In the Gryffindor common room, Harry looked around and was surprised to see Ron sitting in a far corner with a pale face. Ginny sat beside him and spoke to him in a low voice, as if to comfort him.

"What's wrong, Ron?" asked Harry, walking over to them. Ron looked up at Harry with a look of horror on his face.

"Why would I do that?" he said confusedly, "I don't know how I could do that!"

"What?" said Harry.

"He-well-he just invited Fleur Delacour to go to the ball with him. Ginny said. She seemed desperately trying to hold back a laugh, but still patted Ron's arm sympathetically.

"What's the matter with you?" asked Harry.

"I don't know how I could have done such a thing. Ron gasped and said, "What am I kidding? It's all people--it's crowded-I'm dazed--everybody's watching." As I walked through the foyer, I met her—she was standing talking to Phoenix—and I suddenly couldn't control myself—and I went up to her and asked her. ”

Ron groaned, covering his face with his hands. He was still talking, but he could barely hear it.

"She looked at me like I was a sea cucumber or something. I don't bother to answer at all. And then -- I don't know -- I suddenly came to my senses and ran away. ”

"She has a part of her baby's blood," said Harry, "and you're right—her grandmother is a baby." It's not your fault, I dare say she was casting that spell on Phoenix at the time, and you happened to be passing by and you were hit. ”

"It's ridiculous," Ron said, "and we're left with no dance partners—by the way, except for Neville." By the way, guess who he invited? Hermione!"

"What?" said Harry, completely captivated by the surprising news.

"yes, I know that!" Ron said as he laughed, his face a little bloodied again, "He told me after Potions class. He said she had always been so kind, helping him with his homework or something—but Hermione told him that she had promised someone else. Hah! Honestly, she just didn't want to go with Neville - I mean, who's going to invite her?"

"Don't laugh!" said Ginny angrily, "Don't laugh—" Just then, Hermione crawled in through the hole behind the portrait.

"Why don't you two go to dinner?" she said, as she came over and sat with them.

"Because—don't laugh, you two—because they both invited the girl to the ball, and they both refused. Ginny said.

Harry and Ron immediately stopped talking.

"Thank you, Ginny. Ron said in a weird way.

"You should hurry," said Hermione, cheerfully, "and the good girls have a partner." ”

Ron glared at Hermione, seemingly suddenly looking at her with a fresh gaze.

"Hermione, Neville is right-you're a good girl-"

"Oh, thank you. Her mind was focused on a wizarding magazine full of the latest dresses and robes.

"So- you can pick one of the two of us!"

"No, I can't. Hermione flatly refused without raising her head.

"Oh, hurry up," he said impatiently, "we need a dance partner, and if everyone else has it, we don't, it would be too shameful—"

"I can't go with you," Hermione said as she struggled to suppress her excitement, "because I've promised someone else." ”

"No, you didn't!" Ron said, "and you just said that to get rid of Neville. ”

"Oh, whatever. With that, Hermione took her book and ran back to the girls' dormitory.

"What does she mean by that?" Ron said expressionlessly, looking at Hermione's back.

"She's been invited, I'm there. Ginny whispered.

"Oh, who's that guy?" Ron asked sharply.

"I can't tell you, it's her private business. Ginny said.

Heavy snow fell on the castle and grounds. Beauxbatons' light blue carriage looked like a large pumpkin in the winter, and the little gingerbread house with frosting next to it was Hagrid's cabin, and the sides of the Durmstrang were smooth and shiny with ice, and the sail ropes were stained with hoarfrost. The house-elves in the kitchen below were so busy preparing hot stews and sweet puddings that only Fleur Delacour could find an excuse to complain.

"The food at Hogwarts is so greasy," Hermione said one night with a frown, "I can't wear my gown." ”

"Oh, that's tragic," Hermione said unceremoniously as Fleur walked out of the auditorium and into the foyer, "she thinks about herself all day, doesn't she?"

"Hermione—who are you going to prom with?" Ron asked.

He always asked her this question so unexpectedly, expecting her to tell the truth in the most unsuspecting moment. But Hermione just frowned and said, "I won't tell you, I promised to keep it a secret." ”

"Weasley," Malfoy's voice suddenly sounded behind them, "What, want to wear your eighteenth-century gown and robes, and let us go back in time?"

Harry and Ron spun around sharply, but Hermione waved at someone behind Malfoy, saying loudly, "Hello, Professor Moody." ”

Malfoy's face turned white, and he jumped back, looking around in a panic for Moody, only to see Moody still sitting at the faculty desk, eating his share of the stew.

"You're a twitching little ferret, aren't you, Malfoy?" Hermione said scathingly, and walked up the marble staircase with Harry and Ron, laughing heartily.

Phoenix had received a lot of gifts this year, but since Draco wouldn't be back anytime soon, he let them fill half of his bedroom, opening up only a few gifts from those close to him. Then head back to the auditorium for a sumptuous lunch of at least a hundred turkeys and a whole bunch of Christmas pudding, as well as a mountain of Critge Wizard crackers.

In the afternoon, they came to the outside field. The snow was white, and almost no one had stepped on it, except for a deep footprint that Durmstrang and Beauxbatons' students had taken as they returned to the castle. Daphne and Melinda are only willing to watch Phoenix, Nott, and Draco have a snowball fight. Draco and Gohl Crabbe were on a team, playing Phoenix and Nott without looking up. No matter how long it takes, he loves it.

There are no Christmas refreshments today because there is a feast at the ball. At seven o'clock, when it was dark and it was not easy to aim at the target, the others gave up the snowball fight and returned to the common room together.

They went back to their dorms to change into their dresses, and this time Phoenix wore a purple and dark red gown with gold patterns, which were full of ornate and intricate patterns.

"Please come in. Hearing a knock on the door, Phoenix adjusted his bow tie, "Oh, Melinda." I'm still wondering if you're not going to come to me. ”

The mirror is printed with Melinda's unfazed face and pale gold gown.

"Explain. ”

"Explain what, you should explain it to me. You didn't keep your contract—" Phoenix spoke quickly without giving her a chance to interject, "I know you don't, but I dare say that your father probably didn't intend to support me with all his might, given all sorts of factors. So, I should choose someone who is more suitable for me and be a dance partner, right?"

"You mudbloods. Melinda's body trembled slightly, and she was trying her best to restrain herself.

"If you have to use that word, I have no right to stop you. He said, "I suggest that you ask your father what he stands, and if I am satisfied, our marriage contract will still be valid." I promise you. ”

Phoenix kissed her on the cheek and whispered in her ear, "Merry Christmas!"