บท 121: Dance!
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The atmosphere, lightened by the exchange, turned back to the more pleasant matters at hand. Petunia, who had observed the interaction with a mixture of pride and amusement, finally spoke up. "It's refreshing to see that not all magic involves wands and spells. Sometimes, the right words can be just as powerful."
The evening progressed, with the unpleasant interlude quickly fading into the background as the guests immersed themselves in the festivities. The music, conversation, and laughter filled the ballroom, a testament to the enduring spirit of those gathered.
As the night wore on, Harry found himself reflecting on the events of the evening. The interactions, both challenging and rewarding, had offered him a deeper insight into the complexities of the wizarding world.
At the moment the music shifted, heralding the start of the Yule Dance, Harry extended his hand towards Petunia, inviting her for the first dance. Their arrival together at the event had been a statement of their bond, and naturally, Harry wouldn't consider sharing this inaugural dance with anyone else. As they took to the dance floor, numerous eyes turned towards them, captivated by Petunia's grace and beauty. Despite the attention, no one approached to ask for a dance, respecting the exclusive moment between Harry and his aunt.
After sharing this special dance with Petunia, who gracefully declined any further invitations to dance from others, preferring to observe the festivities from the sidelines, Harry sought out Daphne Greengrass. Offering his hand, he invited her to join him on the dance floor. Daphne, with a smile that lit up her features, accepted, and they moved to the rhythm of the music, their steps in perfect harmony.
As they danced, Harry couldn't help but notice the subtle grace with which Daphne moved, her every step and turn a testament to her elegance. Nigel, ever ready with a comment, quipped in Harry's mind, "Ah, from the looks of it, you've chosen a dance partner who could give those professional ballroom dancers a run for their money. Try not to step on her toes, Master Harry, lest we tarnish our reputation."
Harry, maintaining his steps meticulously to avoid any missteps, replied mentally, "Worry not, Nigel. I've been known to have a certain finesse on the dance floor when the occasion calls for it."
After some time dancing, Harry noticed Daphne's silence, breaking the flow of their conversation. Concerned, he inquired, "Everything alright, Daphne?"
With a sigh that seemed to carry a weight far beyond the evening's festivities, Daphne looked up, her eyes—a striking shade of blue—meeting Harry's earnest green gaze. "The book you gifted me... Thank you," she began, her voice tinged with a complexity of emotions.
Harry, pleased yet surprised, responded, "You've read it already?" His enthusiasm, however, waned upon noticing her somber expression. Puzzled, he asked, "Was there something wrong with it?"
Daphne's response was heavy with resignation. "You don't know. Of course, you don't. How could you?" she said, her tone a mix of sadness and understanding.
Baffled, Harry pressed, "Know what, Daphne?"
Taking a deep breath as if bracing herself for the revelation, Daphne explained, "The little girl in the novel, cursed with a dark magic that's incurable... Astoria, well, our lineage has been cursed with a blood-borne curse, and Astoria inherited it too."
Harry's heart sank. "I am so sorry, Daphne. I had no idea," he confessed, genuinely remorseful. "The story I sent—it spoke of hardship but also of overcoming it. The main character reminded me of you, strong and resilient. I never meant to cause pain."
Daphne, touched by his sincerity, managed a small, appreciative smile. "I know, Harry. It's not your fault. The gesture was kind, and the story is beautiful—it just hit closer to home than I expected."
After some time, recognizing the gravity of his unintended mistake, Harry sought to address the moment with the maturity it demanded. "Daphne, I must admit, my choice was made in ignorance of your family's struggle. Although unintentional, I realize now how my actions might have brought unintended pain," he conveyed earnestly, his gaze filled with sincerity as he glanced towards Astoria. Using his Observe function discreetly, he aimed to understand her better, hoping to find a way to help.
[System Message: Astoria Greengrass - Shows signs of a rare, inherited magical condition. Prognosis uncertain without further magical medical consultation.]
"Nigel, is it truly incurable?" Harry pondered internally, the weight of the situation pressing on him. Nigel's response came quickly, "In our world, Master Harry, 'incurable' is often just a synonym for 'not yet cured.' There's always hope."
Harry hummed thoughtfully, a silent vow forming within him to delve into this challenge, seeking answers where others might see none.
After the music ended, Harry expressed his gratitude with a courteous bow, "Thank you for honoring me with this dance, Daphne." The sincere appreciation in his voice, complemented by the respectful title, brought a soft blush to Daphne's cheeks, her usual composure giving way to a moment of genuine warmth.
As the evening progressed, Harry took the opportunity to dance with Tracey, Astoria, Susan, and Hannah, ensuring each felt valued and included. With Tracey, their dance was filled with light-hearted banter, her spirited nature making it easy for Harry to engage in a playful exchange that left them both laughing. "You certainly have a knack for stepping on my toes in more ways than one," Harry teased, eliciting a playful roll of the eyes from Tracey.
Astoria, though younger, held her own on the dance floor, her inquisitiveness shining through even in their movements. "I've heard you're quite the adventurer at Hogwarts," she remarked, a hint of mischief in her eyes. Harry, amused by her directness, replied, "Only on days ending in 'y,' Astoria. But don't believe everything you hear." Her laughter, light and carefree, added a layer of ease to their interaction.
Dancing with Susan brought a different dynamic, her gratitude towards Harry for his bravery creating an undercurrent of respect. "Seeing how you defended your Aunt, reminded me of your brace actions. I still can't thank you enough for what you did," she said, her voice soft. Harry, with a reassuring smile, responded, "No need for thanks, Susan. Friends look out for each other." The simplicity of his statement underscored the depth of their burgeoning friendship.
Hannah's dance was more reserved, her shy demeanor making their conversation more subdued but no less meaningful. "I noticed in Christmas break that Hogwarts seems so much brighter with you around, Harry," she mentioned, a gentle sincerity in her tone. "Well, Hannah, it's the people that make Hogwarts special. You're one of those lights," Harry replied, his compliment bringing a shy smile to her face.
Nigel, observing the exchanges, couldn't resist commenting once again upon seeing Harry dance with a beauty after another, "A regular social butterfly, aren't we? Just remember, Master Harry, not to fly too close to the sun." Harry's mental response was a mixture of amusement and acknowledgment. "I'll keep my wings in check, Nigel. No Icarus moves tonight."
Throughout these interactions, Harry's demeanor remained genuine, his conversations flowing naturally. Each dance allowed him to connect on a personal level, reinforcing bonds of friendship and camaraderie. The respect he showed each of his partners, coupled with his easygoing nature, made the evening memorable for them.
As the night drew on, the music eventually gave way to the soft hum of conversation, marking the Yule Ball's conclusion. With promises to Augusta of visiting Longbottom Manor, Harry took Petunia's hand, guiding her towards a secluded corner for their departure. The Ministry had arranged for the Floo Network, complete with supplied Floo Powder, but the Evans household remained disconnected—a preference Harry wished to maintain for privacy. Summoning Misty with a discreet call, they prepared to apparate back to their home.
Nigel quipped in Harry's mind, "Ah, leaving the party in a style befitting a true wizard. No mundane exits for us, eh, Master Harry?"
Harry couldn't suppress a smile as he responded mentally, "Exactly, Nigel. Besides, there's a certain charm in maintaining a bit of mystery about our comings and goings."
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