Hogwarts Lion Girl

At the critical moment, Salina protected Harry with armor.

"Salina!" Hagrid shouted in surprise, "You're just in time!"

Under the intimidation of Selina's magic, the skrewt gradually calmed down and stopped struggling.

The other blast-tailed skrewts seemed to be frightened by this sudden change. They stopped attacking each other and watched anxiously.

"Okay, they're quiet now." Hagrid turned to Harry and the other two and said, "Come on, let's get started."

As he said that, Hagrid called Harry and the others to help him drive the blast-tailed skrewts into the wooden boxes.

……

Rita Skeeter was in no hurry to leave Hogwarts; her sharp eyes were still searching the school for the next explosive news.

She sniffed her way to Hagrid's hut, and happened to see Hagrid and Harry and the others placing the Blast-Ended Skrewts.

Rita walked quickly forward with a professional smile on her face.

"Oh, Hagrid, long time no see!" She greeted warmly and took the initiative to introduce herself as a reporter.

Hagrid was a little surprised by her sudden appearance, but he still answered her questions honestly.

Rita showed great interest in the blasting-tailed skrewts, asking them questions about their habits and dangers.

Hagrid introduced these beloved "little guys" to her without reservation, completely unaware that Harry was winking at him frantically.

Rita's eyes rolled and a plan came to her mind. She proposed to interview Hagrid and report in detail everything about the blasting-tailed skrewt, and hinted that this would be a very eye-catching report.

Hagrid was so delighted by what she said that he agreed without thinking.

The two agreed to meet at the Three Broomsticks in Hogsmeade this Friday night to discuss in detail.

Before leaving, Rita said to Harry meaningfully, "I think the report about your victory over the dragon in the first match is lacking some 'content'. What do you think, Harry?"

Harry ignored Rita's meaningful look. He grabbed Hagrid's thick arm and pulled him into the hut.

"We are busy, Miss Skeeter, sorry!" Harry interrupted their conversation in a harsh tone.

Hagrid was startled by Harry's sudden action and asked in confusion, "What's wrong, Harry?"

"We have to go, Hagrid, now!" Harry didn't explain, but urged Hagrid to leave quickly.

……

At eight o'clock, the Gryffindor common room was crowded with people, filled with an excited and tense atmosphere.

Professor McGonagall walked into the room steadily in her high heels. The noisy chatter suddenly disappeared and everyone's eyes were focused on her.

"Good evening, children." Professor McGonagall looked around, her expression serious yet with a hint of subtle tenderness. "I'm sure everyone knows that this year's Christmas ball will be held at eight o'clock on Christmas evening."

As soon as he finished speaking, the students burst into cheers, especially the girls, who had already begun whispering excitedly and exchanging expectant glances with each other.

"Quiet!" Professor McGonagall raised her voice, and the students immediately quieted down, but the excitement on their faces was still evident.

"The Christmas Ball is a traditional holiday event at Hogwarts," Professor McGonagall continued. "It is open to all students in the fourth year and above. Of course, students in the lower grades can also participate if they are invited by students in the upper grades."

She deliberately emphasized the word "invite", glanced at the boys who were already getting excited, and added: "I hope everyone can show the proper manners and etiquette of Gryffindor at the ball."

Afterwards, Professor McGonagall explained in detail the arrangements and precautions for the ball, including dress requirements, ball etiquette, and some school rules that needed to be followed.

She stressed that any violation of school rules will be severely punished.

After Professor McGonagall left, the common room became lively again.

The students gathered in groups of three or five, discussing everything about the dance enthusiastically.

The girls were chattering about the styles and colors of the dresses, while the boys were pretending to be calm and talking about music and dance, but their flickering eyes and slightly flushed cheeks revealed their inner nervousness and anticipation.

No one acts rashly. Everyone is waiting, waiting for the person they like to invite them.

There was a sweet anxiety in the air, as if something was about to happen.

……

In the Hogwarts Great Hall, the usual lively bustle during mealtimes was replaced by a buzz of excitement.

The news of the Christmas ball blew into the ancient castle like a warm spring breeze, touching the hearts of every student.

Girls, whether seniors or juniors, began to dress themselves up carefully.

They gathered together and tried on the feather hair accessories and sparkling earrings carefully selected from Hogsmeade in front of the mirror. The length and style of the skirts became the focus of discussion.

In the Gryffindor common room, red dresses were blazing and gold dust was flying, while in the Ravenclaw common room there was a light blue and silver glow, as if the stars had fallen.

The boys seemed a little at a loss.

They hid in corners in groups of three or five, pretending to chat casually about Quidditch or the latest pranks, but their flickering eyes and slightly flushed cheeks revealed their inner nervousness and anticipation.

Who to invite to the dance?

How can you speak naturally and gracefully?

These problems are like invisible obstacles that stand in front of them and make them hesitate.

Harry is no exception.

He sat in the corner of the Gryffindor common room, holding a spell book in his hands, but he couldn't read a word.

His eyes drifted from time to time to Salina who was sitting by the fireplace. She was chatting and laughing with her friends, her hair shining in the firelight.

Harry wanted to ask her to be his dance partner, but he lacked the courage. He was afraid of being rejected and even more afraid of ruining their precious friendship.

The news of the dance also affected the classroom order.

The students' minds were no longer on their studies. Even the students who usually listened most attentively could not help but secretly discuss the dance under the table.

Professor McGonagall had to bang on the podium again and again during the Transfiguration class, asking the students to concentrate.

Professor Flitwick simply stopped lecturing and let the students discuss the ball excitedly, his eyes flickering with understanding and nostalgia.

Only Professor Binns turned a blind eye to all this. His transparent figure still floated around in the classroom, narrating the history of the Wizarding War in his monotonous tone, as if this world had nothing to do with him.

In the Potions class, Professor Snape, contrary to his usual practice, did not assign students the task of brewing complicated potions. Instead, he announced that the content of the next course would be adjusted to brewing antidotes for various common poisons.