Hogwarts Lion Girl

On the night of the Christmas ball, the auditorium was decorated magnificently, and the flashing colored lights illuminated every excited face.

Melodious music echoed in the air, and the dance floor was filled with dancing boys and girls.

Hermione looked radiant in a pale pink gown with her hair pulled back in an elegant bun.

However, the smile on her face was a little stiff.

The greasy man followed her closely, talking incessantly about Quidditch tactics, completely ignoring the increasingly obvious expression of disgust on Hermione's face.

His greasy compliments buzzed like flies, suffocating Hermione.

"Hermione, you are so beautiful tonight, like a shining gem..." he said, trying to put his arms around Hermione's waist.

Hermione dodged his touch nimbly, trying to maintain a polite smile.

"Thank you for the compliment."

She felt like a butterfly trapped in a spider's web, desperate to break free.

Finally, she found a chance to escape - she took advantage of the greasy man's inattention and hid behind the curtains.

Not long after, Harry also came in.

He was wearing a black suit and looked more mature and stable than usual.

"Why are you hiding here too?" Hermione asked in surprise.

"Luna's off chasing a winged unicorn," Harry shrugged, "and it's pretty boring for me to be there alone."

Hermione couldn't help laughing. Luna was always so eccentric.

They hid behind the heavy curtains, looking at the lively dance floor outside and talking in low voices.

Hermione complained to Harry about the narcissism of the greasy man and Ron's indifference, and Harry listened patiently and comforted her from time to time.

At the dining table nearby, Salina and Cedric were looking at the curtains where Harry and Hermione were hiding.

Salina raised her eyebrows and said to Cedric, "I really didn't expect Hermione to accept that guy's invitation."

Cedric also showed a surprised expression, "It seems that Hermione underestimated how greasy that boy is."

At this time, Cedric turned his gaze to Salina with a hint of inquiry.

"You don't like that guy either? I mean, do you hate this kind of enthusiasm?"

Salina shook her head. "No, I don't hate enthusiasm, because it's much better than a dull-headed person like Ron. But that guy can no longer be called enthusiastic. He is too confident, narcissistic and conceited. I don't like such a self-centered guy."

Cedric's mouth curled up slightly, "Okay, now I understand you a little better. Would you like some chocolate mousse?"

"Okay, let's go." Salina agreed readily, and the two turned and left.

Behind the curtains, Hermione grumbled in a low voice, her tone full of annoyance: "I was really crazy to agree to let him come to this damn ball. That guy is much more annoying than Ron, and he kept staying under the mistletoe and trying to steal my kiss."

Harry looked at Hermione's slightly pale face and said, "You don't look well. You have been hiding here for so long. You probably haven't eaten anything. Do you want me to bring you something?"

Hermione then realized that she was indeed hungry.

She had been avoiding the party since it started and hadn't had a chance to eat.

"Um... okay, thank you."

Harry smiled, "You're welcome. What would you like to eat?"

Hermione thought for a moment, "Just some snacks and a glass of pumpkin juice."

"No problem." Harry said, gently lowered the curtains, turned and walked towards the long table full of food.

Hermione looked at Harry's back as he left, and a warm feeling welled up in her heart.

Harry returned soon with a plate of canapés and a steaming glass of pumpkin juice.

He handed the item to Hermione carefully, "Be careful, it's hot."

Hermione took the pumpkin juice and took a sip. The sweet pumpkin aroma instantly filled her mouth, making her feel extremely comfortable.

"Thank you, Harry."

"You're welcome." Harry sat down next to her and picked up a snack. "How long do you plan to hide here?"

Hermione shrugged, "I don't know, maybe wait until the ball is over."

There was a sudden commotion in the middle of the dance floor.

"What happened?" Harry poked his head out curiously and happened to see Draco barging into the meeting room.

However, he was soon taken over and sent out by Professor Snape, and the ball became lively again.

……

In the corridor of Hogwarts Castle, the air was as heavy as solidified grease, thick and suffocating.

Harry pressed himself against the wall, holding his breath, his heartbeat vibrating in his eardrums like a drum.

His eyes were fixed on the two figures in front of him - Severus Snape and Draco Malfoy.

Snape's black robes fluttered behind him like a bat's wings, and his steps were fast and urgent, carrying an oppressive aura.

Malfoy followed closely, his platinum hair gleaming in the dim corridor, looking particularly pale, like an exquisite porcelain doll that could shatter at any time.

Harry moved carefully, trying not to make any noise, like a cheetah stalking its prey.

There was a corner at the end of the corridor, and Harry quickly dodged inside, his heart pounding so hard that it almost jumped out of his chest.

"I said, I don't need your help!" Malfoy's sharp voice came from the corner, with a hint of hysterical trembling, "I can complete the task by myself, you'd better not interfere!"

"Shut up, Draco," Snape's voice was low and dangerous, like a poisonous snake spitting its tongue, "Do you know what you are doing? This is not a joke!"

"Of course I know!" Malfoy's voice was full of reluctance and anger, "This is my mission, my chance to prove myself! Lord Voldemort chose me, not you!"

Harry gasped. Voldemort... the name was like a spell, freezing the blood in his body.

Malfoy was really a Death Eater? The thought exploded in his mind like a bomb, making him feel dizzy.

"You are too naive, Draco," Snape said with a hint of helplessness in his voice, "You have no idea who you are dealing with. Voldemort doesn't care about your loyalty, he only cares about the results."

"That's better than you!" Malfoy retorted, "At least I have his trust!"

"Foolish!" Snape growled, "I have made an unbreakable vow. I will protect you, whether you like it or not!"

"I don't need your protection!" Malfoy's voice trembled, "I would rather face it myself than have your pity!"

Harry's heart sank. Unbreakable oath... Could it be that Snape had completely sided with Voldemort?

"Draco..." Snape's voice softened, with a hint of imperceptible tenderness, "I know you are scared, but you must be strong. I will help you, I will do my best..."

Malfoy said nothing more, and Harry turned the corner quietly, as light as a ghost.

His mind was in a mess, with all kinds of thoughts running wild like wild horses.

Snape's betrayal, Malfoy's corruption, Voldemort's conspiracy...all of this was like a huge net that wrapped him tightly and made him feel suffocated.

He had to tell the others, tell the Order of the Phoenix, tell Professor McGonagall...