Sean shrugged. "Donna promised me she'd come back to dance with me after the first dance with the professor."

"Do you feel uncomfortable?" Harry asked curiously. "You seem happy enough."

"I don't mind. She could never fall for a married professor," Sean said. "It's just one dance. Sometimes you have to indulge your girlfriend."

Harry instinctively glanced at Hermione spinning under Donald's lead—he found the situation worrying.

"I'm going to the restroom." Sean, feeling awkward, made an excuse and left.

"It's so hot." Elina plopped down beside them the moment Sean was gone. "Ronald went to get drinks."

"You're sweating," Zhang Qiu said, touching her shoulder. The thin silk now clung to her arms, translucent.

"Ronald?" Harry blinked. "I haven't called him by his full name in centuries. Doesn't he want you to call him Ron?"

"He does, but I think Ronald sounds better. Three syllables always sound better than two."

"Then you can call me Caliph," Harry said. Zhang Qiu burst out laughing.

Elina let out a tinkling laugh as well.

"You two are a pair of clowns," she said. "I love this kind of humor."

Ron arrived carrying a large ice bucket filled with several bottles of pumpkin juice.

"You're all here. Have you seen Cedric?" he asked.

"No." Harry now noticed he'd brought six drinks. "They probably won't drink this."

"Right—they'll prefer the adults' drinks, like butterbeer or champagne," Elina said sourly.

Harry suddenly realized: Hermione had been stressing unity among the champions—perhaps because Fleur and Elina genuinely disliked each other.