94. Ball.

The day of the Yule Ball arrived, and despite all the preparation, I still found myself standing in front of the mirror, adjusting my dress robes for what felt like the hundredth time. The dark blue fabric, accented with silver embroidery, fit perfectly, but my nerves refused to settle. This night wasn't just about the tournament; it was about memories, about making sure each of my dates had the perfect evening.

Facing down a dragon was a walk in the park compared to this.

When the moment finally came, I waited in the Ravenclaw common room, my heart hammering as the girls arrived one by one.

Yue was the first to appear, descending the stairs with an elegance that left me breathless. She wore a deep crimson gown that hugged her form, the shimmering fabric catching the candlelight like a sea of stars. Her golden hair was styled in intricate braids, with a single sapphire pin keeping it in place. She smirked at my stunned expression, clearly pleased.

Rachel arrived next, her usual gothic aesthetic transformed into something ethereal. Her dress was a midnight blue that matched the night sky, with silver embroidery tracing arcane symbols across the flowing fabric. Her purple-black hair was adorned with small silver accessories, and her violet eyes seemed to glow. She gave a small, embarrassed wave, clearly unused to so much attention.

Luna floated in soon after, and in true Luna fashion, her gown was whimsical and dreamlike. A soft lavender hue, the dress seemed to shift colors under the light, with delicate, shimmering beads shaped like tiny moons and stars. She twirled as she approached, beaming. "Wrackspurts will have no chance against me tonight!" she declared cheerfully.

Hermione stepped in with a shy smile, her rose-colored gown emphasizing her graceful transformation from bookish student to breathtaking young woman. The material flowed around her like liquid silk, I saw her in a completely different light. She caught my gaze and blushed, murmuring, "You look great, Ryan."

And then Fleur arrived.

It was as if the room itself paused for her entrance. Draped in an elegant silver and white gown, Fleur was the embodiment of radiance. The soft material hugged her form perfectly, the hint of Veela magic in her movements making her seem almost otherworldly. Her platinum blonde hair was styled in an elegant updo, a few loose curls framing her flawless face. She stepped towards me, eyes twinkling with mischief. "Ready, mon amour?"

I swallowed hard and offered my arm. "I hope so."

We made our way to the Great Hall, which had been transformed into a winter wonderland. Frosted trees lined the room, fairy lights twinkling like fireflies, and the enchanted ceiling mirrored a breathtaking night sky. The air buzzed with excitement as students gathered in their finest attire.

As champions, Fleur and I led the opening dance. The moment the music started, she took my hand, and suddenly, everything else faded away. She moved with effortless grace, guiding me across the floor, and to my surprise, I found myself keeping up. Our movements were perfectly in sync, the world shrinking down to just the two of us as we spun and twirled across the floor. The moment ended too soon, but as the song concluded, Fleur leaned in and whispered, "Perfect."

Dinner was just as delightful. We were seated at the champions' table, where magically appearing dishes catered to every preference. The conversation was light, filled with laughter and teasing. Even Krum, who was usually stoic, cracked a smile at one of Fleur's comments, he had come with another Beaubaxton Girl. Hermione engaged in deep discussion with me about spell theory, while Luna casually chatted about the blast-ended skrewts Hagrid had been raising, Care of Magical Creatures being her favorite class this year. Yue and Rachel both took turns feeding me bites of their desserts, much to Fleur's amused exasperation.

After dinner, the true fun began. I had promised each of my dates a dance, and I intended to keep my word. Yue was first, and unlike Fleur's refined elegance, her dance was playful and energetic. Her sharp red eyes held mine, challenging me to keep up as she twirled and spun with infectious joy.

Rachel followed, and despite her initial hesitation, she quickly found her rhythm. Our dance was slower, more intimate, her fingers gripping mine tightly as we swayed to the music. She rarely let down her guard, but tonight, in this moment, she was simply Rachel, smiling up at me without worry.

Luna's dance was pure magic. She moved unpredictably, yet somehow it all flowed perfectly, her laughter bright and carefree. "You're quite good at this, Ryan," she mused, tilting her head. "Perhaps you have Wrackspurt-repellent rhythm."

Hermione's dance was filled with nervous excitement, but after a few steps, she relaxed, allowing herself to enjoy the moment. "I never thought I'd be dancing at an event like this," she admitted softly.

"You look stunning," I told her honestly, and the blush that spread across her cheeks was worth every second of the dance.

Finally, when the night seemed to be winding down, a familiar figure in the shadows caught my eye. Serenity, who had spent most of the night hidden, finally stepped forward. Her dress was unlike the others—dark, sleek, and blending into the night, yet impossibly alluring. I held out a hand, and she hesitated before accepting. The dance was brief, secretive, and yet, in that moment, she was no assassin, no shadow—just Serenity, sharing a stolen moment under the twinkling lights.

As the night drew to a close, cameras flashed, capturing memories in still frames. We laughed, posed, and embraced, knowing this was a night we would never forget.

And as I stood among my beautiful dates, watching the final song play, I realized something important:

Tonight was perfect.

I even caught sight of Ron with Lavender and Harry dancing with Ginny. I had suggested to the young red head to invite him and she had nervously done so. That childish crush of hers on the boy-who-lived still a thing.