Chapter 211: Intensifying Contradictions

"What's wrong? What did you hear from Fleur?" Luo En's thoughts immediately shifted back, and he asked curiously.

Harry suddenly understood the powerlessness Neville mentioned when facing the Death Eater group. And in the school environment of Hogwarts, the most they could do was quarrel with the girls and couldn't resort to force. In fact, Harry himself was unwilling to do so. The education he received from childhood made him prefer to win the right to speak through negotiations, winning over, establishing prestige, etc.

"'If it weren't for Madame Maxime deliberately setting the rule to compensate those who are behind, I really don't know how to persuade this guy who only wants to show off; she will affect the plan,'" Cedric repeated Fleur's original words. "She only said that one sentence, and then seemed to realize she had said something wrong, so she turned to talk about other things."

"In other words, according to the plan, Fleur didn't intend to show off," Cedric analyzed, stroking his chin. "And, judging by the way she performed, although it couldn't be called brilliant, she completed the task with ease. Why would Krum start doubting her directly? Could it be that he also came into contact with matters related to throwing the match?"

Harry and Luo En looked at each other; they were hesitating whether to tell Cedric. In fact, Luo En didn't know for sure that the two would throw the match, but he had seen Harry's vague attitude too many times, and he already had guesses in his heart.

"However, regardless of whether they throw the match or not, our strategy remains unchanged," Cedric said. "Winning the competition upright and honestly—that is what I hope for."

"Of course, we just shouldn't throw the match ourselves," Harry breathed a sigh of relief. "As for Fleur's situation, we don't need to pay too much attention, and don't go around talking nonsense. After all, these are just groundless guesses; don't let it affect your relationship with Fleur."

"You're right, I'm going back to continue dancing," Cedric nodded. "You two should also cheer up."

Cedric walked back into the hall, and Fleur was smiling and waiting for him on the spot. It seemed he had come out specifically to take a look because he was worried about the mental state of himself and Luo En.

"Phew, in that case, we also..." Luo En had just adjusted his mood and was preparing to return to the dance floor when he suddenly showed an expression as if he had seen a ghost.

"Harry Potter, I have something to say to you alone." Renata's cold face suddenly appeared beside him.

"What? No, I won't talk to you alone; Luo En must be present." Harry looked into the ballroom; Zhang Qiu and Alina were still chatting happily.

"Then I'll say it directly: I have obtained the original letters between Krum and the British Ministry of Magic," she looked at Luo En faintly. "You wouldn't want the Ministry of Magic's little tricks to be known by the whole world, would you?"

"Of course I wouldn't, but what do you want to say?" Harry asked vigilantly.

"My request is very simple: tell me the true purpose of the Ministry of Magic," Renata said. "Although Britain has two champions, I guess they shouldn't have cooperated with Cedric."

"The true purpose of the Ministry of Magic—yes, I know, but how do I know you are on our side?" Harry responded unceremoniously.

"You are not only cooperating with the Ministry of Magic, but you have also made contact with Master Xuanjun. You are very resourceful, Mr. Potter," Renata said. "I am here to cooperate with you."

"Then what do you intend to cooperate on? What do you want, and what can you offer?" Luo En asked while taking out paper and a pen. "I will record every word you say today, so you'd better not say anything wrong."

"Heh, childish tactics." Renata's expression suddenly changed, and she smiled faintly. "Why should we discuss this topic in the cold wind? Why don't we go in and dance a dance?"

"Is this part of the request?" Harry retorted seriously. "Don't think I will treat it as a reward."

"Hehe, I see your tactics aren't much better." Luo En mocked.

"Then I'll say it directly: if you tell me your plan now and pay a little price, I might consider cooperating with you," she said. "Otherwise, once I investigate the results myself, don't expect me to be so easy to talk to."

"I thought it was something; it turns out it's a bluff," Harry breathed a sigh of relief. "I didn't expect you to cooperate with me in the first place. Of course, I won't tell you my plan easily. I can only say that our cause is just."

"Bourgeois justice, that's all." Renata snorted coldly.

"I remind you to pay attention to your tone!" Harry said angrily. "If you are still so full of hostility toward me, I can only think that you know nothing about Yanayev's overall situation and are just a childish brat who wants to show off."

"I won't tell you anything because I know you can't represent the Soviet Union," Harry said coldly, then turned and walked toward the dance floor.

"I remind you that it's best not to continue pestering," Luo En's serious voice came from behind. "Unless you intend for me to prove that chivalry is not yet dead."

After sitting down beside Zhang Qiu, Harry looked at this gentle partner and suddenly felt much better. If he had been slightly wary of what Renata held before, he now felt much better instead. No matter what Yanayev's layout was, it was preparing to win Harry over; he wouldn't make trouble here because of the outcome of the Triwizard Tournament—the scope was too small. Moreover, Dunton's informants, the childhood tutor Yuri—all these showed that Yanayev knew Harry's composition very well, or at least was trying to change it. Combining various situations, it was not difficult for Harry to conclude that Renata had nothing to do with the overall situation; she was just a child trying hard to win the Triwizard Tournament.

"Oh Harry, we were just talking about this Christmas thing," Zhang Qiu turned back and affectionately pulled his arm. "Alina is going to Hogwarts with us for the holidays; what great news this is."

"Yes, Tang Tang Nade is going to attend the family board meeting, and what's even more outrageous is that he's taking Hermione away to act as his secretary," Alina spread her hands and said. "Where can an orphan like me go?"

"It doesn't matter, you can come with us," Zhang Qiu raised her eyebrows. "Hogwarts has a very great guest room."

"I know, Tang Tang Nade told me; it's the Room of Requirement," Alina said excitedly. "I must go and see it."

"No, no, no, I'm talking about another place. Harry, you should have guessed it, right?" She smiled. "We can decorate it a little to make it more festive."

"You can't be talking about Torchwood... Oh!" Harry laughed suddenly. "That's right, I almost forgot about the Chamber of Secrets. I even think I should write to Neville first and ask him to help clean it up."

"What are you talking about, so happy?" Luo En walked over with light steps; it seemed he had also gotten rid of Renata's pestering.

"Alina is going to Hogwarts with us for Christmas," Zhang Qiu repeated happily.

"That's great, of course, but Harry, don't you need to go back to Dunton?" Luo En asked.

"Don't mention it. The old Sir wrote to me last month; he has a very troublesome commission and has to stay in Albania for at least five months," Harry shrugged. "I'm almost used to it."

When the music started again, they danced a few more dances on the dance floor. Perhaps the news of spending Christmas together was too interesting; Luo En and Alina both seemed to be looking forward to it, and they laughed very happily.

When the night became as deep as water, the ball finally came to an end. The children, exhausted from playing, began to leave the venue one after another, preparing to go back to sleep. Luo En also reluctantly said goodbye to Alina and began to walk toward the train with Harry.

"But most girls won't oppose it," Eve scratched her head.

"Then most girls don't stand on your side?" Harry knocked on her head.

"Yes, why didn't I think of it before," Eve stuck out her tongue. "It's all your fault for knocking me stupid."

The difficulty was solved. In a happy atmosphere, Harry and Luo En returned to the dormitory and spent a sound night. Since he came back, Harry had never slept so soundly.

Early the next morning, just after he got up and prepared to go to breakfast, he saw Parvati and Lavender coming in from the hole behind the portrait.

"This is just right," Luo En said. "Go invite her quickly, I'll wait for you here."

Harry nodded, walked straight to Parvati, and said: "Parvati, would you like to go to the ball with me?"

Parvati let out a string of giggles. Harry waited for her laughter to pass,

"If you want to go, you have to go to Dumbledore," Harry flickered his eyes. "We can't manage this matter."

"But..." Renata still wanted to say something, but Luo En suddenly took out a sword and gently pushed it out of the scabbard a little.

"It's okay, Renata," Krum said hurriedly. "Let the Headmaster talk to the Headmaster; they can handle it. Maybe the guest room can be more comfortable than Alina's."

They ended this unpleasant conversation, and the three of them walked toward the train with relaxed faces. Along the way, Harry kept praising Luo En's action of drawing the sword; drawing a wand would lead to an escalation of the situation, but drawing a sword was neither too aggressive nor could it show a tough attitude—it was very clever.

"But, where did this sword come from?" Zhang Qiu couldn't help asking. "The Seven Deadly Sins are clearly sitting well in the carriage."

"I used Transfiguration to change it," Luo En scratched his head somewhat embarrassedly. "Tang Tang Nade required me to learn this move: turning a belt into a sword."

Harry looked at Luo En's slightly loose trousers; he had never realized that this friend who had always been laughing and joking was actually so reliable. ===== CHAPTER 212 =====