Chapter 370: Going to Hogsmeade Village on the Weekend
The excitement of the Christmas ball has spread throughout the castle.
Whether in the auditorium, library, or classroom, you can hear all kinds of gossip about dress colors, dance appointment order, and "who invited whom."
Amanta had never shown much interest in these topics.
But that doesn't mean those who want to invite her will give up trying.
In the afternoon, she had just come out of the library when she was stopped in the corridor by a sixth-year Ravenclaw boy.
The other party seemed polite, his tone was gentle, and his eyes were filled with eager anticipation.
"Miss Merlin, if you don't have a partner yet... I would be honored to invite you."
Amanta paused and turned to look at him.
She did not speak immediately, but just looked at him quietly for a moment, and then answered softly:
"Thank you for the invitation, but I already have other plans."
The boy was obviously disappointed, but he still bowed politely and didn't force it.
Amanta turned and left, and at the end of the corridor, she bumped into Harry, who was squatting on the windowsill and nibbling on a chocolate frog.
He froze for a moment when he saw her, then immediately jumped down with half the wrapper in his mouth.
"Just now...someone invited you?"
"Ah."
"You refused?" Harry was a little incredulous. "You actually refused?"
Amanta glanced at him sideways: "Why can't I refuse?"
Harry opened his mouth and finally scratched his head. "I mean... you seem to be in a bad mood recently. I thought you would - you know, the ball is a chance to turn things around?"
Amanta didn't respond, but sat down against the windowsill, her eyes fixed on the white grass outside the window.
"There's nothing to change between Draco and me." Her tone was calm, but no emotion could be heard.
Harry was silent for a few seconds, then suddenly said, "If you don't dance with Draco, who else can invite you?"
Amanta didn't refute immediately. After two seconds, she said calmly, "Didn't someone invite me just now?"
Harry was startled, then showed an expression of "Don't lie to me": "...Didn't you reject me?"
Amanta: “…”
She wanted to say something in reply, but was unexpectedly left... speechless by this sentence.
After a while, she looked away and hummed softly in response.
Harry took the opportunity to sit next to her and asked quietly, "Are you really not going to go? Or... are you actually still waiting for someone?"
Amanta turned to look at him, and the corners of her lips finally raised a little arc: "What about you? Do you have a dance partner?"
Harry blinked, as if not reacting to the question suddenly being turned towards him: "Me? I - no."
"No?" Amanta asked in a slightly raised tone, "Aren't you close to Luna?"
Harry's eyes nearly popped out. "W-what kind of relationship?! Just friends - ordinary friends! She, she won't agree to me -"
Amanta was too lazy to listen to his stuttering, so she raised her hand and tapped his forehead gently: "If you don't ask her, it will be too late when someone else gets her first."
Harry stood up suddenly as if struck by lightning and hurriedly straightened his school robes: "Yes, yes, yes, yes... You are right! I, I have to strike first!"
After saying that, he almost trotted down the corridor, still muttering, "Luna Luna Luna, what color rose does she like—?"
Looking at his receding back, Amanta lowered her head and smiled, her eyes relaxing.
The smile was short, but gentle enough.
She stood up, reached out and pushed open the window, and the wind and snow blew in her face, bringing with them the chill of the night.
Winter has arrived.
*
"Who invited her?"
When Draco turned around, his tone was as cold as frost on the wall.
Blaise shrugged, looking innocent. "It was a sixth-year Ravenclaw girl, I don't remember her name. He invited her in public, and was rejected."
"Rejected," Draco repeated, his expression showing no sign of relaxation.
His whole body felt as if he had been hit by something blunt. His chest didn't hurt, but it felt stuffy.
He didn't know what he was angry about.
She refused - but he was not happy.
*
After the afternoon training session, the trio walked out of the underground spells classroom side by side.
Harry was still complaining about the Occlumency exercises Snape had assigned him, but Draco was distracted.
It was not until they reached the door of the library and were about to turn around and leave that he suddenly spoke:
"You have been busy lately?"
Amanta paused: "What's the matter?"
Draco snorted, "Nothing. I'm just curious if you're busy picking a dance partner."
Amanta frowned, her voice a little chilly: "What do you want to say?"
"I didn't mean to say anything." Draco looked at her with a cold tone, "It's just that you pick and choose and reject others at the same time, and you seem very confident - do you think you are worthy of everyone lining up?"
The air suddenly became quiet.
Harry paused, opened his mouth to speak, then closed it again.
Amanta was not angry.
She just slowly raised her head and looked at him, her light blue eyes were as cold as snow, and the lines at the corners of her lips were calm but sharp.
"You're right," she replied calmly, "I don't have anyone in line - but at least I don't need you to judge me."
After saying that, she turned and left.
Draco was startled, took a step forward subconsciously, but stopped.
Her back was straight, like a drawn sword, the edge not showing, her determination clear.
*
"You don't look happy."
It's Luna.
She was sitting by the window in the library, with a copy of the "Retrograde Handbook of Magical Creatures" lying upside down on the table, but her eyes were sharp enough to catch Amanta's eye as she walked in.
Amanta originally wanted to deny it, but in the other person's gentle look, she didn't say it out loud.
She simply sat down across from Luna and whispered, "The snow is heavier today than yesterday."
Luna nodded and casually said, "Going to Hogsmeade this weekend? I plan to buy some jewelry and a tiara for the ball. It's boring to go shopping alone."
Amanta glanced at her, her eyes moving slightly.
"I'll accompany you."
Luna narrowed her eyes and said in a voice as light as the wind blowing through feathers: "Great. I knew you would agree."
Amanta suddenly changed the subject, seemingly casually: "...Do you have a dance partner?"
Luna blinked, her tone gentle with a little inadvertent joy:
"Yes. Harry invited me. He said if I didn't go he might send an owl instead."
Amanta laughed: "That scene must be very exciting."
The two smiled at each other, and the atmosphere suddenly became lighter.
"What about you?" Luna asked softly.
Amanta paused, her eyes falling on the snow-white lawn outside the window.
"not yet."
She didn't say much.
Luna didn't ask any further questions.
He just gently pushed over an old magazine that showed all kinds of gorgeous dresses and accessories.
"Then we have to go early," she said, "or the beautiful dresses will be sold out."
Amanta lowered her head, her fingertips brushed across the blue and gold tulle dress, and a flash of light flashed in her eyes.
"it is good."
She didn't want to be angry with anyone anymore, nor did she want anyone to influence her for too long.
She wants to pick out a beautiful dress.