My Hogwarts has a serious problem.

Chapter 499, Section 496: The Kiss

Before the ball officially begins, a dinner party is naturally held first.

The warriors from the four schools and their dance partners were seated at the same table as the headmaster and the two directors of the Ministry of Magic.

The ordering system for this dinner was also different. Everyone had a menu next to them, and if they wanted to eat something, they just had to say the name of the dish on the menu, and the corresponding food would automatically appear on their plate.

After the dinner began, the Warriors and their dance partners chatted, and for some reason, Durmstrang's principal, Karkaroff, developed a strong interest in Lynn after the first game.

"With such a high level of understanding of Transfiguration, why have I never heard of you before coming here?"

Lynn was whispering with Hermione and didn't want to talk to him, so she gave him a perfunctory reply.

"I'm just an ordinary student, it's normal that Mr. Karkaroff doesn't know me."

Dumbledore picked up where Lynn left off, smiling as he spoke.

"You should have heard of Lynn Karkaroff. Two years ago, various European newspapers published a news article about the youngest recipient of the Order of Merlin's badge, which was about Lynn."

Karkarov pondered for a moment, but Mrs. Maxim, who was standing to the side, was the first to recall.

"The student who defeated the Basilisk in Slytherin's Chamber of Secrets? No wonder."

The other warriors looked at each other in bewilderment after overhearing the principals' conversation. They were unaware that Lynn had once received the badge of the Order of Merlin.

Speaking of this, Lynn narrowed his eyes as he cut his steak and glanced meaningfully at Piccolo, who hadn't said much since the beginning of the dinner.

"Not only the Basilisk, but there's also a ghost named Fontanado that's been causing trouble at Hogwarts. I wonder if Ms. Piccolo is familiar with this name?"

Everyone at the table could tell that he seemed to be hinting at something, but apart from Dumbledore, no one else understood the deeper meaning behind his question.

Piqueli shook his head calmly.

"There is a Fontana wizarding family in the American wizarding world, but I have never heard of a ghost named Fontana who would come to Hogwarts to cause trouble."

Throughout her speech, she remained completely expressionless, revealing nothing unusual about her; she was clearly a seasoned liar.

Lynn chuckled lightly and didn't press the issue any further.

Soon, everyone finished eating, the banquet ended, and the dance party was about to begin.

Dumbledore stood up and told the students to stand up as well. Then he waved his wand and sent some of the tables flying to the wall, leaving an empty space in the middle.

He conjured up a tall stage, which was placed against the right wall, on which were placed a drum set, several guitars, a zither, a cello, and several organs.

Then the famously eccentric sisters from the wizarding world took to the stage, and the audience erupted in thunderous applause. They were all unusually hairy and wore deliberately tattered black robes.

Hermione looked surprised and whispered in Lynn's ear.

"I always thought the members of the quirky sisters group were all women."

Lynn shrugged: "This is called rebellion. They're a bunch of rough men who have feminine names, wear unconventional clothes, and sing mostly unconventional songs. They're the new wave of wizards in the magical world."

At this moment, the lanterns on the other tables went out, and Lynn stood up, holding Hermione's hand. The other warriors also took their partners' hands and came to the center of the dance floor.

The eccentric sisters played a slow, melancholic piece of music, and the four pairs of warriors and their partners began their dance as the music started.

Lynn had one arm around Hermione's waist and the other hand clasped her fingers together. In the center of the hall, she moved her steps gracefully and lightly to the music.

They attracted everyone's attention from the very beginning of the ball.

They had never practiced together, yet their coordination was incredibly smooth, as if they were telepathically connected. Every step, every turn, every shift was a perfect match.

The girls at Hogwarts stared blankly at the two people in the center of the dance floor, while the remaining three teams of warriors seemed to have become mere supporting characters.

No one felt the slightest bit jealous of Hermione anymore, because at this moment they seemed like a match made in heaven.

When did you learn to dance?

Hermione and Lynn were very close, so even though he spoke very softly, Hermione could still hear him clearly.

A captivating blush spread across her fair face, her lips curved into a smile, and her eyes seemed to sparkle with light.

"My mother taught me when I was little that girls should always know how to dance, otherwise they won't be able to say yes when the boy they like invites them to a dance."

"Then I have to thank Mrs. Granger. If she hadn't taught you to dance, I wouldn't have been able to invite such a beautiful dance partner tonight."

"Glib and smooth-talking."

At this moment, the other students also entered the dance floor. Lynn and his friends brushed past Cedric, and when Cedric made eye contact with him, he even winked at him with a grin.

And as she passed by Furong, she looked at Lin En, who still held his head high with arrogance, and snorted.

Hermione also heard Fleur's snort. She pouted, gripped Lynn's hand tighter, and then questioned her in a low voice.

"I haven't asked yet. What's the deal between you and Furong? Why did she invite you to be her dance partner?"

Lynn said something that seemed to be going on for no apparent reason.

"I don't know either. I only spoke with her once before the first match, and the conversation wasn't very pleasant."

"Hmph, that's just what you say to me. Who knows what you and she secretly talked about behind my back?"

"Hey, hey, hey, what are you jealous about now? Aren't I just holding your hand and dancing with you in front of everyone?"

Hermione said quietly.

"They only know that I'm your dance partner now, but they don't know that I'm your girlfriend."

Lynn heard Hermione's words, blinked, and suddenly stopped dancing.

"What you said makes sense. We do need to prove that you're my girlfriend now."

Hermione glanced at the mistletoe twigs and ivy wreaths hanging on the Great Hall wall and asked casually.

"So how do you plan to prove it?"

Lynn didn't speak, but reached out and turned Hermione's face to face. Then, in the middle of the dance floor, he wrapped his arms around Hermione's slender waist and looked at her with bright eyes.

He looked at Hermione's trembling eyelashes and slowly lowered his head.

Their faces drew closer and closer until they could even feel each other's breath, and finally their lips gently touched!

Meanwhile, those around them stopped dancing, stunned by their expressions, and gasps of surprise echoed throughout the hall.

(End of this chapter)