It seemed the entire Hogwarts community was determined to showcase the castle at its absolute finest this Christmas. Festive decorations appeared two weeks early—never-melting icicles draped the marble staircase banisters like crystalline curtains, while the Great Hall's twelve towering Christmas trees sparkled with enchanted ornaments. Everything from glittering holly berries to live golden owls that hooted melodiously adorned the branches.
The corridor suits of armor had been charmed to burst into Christmas carols whenever someone passed. Hearing an empty helmet belt out "O Come, All Ye Faithful" was particularly amusing, though the armor only knew half the lyrics. Filch repeatedly had to drag Peeves from inside the suits—the poltergeist delighted in hiding within them, improvising spectacularly crude verses whenever the armor faltered.
In previous years, few students remained at school for Christmas. This year proved dramatically different—seemingly every fourth-year and above planned to stay. Girls clustered in corridors, giggling and whispering conspiratorially, while boys scratched their heads in agonized deliberation over potential dance partners.
Harry needn't have worried about finding a date. Within days, a third-year Hufflepuff, a second-year Gryffindor, and a fifth-year Ravenclaw had all boldly asked him to the Ball. He'd declined them all—his attention remained fixed on Cho Chang.
The school buzzed with increasing excitement and chaos. Wild rumors about the Christmas Ball circulated daily—the most outrageous claimed Dumbledore had ordered hundreds of gallons of spiced mead. Some professors, like the diminutive Professor Flitwick, simply abandoned lessons when faced with their students' obvious distraction. He allowed games during Wednesday's Charms class. But Severus Snape certainly wasn't among the lenient—he'd sooner adopt Harry as his godson than permit frivolity in his dungeon.
During Potions, Ron and Harry whispered constantly right under Orli's nose, while her gaze remained fixed on Snape's imposing figure. She knew perfectly well who she'd want to accompany to such a Ball. But that remained pure fantasy—a beautiful, impossible dream. If she ever mentioned it, Snape would probably cease acknowledging her existence entirely. She'd only recently stopped being invisible to him!
So Orli abandoned any thought of ordering dress robes. If she couldn't attend with her heart's desire, she'd rather not go at all.
Even after dinner in the common room, Harry and Ron remained undecided. Hermione had vanished to the library again—she'd been spending considerable time there lately, always alone.
"That fifth-year's rather attractive, Harry. Give it some thought," Ron said reasonably, having finished his laughter. His hands still shuffled Exploding Snap cards.
"She's a foot taller than me," Harry replied, still shaken. "Imagine me dancing with her—I'd make a complete spectacle of myself!"
"You two must be completely blind," Orli scoffed, crunching on Dobby's special-delivery crisps.
"What, isn't the fifth-year pretty enough?" Ron countered.
"Hermione! Why haven't you considered Hermione?! She's absolutely wonderful!" Orli exclaimed in exasperation. For all she knew, Krum might have already asked Hermione.
Harry and Ron exchanged glances, eyes widening as if suddenly illuminated.
"Brilliant! Why didn't we think of that? Harry, you could ask Orli, and I'll ask Hermione," Ron announced triumphantly.
"No, no, no..." Orli waved her hands frantically. "Don't ask me. I'm not attending that Ball."
"Please, Orli, you're my only salvation..." Harry pleaded mournfully.
"I refuse to get entangled in more gossip with you," Orli replied, biting another crisp. "You two can both ask Hermione and see who she chooses. But Harry, why not invite Ginny? If you actually looked at her properly, you'd realize she's far prettier than that fifth-year."
"Ginny?" Harry shook his head thoughtfully. "If I absolutely had to ask someone, actually..."
"Actually what?" Ron pressed eagerly.
"I want to ask someone else," Harry admitted, his voice lacking conviction.
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