บท 181: Chapter 181: The Sunshine Remains
"What's wrong with you?" Harry asked.
"I don't know why I did it!" Ron gasped, still out of breath. "What was I thinking? The hall was full of people—packed with them—and I just lost my mind. Everyone was watching! I was walking through the entrance hall and saw her. She was talking with Augustus, surrounded by a group of Beauxbatons girls. I don't know what came over me—I just walked up to her and asked!"
"What did she do?" Harry asked, concerned.
"She looked at me like I was some kind of sea slug or something," Ron said bitterly. "Didn't even bother to respond. Then—well, I don't even know—I just came to my senses and ran for it."
"She's part Veela," Harry said. "You were right all along—her grandmother was a Veela. It's not your fault. I'd bet she was using her charm on Augustus at the time, and you just got caught in it. Not that it matters; she's wasting her time. Augustus already agreed to go with Cho Chang."
The two sat opposite each other with shared sighs, like a pair of comrades-in-misery. After exchanging a few words of encouragement, they headed back to their dormitory.
Snow fell heavily throughout the night. By morning, Hogwarts was transformed into a world of silver and white, as though dressed in its finest to greet the Yule Ball. Beauxbatons' pale blue carriage looked like a frosted pumpkin, while Hagrid's hut resembled a gingerbread house dusted with icing sugar.
Standing in the castle corridor, Lillian gazed out at the silver expanse of the lake meeting the horizon, momentarily lost in thought. Augustus agreeing to Cho Chang's invitation was no secret. Though the choice left her with a tinge of helplessness, it also brought some comfort. After all, it was just a dance partner. Cho, being Chinese, was hardly a likely match for the heir of the wizarding world's most ancient family. Choosing a Chinese bride would be almost impossible for someone of Augustus's lineage.
She extended a hand to catch the falling snowflakes, as delicate as willow fluff. A warm smile suddenly spread across Lillian's face. White petals fluttered down like sakura blossoms, dusting her sea-blue hair. Pollen settled on her long lashes as her exquisite smile rippled outward like the most beautiful of waves. From the snowy grounds below came the clear, bell-like laughter of children at play.
From the opposite end of the castle, someone stood silently watching her. Amid the snow-laden mist, the girl appeared like a sprite of winter. The screech of a harp bird cut through the sky, and the snow began to melt. Her smile was breathtakingly beautiful, as if it could topple kingdoms. Augustus's gaze filled with a swirling storm of snow as he stood there in silence. After a long pause, he turned away. A sudden gust of wind swept through, filling his white cloak with snow.
Meanwhile, Beichen considered himself fortunate. Ever since he first saw the girl in the Great Hall, her stunning face and radiant smile had often surfaced in his thoughts. Today, to encounter her again, alone in the vast snowy field, seemed to him the perfect coincidence. With these thoughts in mind, he approached her slowly.
"Hello, senior," he called out. Exploiting the maternal instincts of older women was one of Beichen's specialties. Compared to younger boys, he believed any normal woman would naturally let down her guard.
"Do you need something?" The voice came from behind. Lillian turned and glanced at him, her crimson eyes carrying a hint of indifference. The boy before her seemed to be one of the exchange students from the Eastern Academy. Chinese? The thought of Cho Chang crossed her mind, and her gaze grew colder.
Unaware he'd already been branded as "Made in China," Beichen felt emboldened, sensing that she seemed unguarded. Believing in boldness, he decided to get straight to the point.
"Ah, well, yes," he began, striving for a gentlemanly demeanor. After all, British manners were highly regarded. "I was wondering if I might have the honor of inviting you to be my dance partner. For someone as beautiful as you, only a suitable partner will do. What do you think of me?"
Lillian stared at him with a blank expression, as though assessing a clown in a borrowed crown. She waited until Beichen's eyes betrayed a flicker of anger before she nodded slightly, almost making him rejoice. But before he could celebrate, her crisp voice shattered his fantasy. "Boring."
With a sneer, she turned and walked back to the castle.
Watching her retreating figure, Beichen's smile twisted into something cold and venomous. Fine. Playing hard to get, aren't you? A lowly native from a primitive realm like this should feel honored to catch my eye. Don't let me catch you later.
That evening, Hogwarts glittered with a magical glow. The Great Hall was illuminated by colorful candlelight. Students from all three schools mingled in elegant robes, chatting and laughing with their partners. Even the five exchange students from the East were engaging cheerfully with the Gryffindors. The walls of the Hall were adorned with shimmering silver frost, and the enchanted ceiling displayed a starlit night. Hundreds of mistletoe sprigs and ivy garlands hung above.
At the head table, Dumbledore beamed with joy. Ludo Bagman, dressed in a garish purple robe adorned with large yellow stars, clapped enthusiastically along with the students. Madame Maxime, having shed her usual black satin uniform, was resplendent in a flowing lavender gown.
Parvati stood next to Harry, her hand resting on his arm. Harry glanced around the hall. Fleur Delacour sat at the Ravenclaw table with Roger Davies, while Harry's gaze landed on the girl beside Krum. His jaw dropped in surprise.
It was Hermione.
Further away, Cho Chang sat alone at the Ravenclaw table, waiting quietly. Augustus was nowhere to be seen. Looking at Cho's solitary figure, Harry's eyes dimmed briefly with a trace of sadness, and he sighed softly before turning away.
Just then, Professor McGonagall's voice rang out: "Champions, this way, please!"
The crowd parted, creating a path for the champions, who rose from their seats and began to move forward.
A strange floral fragrance wafted through the hall, and all eyes turned toward the staircase. Six girls with jet-black hair and snowy white dresses descended, each carrying baskets of flowers. They scattered bright chrysanthemums across the stairs, creating a carpet of blossoms.
Then, someone stepped onto the floral path. His face was pale—not sickly pale but glowing like polished jade.
His eyes sparkled like starlight, silver irises glinting like twin icy orbs. A golden crown adorned his head, resting on a base of sandalwood. His attire was as white as snow. He walked slowly, with the regal grace of a king entering his court, or a celestial being descending from the heavens.
Cho Chang's face lit up with a gentle smile as she stepped forward to meet him. She clasped his hand, her fingers entwining with his. Warmth flickered briefly before settling into a steady glow. The two stood together as their silhouettes merged. The enchanted ceiling, long shrouded in winter snow, shifted to reveal the long-hidden sun and morning clouds, as if heralding a new dawn.
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