As the term neared its end, coursework at school became increasingly heavy. Although this year's Tournament made many professors relax their exam requirements, the four House heads didn't let their guard down, instead becoming increasingly strict with their students.
"What are you doing here?" Edmund asked, staring at Aiden with dead fish eyes.
"Looking for an assistant. Let me tell you, Edmund, I have a plan," Aiden said with obvious excitement.
"No way. You don't need to take exams this year, but I do. You idle person should go find someone else," Edmund refused firmly.
"Sigh, what a pity," Aiden said, shaking his head dramatically.
"By the way, have you chosen your dance partner?" Ethan asked, coming over to join the conversation.
"Not yet, why?" Aiden asked with curiosity.
"I already have over ten invitations..." Ethan was about to speak when a black owl carrying a black letter crashed directly into his face.
"Oh, for you?" Aiden asked, raising an eyebrow.
Ethan rubbed his face and took the letter. "Addressed to Aiden Prewett?"
Then he looked at Aiden accusingly, and Aiden shrugged with innocent confusion.
Taking the letter and opening it, a slight smile curved Aiden's exquisite features.
"Never mind, Ethan. I already have a dance partner," Aiden said, raising his hand and turning the letter to ash.
"Who?" both asked simultaneously, becoming instantly gossipy.
"Secret," Aiden said with a mysterious smile, standing up and handing his homework to Snape.
"Hmph, barely acceptable."
Taking the homework, Snape snorted coldly. Don't look at his aloof appearance; he was actually quite bitter inside.
Although Aiden's grades were excellent in all four courses, he spent the least effort on Potions, which made Snape very unhappy.
Meanwhile, at the Gryffindor table, the trio was discussing dance partners.
"I'm going crazy. At this rate, only we two won't have dance partners," Ron whispered urgently to Harry.
"Just us two and Neville," Harry leaned over to say.
Hermione turned to look at Snape and said, "You two don't know yet, but Neville already found a dance partner."
"No way," Ron was about to speak when George threw him a note.
Act quickly, or all the good girls will be taken.
Ron sent George a questioning look about who he'd invited, and George performed a live flirtation demonstration.
Helpless Ron turned his gaze to his Hermione-mom. "Oh, Hermione, you're also a girl."
Hermione replied dryly, "Your eyesight is excellent."
"Want to choose between us two?" Ron asked, raising his hand and twisting his body, then all three were hit by Snape.
"Come on, it's nothing for boys not to have dance partners, but it would be too sad for girls," Ron said teasingly.
"I won't be going alone, because someone has already invited me," Hermione retorted sharply to Ron.
Then she stood up to hand her homework to Snape, and while passing Ron, she shot back harshly, "And I already said yes."
Ron felt confused and whispered with Harry, while Snape behind them rolled up his sleeves and gave them each a sharp smack.
That evening, the school was decorated extraordinarily grandly. Non-melting icicles hung from the stairs, and twelve brightly decorated Christmas trees were placed in the Great Hall.
Aiden wore platinum-colored robes, his silver hair falling like moonlight as he leaned against the balcony, looking like an elf from a fairy tale, beautiful and ethereal.
"Have you been waiting long?"
A witch in black-gold robes appeared, her eyes obscured by an elegant mask.
Life in Knockturn Alley seemed to have stripped away her childishness. This stark contrast made Aiden almost unable to recognize the person before him.
"Not at all. After all, when the Queen of Knockturn Alley graces us with her presence, her subject should arrive early to receive her," Aiden said, performing an exaggerated bow.
"Hmph, jester!" the lady laughed with amusement.
"Then, may I ask once more, do I have the honor of inviting this beautiful lady to accompany me to tonight's ball?"
Aiden bowed slightly and extended his palm with courtly grace.
Astoria placed her hand in Aiden's. "My pleasure."
When the two walked to the hall entrance, others were already waiting.
"Oh, you're here. Who is this?" Professor McGonagall asked, looking at Astoria with obvious curiosity.
Since Aiden had used the Bone Church to conceal Astoria, there weren't many people in the world capable of remembering her clearly.
"My dance partner," Aiden said with a smile.
"Well then, hurry and prepare. You need to go in," Professor McGonagall urged.
Several people lined up. The doors opened, and surrounding little wizards all applauded in welcome.
Professor Flitwick stood on the podium and winked at Aiden with obvious delight.
Then he turned around and waved his conductor's baton with theatrical flair.
Music began, and the flowing light woven from black gold and platinum became everyone's focus.
"Mmm, too many eyes," Astoria said, frowning slightly.
"Simple," Aiden said, tapping several points on Astoria's waist.
Invisible waves spread outward. Everyone could only see two shadows in the ballroom, but no matter what, they couldn't recall their faces.
The two moved in perfect rhythm, sometimes spinning, sometimes gliding. The stars flowing from their robes seemed to fall to earth.
"I don't know why, but I inexplicably feel like the dance floor seems very dangerous."
Ron's intuition activated as he spoke to Parvati beside him.
Everyone was immersed in the ball. During the spinning, Aiden even saw Filch dancing with his cat.
"Life in Knockturn Alley must have been difficult," Aiden said, looking at Astoria.
"Not bad, at least I adapted well," Astoria said, showing Aiden a confident smile.
"Astoria, I..." Aiden wanted to speak but was silenced by Astoria's hand on his shoulder.
"Don't say sorry. It's not necessary. I chose this path myself, and I won't regret it. From accepting your invitation until the end of my life."
Aiden was struck down by Astoria's direct confession, showing a flustered expression for the first time.
"Haha, so you can have that expression too. This trip was truly worthwhile."
Astoria's smile became very bright, sweeping away the gloom from her days in Knockturn Alley.
After a graceful turn, Astoria vanished into the darkness, leaving the lonely dragon standing in the crowd, feeling utterly lost.
The formal ball ended, and the rock band Dumbledore had invited was now singing energetically on stage.
Young men and women in the dance hall were partying wildly. What had just been a high-end ball venue became a disco club the next moment.
Ron and Harry sat at the dining table complaining about Krum, while Aiden was also eating nearby.
"Look at that stupid face of his."
Ron's jealous commentary contaminated Aiden's food, but the scene before him served as good entertainment.
"Stop eating, Aiden. Where's your dance partner?" Ron asked, his attack power extremely strong.
"She has a career to be busy with, unlike an idle fish like me," Aiden said with a sheepish grin.
"You seem very embarrassed," Harry said, finding the blind spot, not even caring that Parvati beside him was invited away.
Parvati looked at Ron's jealous appearance and sighed again. This was her countless sigh of the evening.
After a while, Hermione, having played enough with Krum, walked back.
"Uh, Viktor is going to get some drinks. Do you want to come together?"
"No, I won't join you and Viktor's romantic play," Ron shot back at Hermione.
"Oh, who was it that wanted his autograph?" Hermione asked, not knowing what madness Ron was having.
"He's using you," Ron said, standing up and walking outside.
"What? How can you say that?" Hermione asked, chasing after him. "Besides, I can take care of myself."
"Hard to say. He's already old... just like Aiden, who looks like a child but is actually much older than us."
Ron pointed behind him... behind him?
The dragon behind him kicked his shin, making him squat down holding his leg.
Refreshed, Aiden continued his dining enterprise with satisfaction.
"So that's how you speculate about others?" Hermione asked, her voice carrying tears.
"What else can I do?" Ron asked, limping after her.
"Let me tell you, be brave and invite me before others do! Don't think of me only when you can't find anyone else!" Hermione said, her tears flowing uncontrollably.
"This... what are you talking about?" Ron stammered but suddenly saw his savior. "Harry!"
"Where did you run off to?"
Hermione rushed up and yelled at Harry.
"I just..." Harry said, raising his hand to point behind him but was interrupted by Hermione.
"Forget it. You two go upstairs to sleep," Hermione-mom said, still caring for her two boys.
"Oh, women really..." Ron was about to speak when Aiden came out and cast a spell to shut his mouth, then drove him away.
"Hermione," Aiden called her name comfortingly. Hermione sat down on the stairs and began crying.
"Hermione, not everyone has the ability to see through people's hearts," Aiden said, sitting beside her and quietly releasing soothing magic.
"But they..." Hermione sobbed.
"Boys at this stage are still very childish. They haven't even realized the differences between boys and girls," Aiden counseled Hermione gently.
"But aren't you one too?"
"I can see through people's hearts," Aiden said, rolling his eyes.
Stubborn Hermione sat there crying. Helplessly, Aiden could only wave to Parvati to take Hermione back to her dormitory.