Hogwarts: I Am an Exemplary Wizard

Chapter 524: Chapter 522: Kael’s Black History

The next day, weekend.

Early in the morning, Kael sat at the table with a heavy heart while eating breakfast.

”What’s wrong with you?”

Cedric asked curiously, ”You look like you’re about to start the second task competition.”

”Honestly, I’d rather start the second task today,” Kael sighed. ”By the way, do you know how to dance?”

”Yes,” Cedric replied casually, ”My dad took me to a few balls before, so I learned it... Why, can’t you dance?”

”Why does everyone assume I should know how to dance.”

Kael grumbled while biting a piece of bread, ”If I could, I wouldn’t be so anxious.”

”Pfft...” Cedric’s facial muscles strained as he fought hard to keep himself from laughing.

It was his first time seeing Kael in such a predicament, which was really amusing.

”It’s... not difficult,” Cedric tried to sound as normal as possible, ”You just need to follow the music... I just saw the latest notice in the foyer, saying Professor McGonagall will be holding a club about the ball at ten in the morning, you should check it out.”

”Oh, I already signed up for that,” Kael said.

Cedric laughed even harder, covering his mouth tightly to prevent any sound from escaping.

Actually, he didn’t mean to be like this, but somehow, all he could think of was Kael frantically stepping on his dance partner’s shoes at the ball, he really couldn’t help it.

No choice, Cedric quickly made an excuse to find Cho and rushed over to the Ravenclaw table.

Kael, distracted by thoughts of the upcoming club, didn’t notice anything was off, assuming Cedric went to invite Cho to the ball.

The news of the Christmas ball being held had spread, and everyone was discussing it. The number of students registering to stay over at Hogwarts was unprecedented, as if everyone except the freshman chose to stay.

Groups of girls gathered together, excitedly exchanging opinions and discussing what to wear on Christmas evening.

The boys also appeared serious, with Ryan pinning a brooch to his clothes, something Kael had never seen him wear before.

Soon after, a curly-haired girl approached.

”Kael, can you go to the ball with me?”

”Oh... Sorry,” Kael snapped back to reality and said, ”I already have a partner.”

”Really?” The girl left looking disappointed.

She wasn’t the first, over the next ten minutes, several more girls from various schools approached him, but all received the same answer.

Initially, Kael wanted to remain in the auditorium until the club started, but seeing the situation, he ditched the idea and returned to the common room.

...

By ten o’clock, Kael arrived at the auditorium promptly, along with Conna and Cedric.

”Aren’t you able to dance, why are you here too?” Kael looked at Cedric in confusion.

”Ahem, it’s nothing,” Cedric said, pretending to be calm, ”I haven’t danced in a long time, I just want to refresh myself to avoid embarrassment later.”

Kael nodded without further comment, took a deep breath, and pushed open the auditorium door.

It had already been rearranged by Professor McGonagall, with long tables moved aside, leaving nothing but rows of chairs, which were already occupied by many people.

Kael felt his steps were unusually heavy as he walked over, like he was under a Leg-Locker Curse.

Unseen by him, Cedric and the Weasley Brothers were barely holding back their laughter, faces filled with anticipation.

Once they arrived, Professor McGonagall closed the door with her wand and said, ”Dancing is simple... Graceful, there’s a swan living in every girl’s heart, and in every boy’s, a lion ready to leap...”

It was not an exaggeration to say those were Kael’s toughest two hours yet.

Actually, dancing wasn’t that hard, definitely easier than what Newt taught, but the problem was McGonagall called him up to demonstrate before he even learned to dance... Then he stepped on her foot three times.

Kael could even clearly see McGonagall’s increasingly dark expression, along with Fred and George’s unabashed laughter nearby.

It was obvious, for a long period afterwards, they would not let this embarrassing episode slide.

Indeed, over the next few days, Fred’s favorite thing to do was imitate Kael’s clumsy moves during meals and step on George’s foot.

Kael could only pretend not to notice, as he had no other choice. He couldn’t help it with friends like them.

Interestingly, Hogwarts professors seemed keen to showcase the castle’s best side to the visitors from the other two schools.

With Christmas just days away, the castle staircase railings were adorned with icicles that never melted.

The twelve Christmas trees placed in the auditorium were decorated with all sorts of trinkets, from glittering holly berries to golden owls hooting non-stop.

The only downside, to Kael, was that this time the professors weren’t planning to use ghosts as Christmas tree ornaments... He always thought it was the most entertaining part.

A Christmas tree full of ghosts would surely leave a lasting impression on those guests from afar.

As Christmas approached, the castle became livelier. Girls moved in groups, and whenever one received an invitation, the others giggled non-stop.

After one Charm class, Kael ran into Harry in the corridor, though Harry wasn’t there for him.

”Um... Cho Chang, can I have a word?” He said nervously, clutching his robe hem.

”Of course, what is it?”

”Uh... would you... like to go to the ball with me...” Harry mumbled, his voice so low, Kael barely heard him.

”Sorry, Harry,” Cho shook her head, ”I’ve already agreed to go with Cedric...”

Kael was surprised to see Harry’s face turning red at an incredible rate, as if someone was brushing red paint on it.

”Oh, alright, it’s fine.” Harry said, pretending to be relaxed, then quickly turned and left.

”I’m really sorry,” Cho repeated.

But Harry didn’t hear her, disappearing around the staircase corner in a blink.

Kael clicked his tongue, thinking that it was truly impressive how fast Harry was, fitting for Hogwarts’ most talented Seeker.

”It’s been happening like this lately, I really wish Christmas would come soon.” On the way to the auditorium, Cho looked at Kael, ”It’s strange, I haven’t seen anyone invite you.”

”There just hasn’t been anyone recently,” Kael said.

A lot of people had actually invited him over the past few days, including a few older girls offering to teach him to dance after McGonagall’s club... But Kael turned them all down.

Given their amateur moves, none of them were as professional as Professor McGonagall. Now, every evening after dinner, he’s being privately trained by both Professor McGonagall and Professor Flitwick for three hours, sometimes Nearly Headless Nick also gives some pointers.

This ghost, who always liked to flick his head like a fan, surprisingly had some expertise in dancing... Although the head flicking bit was slightly creepy.