Sherlock Holmes at Hogwarts.

Chapter 551 Upholding a Man's Dignity

"Sherlock?"

When Mr. Ludo Bagman announced the start of the ball in his unconventional manner, Hermione looked at Sherlock with some nervousness.

"Let's go."

Sherlock smiled slightly, took Hermione's hand, and stood up.

On the other hand, it was Harry, the boy, who was nervous on Harry and Cho Chang's side.

He stepped on his robe as he stood up and almost tripped.

Fortunately, Qiu Zhang reacted quickly and caught him.

At this moment, the eccentric sisters began to play a slow and melancholic tune, clearly intending to gradually draw everyone into the mood.

Sherlock and Hermione, Harry and Cho Chang, Cedric and Fleur led the way into the brightly lit dance floor.

The next moment, they began to dance to the music.

Hermione was initially worried that Sherlock would still act the same way he always had in this situation.

After all, just an hour earlier he had said to himself, "Did you finally read that book, 'Makeup for Beginners'?"

But Hermione's worries soon vanished.

Sherlock's hand enveloped hers warmly and firmly, while the hand on her waist provided clear and elegant guidance.

At this moment, Hermione's face could be described as exquisitely beautiful.

She could hardly believe that she had actually become Sherlock's dance partner.

But what followed was even greater surprise.

Because Sherlock did not passively follow the rhythm of the music, but rather actively guided Hermione to complete each spin and slide with an almost elegant control.

Sherlock lowered his head slightly, his gray eyes focused intently on Hermione, a faint smile playing on his lips, different from his usual thoughtful expression.

Hermione could sense the precision and fluidity of his steps, without the slightest hesitation, but rather a calm and unhurried rhythm.

Seeing Sherlock's reaction, Hermione also put aside her distractions and bravely looked up to meet his gaze.

The two were like two perfectly matched stars, tracing a smooth and harmonious path on the dance floor.

Hermione only needed to follow Sherlock's guidance slightly to blend perfectly into the beautiful rhythm.

The two worked together so well that it was as if they had rehearsed countless times.

Hermione's initial tension was quickly replaced by surprise and an indescribable sweetness. She looked up at him, almost forgetting everything around her.

Hermione's stark contrast today made Sherlock and her even more attractive than Cedric and Fleur, the handsome couple.

In stark contrast are Harry and Cho Chang, just a few steps away.

Harry appeared unusually stiff, and the moment his hand touched Cho Chang's waist, he blushed furiously.

His gaze would sometimes nervously sweep over his toes, and sometimes drift around helplessly, his palm slightly sweaty as he held Qiu Zhang's hand.

He was clearly not used to the slow-paced waltz, and awkwardly tried to keep up with the music, his movements appearing somewhat clumsy.

In contrast, Qiu Zhang appears patient and gentle.

With a reassuring smile, she gently squeezed Harry's hand, exerting a subtle guiding force.

Seeing that Harry was struggling to keep up, Cho Chang adjusted the pace.

She didn't ask for complicated movements, but instead turned slightly to the side, subtly using body language to guide Harry, allowing him to gradually find his balance and feel.

With Cho Chang's thoughtful guidance, Harry gradually found his footing.

It doesn't seem that difficult?

He followed Qiu Zhang and slowly spun around in place, thinking to himself.

When he saw Sherlock and Hermione, a look of amazement appeared in his eyes.

Cedric and Hibiscus are another beautiful sight to behold.

Cedric, with a gentle smile, displayed the composure and grace of a Hogwarts warrior.

The lotus flowers, like blooming silver lotuses, are light and elegant. Their dance steps are standard and smooth, and their coordination is seamless, attracting many admiring glances.

As the three champions of Hogwarts led the dance, the champions of Beauxbatons and Durmstrang also entered the dance floor.

Then there's everyone else besides the Warriors.

The eccentric sisters' melodious and melancholic tune seemed to have a magical power, dissolving the initial restraint.

One pair, two pairs, ten pairs... Colorful robes and skirts, like surging waves of flowers, gradually filled the dance floor.

The sounds of music, laughter, and whispers blended into a warm and inviting atmosphere.

The warriors were quickly swallowed up by the moving, colorful crowd.

They were no longer the sole focus of attention; the dance floor truly became a space where everyone could share joy.

From this moment on, the special moment for the warriors of the Three Kingdoms Tournament temporarily fades away, and the Christmas ball belongs to every young man and woman present who are enjoying their youth.

Sherlock's gaze swept across the dance floor, and he noticed that Harry had shed his initial awkwardness and was now fully immersed in dancing with Cho Chang.

Not far from them, Ginny was frequently frowning and dodging—because Neville had stepped on her foot.

The Weasley twins and the Pettier twins also got along very well.

However, Sherlock noticed that Fred's dance partner had become Padma of Ravenclaw, while George's dance partner had become Parvati of Gryffindor.

This is inconsistent with their initial plan.

However, Sherlock was the only one present who noticed this.

Luna seemed very happy, but Ron had a long face.

Because he and Luna simply couldn't work together.

Luna appears to be dancing gracefully to the music, but she has her own rhythm.

Ron wasn't very good at this to begin with, which made things even worse, and he looked like he couldn't wait to finish.

Besides the students, the teachers were also dancing.

The two school principals, Dumbledore and Maxim, were waltzing together.

Dumbledore, who is over six feet tall, is not short at all, but compared to Madam Maxim at this moment, he looks like a dwarf.

The top of his pointed hat barely touched Ms. Maxim's chin, making the scene look rather comical.

Despite her height and weight, Ms. Maxim's dance steps were still elegant and agile, attracting a lot of attention.

Especially Hagrid.

Sherlock could tell with his cerebellum that Hagrid would definitely rush up after Dumbledore and Madam Maxim finished their dance.

Professors McGonagall and Snape, Professors Sprout and Lupin, Mr. Bagman and Professor Sinister were all dancing.

Only Mad-Eye Moody and Professor Flitwick sat at the table, watching the crowd dance gracefully on the dance floor.

The reason why the two of them don't go dancing with others is self-evident.

Hermione, on the other hand, was completely absorbed in her dance with Sherlock.

She knew very well that once the song ended, Sherlock would belong to Gemma.

She was filled with gratitude for Gemma's generosity.

But it is precisely because of this that she cherishes this opportunity all the more and devotes herself wholeheartedly to the dance.

Even when she noticed Sherlock's gaze sweeping over her head across the entire dance floor, she remained silent.

Even with his mind occupied with two things, Sherlock's dance with her was still flawless, attracting the attention of several other dancers nearby.

The organ played its last trembling note, the strange sisters stopped playing, and the auditorium erupted in enthusiastic applause once again.

Ron breathed a sigh of relief and immediately released Luna.

"Let's take a break." "What, aren't you going to keep dancing?" Luna tilted her head back and asked curiously, "This piece seems more interesting!"

Luna said this because the eccentric sisters had started playing a new piece of music again.

Compared to the previous soothing and slightly melancholic piece, this one is much faster-paced.

It was obvious that everyone got into the zone after the first piece, and the performers put in extra effort.

"No, I don't really like it."

Ron lied; he actually quite liked the piece.

But I just couldn't get along with Luna.

"I know, it's because you can't keep up with me, right?"

Luna suddenly realized and said, "Why don't you try inviting her again?"

Ron was already feeling helpless after Luna bluntly pointed out the reason, but when he saw the girl Luna was pointing at, he simply didn't know what to say anymore.

Because Luna was referring to none other than Fleur Delacour, who had just finished dancing with Cedric.

By this time, several boys had rushed up to her and invited her out.

If Ron hadn't known that Luna was just like that, he would have almost thought she was doing it on purpose.

"unnecessary!"

Ron almost gritted his teeth as he tried to pull Luna out of the dance floor.

"Then I'll go dance with Sherlock!"

Luna waved to Ron as she spoke, "Thank you for inviting me to the ball."

Ron: (;Д`)
Watching Luna skip and hop towards Sherlock, Ron suddenly felt like he had become a tool.

He took a deep breath and left the dance floor.

But before he could find a place to sit down, Lavender Brown came over:

Would you like to dance?

Ron looked at Lavender in surprise, glancing around. "Where's Seamus?"

"Why do you care what he says?" Lavender said irritably. "Just tell me if you want to jump or not!"

Ron hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "Jump!"

Lavender immediately smiled and pulled Ron back into the dance floor.

Meanwhile, Luna, bouncing and skipping, also arrived beside Sherlock and Hermione.

"Sherlock, dance with me!"

She extended her hand directly to Sherlock and said this.

Hermione looked at Luna in surprise, "Where's Ron?"

"He said he didn't like the piece, but I think it's because he couldn't keep up with my movements."

Luna blinked, then turned to Sherlock:
"I want to ask you to dance, come with me!"

The air seemed to freeze for a moment as Luna Lovegood's clear voice rang out and she reached out to Sherlock.

Hermione looked at her Ravenclaw junior in surprise, and was about to explain that Sherlock might have already made arrangements when another voice with an elegant smile interrupted.

“I’m sorry, Miss Lovegood.”

Gemma Farley appeared quietly beside Sherlock, as if stepping onto a light, cheerful note.

With a polite yet slightly playful smile on her face, she very naturally took Sherlock's other arm.
"I've already reserved Sherlock!"

Hermione's gaze swept over Gemma's arm linked with Sherlock's, and she quickly added in to explain:

“Luna, this is what we agreed on. After Sherlock and I danced for the first time, then…”

Before Hermione could finish speaking, Luna had a look of sudden realization on her face.

Those slightly protruding silver eyes blinked twice, their gaze shifting between Gemma's confident smile and Sherlock's calm smile.

She showed no embarrassment at being rejected; instead, it was as if she had solved an interesting puzzle.

"Oh, I see—just like how moon vines twine around predetermined oak trees."

However, that unique metaphor was still full of Luna's distinct personal characteristics.

This is not counting.

After saying that, she turned to Sherlock again and said with a grin:
"May I reserve a third dance, Sherlock?"

I think dancing with you would be really fun, like chasing after a bubble slug.

Sherlock watched her wildly imaginative behavior, a hint of amusement in his gray eyes:
"of course can."

Hermione and Gemma immediately exchanged a glance.

Hermione couldn't help but recall the conversation Gemma had with her before the end of the last semester.

Luna, this girl who seems a bit neurotic to others, is indeed different from Sherlock.

"Great!"

Luna clapped her hands happily, then skipped and hopped around, disappearing into the crowd. Her silver robe shimmered dreamily under the lights.

Her every move made it seem as if she had simply come to announce a reservation and then went off to chase after her bubble-nosed slug with a satisfied expression, leaving Hermione and Gemma to exchange knowing smiles.

"I'll leave this to you."

Hermione said something, and without waiting for their reply, she turned and caught up with Luna.

Hermione was already very happy to be Sherlock's dance partner.

The next step, naturally, was to reciprocate by letting Gemma enjoy some time alone with Sherlock.

Seeing the two leave, Gemma released Sherlock's arm.

She gracefully took a half step back, gave him a classic invitation, and winked playfully at him:

“It’s our turn, Sherlock. I’ve been looking forward to this for a long time.”

Sherlock readily agreed, took her hand, and gently placed his other hand on her waist in a gentlemanly manner.

As the quirky sisters played a light and lively new tune, they glided into the center of the dance floor.

Almost the instant they began to move, many eyes that had been scattered over Cedric and Fleur, Harry and Cho Chang, focused on them again.

If Hermione's stunning beauty comes from an incredible contrast, then Gemma Farley's beauty is pure, unadulterated charm.

She was tall and perfectly proportioned, and her exquisitely tailored dark blue evening gown made her skin look as white as snow.

Her smooth, shiny chestnut-brown hair was styled into a simple yet elegant updo, with a few wisps of hair lazily falling beside her cheeks.

Her exquisite face was flawless under the dazzling lights, especially her sea-blue eyes, which seemed to reflect the sunlight of the Aegean Sea and sparkled with confidence and joy.

In terms of looks and temperament alone, Gemma is in no way inferior to Fleur's mysterious allure or Cho Chang's gentle oriental charm, but has more of the competence of a mature witch and the refinement of an English rose.

Standing next to Shylock, they looked like a perfect couple who had stepped out of a classical oil painting, their harmonious auras were astonishing.

The only slightly discordant thing is that she is taller than Sherlock.

Gemma had already considered this.

The reason why Sherlock wasn't invited proactively, besides the reason I told Hermione before, is another important factor.

because--

Upholding a man's dignity is a woman's greatest form of self-restraint.

Even if Sherlock didn't care.

(End of this chapter)