I, Hogwarts Second Time Around.

Chapter 291 An Early Dance Practice Class

"We need to leave here," Owen suddenly said, draping his robe over the goblin corpse again. "The smell of blood probably attracted Sirocco."

He turned to Hermione and said, "I don't know much about fairies, but everyone knows they're a very annoying creature."

"Annoying?"

"Yes." Owen pulled her out of the alley. "Fairies have their own unique way of thinking, independent of the wizarding laws. Sometimes what wizards consider to be right is seen as outrageous by fairies."

Like the Gryffindor sword.

He explained, "In the fairies' understanding, any fairy creations they make are merely rented by the wizards who purchase them, even if the wizards bear the costs of materials and labor. After the wizards die, they will sneak into the wizards' graves to reclaim what they believe belongs to them."

"Therefore, wizards despise these creatures, because no one wants to be disturbed in their peaceful slumber after death. Powerful wizards usually prepare many anti-theft measures in their tombs, and most of these measures are used to deal with fairies."

As he spoke, Owen looked at Hermione meaningfully, "Now that you have the sword of Gryffindor, and your picture is all over the newspapers, it might attract a bunch of goblins who will try to steal the sword."

"The Gryffindor sword?"

Could it be that the fairies care about this precious sword?

Hermione frowned slightly. Was this why they attacked her?

But—at that time she hadn't participated in the competition yet, so no one outside would have known that she could draw the sword.

Seeing the little witch's furrowed brows, Owen assumed she was worried about the fairy stealing the sword.

"Besides, they also discriminate against wizards." Owen tightened his grip on her hand, perhaps to give her a sense of security. "You wouldn't believe it, but discrimination isn't limited to the wizarding community. Other races discriminate against wizards far more than the discrimination within the wizarding community itself."

"What?" Hermione's brows relaxed slightly.

The castle is currently in its safest period, with the world's most powerful wizards gathered at Hogwarts. It's unlikely that the goblins would be foolish enough to cause trouble for a junior Hogwarts wizard at this time.

Unless they've gone mad.

"The fairies will regard the first wizard who encounters the corpse as the murderer of their people."

"Huh?" Miss Granger's face stiffened. "Is this still considered discrimination?"

This is nothing short of slander and blatant hostility.

Legally, such behavior constitutes a crime: defamation.

"Because of the previous disagreement regarding the ownership of fairy creations, the fairies all felt that wizards were a group of treacherous, cunning, and greedy and tyrannical creatures with no sense of contract. Almost all the negative words that wizards used to describe fairies were also passed on to wizards by the fairies."

"They have no qualms about discriminating against wizards. For example, if a wizard deceives a goblin, they will only feel proud and laugh at its stupidity, without any other feelings."

"." Hearing this, Hermione nodded. That's right. Not to mention others, even those around her—whether it was Ron, George, Fred, or the other young wizards—almost all held a negative attitude towards goblins.

She wouldn't be surprised if fairies treated wizards the same way.

"Alright, let's go back to the castle!" Owen said. "It's getting colder."

"We didn't see this much snow last winter."

"That's strange."

------

But the snow still didn't stop the next day.

As we entered the final week of the semester, the school became increasingly lively and noisy.

The young wizards spread rumors about the Christmas ball, but most of the rumors were so exaggerated as to be unbelievable.

For example, Dumbledore bought eight hundred barrels of flavored mead from Rosmerta, the Three Broomsticks.

However, his reservation with the Strange Sisters might actually be true. The Strange Sisters are a very famous singing duo in the wizarding world, consistently topping the wizarding radio music charts and boasting many classic songs.

The news that they would be appearing at the Christmas ball excited the students.

While excited, the Hogwarts students and teachers were also aware of their responsibilities. They had to be mindful of their personal conduct in the castle and strive to make a lasting impression on the guests, including Beauxbatons, Durmstrang, and Ilvermorny.

Clearly, they were determined to showcase the castle at its best this Christmas.

The school was brightly decorated, more beautiful than the students had ever seen since they entered the school. The marble staircase railings were covered with icicles that would never melt, and the twelve Christmas trees that usually stood in the auditorium were decorated with glittering holly berries and incessantly chirping golden owls.

The armor is now also affected by magic, becoming more vivid, and two suits of armor will even fight each other, which is almost becoming a feature of the castle.

Although most of the young wizards in Beauxbatons didn't like this kind of armor, there were always some who did, such as the young wizards in Durmstrang, who found it very interesting.

Some even challenged the armored warriors wielding swords to sword duels.

Most of the time, the armor doesn't leave its place, and Dumbledore's magic makes him—how should I put it—more like a living person.

They would sing the Hogwarts school song when someone passed by, and each suit of armor sang a different tune.

If you have a lot of free time, try looking for these armors in the castle. You might, perhaps, possibly find the unique armor with the Hogwarts school song sung as a funeral march.

More likely, however, you'll find the castle's ghost inside the armor.

They would hide inside the armor, and then suddenly burst out to scare the little wizards while the armor sang.

This is one of the few sources of enjoyment for the ghosts.

However, don't be nervous, most ghosts are quite friendly.

As long as you don't encounter a mischievous ghost, it's fine.

Because Peeves hides inside, whenever the armor can't continue singing, he makes up lyrics to fill in the gaps—all very crude and unpleasant words. And sometimes he'll suddenly put the armor on himself, then pretend it's out of control and attack the little wizard like crazy.

Although this trick doesn't work on most young wizards, it will still give them a scare.

At times like these, the young wizards would think of Owen.

Because apart from Dumbledore and Barrow the Blood, Peeves only listened to Owen in the entire castle.

In fact, Owen was his savior. After the vampire had drained a large amount of his soul power, it was Owen who defeated the monster and released the part of Pippi's soul.

Therefore, he had great respect for Irving. Every time he met him, he would take off his hat in respect.

As for Irving, he couldn't care less about the ghosts.

Besides, Peeves is also part of the castle. If he were to disappear one day, I believe the Geminis would be heartbroken for a long time.

As for the young wizards' dance partners...

After a week, everyone made their own choices.

Harry and Luna eventually got together. As members of the same inner circle and future members of the D.A., Harry had known Luna for quite some time, and Ginny, who was good friends with Luna, often mentioned her.

More importantly, on some level, Luna had a similarly unfortunate childhood as Harry, which made them more compatible than most people.

Justin and Susan teamed up, and they seemed to have a lot to talk about, officially splitting up the Hufflepuff crew.

Finally, there's Hannah, whom Irving met in the common room one day.

She was chatting with Susan Ernie and the others at the time.

They were chatting and laughing.

Owen went straight to her and asked about the ball, and she said she had already accepted someone else's invitation.

She looked as if a heavy burden had been lifted from her shoulders; something that had weighed on her heart for the past six months, from summer vacation to now, had completely vanished.

As for the others, most of them have also found their dance partners.

There was only one person—Ron.

Our little Luo Luo is still single.

"Quiet--"

On Tuesday, December 27th, the afternoon was filled with the upperclassmen from all of Hogwarts’ houses preparing for the ball. They had all gathered in the Great Hall.

At the behest of Headmaster Dumbledore, Professor McGonagall started a dance class.

This is the third day of the class. Previously, most of the students were sixth or seventh graders, but today it's fourth or fifth graders.

Professor McGonagall stood upright, her reflection gleaming on the gleaming floor.

She was dressed in a long black robe, with Filch and his cat behind her.

He was tinkering with a huge magic phonograph.

"The Christmas ball is a tradition."

"It's a tradition that's been around since the start of the Triwizard Tournament." Professor Gertrude frowned and paused. She turned to look at Filch, who was frantically adjusting a phonograph that had been gathering dust in the warehouse for who knows how long. The occasional static indicated that the phonograph was not in good condition.

"Sanchez—" Professor McGonagall called out.

Owen then understood immediately. He casually tossed a small pocket watch into the air, and then an elegant waltz began to play from it.

Professor McGonagall knew about the existence of this pocket watch thanks to the Gemini.

They used the World Cup final as a gimmick to trick young wizards who hadn't seen it into paying to watch it.

After hosting two viewing events, they were reported by a Slytherin.

The reason is that their ticket price is ten times that of the other two colleges.

However, Professor McGonagall did not confiscate Owen's prop, presumably because she had already foreseen the current situation.

"Thank you!" she said.

Then, with her arms crossed, she stood in the center of the hall, facing the young wizards, and said, "The ball will be held on Christmas Eve. We and our guests will gather in the hall."

"Everyone should maintain their composure while indulging in carefree joy."

As he spoke, the professor's expression gradually turned stern. "As representatives of the host school, I expect each and every one of you to present your best performance."

"Hogwarts has been revered in the wizarding world for nearly a thousand years. I will never allow you to tarnish its reputation overnight by chattering, jumping around, and making a fool of yourselves."

Professor McGonagall rattled off a long string of words in a short time, as if reciting a tongue twister, "Especially certain students. I declare here that if anyone dares to do anything that would bring shame to the school that day, I will make sure they are expelled from the school forever!"

"—Ron, 'Irving,' muttered with a grin, 'I bet he's talking about you!'"

"Haha—I thought it was referring to George and Fred!" Irving retorted.

Meanwhile, Professor McGonagall's lecture continued—"Regarding dance, I believe that every girl has a swan sleeping in her heart, yearning to burst forth with passion and spread her wings to fly."

"Professor McGonagall has been wanting to kick you out of school for quite some time now," Ron continued. "Oh my god—I guarantee Aurora Ismedgan is a acne-ridden swan." He turned to Harry beside him.

Seeing this, Owen, who was lying down like Ge You next to Harry, rolled his eyes at the guy.

Fourth grade is the prime of youth, and many young wizards have developed acne. Why do you think Harry and Ron had long hair in their fourth year?

That's all to cover up the pimples on my face!

Not everyone has skin as smooth as cream, rosy and translucent, delicate and flawless as silk, and supple as reed.

Although he was somewhat disgusted by a certain yaoi fan club in the castle, on another level, it was precisely because of his stunning good looks that someone created a comic that was not suitable for children based on him.

Does anyone else have it?

Have it?

As for the Aurora Ismidgan that Ron mentioned, she was a Gryffindor girl—because she had a round face covered in pimples, many of which she had popped and looked like moldy pumpkin pancakes oozing yellow pus, so...

Under normal circumstances, Kyrie Irving doesn't judge people by their appearance—unless he can't help it!

Why not at least go to Mrs. Pomfrey and get some ointment to apply? It's free.

So, among the girls across from us, Miss Granger is the prettiest, with a clean and tidy face.

"You still have the nerve to say that? The dance is about to start, where's your dance partner?" Owen delivered a fatal blow.

Ron's face immediately fell, and he stopped talking; all his joy vanished.

"Besides, do you think I'd let Professor McGonagall succeed? I'm Dumbledore's favorite son. Even if Harry Potter got expelled, I wouldn't! Don't you know the value of being Dumbledore's favorite son?"

"Besides, although I never mention that my grandmother is the principal of Durmstrang, she is indeed the principal of Durmstrang. As long as my grandmother is the principal of Durmstrang, how could I not have a place to go to school? At worst, I can take Miss Granger to Durmstrang. After all, my grandmother is the principal of Durmstrang."

Harry and Ron looked at Owen speechlessly.

And he never mentions it.

I've said this so many times!

"You—" Doesn't Owen know Ron well enough? "A VIP member of the appearance association, always wanting to find a pretty girl to boost his image, so why don't you invite Koyatl?"

She's a stunning beauty, what if she gets her head stuck in a door and agrees out of nowhere?

"Screw you, Owen. Unless I've got my head stuck in a door, I would never invite her!" Ron said angrily. If he invited Koyatl, wouldn't he become a traitor to Hogwarts?

Ever since her brawl with Hermione in front of the Great Hall, no young wizard at Hogwarts has ever been an enemy of her.

Is Ron the kind of person who would betray others?

"The essence of dance lies in—"

Suddenly, Professor McGonagall's voice stopped.

She finally couldn't help but turn her head and look at the little wizard who was still talking to her.

"Sanchez, come here!" She walked over, grabbed Owen's shoulder, and dragged him to the center of the auditorium, despite Owen's constipated expression.

Harry and Justin laughed and joked, and even gave Owen a push the moment he stood up.

"Now please put your right hand on my waist." Professor McGonagall placed one hand on Owen's shoulder and the other on his wrist.

She stared intently at Irving, then paused, as if waiting for the rhythm of the waltz to begin.

"Shh~~~" The twins' loud whistling suddenly filled the auditorium.

The two of them leaned against the wall, looking at Irving with big smiles on their faces.

At that moment, the commemorative pocket watch began to play magnificent music—a waltz: soaring through the sky, its vibrant and glorious melody resounding throughout the auditorium.

It's like a hymn to welcome spring, or the joy of welcoming the new year.

Driven by the power of the music, Professor McGonagall practically dragged Owen into a dance.

"One two three, one two three!"

The waltz has a clear and lively rhythm, making it easy to follow. Professor McGonagall's dance steps are light and graceful, as if she is flying through the sky following the melody.

Although the professor was usually very serious, the music brought out a softer side of her. A faint smile graced her face, a smile that wouldn't fade unless she saw Owen's face.

As the waltz reached its climax, Professor McGonagall finally dragged Owen through the entire sequence of movements.

Then she began to explain in detail.

Meanwhile, the boys were imitating Professor McGonagall and Owen, swaying their hips in a pretentious manner.

It looks as ridiculous as it can be.

"Hey!" Harry said with a grin, sticking his head out at the twins. "Haha, I can make fun of him until Christmas."

"Until next year!" Ron said.

"Forever!" the twins laughed, thankfully their voices were drowned out by the dance music.

On stage, however, Irving's ordeal did not last long.

After all, the professors weren't really going to teach the young wizards to dance; they just needed to make it look like they were dancing.

When the dance ended, Irving was free.

"Damn it, I saw you laughing the whole time!" He launched his attack as soon as he got off the plane, trying to cover up his embarrassment.

"You danced wonderfully, that was a smile of praise, a smile of praise!" Harry said with a straight face.

"Hahaha—" Justin and Seamus couldn't help but burst out laughing.

Harry then also settled in Bengbu.

He grinned and let out a hearty laugh.

He finally discovered something Owen wasn't good at: his dancing just now—it wasn't much better than the armor in the corridor, stiff and sluggish as if his joints hadn't been oiled. If the music hadn't been so loud, they would have heard the creaking and scraping sounds of wear and tear.

"Heh—" Irving sneered, "So you're making fun of your buddy, huh!"

"You know what, Pott?" He looked at Harry with a gloomy expression, "Cedric and Miss Cho practiced dancing all afternoon yesterday, and last night he was telling us excitedly how talented Miss Cho was, how she found the knack right away, while he just couldn't get into the zone and stepped on her toes several times."

A cruel smile played on his lips.

Anyone who dares to laugh at me can forget about it!

And Potter, almost visibly, gradually suppressed his laughter, slowly transforming it into a restrained, resentful, and indignant expression of grievance.

It was as complex as the expression Ron was about to reveal.

"And you!" Owen turned to Ron. "Listen up, Ron. This Friday, the castle is hosting an awesome ball, all the big shots will be there, but guess who didn't get an invitation?"

Irving, in a low, strained voice, pointed at his nose and said, "You—"

"Because some idiot still hasn't found a dance partner!"

Ron was hit hard, and his smile vanished from his face.

"Alright, everyone, stand up. Boys, stand up." Professor McGonagall interrupted Owen and the others' conversation once again.

With a whoosh, all the girls stood up.

As for the boys—they all looked around, one of them practically wanting to disappear into the ground.

After a long while, not a single person got up.

Irving, on the other hand, was the first to step forward, seemingly unconcerned.

Pshaw—since we've already lost all face and hit rock bottom, it's about time it climbed back up.

"Boys, stand up!" Professor McGonagall called out sternly, and the wizards slowly rose to their feet.

Well, with expressions that suggested they'd rather fight a dragon, they reluctantly walked over, each finding a dance partner, and began dancing to the music.

Of course—whether broadly or narrowly defined—the young wizards' dance moves were far from standard. Owen cast a spell on the two suits of armor, and he believed they would dance better than the young wizards.

In response, Professor McGonagall could only walk through the crowd, personally instructing those students whose work was truly an eyesore.

The professor's motto is very simple: you don't need to dance exceptionally well, just don't disgust people.

As for Owen, he held Miss Granger's hand, awkwardly adjusting his posture. To be honest, with his brain, he could remember everything Professor McGonagall did after just one look, but—his brain remembered it, but his body didn't.

Before long, both he and Hermione's shoes were covered in dust.

"I'm sorry." After stepping on Hermione's foot again, Owen said numbly.

As a member of the Rozier family, Owen has not inherited any of the elegance of this ancient family.

His mother must have been a great dancer; every woman in Rozier's family is a skilled dancer. (That's his guess.)

"This is the ninth time you've apologized." Hermione's face flushed slightly, and her brows furrowed slightly. It wasn't because Owen had stepped on her and hurt her.

Her movements were somewhat stiff entirely because Owen had exposed her waist too forcefully, and—and too closely.

(End of this chapter)