Ep. 31

"I am forced to inform you all that the Yule Ball will be held on Christmas Eve night. It is only open to fourth year students and above, though you can invite a younger student. As for you, Mr. Maleficarum, you are required to find a partner for the Ball, as it is tradition that the champions open the dance. Do not bring shame to the Slytherin house. The same stands true for you as well, Ms. Delacour, without the part about shame." said Snape at the end of his lesson on the 10th of December.

"Got it. Do not fear, Professor Snape: I am sure that I will manage." I said, flashing him a thumbs-up. He scoffed a little, but also had an almost unnoticeable smile. Finally, after seven years I made him smile! This might be the epitome of my career as a student!

Since Fleur ended up staying with the Slytherins even during classes, I looked at her and gestured: 'Me. You. Dance?' She smiled and nodded. Perfect, date obtained quite smoothly.

There was just one little thing that I didn't factor in: McGonagall's dancing lessons.

"Well then, Mr. Maleficarum. Now, place your right hand on my waist." said McGonagall after having called me up for a demonstration. God, how embarrassing… She could be my fucking grandmother! Though she looks more like an older aunt thanks to my potions…

I braved through, with steel-like determination, and managed to complete a decent dancing routine. Well, it was more because I couldn't show all of my superior dancing abilities here. No, no, that would make McGonagall get a heart attack. What? I practiced with Risa! And Mother! They were adamant that I learned how to dance for whatever fucking reason.

Soon enough, the 24th of December arrived. Mother and Risa were sad that I wouldn't be able to be with them in London, so I ended up sending a golem-puppet that I was constantly controlling. I was quite literally in two places at the same time, which was kinda taxing.

I wore my usual suit, just that I didn't wear my hat and actually combed my hair. I looked into a mirror before leaving my room and… I looked like an idiot, so I 'scrambled' my hair again and took my hat. It's just a part of the outfit, otherwise it doesn't look complete.

I apparated in front of Beauxbatons' flying carriage, which also acted as a dormitory for the students, and entered it. The space inside was enlarged, obviously, so there were quite a few rooms. I headed to the room where I could feel Fleur's and Gabrielle's magic. I leaned on the wall and waited for a bit. I could hear the shuffling and ruffling of clothes, so she wasn't ready yet. Totally not peeping, my hearing is just too good. I mean, I can hear Dumbledore's heartbeat while he's in his warded office, so how could I not hear inside a room?

Aah, times like these make me want to pick up smoking again… Never was a great smoker or a drinker, but they were great stress reliefs. Failed a test? Bang your head on the wall, then sit down, stare at the wall while smoking and drinking a beer! I swear that it makes you forget about your problems! Well, I did usually get drunk after only half a bottle, so I surely got a massive headache every time which allowed me to forget about the bad stuff.

While I was thinking back to my not-so-fond memories about my past life, Fleur came out of her room.

"Holy mother of Merlin…" Ravishing was a severe understatement. I mean, the movie rendition of her already didn't do her justice, but this dress… She had a light blue one piece dress, with some… What's the right word? Engravings? Designs! There were some flower designs made in white gold, it was very form-fitting.

"I'll take that as a compliment. Well, you aren't all too shabby either… However, I was expecting you to come in a formal wizard's robe." she said with a playful smirk.

"Yeah, I tried putting one on and I looked like an idiot. I can't have that while accompanying you, so I decided to go for a more Muggle approach." Yes, subtle flattering while making a joke. I got this, totally not nervous. Really, I am not nervous as I thought I'd be. Guess I got used to her, kinda like people when they say that they 'don't want the damn dog', then start sleeping with said dogs. Sleeping as in actual sleeping, not bestiality. You sick fucks.

"Well, shall we go?" I asked, offering my arm like the absolute gentleman I am.

"We shall." she said, linking her arm with mine. Ooh, she's so fucking soft!

I apparated directly back into the castle, since I didn't see the need for Fleur to walk so much with her heels. We made our way to the ballroom under the intense stares from all students. What would you expect from the sexiest man alive and the most beautiful witch in Hogwarts? And that's just provisional, just wait until I bring Mother and Risa here to watch the last trial.

I noticed Krum and Hermione, along with Harry and Daphne. I flashed them a thumbs-up, which they returned. Harry isn't as worried or as annoying as his canon counterpart, though I can sense a little jealousy directed at Krum. I think he's sold on the idea of polygamy. Well, I can also sense some internal conflict from Hermione, since she accepted Krum's invitation but also wants to stay with Harry. Eh, not my problem.

I stood there, chatting a little with Krum since he's a nice guy, waiting for McGonagall to come and lead us in. The other students were already inside the ballroom, but we all needed to show off. Soon enough, McG arrived and complimented us on our attire. Seems like we passed her standards, though she did have a hint of exasperation when looking at me. What? Don't like my fantastic, super-sexy suit? Deal with it!

We entered the ballroom and all eyes were on us. The waves of jealousy, awe, and lust were quite impressive. There were quite a few girls that directed a flood of lust towards me, but I promptly ignored those THOTs. There was a banquet first, with quite a lot of options from French and Scandinavian cuisine. Finally, some good fucking food… I did give those house-elves a few cookbooks, but they still served mainly English food. Again, nothing against English people, but the food… I prefer other types of cuisine, let's put it this way. Oh, I have to mention that the house-elves actually got me some magical creature blood, so I have to go to the kitchens and reward them. I'll make them less hideous and give them more magic. Should be quite easy.

Anyway, the banquet ended and the ball started. There was first a more classical, slow series of songs which the couples loved. Fleur was quite flustered, after all there is no way that she could be immune to my charm. I smirked a little and moved her closer to me. I could (figuratively) see smoke coming from her ears.

"What? Did you fall for me, little French Fairy?" I whispered in her ears.

"Don't be stupid, it's just that you are too close…"

"Oh? Should I keep you at a distance then?" I could immediately feel regret from her. "Well, sucks to be you, because I have no intention of doing so."

I gave her a fanged smile and continued dancing with her. Until… Her heel snapped. What. The. Fuck? Not cash-money at all, Mr. heel, not cash-money at all. I didn't even give her time to fall that I picked Fleur up and spun around. I also fixed her heel. I winked at her when I saw her confused expression.

In the end, nothing out of the ordinary happened. Fleur was quite exhausted by the end of the ball, so I brought her to Beauxbatons' carriage. I did get a goodnight kiss, so I consider this day to be a win. Oh, Ron Weasley somehow managed to still get a crush for Hermione and piss her off, but I don't care and he can deal with that. Well, I doubt that he would ever win over Harry or Krum, so I will just revel in his anguish and despair *insert maniacal evil laughter here*.

Since I had nothing better to do in the rest of the holidays, I went to the Ministry to get my apparition permit. No Auror ever gave me shit about it due to my popularity and achievements, but it's better if I get an official permit, so that I can slap them with it when the time comes. I also took some time to visit the Everest's summit, since it has always been a dream of mine. I don't know why I didn't do that before. I found a nice thing about the mountain: it has a leyline running under it and there is a massive concentration of magic right at the summit. I decided to meditate there a little while taking in the sights.

Soon, the second task arrived. And I was shitting my pants: I forgot that I would have to dive into the Black Lake while having thalassophobia. Ugh, I really don't want to… So I won't dive in the thing! I have magic for a fucking reason!

I was fucking shaking while looking at the lake from the platform.

"Is the oh so great King of Slytherin scared of water?" asked Fleur, just to tease me.

"Thalassophobia. This lake is really scaring me right now, so I won't be diving."

"Are you going to forfeit the task?" asked Krum from the side.

"No, no. I will just find another way which doesn't involve going down there."

The cannon soon fired and the task started. I used my 3D mapping spell and magic sonar to make a detailed model of the lake. Goddamnit, the thing is deep…

"What's happening?! Contestant Maleficarum isn't diving?!" shouted Bagman from the judges' area.

"Shut it, Bagman!" I shouted back.

I soon found the hostages, so I transformed into a bat and flew over. I was around a hundred meters above the lake when I transformed back. I used magic to make a tunnel directly to my 'hostage'. I found a tied up Silvia there. Poor little angel, I will make sure to ruin Bagman's and Crouch's careers for having chosen her as my hostage. Actually, I was going to do it anyway. I mean, Rita already has info on the fact that Crouch Jr. was alive, so she just needs a quick article and his father will be investigated by the DMLE. I am sure that Ms. Bones will want to know how the guy 'escaped' from Azkaban.

I quickly formed an ice column under my feet, so that I wouldn't have to even get wet. I dried Silvia up and woke her.

"Good morning, sleeping beauty. How's it going?"

"Mm…" She stretched a little. "Pretty good. Though I am still pissed that you didn't invite me to the Yule Ball."

"Oh, I already told you that Fleur has a 'special condition', so it was more so to protect her."

"Yeah, yeah. Where are we exactly?"

"Under the Black Lake." I started making an ice staircase and climbing it while holding Silvia in a princess carry. "You know that I hate diving, so I made a little tunnel." I said, motioning with my head to the surrounding water.

It took me less than five minutes to get my hostage, so I was the undisputed winner. I left Silvia on the platform, while I returned to the lake, always using an ice pathway. After a few minutes, Fleur was attacked by Grindilows. I won't stand for that, so I shot a few icicles at them. I need to thank my marvelous Supercharged Brain since there were actually quite a few calculations needed to skewer those pesky fucks and not Fleur. It wouldn't be really good if a few icicles were to get stuck in her leg or something…

Well, tragedy averted. I sent a Lumos ball in the shape of a small bat to guide Fleur to her sister. I instead went back to the platforms and observed the rest of the trial. The French Fairy soon found her sister and completed her task in a little under 20 minutes. I winked at her once she got to the platform, while the Lumos bat was circling around me. Krum was the third and managed to get Hermione back in a little under 40 minutes. Harry… Harry was nowhere to be seen until the 56th minute, when he resurfaced carrying Daphne. As for the scores, I got two 10's and a 9, Fleur got an 8, a 7, and a 5, Krum got two 8's and a 10, while Harry got two 7's and a 4. Karkaroff really doesn't like the kid…

Now, it is about time for me to scare a certain snake-face to death...