บท 97: Chapter 94

Harry nodded and picked up the next glass and downed it before healing himself again. Then he downed the next one and once more, healed himself.

Feeling a bit courageous, he picked up the last two shot glasses and he threw them in both at once, this time, not healing himself. The crowd went wild. Beside him, Celestina grinned.

"A deal's a deal," she said, before grabbing his head and pressing her lips against his own. Riding high on the alcohol, Harry kissed back, pressing his own lips against her soft full ones. The crowd's cheers faded into the background and Harry's Gamer's Mind decisively cataloged kissing as one of the best things he'd ever done.

It was a few seconds before she pulled back with a small smirk. "Not bad Harry. Not bad at all."

Ping!

Quest Success!

Impress the lady and the crowd.

Rewards,

3000 exp

A kiss

Ping!

Skill has leveled up twice due to snogging an experienced kisser!

Kissing, Lv- 4 (2%)

It is what it is. The higher level you are the better kisser you are. And remember practice makes perfect.

Your level is kissing leaves the person in a pleasant mode.

Harry waved it away, and feeling a bit embarrassed, he pulled up his healing status and healed his intoxication. The music turned back to loud and the crowd started dispersing.

"Thanks," he said.

"They'll be opening the dance floor soon. You should get back to the ballroom." Celestina suggested with a smile.

"Dance floor! I have to dance?" Harry asked, his expression horrified.

Celestina laughed. "Yup. Enjoy the show hun."

Harry made his way out of the room and back to the ballroom, slightly dazed. Making his way straight to the bar, he chugged down six of the light apfelweins.

'That was an experience and a half,' he thought to himself as he saw Draco weave through the guests and come over to him.

"Hey, Harry. What'd they want you for?"

"Oh you know, this and that. Nothing too exciting," Harry said with a small smile.

Draco looked at him strangely. "Okay…anyway, better find a partner Harry. Father's going to be opening the dance floor."

"Who're you with?" Harry asked.

Draco sneered, "Looks of a harpy, voice of a banshee, and the attitude of a veela. Guess who?"

"Pansy Parkinson? Well good luck with that," Harry said chuckling, "So, do you know anyone who is free and not too old for me?"

Draco looked around. "Well…there's Bulstrode…but I doubt you want to be anywhere near her. And…there's Bones I suppose."

"Bones? I didn't see her coming with us." Harry looked at where Draco was looking. The redhead Hufflepuff was standing right next to the dance floor on the other side of the hall, wearing a flowing yellow dress.

"She wasn't. Most of us Slytherins don't stay at home for New Years. Something about Christmas being time for family and New Years for friends. She came over with her aunt. I reckon you should ask her. She usually doesn't dance though."

Harry was a bit curious about what the Bones were doing at a Ball for the more traditionalistic side of the wizarding government. "Thanks, Draco, I think I will."

"You do that. I'm off to spend seven minutes in hell," muttered Draco and walked off sullenly.

Harry made his way to where the redhead was standing, while Lucius introduced the band and kicked off the dance with his wife. The music started flowing and people started shuffling onto the floor and dancing.

"May I have the pleasure of the first dance Miss Bones?" he asked Susan, getting her attention.

She blushed a little, noticing who it was. "I'd love to…but I erm…can't really dance. I'd probably step all over your toes."

"Oh come on, it'll be fun. We'll make a competition out of who steps on the other's toes the most." Harry said with a chuckle.

Susan smiled and gave her hand to Harry, who led her onto the floor. Carefully dedicating most of his Gamer's Mind's resources to mirroring the movements of the much more experienced dancers around him, Harry and Susan with him fell into the repetitive movements of a comfortable ballroom dance.

"You aren't half bad!" Susan spoke, impressed. "I heard people say that this is your first ball."

"It is. I'm just a quick learner I suppose," Copying the man two spaces away from them, Harry picked Susan and spun around, before falling back into pace.

"I hate to be cliche, but what's a girl like you doing in a place like this?" Harry asked.

"Well…Auntie supports a lot of Mr. Malfoy's legislations, so we're usually invited every year."

"She supports his bills? But I thought with Mr. Malfoy's…dubious past record, your Aunt wouldn't wish to associate with him?"

"He was cleared of all charges Mr. Potter. My Aunt doesn't associate with criminals," Susan's voice had turned a bit frigid.

Harry immediately backtracked. "Oh no. My apologies if that came out wrong. Most people at school tend to portray your family's seat as a neutral legislator. I was just a bit surprised by the fact that she leans towards the blood traditionalists more. And please, call me Harry."

"Oh…it's alright I suppose. You can call me Susan."

"So Susan, how come the Bones seat supports blood traditionalist policies?"

"It's…it's hard to explain. I doubt I could really explain it all that well," Susan hesitated.

"Try me. I'm sure you'll do fine."

She was quiet for a second, thinking. And then she said, "Have you heard of Lisa Turpin, that Ravenclaw girl that doesn't talk to anyone?"

Harry nodded, wondering where this was going.

"Her mother works two seven-hour shifts a day to pay for her Hogwarts fees. They're a poor family and don't get any benefits or help, despite her father giving his life in the last war as an Auror commander. Auntie helps out sometimes. Dumbledore did too I think. But there's only so much they'll accept." Susan said.

They spun one more time, keeping in sync with the music.

"Now picture this for me Harry, Lisa's mother, working as hard as she does, barely gets enough salary to fully pay her rent and get her daughter to school, while someone like Hermione Granger, whose parents can easily afford Hogwarts from their muggle healer salary, gets to have a tuition-free education. How is that not unfair?" Her voice had lost any traces of nervousness as if this was something she was incredibly passionate about.