Chapter 221: The Scent of Oranges

This was nearly an unsolvable problem; Harry forced food into his mouth while thinking rapidly. What do you do when your opponent is no longer one or two clever, cunning individuals, but an entire group—ignorant, eager for privilege, and fiercely united?

Harry suddenly understood Neville's sense of helplessness against the Death Eaters, and in the school environment of Hogwarts, the most they could do was argue with girls—no physical force allowed. In truth, Harry himself was unwilling to resort to violence; his upbringing had taught him to win influence through negotiation, alliance-building, and establishing prestige.

"We can still only argue with them," Harry swallowed his food. "And we can't just have boys stand up and speak to them—that would leave us evenly matched, and make other houses laugh at us."

"Besides, some boys will join them just to get girlfriends," Ivy said. "There are quite a few like that."

"We need a new issue," Harry recalled his earlier inspiration. "For example, Muggle lives are equally precious. If we can make them argue among themselves over this, the oppressed boys will naturally join our side."

"That won't work," Ron rejected. "Gryffindor has never discriminated against Muggles or Muggle-borns. No one would care enough to fight over it."

"But it's a good direction, Ron," Harry rubbed his chin. "Our goal is to make Ivy regain leadership of the girls' group, so we must build on her existing strengths."

"You can't bring up Romanov, can you?" Ron shook his head. "That would only make things worse."

"It's almost a dead end…" Harry murmured.

"Go ask Zhang Qiu," Ron suggested. "She's always so smart."

"Isn't it too late now? Maybe tomorrow," Ivy glanced at her watch.

"Let's go anyway. Otherwise I won't be able to sleep," Harry sighed, pulling on his robe, and led them toward the Chamber.

After walking through the long, dim tunnel, they arrived again before the massive stone door, inlaid with emeralds and carved with human faces. Through the crack, Harry saw flickering golden light.

Inside, a huge bonfire burned. Zhang Qiu and Elina slept on the same large bed. Even hearing the stone door open, they made no move to rise—only stretched their necks toward the entrance.

"Harry, it's so late. What's wrong?" Zhang Qiu asked.

"Oh, he's here to ask you to be his dance partner. Tell him the news," Elina giggled. "Give him a shock!"

"Ah yes, according to divination, your dance partner at Hogwarts is someone else," Zhang Qiu teased. "It should be Parvati—the most beautiful girl in your year. You'd better hurry and ask her."

"But what about you?" Harry asked instinctively.

"Oh, Harry, I've already agreed to dance with Kevin Kaslana, hahaha!" They burst into laughter again.

"So you and Elina are dancing?" Ivy exclaimed. "That's so weird. Who ever heard of girls dancing together?"

"I gave Ron to you, isn't that fine?" Elina shrugged. "Besides, I've always wanted to wear a white suit and lead the dance."

"Thank you, Harry," Ivy sniffled. "You always save the best for me."

"No, you won't dance with Ron," Harry said calmly after a brief silence. "I've got the answer. You'll dance with Ginny."

"What?" Ron was stunned. "I thought you were going to ask Ginny."

"This is our move, Ron," Harry said. "Split the girls into those who support same-sex romance and those who oppose it—and let them fight."

"A little gossip between Ivy and Ginny won't hurt—we know the truth, so we won't worry. It's the only way. But this way, Ivy can become the representative of this cause and reclaim leadership of the girls' group. And this time, she'll gain support from the boys too."

"What good is boys' support to the girls' group?" Ivy tilted her head.

"The boys support *you*, Ivy," Harry said. "So if a boy declares he's mentally a girl, he can be recognized as one—you'll have far more supporters than Lavender. You must seize this."

"Right! You're a genius!" Ron clapped his hands. "If I'm also a girl, they can't attack me."

"What are you talking about?" Elina looked confused. "What's wrong with girls?"

"Nothing. Parvati, right? I'll remember," Harry said. "We won't disturb you anymore. We need to go make a plan."

"Go, go! Don't forget to find Parvati's sister for Ron," Zhang Qiu called as the stone door closed.

"You said I should dance with Ginny—is that even possible?" Ivy couldn't help asking. "I don't have a suit, and I don't know how to lead."

"Wear Ron's. His robe can be altered a bit for you," Harry said. "I mean, it already looks like a skirt."

"You're insulting my battle robe?" Ron protested. "I danced the whole ball with Elina in this 'skirt.'"

"Times change. This time we both need to be low-key. Wear ordinary suits—borrow two from the Room of Requirement," Harry said. "At the ball, two pairs of girls will dance together. This is the start of our counterattack."

"Right, first girls should support same-sex romance, second boys can claim they're girls…" Ron's eyes widened in realization. "So it all circles back—Neville and Hannah dance, but Neville's actually a trans girl, so the girls can't insult him—they have to support him."

"Now we use 'she,'" Harry's mood lifted instantly. "Ivy and Ginny don't need to actually be together—but you must act it out convincingly. A kiss would be ideal. If Lavender still insists on being a normal girl, she'll have no chance."

"But if she admits she supports this, she can't attack the boys anymore—every boy can claim he's a girl!" Ron clapped excitedly. "Brilliant."

"I'm a little worried," Ivy suddenly said. "Will girls really oppose same-sex romance?"

"For those who've just gained superiority from boys, yes," Harry said. "They want to preserve the old order—male is male, female is female—so they can keep exploiting boys who want girlfriends."

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

"Then most girls are already on your side," Harry tapped her head.

"Oh! Why didn't I think of that before?" Ivy stuck out her tongue. "It's your fault—you knocked my brains out."

The problem was solved. In cheerful spirits, Harry and Ron returned to their dormitory and slept soundly through the night. For the first time since returning, Harry had never slept so peacefully.

Early the next morning, as they got up to head for breakfast, they saw Parvati and Lavender entering through the portrait hole.

"Perfect timing," Ron said. "Go ask her. I'll wait here."

Harry nodded and walked straight to Parvati. "Parvati, would you like to be my dance partner?"

Parvati burst into giggles. Harry waited for her laughter to subside, studying the girl. She appeared to be of Indian descent; many boys in their year called her the pride of Gryffindor, but Harry thought she was a bit dark.

"Okay, fine," she finally said, her face flushed crimson. Lavender laughed and nudged her.

"Thank you," Harry said, remembering Zhang Qiu's reminder. "Is your sister free? I need to find a partner for Ron too."

Lavender's smile vanished. She snapped sharply, "Do you think Parvati gets to decide her sister's dance partner?"

"I didn't mean anything by it—I just asked," Harry felt a sudden bad premonition.

"You don't take this seriously at all. You're used to treating girls as objects—things that elders, husbands, even sons can manipulate at will! You have no respect for women, Harry."

"Uh, yeah, so I can't accept," Parvati said timidly. "That's not right."

"What's not right? I just asked about your sister?" Harry was still baffled.

"No—it's because you don't recognize the oppression women face, and treat it as normal," Lavender said haughtily. "Before you asked Parvati to dance, did you apologize to the women oppressed by men over centuries? Did you make amends?"

"If that's how you think, then I'll take my leave," Harry restrained his anger. "We'll see."

"Oh no, Lavender, you've offended Harry too," Parvati whispered.

"It doesn't matter. Remember, Harry's a boy. No boy is good," Lavender called from behind, but Harry no longer cared to argue.

"They've lost their minds," Harry grabbed Ron and walked off. "We'll find someone else."

"Are you sure? Does this fit the divination? Shouldn't we ask Zhang Qiu again?"

"If she's still playing with Elina, I won't go to the ball at all—we'll spend Christmas in Gilneas!" Harry snapped. "Or I'll wear a dress and dance with you!"

"Seriously, I think that wouldn't be bad," Ron scratched his head. "Don't misunderstand—I mean it's good to go to Gilneas for Christmas, even though I don't even know where that is."