Chapter 289 Harry's Dance Partner
It's already very close to Christmas, but Harry Potter, the brave man who has to face the second project in February, is facing another challenge that is no less than the three-card competition - finding a dance partner.
There were actually quite a few people who invited Harry, but they were either too young or older and a head taller than him. There were girls of the same grade who invited him, but, when Harry rejected them, there was still some time before the dance, and his careless pickiness dragged on to the point where he couldn't find a dance partner.
There is also a girl that Harry likes, Qiu Zhang from Ravenclaw, a black-haired girl who is very good at Quidditch. She has a graceful temperament that ordinary girls don't have, and she is especially charming when she smiles.
Harry had noticed Qiu Zhang a long time ago, but he had been confused last year due to some psychological problems and had no intention of paying attention to girls. When he was able to think about it now, Qiu Zhang was already walking hand in hand with Cedric Diggory from Hufflepuff on the campus.
Now, those who were qualified to be his dance partners, such as Ginny and Hermione, already had partners, and the girls who still came to him had an eagerness in their eyes that Harry couldn't resist. If it weren't for the fact that the warrior had to open the Christmas ball, Harry would have started planning an excuse to escape from the ball.
It snowed a little this morning, and there will probably be more snow in the future, making Hogwarts covered in silver as it is every year. But at least the sun is shining brightly now, and it is even brighter outside due to the reflection of the snow.
Harry, who was worried about his dance partner, walked in the campus which was bright and warm. The worries in his heart were somewhat obscured by the light. He stepped on the snow, listening carefully to the "squeaking" sound of pressed snow, which was extremely interesting once one paid close attention. He let out a long breath and temporarily put aside all his worries.
There's no point in just thinking about those things. It's better to put them aside for now. You'll still have to think about them later anyway.
He comforted himself in this way and continued to play in the snow with an empty mind. Suddenly he remembered the Christmas he had celebrated before.
The holidays here definitely cannot be counted as the holidays celebrated at his uncle's house. Harry always felt that it was a torture to himself. He felt that he only really started celebrating holidays after coming to Hogwarts.
He spent the first three Christmases in school. Hogwarts was actually a little empty and quiet as most of his classmates had gone home, which made him a little uncomfortable. However, his best friend Ron was always around, and he also had the opportunity to have a long chat with the ghosts, which Harry thought was great.
Before knowing there was a Christmas ball this year, Harry had actually imagined another possibility - spending Christmas with Sirius. Sirius' signature would make his permission to go to Hogsmeade valid, and Headmaster Dumbledore would surely allow him to spend the holiday with his dear godfather.
Although Sirius was still a wanted criminal, as long as they were careful, they could have an exciting and happy holiday. Harry said that the excitement of evading pursuit was even more exciting.
If only I could spend Christmas with Sirius. It would be much more fun than this damn ball.
Returning his thoughts to the problem he was currently facing, Harry kicked the snow at his feet, creating a wave of splashes, and he let out a long sigh.
Following the direction in which the snow had fallen, Harry saw a pair of dignified legs lying on the ground next to the dents made by the tiny snow particles. He looked upwards and first saw the blue scarf of Ravenclaw, and then noticed the silver hair wrapped in the scarf. When he realized who it was, Harry had already met the pair of eyes as emerald green as his.
"What's the matter?" Cynthia half-closed the book she was reading and placed it on her lap. She looked at Harry, blinked, and asked calmly.
"Uh - no -" Harry was about to answer at a loss, but was stared at by the same emerald green eyes as his. He suddenly felt a surge of courage and impulse in his heart, "I - want to ask, want to ask, do you have a dance partner?"
"Christmas dance?" Cynthia tilted her head, half of her face buried in her scarf, making her bright and pretty face even cuter. "There are quite a few people looking for me, but I don't want to be alone the whole night. I'll probably leave my partner and go out to play by myself."
"I told a few guys who looked like I was interested in this, and they said yes quickly, but their expressions said otherwise," Cynthia continued. "So I rejected them all. I thought it would be easier if I played alone, and I wouldn't have to worry about finding someone to dance with or just going back to read."
"I have no problem with that at all. I just want a partner for the opening dance," Harry said immediately, with pure sincerity on his face, and then added, "The opening dance is also very interesting, and this is a dance that Hogwarts hasn't held for many years. It will definitely be a fresh and interesting experience."
Was this the Yule Ball, which was not often held at Hogwarts? Judging from the importance that everyone attached to it, it seemed so, but Harry actually had no idea whether it was really the case or not. He just wanted to arouse Cynthia's interest.
He was one grade apart from Cynthia, and due to their heavy academic workload, they would hardly bump into each other unless they tried to meet by chance. However, there were always many rumors about Cynthia, not to mention the boy who pestered her and was slapped, there were also many people who seemed to be close to her one day but faced the cold shoulder from Cynthia the next day.
Obviously, Cynthia's personality was very strange, but her appearance was indeed... charming, which was an objective statement. However, Harry always felt that it was weird for him to say that, after all, that was almost his mother's face in the photo. Anyway, Cynthia's strange personality was described as arrogant and distinctive, which was quite popular, and many people began to study her way of thinking.
There is a widely held view that, for whatever it is worth, Cynthia White likes new and interesting things, and things that suit her interests may also make her laugh, but Cynthia White will soon be able to get the things she is interested in, so it is basically useless to cater to her known interests.
"Opening dance?" Cynthia asked Harry, her voice rising slightly. "But if you just wanted a dance partner, why did you invite me? Because of my appearance?"
Harry had a hunch that this was a question that could be fatal if answered incorrectly.
"Uh... I only thought of inviting you when I saw you." Harry knew that he was not the kind of person who could answer a girl's true feelings, so he tried his best to describe his actual thoughts. "Your eyes and appearance still affected me a lot, but my first thought was that you were the most suitable and trouble-free dance partner."
"Will it be troublesome?" Cynthia raised her eyes. She pondered the word, and finally curved her lips. "Your idea is good, and the opening dance sounds good too. Let's dance together."
"You agreed?" Harry said with some surprise, feeling relieved. At this moment, the sound of flapping wings sounded above their heads, and Hedwig circled and landed on Harry's shoulder, holding a letter in her claws.
Harry subconsciously took the letter in his hand so that Hedwig could relax her grip which had been tight all the way. After seeing Sirius' familiar and arrogant handwriting on the envelope, he was startled and looked up at Cynthia's reaction unconsciously.
Cynthia's eyes also fell on the letter. From Harry's perspective, she definitely saw the words on the envelope, but Cynthia still looked indifferent as usual.
"This is a letter from my relative," Harry said tentatively, paying attention to Cynthia's reaction. He had always doubted whether Cynthia had lost her memory. After all, she still remembered the name Cynthia White given by Sirius, and the memory that Cynthia mentioned was the key memory to clear Sirius's name. "A relative who is traveling abroad and living a wonderful life."
"It's a letter from a guardian," Cynthia pouted and glanced at the letter in Harry's hand. "I have received enough letters like this from Mr. Lupin."
Harry opened his eyes when Cynthia didn't respond. He was silent for two seconds, put the letter in his pocket, and touched Hedwig on his shoulder. "Then I'll meet you at the entrance of the Ravenclaw common room on the day of the ball?"
"Why did you go straight to the day of the dance? Don't you consider our dancing level?" Cynthia said curiously, "I was absent-minded and reading a book when Professor McGonagall gave us dancing lessons. I didn't learn anything. If you don't want to make a fool of yourself, you'd better teach me."
"Ah..." Harry, who thought that finding a dance partner was the end, realized that he was absent-minded in Professor McGonagall's dance class and only vaguely remembered the general movements.
Cynthia looked at Harry's reaction and blinked in understanding. "I'm always free in the evening. Just make an appointment with me sometime. Remember to find a good place."
"Okay." Harry nodded. Just as he was about to chat a few more words, he saw Cynthia pick up the book on her lap.
"Okay, now that I've explained everything, it's time to say goodbye," Cynthia said, without even looking up. "You'll find me for dance practice, Harry."
"Uh... okay, bye, Cynthia, I'll make an appointment with you as soon as possible." Harry scratched his head, rubbed his toes hesitantly for a few times, then turned and left with Hedwig.
When they first saw Cynthia White after she lost her memory, her face and green eyes that were similar to Lily's were shocking. Almost everyone, including Harry, felt that the silver hair would not have any effect on her irrefutable similarity to Lily. In fact, they all had a vague idea that there would be another shadow of Lily on campus.
But Cynthia's personal characteristics are so prominent that on that face that would reveal vitality with a smile, her words and deeds reveal a completely different coldness and selfishness. Every time this happens, Cynthia's always shiny silver hair highlights her mystery and indifference, which is completely opposite to Lily's own infectiousness with her red hair.
So, when you talk to her, even with that face, you know full well that this person is Cynthia White.
Harry was now increasingly accepting this realization. He stepped on the snow, touched Hedwig again, then took out the letter from his pocket and opened it. He was surprised to find that in addition to a thin piece of letter paper there was also an even smaller envelope.
He unfolded the letter and began to read. The beginning was the same as before. Sirius talked about where he was enjoying life recently, then cheered for Harry who was participating in the competition, and teased Harry for having to find a dance partner at such a young age. Finally, he mentioned the other letter in the envelope.
'Harry, please help me pass the other letter to Miss White in person. You can even make up that I'm a boring pen pal and ask her to write me a letter. I've always written to her through Remus, but never received a reply. I can't blame her. After all, it's normal to be a little cautious in a strange world. Although Remus is gentle, guardians always make people want to rebel. I think these are the reasons why she doesn't reply casually. But you are all students. If you say that pen pals are a trendy thing, maybe people will be more accepting? Please help me try, Harry, and next time you reply to me, you can also mention Miss White's situation. '
Convince Cynthia to do something? Harry thought there was someone who could do it, but he wasn't the one.
The letter in his hand became a hot potato. Harry sighed and suddenly remembered Cynthia's sudden mention of the guardian followed by "I've received enough letters like this from Mr. Lupin." He suddenly thought that Cynthia knew that it was a letter from Sirius.
He was shocked by this thought, and couldn't help but question Cynthia's claim of amnesia even more.
If amnesia is fake, why does Cynthia insist on saying that she has amnesia?
And why was she so distant from Sirius, whom she was so dependent on at the time?
Harry's mind was in a mess with many thoughts, but he couldn't figure anything out. He planned to go back and talk to Hermione, who was obsessed with "vomiting" recently, about this.