Chapter 526: Interruption
Chapter 526: Interruption
Just as Kyle returned with pudding and pumpkin juice in hand, he spotted a Durmstrang student standing before Connor, apparently asking her to dance.
However, Connor declined, and the boy didn't persist. He turned away and approached a Gryffindor girl standing not far away, Pavarti or something, from the same year as Harry, Kyle recalled.
"Have some juice," Kyle offered as he approached, holding out the treats. "Someone recommended this pudding, said it's delicious."
Connor took a bite of the pudding; her cheeks were slightly flushed from dancing three dances in a row.
"Hogwarts has never been this lively before, has it?" she said. "Everyone seems so happy; this is the best Christmas ever."
"Yeah," Kyle agreed.
Of course, it would be even better if someone wouldn't keep staring at him.
And that someone was none other than Professor Snape...
During the dance, Snape's gaze had briefly disappeared, but just as Kyle went to get refreshments, that uncomfortable feeling returned.
Kyle turned and saw Snape standing not far away, eyes fixed on him without blinking.
Next to Snape was Karkaroff, looking anxious and gesturing towards the door. He seemed to have something urgent to discuss with Snape.
Kyle tilted his head, curious about their conversation, but due to the distance and the loud surroundings, he could only catch snippets of their conversation.
"...You know...Severus...It's important..."
"We've discussed this...Igor, you're overreacting..."
"Hello," a Beauxbatons girl suddenly appeared before Kyle as he was listening intently. "Would you like to dance?"
"I think I need to replenish my energy first," Kyle replied, taking a sip from the pumpkin juice in his hand.
The girl looked a little disappointed.
"But I can recommend someone else," Kyle continued, pointing to the table with the treats. Harry was there, showing off with Butterbeer, "Have you heard of Harry Potter? I noticed no one has asked him to dance yet."
"The famous savior?" The Beauxbatons girl was curious at first, but after getting a good look at Harry, she looked confused. "He doesn't look like the legend."
"Maybe he's hungry, or perhaps he's trying to hide his embarrassment since no one has asked him to dance."
"Really?" The girl walked away, still doubtful.
When Kyle turned back, he found Connor looking at him with a strange expression.
"It's rare for Hogwarts to hold a ball..." Kyle shrugged. "It would be a waste to just eat buffet food all night."
"That's not what I meant."
For some reason, Connor's face turned even redder. She looked at the cup in Kyle's hand and said in a very soft voice, "I drank from that cup earlier."
"Sorry, but I'll keep this one then." Kyle smiled. "Dancing is tiring; I really don't want to make another trip."
"I...I..." Connor's voice was barely audible.
"Thanks."
"Well, well, our brave Mr. Kyle seems to have a taste for pumpkin juice." A cold voice sounded from behind.
Snape had appeared behind Kyle without him noticing and snatched the cup from his hand, roughly shoving another cup of pumpkin juice at him.
Due to the force, some of the juice spilled onto Kyle's dress robes.
There was no way he'd dare to drink something Snape had brought over, not even if he had ten times the courage.
"I see..." Snape drawled.
He seemed about to say something more, but at that moment, a commotion broke out not too far away, diverting his attention.
Snape's gaze shifted towards the source of the noise, landing on Hermione and Ron, before he withdrew his stare, clearly not intending to intervene in their dispute.
"Whenever you feel like having more pumpkin juice, come find me. I can guarantee an unlimited supply," Snape said in a sinister tone. With that, he returned to his previous position, resembling a vigilant owl on guard.
He didn't choose to take Connor away from the ball... perhaps because there was almost no one else in the Gryffindor common room at the moment.
At least here, he could keep watch and put a stop to anything untoward.
And so, Kyle found himself under Snape's scrutiny once more. He couldn't go anywhere; he couldn't dance or leave the Great Hall. Helpless, he reluctantly joined Harry's buffet squad.
However, Harry and Ron didn't seem to be faring much better. Hermione had disappeared, and Ron was complaining about something before he and Harry also left the Great Hall.
Kyle and Connor moved to the other side of the table, sitting as far from the dance floor as possible. They ate their pudding and scones, chatting casually about the Triwizard Tournament, speculating about the second task, and even Cedric's awkward dance moves... They talked about whatever came to mind.
But from the look of it, Connor seemed quite content with the current situation.
Occasionally, someone would come by to invite them to dance, but both would find a reason to decline.
An hour later, the ball had turned into Fred and George's show. The twins abandoned their dance partners and broke into a lively tap dance, oblivious to those around them.
The Weird Sisters were drawn to the commotion, and the soothing music instantly transformed into upbeat drumbeats.
Noticing this shift, the people around them joined in, and soon, even Kyle and Connor couldn't remain sitting. They were dragged and pulled by Cedric and Cho into the center of the dance floor, becoming a part of the wild celebration.
The atmosphere of the ball peaked at this moment.
...
And so, it continued until midnight when the Weird Sisters brought their performance to a close.
Everyone applauded enthusiastically once more before starting to make their way towards the entrance hall.
"That was amazing..."
"I love the Weird Sisters! I can't believe the school managed to get them to perform..."
"I hope we'll have more opportunities like this in the future. It would be great to have a ball every Christmas..."
"That's probably unlikely. Don't forget this was a Triwizard Tournament ball..."
"That's why I said I hope it happens..."
Chattering away, the students made their way to the entrance hall.
Finally, Karkaroff seized his chance and pulled Snape, whose eyes were now bloodshot, out to the grounds.
"Phew, he's finally gone," Kyle sighed.
Connor giggled softly beside him. "It's alright. Maybe there'll be another ball next year."
"If that's the case..." Kyle glanced at the direction of the castle gates, "I hope Professor Dumbledore will find something for Professor Snape to do in advance. As long as he's not at Hogwarts, I don't mind."
After all, Snape didn't seem interested in dancing at all, did he?"
...
(End of Chapter)
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