Hogwarts: Starting with full Unforgivable Curses

[Dance Instruction Notice]

[After class this afternoon, all students who wish to participate in the Christmas ball dance can go to the empty classroom to the right of the Transfiguration classroom for professional dance instruction. No prior registration is required; simply go directly.]

During this time, Dylan has been focusing on studying "consensus magic".

Hermione was also very interested in this special kind of magic, and often sought him out to discuss related issues, and would also share similar theories she had seen in various strange books.

According to Dylan's original idea, he planned to improve the "Dance Step Spell" by using the principle of "Consensus Magic"—the original Dance Step Spell had too fast a rhythm and fixed movements, which was not suitable for the atmosphere of the Christmas ball.

He wanted to slow down the rhythm of the dance spell so that the movements could be adjusted according to the melody of the dance music, allowing the person under the spell to dance in a way that suited the occasion.

Moreover, he plans to keep the structure of the spell as unchanged as possible, so that more people can use it directly without having to relearn the spell.

During his research, he discovered that the Dance Steps spell is an extremely basic spell that almost every wizard learns during their training. There is a high degree of consensus on this spell – when people think of the Dance Steps spell, they think of fixed, fast-paced movements that cannot be adjusted through "consensus magic". This idea had to be put on hold for the time being.

Later, Dylan came up with a new direction, combining ritual magic with "consensus magic" to allow the dance spell to produce exquisite dance steps.

The dance instruction notice on the bulletin board now provides Dylan with a more direct alternative: instead of bothering to modify the magic, he can simply learn the proper dance steps.

So as soon as the afternoon classes ended, he called Ginny and headed toward the empty classroom mentioned in the announcement.

Upon entering the empty classroom, the two were somewhat surprised. Under the influence of magic, the originally small classroom had become exceptionally spacious, with a space comparable to that of an auditorium. The layout of the classroom had also been carefully arranged, somewhat similar to the pentagonal council chamber of the Magic Parliament. Rows of steps were placed around the perimeter for seating, and a large enough open space in the middle was left as a dance practice area.

What surprised Dylan even more was that the people standing at the front of the classroom, in charge of dance instruction, were Professor McGonagall and Professor Sprout. No one expected that the usually strict Transfiguration professor and the gentle Herbalist professor would actually come to teach the students to dance.

Beside Professor McGonagall and Professor Sprout stood an unusually large phonograph, nearly twice the size of a regular one. Its black wooden casing was polished to a high shine, and a black record was already securely placed beneath the stylus, clearly in preparation for the upcoming dance instruction.

As soon as Dylan and Ginny entered the empty classroom, Professor Sprout noticed them and immediately smiled broadly, asking in a playful tone, "Dylan, Ginny, I really didn't expect you two to come to dance class together. I thought you were both very good dancers."

“I don’t think so.” Professor McGonagall smiled, a gentle smile playing on her lips. “Otherwise, they probably wouldn’t have come to the dance instruction session today.”

"Oh!" Professor Sprout immediately reacted dramatically, covering his mouth with his hand and widening his eyes. "Looks like I was too talkative and shouldn't have brought this up!"

Dylan smiled slightly at the two professors' teasing.

But he led Ginny up the steps and found a place to sit.

Dylan and Ginny were among the first students to arrive, but soon other students followed, some alone and some with their dance partners. They chatted and laughed as they found seats.

Fortunately, the classroom had prepared enough seats in advance, so even as the number of people increased, it did not feel crowded; instead, it was filled with a lively atmosphere.

About fifteen minutes later, almost all the students in the classroom had arrived.

Professor McGonagall stepped forward and gently clapped her hands. The noisy classroom quickly quieted down, and everyone's eyes were focused on her.

"Given that the Christmas ball is getting closer, I've found that many students are clearly clueless about formal ball dances."

Professor McGonagall's voice carried clearly throughout the classroom, her tone serious yet gentle: "I think it's necessary to provide some basic dance instruction to prevent you from embarrassing yourselves at the ball because you don't know the steps."

She looked around and continued, "To make the instruction more comprehensive, I've invited Professor Sprout to help. We'll first demonstrate the basic steps, and then provide group instruction to ensure everyone masters the most fundamental ballroom dance moves."

As soon as she finished speaking, Professor Sprout stepped forward and added with a smile, "Don't be nervous, everyone. We'll start by teaching you the simplest steps, and you'll practice slowly. Now, let's listen to some music and find the rhythm of the dance." As she spoke, she reached out and gently turned on the phonograph.

As soon as Professor McGonagall finished her opening remarks, several more pairs of students entered the classroom.

The corner, which was originally quite spacious, suddenly felt crowded. Students who arrived later had to squeeze into the corner to find a seat, and Dylan could clearly feel the space around him shrinking.

Fortunately, he had the foresight to have Ginny sit in the innermost corner while he sat on the outer side.

In this way, no matter how crowded the outside is, with him blocking the middle, Ginny won't get bumped and can still sit comfortably.

Seeing the students in the classroom with their eyes wide open, backs straight, and expressions even more focused than during regular classes, Professor McGonagall couldn't help but shake her head, both amused and exasperated. Usually, a few students would drift off during Transfiguration classes, but she hadn't expected them to be so serious about learning to dance.

She drew her wand and gently waved it toward the phonograph.

A pale blue magical light fell on the phonograph, causing the machine to tremble slightly. Then, a soothing and melodious tune was played, with a clear rhythm, perfect for beginners to get a feel for the music.

"Please don't be so nervous," Professor McGonagall said in a gentler tone than during her opening remarks, her gaze sweeping over the tense students below the stage. "The most fundamental thing in dance is the feeling of rhythm. Excessive tension will only interfere with this feeling and make your body stiff."

She paused, gesturing for everyone to look at her feet: "Look down, everyone, first look at my steps—this is the most basic waltz step, just follow the rhythm of the music. We'll start by counting the beats, one, two, three, four..."

As she spoke, Professor McGonagall gently lifted the hem of her robe to prevent the skirt from hindering her steps.

She moved slowly and gracefully to the rhythm of the music: "There's no need to be afraid of making mistakes. Beginners will always have times when they can't keep up with the rhythm. The key is to find the rhythm of the music and let it guide your movements, rather than forcibly controlling your body. Pay attention to the beat! One, two, three, four..."

With each movement, her footsteps perfectly matched the melody of the music; every turn and every step was precisely on the beat.

Upon seeing this, the students in the audience spontaneously applauded, their applause filled with admiration. No one had expected that the usually strict Professor McGonagall could dance so gracefully!
Dylan sat in the corner, watching intently as well.

He could clearly feel that Professor McGonagall's rigorous attitude towards magic was fully implemented in her dance teaching. Her explanations were clear and logical, leaving no detail out, and her demonstrations were precise and without any arbitrariness. She maintained the rigor of her teaching without making it seem rigid, and every dance step was elegant and accurate.

Ginny was equally focused, but her corner position was a disadvantage; her view was partially blocked by the students in front of her. To see Professor McGonagall's footsteps, she had to turn slightly to the side and lean forward. During this process, she felt a warm sensation emanating from Dylan's body, as comfortable as sitting by a fireplace.

So she subconsciously moved closer to Dylan, almost leaning against him, so that she could see the demonstration more clearly and feel his warmth.

The music continued, and Professor McGonagall stopped and gently called out, "Professor Sprout, could you please come here for a moment?"

After Professor Sprout walked over from the other side of the classroom and stood next to her, Professor McGonagall continued, "Next, the two of us will demonstrate the complete partner dance steps for everyone. Please pay close attention to our coordination and the transitions between our steps..."

"Now let's practice the key steps for men's dance."

As Professor McGonagall spoke, she gestured to Professor Sprout to cooperate, “When men and women stand facing each other, they need to be about one-third of the distance apart to avoid physical contact and maintain an elegant distance, just like this.”

As she explained, Professor Sprout adjusted his position with perfect understanding, standing precisely in the corresponding spot, and the two of them immediately appeared harmonious.

"Everyone, please note that posture is very important in dance!" Professor McGonagall slowly raised her right hand, tilted her head slightly, and straightened her back. "You must stand up straight and not hunch your shoulders or bend your back."

Her gaze swept over the boys in the audience, and she said earnestly, "Young men, you must show confidence, head held high and chest out, while young women, you must maintain graceful posture, shoulders relaxed, and elegant manners."

Sitting in the corner, Dylan clearly felt Ginny lean closer to him again. Her hair fell down and gently rested on the back of his hand, with a soft touch.

Their shoulders and arms were almost touching. Dylan could smell the faint herbal scent on Ginny's body as long as he was breathing normally. It was the scent she picked up when she was tending to herbs. It was fresh and pleasant.

Ginny watched with great focus, occasionally shaking her head slightly, causing her long hair to tremble and tickle Dylan's hand.

At this moment, the rhythm of the music on the gramophone became a little more upbeat.

Professor McGonagall took the first step, her movements elegant and precise, each step as fluid as when casting spells, and with an undeniable decisiveness, as if the dance steps were etched into her very bones.

Professor Sprout, on the other hand, wore a smile and seemed much happier than Professor McGonagall. Her dance steps were light and graceful, like those vibrant magical plants in a greenhouse, each turn radiating energy.

"Dance is not just about piling up techniques."

As Professor McGonagall demonstrated, she continued to explain, her voice rising and falling slightly with the rhythm of the dance steps. "The most important thing is to maintain a good connection with the music and let your movements follow the rhythm."

"And you have to find enjoyment in it."

Professor Sprout smiled and continued, his dance steps never faltering, "Only by truly enjoying the dance can you pour your emotions into it and make your movements more infectious."

“Professor Sprout is right!” Professor McGonagall added, as the two of them completed an elegant turn together. “Everyone should learn to enjoy the music and feel the chemistry between their dance partners—a chemistry that is similar to the coordination when partners practice magic, requiring mutual trust.”

“Yes, just relax.” Professor Sprout chuckled, his tone gentle. “It’s like watering a plant. Don’t rush for results. Just treat it with care, and one day you’ll see it bloom beautifully. Dancing is the same. Take it slow, and you’ll get better and better.”

As the music ended, Professor McGonagall and Professor Sprout gently released each other's hands and gave an elegant bow to the students below the stage.

As Professor McGonagall straightened up, she added, "Everyone should remember this part—bowing to your dance partner at the end of the ball is basic etiquette, and it reflects the good manners of Hogwarts students."

“Professor McGonagall and Professor Sprout danced so well!” Ginny turned to Dylan, her voice full of admiration.

But after saying that, she suddenly realized that she was too close, and she immediately held her breath, her cheeks burning slightly.

Dylan had the same feeling; he could clearly see the fine lines on Ginny's lips and the almost transparent fine hairs around them.

It seemed that if he took a light breath, the downy hairs would tremble, so he subconsciously held his breath.

As Professors McGonagall and Sprout finished their bows, the students below immediately erupted in enthusiastic cheers, the applause filling the entire classroom and so loud it almost lifted the roof off.

The thunderous applause finally brought Dylan and Ginny back to their senses.

Dylan instinctively straightened up, head held high, back ramrod straight, as if he were ready to go on stage and dance at any moment, in order to cover up his embarrassment just now.

"They danced so well." Ginny quickly sat up straight, but the warmth of Dylan's body still lingered on her shoulders and arms—a warmth warmer and more reassuring than the fireplace fire, making her heart still beat a little fast.

“Yes.” Dylan nodded.

Ginny turned to look at Dylan again, and their eyes met in mid-air.

A beautiful smile unconsciously curved her lips as she softly asked, "Dylan, have you learned the dance steps from earlier?"

“Hmm…” Dylan met Ginny’s bright eyes, his gaze slightly evasive. After a light cough, he admitted, “Actually… I haven’t fully learned it yet. I was so focused on watching their coordination that I didn’t remember the specific steps.”

It felt like only a few minutes had passed when the music on the gramophone ended, and Professor McGonagall and Professor Sprout's dance demonstration also stopped.

"Looks like I can be your teacher this time?" Ginny blinked her bright eyes, her tone playful. "I think I've learned everything the professors demonstrated."

"Okay, Ms. Ginny." Dylan let out a soft breath, a smile involuntarily appearing on his lips. "I'll have to rely on you for my dance lessons this time!"

"Okay! Since you've said so, then leave this to me!" Ginny nodded approvingly, her eyes full of seriousness, as if she had accepted an important task. (End of Chapter)