Chapter 485 "The Christmas Ball (2)"

Since the awkward dance class, Sean noticed that Hermione seemed a little different. He couldn't tell exactly what had changed in her, but his feeling was completely different from before.

She is still the same person; her personality has not changed; she still likes to read various books, do various homework and spells, and still reprimands Sean and Daisy from time to time. But Sean just felt that Hermione was different. She doesn't seem to have been depressed.

Sean always felt that something was wrong, so he asked someone to ask about it secretly. Hagrid said that Hermione had looked for him and told him about the flower field that Sean had asked Buckbeak to drive her to.

"Hermione and Buckbeak were surrounded by Dementors there, a large field of flowers withered, and it hasn't grown back to its original appearance. Dementors hate that, huh?" Hagrid said.

Sean frowned and asked, "Did she say anything else?" 

Hagrid raised his head and recalled, "Oh, she also asked me, did you discover that flower field?"

"And then?"

Hagrid spread his hands, "I told her about the flower field."

Sean was a little confused, but Hagrid said there was nothing wrong with it; the flower field was something she had some memories of before.

In the beginning, he had a little fight with Hermione, so he thought Buckbeak taking Hermione around the flower field would work. But they happened to meet a Demonic. But after dealing with the trouble, his and Hermione's relationship eased immediately. 

After thinking for a long time, Sean still couldn't find an answer, and he could only give up temporarily.

After all, Hermione doesn't seem to be wrong. It's just that she feels a little different from before. What he's worried about now is finding a partner at the Ball. If possible, he wants to invite Harry, Ron, or Neville to do it.

Dancing with the boys is fine, but it's a pity Professor McGonagall doesn't allow it at all, and they have found dance partners. Harry invited Ginny as his dance partner, as he wished. Although Ron strongly expressed his objection, his sister rejected him.

Ron finally found a dance partner, Lavender Brown from Gryffindor, as he wished. Ron even secretly wrote a letter to his uncles, hoping that they could buy him a more grand-looking dress. The Weasley family is doing pretty well financially, but they don't have enough to buy every child a dress.

On the other hand, Neville invited a Hufflepuff girl, Hannah Abbott. He didn't invite her, but the two saw each other in the dance class and planned to be together later.

Therefore, of the students who had considered getting a partner before, only Sean was left without one. 

Professor McGonagall also asked Sean once, and when he said that he hadn't found it, she told him, "You will be the first to appear at Hogwarts, and there is one week before the Ball. Find a partner, or I'll arrange one for you."

Sean began to yearn, planning an incident, like another Ashwinder incident or some dark wizards attacking Hogwarts. Of course, this is unrealistic. Dumbledore has been at the school recently, and the principals of the other schools are also here. Grindelwald will also attend the Ball.

Sean's birthday came first before Christmas, and he received a bed full of presents.

Hermione gave him a whole set of magic books, Daisy gave him a beautiful cloak, and the Gryffindor trio each gave him a lot of toys. Nothing had changed from the Weasley twins; he had received a whole box of dung bombs and a big box of canary biscuits.

Unlike his friends, Sean's admirers also sent many gifts, but those gifts were more basic, such as bow ties, books, and magic book holders.

Capone gave him a dragon he had carved himself. A few beautiful little spells were cast on it, allowing the wood to flap its wings freely and even breathe fire.

He has become the favorite of the professors. His natural and huge source of magic power allows him to improve faster than others in spells. As for the matter between him and that Henri kid, Sean didn't ask about it. He believed that Capone could handle it easily.

Sean blew out the candles, surrounded by everyone in the Ravenclaw common room. When the birthday party ended, Sean and the others played for a while and then headed outside.

Today is not only his birthday but also Stephanie's birthday. She does not appear in the common room from the beginning to the end, presumably hiding in the Room of Requirement. 

However, what Sean didn't notice was that when he left quietly, Hermione was secretly looking at him from the corner of her eye. When Sean's figure disappeared, she sighed. Her eyes were a little darker, but they quickly returned to their previous appearance.

Walking out of the common room, he found a corner where no one was around, and Sean called the wooden door and walked into the Room of Requirement. He came to Stephanie's small room with ease, and before he could knock on the door, the door opened by itself.

He walked in with a cake and looked it up in surprise. It had been well decorated; exquisite decorations and banners could be seen around. At some point, a small chandelier appeared on the ceiling, and there were many beautiful glowing elves flying in it.

However, it was Stephanie who stood in the middle of the room, making Sean a little dizzy.

She was wearing an exquisite sky blue dress, and the long silver hair that had been draped all year round was turned into a luxurious bun. Magical snowflakes floated on her shoulders and melted quietly, embellishing the skin with a trace of water. 

Stephanie took off her glasses, and Sean's reflection in the middle was shining brightly. Sean was in a daze for a moment before realizing that this was not Lust's ability but her natural beauty.

"Happy birthday." Stephanie was the first to speak. Her voice was softer than the usual cold tone.

Sean looked down at his sweater and jeans and scratched his head helplessly, "You look so grand. Happy birthday, Stephanie."

Stephanie smiled, and the light seemed to dim a bit, "This is my last birthday at Hogwarts."

Sean suddenly realized that Stephanie was in seventh grade and would officially graduate from Hogwarts at the end of this school year. In less than a year, he would not be able to see her again. For some reason, a slight sense of melancholy rose up.

Sean let out a long breath and smiled gently, "Yeah, making it grandeur is a good choice."

He put the cake down, "Give me a minute."

When he came back from the door again, he had already put on a neat dress. 

Stephanie looked at Sean in a daze. The well-tailored dress and Sean's figure were a match. He had an elegant and soft smile on his face. His pale blue eyes were calm, but they had incomparable confidence and pride hidden in them.

She slightly lowered her head and bit her own teeth lightly. When she raised her head again, she had the most beautiful smile on her face.

"Can I invite you to a dance?" Stephanie was more active than ever. She walked over lightly with her long dress and stretched out a hand.

Sean was taken aback for a moment, shook his head and laughed. He took half a step back and stretched out a hand, "I would be honored to dance with you."

The two hands were held together. There was no music, no audience, the cake was forgotten in the corner, and the faint flame of the candle danced lightly with the two in the room. The elves in the chandelier flew happily, spilling light down and mixing with the falling snowflakes.

The whole room seemed to be dotted with starlight. Sean and Stephanie danced in the light. No matter what the action was, no matter what time it was, she always looked at Sean with her eyes as if wanting to imprison him. 

After dancing to the song, Stephanie leaned gently on Sean's chest. He could feel her slightly short panting and the beating of her heart in her chest.

"Miss Ollivander," Sean said with a smile. Stephanie didn't reply; she leaned quietly on Sean's chest as if she were feeling something.

Sean was silent. After a long time, when Stephanie's breathing finally calmed down, she gently raised her head to look at Sean. Sean was a little distracted. The last time the two of them got so close was when Stephanie fainted, and Lust arose.

At that time, the two almost got in touch. Pride can absorb the power of other Sins. If Sean did not stop this, Stephanie would disappear from this world forever. Now, this is the first time that the two have gotten so close.

Sean also realized how beautiful Stephanie was. His breathing became uncontrollably heavy. A normal young male's reaction would be the same. Seeing Sean suddenly speed up a few times, Stephanie showed a smile that was different from usual.

"I have been very confused before."

"Huh? What is it?"

"Although I have been a loner since I was a child, sometimes I will be isolated and ignored. But I have always understood one thing." Stephanie smiled.

"My charm has a good effect on most men and a small number of women, even without the Sin."

"Whether my ability is effective or not, when you face me, you are the same as facing other people. Whether it is Potter, Granger, or Weasley, you look at every one. Their eyes are all the same. My thoughts may be different from others, but it's normal to have these thoughts. 

Stephanie moved a little closer, "Sean, are you not attracted to me at all? Even with this appearance, it makes me a little uncertain."

Sean blinked his eyes, "You are really good-looking, and I've always said that."

Stephanie's fingers suddenly placed on Sean's lips, "You're lying, Mr. Wallup."

Sean shrugged, but her fingers blocked his lips, and he didn't speak. Stephanie stared at him in silence for a long time, then suddenly and lightly took a step back and stretched.

"Sean, you are such an interesting person."

"Can I understand that you are complimenting me right now?" Sean replied with a smile. 

Stephanie said, "But there is one problem you have to face directly."

"What is it?"

"It's pointless to play innocent at this time. Anyone can see that Daisy or Hermione likes you. They like you very much."