Harry Potter and the Secret Treasures

Evan and Hermione crossed the empty dance floor and made their way toward Bill and Fleur, who were surrounded by a crowd, offering their heartfelt congratulations.

A few years ago, when Evan had first met Fleur, she was still a student at Beauxbatons and had come to Hogwarts with Madame Maxime to participate in the Triwizard Tournament. Fleur was much more mature than the other girls then. She had many complaints about the environment of Hogwarts Castle and seemed to be only interested in the best boys from the three schools.

Just from what Evan knew, Fleur had dated well into the double digits of boyfriends — and all within the span of barely half a term.

Fleur changed boyfriends at a rapid pace, but no one could hold her interest for long.

She had even flirted with Evan, apparently thinking it amusing.

Of course, since Evan was much younger than her, her attitude toward him was nothing more than playful teasing.

At that time Fleur was about to graduate, and her main priority was supposedly to find a job, but Evan suspected her real primary goal was to find someone to marry. Fleur was astonishingly proactive about this. During that summer holiday in Egypt, when she and Evan ran into Bill, the two of them were instantly drawn to each other.

Bill was cool, and highly accomplished. He and Fleur were the same kind of person — the dazzling kind — and their union seemed only natural.

If there were any concerns, Fleur’s care and unwavering support for Bill after his injury spoke volumes.

Their decision to marry wasn’t a spur-of-the-moment decision; what began with looks had deepened into love. Everyone hoped they would walk the road together to the very end.

A few minutes later, the band began to play.

Bill and Fleur took to the dance floor first, to great applause; after a while, Mr. Weasley led Madame Delacour onto the floor, followed by Mrs. Weasley and Fleur’s father.

“I like this song,” said Hermione, softly humming along with the tune.

“May I have this dance?” Evan asked at once.

“Of course!” said Hermione cheerfully, looking delighted as she glided lightly onto the dance floor, following Evan’s steps. “Do you still remember how to dance, Evan? I’ve forgotten a bit; I haven’t danced in years. Well, let me think. We practiced every night for the Yule Ball. I remember it should go like —”

“Just go with the flow, Hermione!” said Evan. “No need to be so technical. Bill and Fleur are the stars today. Do you really want us stealing the spotlight?”

At the Yule Ball the year of the Tournament, Evan and Hermione had been the highlight of the night.

The champions danced, but no couple could dance better than Evan and Hermione. That night, all of Hogwarts was their stage.

Years later, people still talked about that Yule Ball and the dance Evan and Hermione had performed there.

“You’re right. A wedding is for the bride and groom. Let’s not be so flashy,” said Hermione with a smile, her body swaying slowly with Evan’s.

Their dance steps might not have been graceful, but their bodies and minds gradually merged under the influence of the melody, and they both felt relaxed and free of pressure. They didn’t need to focus on the dance, nor worry about any upsetting things. In this moment, Evan and Hermione focused on enjoying the sweet, peaceful and happy time they had together.

They hadn’t had this opportunity for a long time since Voldemort’s return.

As the music progressed, more and more people appeared on the stage.

A moment later, Luna appeared beside Evan and Hermione, revolving on the spot, quite alone, eyes closed and waving her arms, lost in the moment.

She was dancing alone, waving her arms around her head like someone attempting to beat off midges.

No, it was more like trying to get rid of a horsefly.

After one dance, Evan and Hermione left the stage.

The atmosphere was pleasant, but not the time for unbridled revelry. Evan was worried about something happening at the Ministry, so it was best for them to stay with Harry. The revelry in the marquee was growing increasingly intense and uncontained.

Bottles of champagne floated unsupported through the crowd, and there was a massive wedding cake, topped with two phoenixes that took flight when the cake was cut.

The alcohol was driving everyone to laughter. Evan didn’t see Harry or Ron, but he did spot Ginny dancing in the center of the stage with Fred and George’s friend, Lee Jordan. As for Fred and George, they had just left the marquee with a pair of Fleur’s cousins, and by any stretch of the imagination, they were definitely up to no good.

On the other side, Charlie, Hagrid, and a squat wizard in a purple porkpie hat were singing “Odo the Hero” in a corner.

When Evan and Hermione returned to their table, only Elaine was there, sitting obediently with a massive goblet full of dragon’s blood in front of her.

Like a kitten drinking milk, she lowered her head and licked the blood from the goblet. When she saw them coming, Elaine wiped the bloodstains from the corner of her mouth with the new lace of her dress sleeves, then casually rubbed the rest off on her skirt.

If Great-Aunt Muriel had seen this, she would have fainted.

“Elaine, where are Harry and Ron?”

“Ron’s gone to see a girl. He said there’s a beautiful girl among Fleur’s relatives. Harry’s over there.” Elaine pointed to a corner of the marquee, baring her fangs. “He was just here talking with that gloomy nuisance about Grindelwald’s symbol, and also about why international Quidditch stars don’t have girlfriends. He seemed to be very fond of Hermione. He pointed at you two and talked for a long time, then even asked me to dance. He looked as if I would be interested in him. Well, why would I be interested in him? Does the blood of an international Quidditch star taste good? It doesn’t look very appetizing. I prefer dragon’s blood.”

Okay, the annoying guy Elaine was referring to must have been Krum.

It wasn’t surprising that he mistook the symbol of the Deathly Hallows for Grindelwald’s mark. Grindelwald had once been obsessed with those three supremely powerful magic items.

Every great Dark wizard seemed to share the same ultimate goal: conquering death, though their methods differed.

Grindelwald had once intended to use the power of the Deathly Hallows to accomplish this feat. Voldemort, using Horcruxes, had gone further than any other wizard before him in conquering death. Now, he planned to use the power of the evil god, and his achievements in this regard far surpassed Grindelwald’s.

Evan looked over to the corner Elaine had pointed out and saw Harry speaking with an elderly wizard.

His cloud of white hair made him look rather like an aged dandelion clock and was topped by a moth-eaten fez.

Evan thought he looked familiar: Racking his brains, Evan suddenly realized that this was Elphias Doge, member of the Order of the Phoenix and the writer of Dumbledore’s obituary.

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