Chapter 311

"If we really bring them all in, we'll have to tear down Hogwarts' native dance partners." Eve shook her head. "What's the point? Totally unnecessary."

"Hmm, you've got a point…" Harry realized he'd just suggested a terrible idea.

"Then why not just take whoever we can get?" Ron didn't want to give up the chance to annoy Malfoy.

"Better yet—we can use this to take a census," Eve quickly devised a new plan. "For students who can't find partners, pair them with outsiders from other schools. That's clever."

"That's another win for Torchwood," Harry nodded. "But we must remember some students can't find partners for legitimate reasons—if they upset outsiders because of some personal issue, it might backfire."

"You've got it backward. If we mistreat our own students just to please outsiders, that's the real loss," Eve countered. "Torchwood exists for Hogwarts students. We don't care what those second-rate schools think. As long as Torchwood keeps benefiting our own, our position is unshakable."

"That's… narrow-minded," Harry frowned.

"I think Eve's right," Ron said. "We should definitely nurture allies like Beauxbatons and Durmstrang—but not everyone deserves to be our ally."

"I think your views," Harry hesitated, sensing this narrow nationalism wasn't good—but also wasn't harmful, "never mind. Let's just go with it."

"I'll handle it," Eve said confidently. "Let everyone sign up voluntarily, then pick who they want to host."

"So we can't make Malfoy suffer after all?" Ron sighed.

"Even if you gave the letter to Draco, he'd probably shrug it off," Eve shrugged.

"We need to find partners for Stuart and Krum," Harry glanced at Ron. "For Stuart, I think Dean or Seamus might suit her—both seem unpaired anyway."

"Give Krum Hermione," Ron said flatly.

"Oh right, that's a good idea. Krum would be thrilled. The only question is whether Hermione will agree," Harry said as they walked.

"Why wouldn't she? Krum's strong, handsome, rich—she has no reason to refuse," Ron raised an eyebrow. "Besides, where else is she going to find a partner?"

Harry hesitated slightly. Indeed, Hermione had no other male friends. Much of that stemmed from last year's tabloid scandals. From an outsider's view, Krum was a fine choice—and he'd likely be delighted.

Besides, Donald was very likely to come with Elina—or devise some other scheme. Harry knew he should avoid interfering in Donald's affairs, but after hearing Cassandra's story, he couldn't fully trust Hermione's safety around him.

They easily found Hermione in the library, sitting alone at her usual spot, quill flicking steadily, deeply absorbed in study.

"Hey, Hermione," Harry sat down across from her, whispering. "We need to talk to you about something."

Hermione looked up, then agreed readily: "Sure, but let's go outside."

The three walked out into the corridor, turned a corner into an empty stretch. Harry noticed this was precisely where Penelope had been attacked in second year.

"So, what is it?" Hermione asked.

"Well," Harry began, "have you found a dance partner yet?" Ron stared off into the distance.

"No," Hermione said frankly.

"Then…" Harry started, but she cut him off: "And I don't need one."

"I'm not attending the Christmas Ball this year," Hermione said calmly.

"Where are you going, then?" Harry asked seriously, fearing this was another of Donald's tricks.

"Oh, I'm going home. Actually, I'm leaving Tuesday," Hermione said. "You've noticed—students aren't studying, teachers aren't teaching."

"You're… going home?" Harry didn't understand. "To the Muggle world?"

"What's so hard to understand?" Hermione replied sharply. "I just want to spend time with my parents."

Harry scratched his head. The reason made perfect sense to him.

"But you don't have to leave so soon—we're having the ball on the twenty-second. You could leave the morning of the twenty-third," Ron urged.

"Oh, mainly because we're going to my grandmother's for Christmas," Hermione shrugged. "She lives in Glasgow, so we need to leave early. That's all."

"But that's too early—I mean…" Ron still didn't get it, but Harry pulled him back.

"The main thing is, Hermione doesn't want to go to the ball," Harry said. "Maybe because you think you don't have a decent partner? I was just about to tell you—Krum's coming. We're here to invite you on his behalf."

"Yes, I don't want to go—but it's not about the partner," Hermione said firmly. "The real reason is, I think it's a waste of time. Meaningless."

"You know the ball isn't just for romance—it's about networking. You'll meet many different people," Harry frowned.

"I know. But I don't see how networking helps me. So I have no interest in meeting them," Hermione said lightly. "Don't think I'm sulking or being petty. I've thought this through carefully—I have a clear, well-planned future."

Harry and Ron said nothing, only stared at her curiously.

"You've probably never considered that the magical world isn't necessarily better than the Muggle world," she said. "The social atmosphere, the political environment, even daily conveniences… frankly, I'd rather be a Muggle who can do magic than a wizard born to Muggles."

"I admit the political climate here is terrible—but most people don't need to care about politics," Harry said. "But social atmosphere and daily conveniences…"

"Because you're the Boy Who Lived," Hermione cut him off again. "And you haven't noticed most of your daily conveniences come from exploiting house-elves."

"Everyone knows house-elves love doing it!" Ron retorted. "And you've admitted yourself—they do it to steal a bit of wizards' magic."

"First, that's just academic speculation—not fact," Hermione took a deep breath. "And even if it were true, it's still wrong. At least, it violates my personal ethics."

"So you plan," Harry summarized, "to leave Hogwarts and return to the Muggle world? You're uninterested in magical society's social events—and you have grievances against it?"

"After graduation, I'm going to Miskatonic University. It accepts NEWT scores and grants degrees recognized by the Muggle world—making it easier for me to return to modern society," Hermione said confidently. "And as for having grievances against the magical world—what, am I not allowed to have opinions?"

"I don't get it," Ron crossed his arms.

"I understand," Harry said fairly. "Hermione's experience in the magical world hasn't been happy—and it's not her fault. But I don't advise you to leave the country so hastily. I think Donald's influencing you too much."

"I don't think that's a bad thing," Hermione shrugged. "Forgive me, but I believe Donald sees further than the Ministry. Whether you accept it or not, Yanayev is launching a top-down reform, forcing magical communities to integrate with Muggle societies. The British Ministry, clinging to the Statute of Secrecy, will only lose."

"You make sense. I respect your choice," Harry didn't want to argue. "But I must warn you—if you're not planning to date any boys at school…"

"Why must I date anyone?" Hermione's tone was unusually firm; she interrupted Harry again. "Who says a woman can't live without marrying?"

"So you've decided to be a celibate?" Harry's eyes lit up.

"Yes. It's the result of deep consideration," Hermione nodded.

"That's fine," Harry thought it wasn't too hard to accept—but he couldn't mention Donald now. "I mean, it's better than loving someone who won't love you back."

Hermione showed a flicker of embarrassment. Ron looked conflicted.

"Alright, keep working," Harry tugged Ron's arm. "We've got to find Krum a partner. Let's go."

"What if Krum dances with Stuart?" Ron blurted out another terrible idea.

Hermione watched them walk away in silence. Harry and Ron never settled on a suitable partner for Krum. They returned to the common room in defeat.

Then they learned a worse piece of news: Dean and Seamus, originally assigned to Stuart, had each taken Paviati and Padma as partners—Padma being one of the options they'd planned for Krum.

"Ask Cho Chang," Ron scratched his head. "She's got connections in Ravenclaw. I'll find Colin or his brother—see if they'll dance with Stuart."

Cho indeed had connections. She found a gentlemanly, handsome boy named Roger Davies to partner Kate Stuart. In return, she arranged for her best friend Marietta to take Krum as her partner.

But when they talked about Hermione, Cho offered a smile—confident yet sympathetic. "Looks like the old illness has returned."