Although Natalia didn't actually provide Clémentine with a clue for the second task, once the latter softened her attitude, Natalia couldn't keep speaking coldly either.
Their conversation gradually shifted into lighthearted small talk, and from a distance, they almost looked like a pair of close friends.
When everyone had taken their seats, however, no food appeared on the golden plates. Instead, each person found only a menu in front of them. Quite a few students looked around in confusion, craning their necks to see whether there was any food on the other long tables.
Wade picked up his menu and flipped through it. Although he knew what to do, his eyes still drifted toward the staff table.
Dumbledore, glancing at his own menu, cheerfully said: "Pork chops!"
A sizzling, juicy roast pork chop immediately appeared on his plate. This demonstration made everyone suddenly understand, and they quickly followed suit.
Wade also spoke, unhurriedly: "Seared foie gras, onion soup, beef stew with carrots…"
With each dish name he uttered, the corresponding food suddenly appeared on the table, gleaming temptingly against the golden tableware, giving off a rich aroma that made mouths water.
Clémentine was recommending to Natalia: "Say what you will, but you absolutely must try this escargot with butter. It's the most authentic dish here…"
Natalia, meanwhile, talked about her own school—
"At Koldovstoretz, the tables in the dining hall always have endlessly refilling borscht. No matter when you go, it never disappoints."
"Our castle is also much bigger than this one, and the classrooms are very spacious. Hogwarts—oh, sorry, Wade—Hogwarts' classrooms always feel a little cramped to me."
"I heard that Koldovstoretz seals the Gate of Hell. Is that true?" Clémentine asked curiously.
"Hahaha… that's just a legend!" Natalia laughed. "Our school doesn't have any of those mysterious places. The only things worth seeing are the ice sculptures that never melt throughout the year."
"Maybe it's just that you don't know about them," Clémentine mused.
"Ancient wizarding schools always have many secrets, but they're always stingy about telling the students, right, Mr. Grey? I bet Hogwarts has more secrets than anyone can count."
"Perhaps," Wade said lightly with a smile, spearing a piece of foie gras with his fork. "But like you said, as students, even if there are secrets, we wouldn't know them."
Clémentine gave him a serious look, then leaned toward Natalia and whispered:
"Liar! He definitely knows about plenty of hidden chambers. He just doesn't want to tell us."
"If he doesn't want to say, then let's not ask," Natalia replied indifferently. She leisurely added: "This caramel pudding is quite good. Do you want one?"
When the last mille-feuille disappeared from the plates, Dumbledore had everyone stand, then gave his wand a light flick.
The long tables and chairs whooshed to the sides of the hall, leaving the center as a dance floor. The Weird Sisters (a very popular band in the wizarding world) appeared on stage to applause.
As the cello struck its first notes, the enchanted candles on the ceiling all dimmed at once, replaced by countless floating starlights that slowly spun in the darkness.
Tiny firefly-like sparks drifted down and floated around the crowd like little fish swimming in the air, making the dance floor look especially dreamlike.
"It's our turn!"
Natalia hurriedly touched up her lipstick, saw Wade stand up, and then slightly curtsied, extending her hand.
"Are you ready?"
"Of course!"
Natalia took a deep breath, placed her fingertips on Wade's palm, and reminded him nervously: "Be careful, don't step on my dress."
"Relax. I may not be good at dancing, but I'm not that clumsy."
Wade's hand lightly rested at Natalia's waist, while his other hand held hers. The two of them spun and glided into the dance floor, the girl's skirt blossoming like a deep-blue cornflower.
"You're not bad at this." After a moment, Natalia smiled faintly and asked in a low voice: "Did you practice in secret?"
"My mother taught me."
Wade gave a simple explanation as he twirled her around once.
Out of the corner of his eye, he caught sight of Harry slowly turning in place, sweat already beading on his forehead, as if dancing with a girl was harder than fighting a dragon.
Harry hadn't asked Wade for dance lessons, knowing Wade barely had enough time to split in two.
Instead, during the holidays, Harry had secretly slipped into Hogsmeade through the Vanishing Cabinet and practiced with Sirius for several days. Yet now, on the actual floor, his movements were still rather stiff.
Hermione and Krum, on the other hand, danced far better. Her face shone with a radiant smile, her steps were light and nimble, and Krum matched her rhythm perfectly, his gaze never once leaving Hermione's face.
"What's this?" Natalia's voice suddenly teased in his ear, carrying a cool edge:
"Are my steps less entertaining than theirs?"
"Sorry." Wade chuckled softly, guiding the girl through a half-turn. Only after they'd distanced themselves from the others did he add:
"Harry's not good at dancing, so I was actually looking forward to him making a fool of himself."
"Oh? I thought you liked that girl in the blue dress!" Natalia put a little emphasis on "blue dress," lifting her eyes to him with a teasing smile.
"Hermione is my friend," Wade said gently. "It looks like things are going quite well between her and Krum."
"More than just well. Krum already looks like he's in love." Natalia laughed.
…
After the champions finished the opening dance, others joined in before the song was even over. The once-spacious hall quickly became crowded, with robes and skirts weaving together into a flowing tide.
The first song was elegant and gentle, but the following melodies grew livelier. The guitar burst with skipping notes, and the drumbeat urged dancers to quicken their steps.
Wade and Natalia danced through three songs in a row. When the fourth began, he finally stepped back slightly and released her hand.
"Not dancing anymore?" Natalia asked with a hint of regret, her breathing a little quickened from the dancing.
"I plan to rest for a while." Wade adjusted his collar and asked, "Would you like something to drink? I'll get it for you."
In the dance floor awash with lights and music, the crowd's heat and excitement seemed to leave him untouched. His gray eyes remained calm and steady.
"No need." Natalia looked into Wade's eyes and smiled. "I still want to dance a bit longer!"
The moment they parted, a boy practically appeared like apparition, immediately bowing and offering his hand to invite her.
Natalia glanced at Wade once more before cheerfully placing her hand in his.
Wade, meanwhile, made his way through the whirling couples toward a corner table. As soon as he approached, a clear glass of water appeared upon it.
After drinking, the heat from the ball eased a little. The laughter, music, and even arguments all blended together around him, pounding against his temples.
Wade had no intention of staying in the noisy hall. He passed through the foyer and stepped outside the castle. The chill in the air instantly cleared his head.
He was just debating whether to return to the dormitory or head to the Room of Requirement when he suddenly heard muffled sobbing.
"Give me back my Galleons, Bagman!" Professor Trelawney cried, her trembling voice sharp with grief. "My money… all my savings… you fraud!"
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