Chapter 620: The Request
Wade had never imagined that the corridors of Hogwarts could be so crowded.
Students were all dressed in their meticulously prepared formal robes, their colorful outfits making each face stand out vividly, their smiles brighter than ever before.
Wade had to sidestep several times to let girls in long dresses pass—just two or three of them could easily claim every inch of corridor space with their billowing skirts.
And as everyone knows, girls always love to travel in groups.
At the ground floor, Michael adjusted his tie with a flourish and waved casually. “Good luck, Wade. Try not to get beaten up… I’ve got to go find my dear Daphne!”
The sea of colorful figures flowed toward the Great Hall, while Wade turned alone toward the Main Gate.
A fresh snowfall had just ended during the day. Outside the castle, snowdrifts shimmered like mother-of-pearl in the sunlight. Snowmen built by students stood in the open fields, some still wearing striped scarves around their necks.
Wade stepped out at just the right moment. After only a short wait, he saw the students from Kodostoriz arriving in a steady stream.
Someone in the group glared at him fiercely, but with their headmaster standing nearby, no one dared to make a scene. Wade simply ignored them—something he’d become quite good at.
Natalia led the group, her deep blue velvet dress swaying with each step, its hem rippling like water. Silver-gray lace shimmered across the fabric like liquid light.
Her gaze swept over Wade, then softened into a satisfied smile as she stepped forward and slipped her arm through his.
“Perfect,” she said, grinning. “Our outfits really match.”
“Have you been waiting long?”
Wade didn’t mention how long he’d actually waited. Instead, he replied, “I couldn’t let a beautifully dressed young lady walk into the castle alone—it would’ve been terribly rude.”
Natalia’s smile brightened further, her eyelashes dusted with tiny ice crystals that sparkled with every movement. “So thoughtful. I’d guess you’ve had several girlfriends before.”
“I haven’t,” Wade said politely. “I just happen to have a friend with a lot of experience.”
“Love gets distracting,” he added. “Until graduation, I don’t plan on getting too close to anyone.”
“Oh…” Natalia glanced at him sideways, raising one eyebrow. “Afraid I’ll confess my feelings? You’re already inoculating yourself?”
Her bluntness nearly made Wade choke. He paused mid-step, then laughed. “I’m not that full of myself… just a bit of casual talk.”
Natalia studied him for a moment, her lips curling into a playful smirk—like she was only joking. But beneath the surface, a quiet, unspoken disappointment stirred.
She knew this man’s politeness was a mask. The more composed he seemed, the firmer his inner resolve. Like the eternal ice of the far north—unchanging, unyielding.
Then she thought: But I’m not even trying to date him. I just want to know… is he the one who saved my mother?
But that person had disguised himself as Harry Potter—probably part of some secret operation. Maybe even something illegal.
Even if she asked, he’d never tell the truth.
“Mr. Gray, Miss Petrova!”
Professor McGonagall, wearing her red robes, stood by the door, waving them over. “Champions, come this way. Wait here until the other students are seated, then we’ll line up for entry.”
Wade walked over and spotted Harry, who was standing beside Padma, idly spinning the golden bracelet on her wrist as she chatted with Hermione.
Hermione, that day, was stunning—perhaps because she usually looked so disheveled, even a small touch of elegance made her look completely transformed. It was as if she’d become a different person.
Harry even stepped close to Wade, his expression mysteriously secretive, and pointed at Hermione. “You know who that girl in the blue dress is?”
Wade gave him a strange look. “Hermione.”
Harry blinked. “You recognized her at a glance?”
“Not really,” Wade said with a shrug. “I stared at her at least three times before I was sure.”
Harry: “….”
Before he could say more, his expression suddenly changed. His eyes snapped toward the stone wall, his face twisting slightly, as if in discomfort.
Wade turned—sure enough, Cedric and Qiu Zhang were approaching.
“Harry! Wade! You’re already here!” Cedric greeted them cheerfully. “Oh, Natalia! You really are Wade’s dance partner?”
“Of course!” Natalia laughed. “I thought it was already common knowledge. Guess I overestimated how important we are.”
They chatted for a while, and the once-crowded corridor seemed to dissolve like mist as students rushed into the Great Hall. Then Professor McGonagall returned, arranging the ten champions and their partners into a neat line.
The great doors of the Great Hall swung open once more, and with applause and music, the merpeople entered in a dazzling procession.
Tonight’s Great Hall was more magnificent than ever. Silver frost adorned the walls, and the ceiling sparkled like a star-filled night sky.
Ice columns, frozen in mid-air, hung from the ceiling like crystalline chandeliers, turning the hall into a glittering palace of ice.
Twelve Christmas trees were draped with shimmering holly berries, golden bells, and owl-shaped ornaments.
Sprites darted through the air, trailing sparks of light, while the suits of armor swayed gently, humming ancient songs.
Under everyone’s gaze, the champions took their seats at the front-most table, closest to the staff table.
Wade was scanning the staff table, noticing the unfamiliar Ministry of Magic officials seated there—when a soft voice came from beside him.
“U-um… hello?”
He turned. The girl sitting beside him was the Beauxbatons champion—Clementine Durand. She had honey-blonde curls, freckles across her cheeks, and a petite frame. Overall, she was undeniably sweet-looking.
Her dance partner, a quiet, well-mannered boy from Beauxbatons, stared blankly at his plate, clearly not interested in conversation.
“Hello, Miss Durand,” Wade said, nodding politely.
“I just wanted to say… you were really impressive during the stadium event, Mr. Gray,” Clementine whispered. “If it weren’t for your outstanding performance, I might never have made it to the second task. So… thank you.”
Her partner turned sharply to look at her. Even Wade raised an eyebrow.
Out of affection for Fleur, many had claimed Clementine’s entry was a fluke—true, she’d technically been given a chance, but no other champion had faced such open skepticism.
Most would have been crushed or desperate to prove themselves.
But this girl… she spoke of it not as shame, but as pride?
Wade thought he caught a faint scent of tea.
“You don’t need to thank me,” he smiled. “You’ve already proven your strength by surviving the Fire Dragon.”
“That’s not entirely fair,” Clementine said modestly. “The previous champions had already injured the Welsh Green Dragon—its eyes were damaged, its ears hurt. I didn’t have to do much to get past it.”
Her partner’s expression twitched slightly, but he said nothing.
Then, in a softer voice, she added, “And in the Chamber of Secrets… when I entered, there were no traps left, no other challengers. The scorpions guarding the Golden Egg had already been knocked down by others. I just… accidentally stepped on one.”
Wade: “….”
“So honestly,” she continued, hands clasped together, voice barely above a whisper, “I only got here by luck. But I don’t think I’ll be so lucky next time. I’ve heard the later tasks get… dangerous.”
Her eyes shimmered with quiet hope. “I know you’re incredibly clever, Mr. Gray. You must’ve already figured out the secret of the Golden Egg. Could you… just give me a tiny hint? Even just a little?”
Before Wade could respond, a hand suddenly shot out and gently—but firmly—pushed Clementine’s head back.
“Sorry,” Natalia said, lifting her chin with icy coolness. “This is my dance partner.”
Clementine froze, then said quietly, “Oh… sorry. Maybe you two could just switch seats?”
“Sure!” Natalia said without hesitation. She grabbed Wade’s arm and pulled him up, then sat down in Clementine’s place, smirking coldly at her.
Wade, now pushed to the seat behind the girl, sighed silently and sat back down.
Clementine’s face flushed slightly. She leaned forward, voice trembling with nervous eagerness. “Actually… I’d rather talk to you, Natalia. I know I’m weaker than the others. This second task is truly dangerous for me. We’re all girls, after all… could you… help me a little?”
Her eyes darted away, shimmering with admiration and pleading.
Natalia stared at her, mouth slightly agape. After a long silence, she finally let out a single, flat syllable:
“…Huh?”
(End of Chapter)
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