Read my new story (ilham20)
Hogwarts : Black family bloodline...
Hogwarts, my partner is Tom…
Hogwarts : He Starts by Deconstructing Avada Kedavra...
Terry and Sue Li looked more panicked than ever.
"Have you checked with the professors?"
Terry shook his head. "We thought of you first. You and Tom are the closest. Hermione, you really have no idea?"
"I'll go ask around."
Hermione wasn't actually too worried.
Tom is probably just hanging out with Professor Snape.
Christmas was a big deal. Knowing Tom, he was probably off somewhere trying to force a gift exchange with Snape right this very minute.
If Professor Snape refuses to give him a present... Tom might actually try to mug him.
After parting ways with Terry and Sue, Hermione walked down to the Head of Slytherin's office.
She raised her hand and knocked.
One second. Two seconds.
On the third second, the office door was suddenly yanked open with force.
"Tom—" Snape started, but his face instantly darkened the moment he saw who it was. "Miss Granger. What exactly are you doing here?"
"Professor, I just wanted to ask if Tom is with you?"
Snape glared at her. "No! You should be asking yourself where you dragged him off to."
Not here?
That was unexpected.
"Professor Snape, Tom has been missing since last night."
"Oh? Has that insufferable menace finally disappeared? Excellent. You may leave, Granger. Go continue your search."
Before Hermione could say another word, Snape slammed the door shut, sending a gust of wind straight into her face.
Professor Snape is acting weird today, too.
But if even he didn't know where Tom was, who would?
...
The Headmaster's Office.
Dumbledore opened his door to the sound of knocking and found Hermione standing outside.
"Come in, my dear."
Hermione stepped into the office.
"You seem quite anxious. Is there something important you need?"
"Professor Dumbledore, Tom is missing."
Dumbledore's expression didn't change. He remained silent for a moment before asking, "Have you asked any of the other professors?"
"I asked Professor Snape. He said he didn't know."
"Oh?" Dumbledore gave Hermione a long, meaningful look. "I'm not entirely sure either. Perhaps tonight... or maybe tomorrow, Tom will return. He is a mischievous boy, but he is sensible. You probably don't need to worry too much."
Hermione's anxiety suddenly spiked.
Tomorrow?!
But the banquet is tonight! The Yule Ball is tonight!
Dumbledore and Snape definitely knew something!
But why are they hiding it from me?
Hermione spent the rest of the day asking anyone and everyone she could find.
The answer was always the same: I don't know.
No one knew where Tom had gone. His roommates didn't know. Professors Dumbledore and Snape refused to say. Professor Sprout had no clue either.
By the afternoon, both Snape and Dumbledore had vanished as well.
They simply disappeared from Hogwarts without a trace.
Evening fell.
The Yule Ball banquet officially began.
The Great Hall was bursting with noise and life.
Every student was practically glowing with excitement. They were looking forward to the holidays starting tomorrow—a whole month of freedom!
Some looked a bit nervous, preparing themselves for the dancing.
Hermione was the only one sitting at a table alone, entirely devoid of a smile.
She had changed into a pristine white dress.
The gown swept the floor gracefully. She had spent hours taming her wild, bushy hair into elegant brown curls that draped perfectly over her shoulders. Right now, Hermione looked as noble as an aristocrat and as stunning as a model.
Almost everyone in the Hall couldn't help but stare at her.
Yet this incredibly beautiful girl had no dance partner.
Hermione looked up, sniffing softly.
The music started!
It was only then that Hermione realized everyone else was terrible at social dancing!
No one stood out. No one had even a fraction of the grace Lady Elizabeth possessed.
Hermione knew she was better than all of them.
Except...
She didn't have a partner.
Watching the bright smiles on everyone's faces, Hermione lowered her head.
She picked at her fingers, secretly hoping that at any second, a certain someone would pop up out of nowhere, flash that infuriatingly smug grin, and start teasing her.
Someone's foot brushed against hers. She snapped her head up.
It wasn't Tom.
Hermione silently shrank further into her chair.
"Hermione?"
She practically launched her head up, a massive smile bursting onto her face.
"H-Harry?"
Her smile visibly shattered.
It's not him. It's not him!
"Hermione, where's Tom? Actually, I don't think I've seen him all day."
Hermione didn't want to explain. She just shook her head and buried her face in her knees.
The laughter of the other students pierced her ears like needles.
Hearing them so happy, seeing their smiling faces... Hermione felt tears welling up in her eyes.
Her vision blurred. Her mind kept unhelpfully conjuring up that one specific face.
The first song ended. The crowd on the floor wasn't satisfied, and the second song began.
Then the third. Then the fourth!
Hermione sat there alone in silence, the light in her eyes slowly dimming.
A few boys noticed the beautiful, lonely girl sitting by herself in the corner. They walked over and offered their hands.
But Hermione only glanced at them, shook her head in refusal, and buried her face again.
The final song played.
The music sounded unbearably harsh now.
The joyous laughter from the dance floor felt like a mockery. Whenever she looked up, all she saw were happy faces that weren't the one she wanted to see.
Hermione didn't know how much time had passed, but eventually, the lights began to go out.
Click.
The Great Hall plunged into darkness.
The cheerful crowd slowly emptied out of the room.
It was late now.
Very late.
It was time for bed. From today onward, Hogwarts would be incredibly quiet until the holidays ended a month later.
Suddenly, from the darkness, a hand reached out toward her. "Hey kid, care for a dance?"
"I said I don't want to!" Hermione snapped, keeping her face buried in her knees, refusing to look up.
"Not even one?"
"I told you to get! Lost!"
Her voice cracked with a sob. Hermione jerked her head up. The first thing she saw wasn't a face, but a pair of striking, jade-green eyes.
Tom crouched down in front of her, the back of his hand gently brushing a tear from her cheek.
"Oh dear, why are we crying? Don't cry, don't cry. Tom is here."
"Get lost," Hermione gritted out, but she reached out and grabbed his hand tightly anyway.
Even in the dark... this is fine.
This is fine...
"Are you planning on dancing in the dark?" Tom's lips curled into a smirk. "I certainly don't want to. You specifically dressed up in this beautiful gown today. We have to dance under the lights, where everyone can see!
"You know, Hermione, everyone is the main character of their own life."
Hermione couldn't stop the tears from flowing now. "It's already over. The lights on the dance floor won't turn on again until next year."
Snap!
Tom snapped his fingers. "I told you, everyone is the main character of their own life. As long as you believe—truly believe it from the bottom of your heart—miracles will happen."
Instantly, brilliant spotlights flared to life overhead, shining directly down onto Tom and Hermione.
"Beautiful lady, may I have this dance?" Tom bowed with a sweeping, dramatic flourish, gently taking her hand.