HP: It's a snake, not a badger.

Chapter 133 Preparations for the Ball

Christmas was approaching, and Emeric excitedly took Severus to get her new clothes made. They were having a Christmas dinner this year, so it would be perfect for them to wear new outfits. However, he simply took her home; they had a personal designer at home who could make matching outfits according to his ideas, and in a way that wouldn't be noticeable to others.

"Aren't your fathers at the estate?"

"Hmm, they've gone on vacation, just like every Christmas." Emeric didn't seem to care; he knew his fathers loved him. He turned and smiled at Severus, pulling out a piece of silver-green fabric to wear and holding it up.

"How about this color, or this one?" He picked out several different pieces of silver and green and placed them in front of him, then paired them with various auxiliary fabrics to create several outfits.

"Let's change this one." Severus didn't bring up the previous topic. Anyway, with him by his side from now on, Emeric wouldn't spend Christmas alone anymore.

"No need, we can measure it ourselves. Think about how to match the accessories with these clothes." Emeric took the measuring tape from the designer's hand, not letting her touch Severus's waist. He hadn't touched it much, that's how stingy he was.

After taking the measurements, Emeric was beaming. He not only touched the waist but also hugged someone! There was a little bit of soft flesh—the best result of all his years of feeding him. Severus, of course, knew he'd been taken advantage of, but today he'd pretended not to notice as a way of appeasing the little rascal.

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"Kids, I have something to announce before get out of class ends." Ten minutes before the end of get out of class, McGonagall ended the day's lesson early. "The Christmas Ball is coming soon. It's a traditional part of the Three Schools Competition and also an opportunity for us to make friends with our international friends. Of course, there's an age limit for our ball; it's only open to students in fourth grade and above. However, if you'd like, you can invite a younger student to join you."

Seeing that the students' attention was all focused on her, McGonagall nodded in satisfaction. "You will need to wear your formal gowns to the banquet. It will be held in the auditorium at eight o'clock on Christmas Eve."

McGonagall paused, her expression suddenly turning serious. "Although the Christmas Ball is supposed to be a time to relax, that doesn't mean we'll relax our expectations of your behavior. Professors will be patrolling the Ball day. Alright, class dismissed. Except for Harry, who needs to stay behind; I need to speak with you."

"Yes, Professor." Harry obediently stayed until the very end, waiting until everyone had left before McGonagall spoke. "Harry, as is customary, the ball will be opened by the champions and their partners, so you need to find a partner as soon as possible. Of course, if you can't find one, you can ask the other professors, but apart from Pomona and me, we've always been partners."

"Yes, Professor, thank you for your advice." Harry sincerely thanked McGonagall for her suggestion. He really didn't know who to choose as his dance partner. Firstly, he didn't want to dance with anyone his age other than Draco, and secondly, he couldn't dance and needed a partner who could.

After leaving the classroom, he went straight to Sarafina's office. Fortunately, his coach was willing to attend the ball, while her good friend Loina was not keen on going. This perfectly solved the problem of finding a dance partner. The only remaining issue was that he didn't know how to dance.

This problem was quickly resolved, because three days before the dance, McGonagall called all the fourth-grade students to the auditorium for a crash course to prevent anyone from making a fool of themselves by not knowing how to dance.

"Watch my and Pomona's movements. I'm doing the female steps, and Pomona is doing the male steps. Follow the rhythm of the music and don't step on your partner's feet..." McGonagall said as she twirled around, breaking down the movements for Sprout little by little. The students below paired up and danced along.

Draco and Harry ended up together, their faces showing disgust despite their inner joy. Harry bent down and slipped his arm through Draco's, just to do a lady's step; if they could dance together at the ball, he'd even wear a dress.

Emeric could dance, but he went to Severus and begged to practice more. "I'll teach you when we get back to the cellar," Severus agreed, raising an eyebrow. He couldn't possibly dance the feminine steps, so he could scold Emeric if he said he didn't want to.

"!" Severus actually agreed, and Emeric was instantly overjoyed, wishing time would pass faster and faster, as he immediately wanted to return to the cellar.

After enduring a full lesson, Emeric followed Severus back to the cellar. He stared expectantly at the man, pulling out a tape recorder to play dance music.

The recording played Severus's promise from back then, promising to coax him no matter what. Before Severus could react, he immediately put the tape recorder away and replaced it with another one.

"Hehe, I picked up the wrong one, it should be this one." Emeric chuckled, feigning ignorance. "This one, this one, let's dance."

Severus gave him a very inelegant glare, not intending to confiscate his tape recorder. "I only know the male steps, you dance the female steps." He stared at Emeric's face, the corners of his mouth slightly upturned, with an expression of watching a good show, ready to curse at any moment.

"Sure, do you want me to wear a skirt?" He thought he was going to do something else, but it's just a women's walk. He'd let him wear women's clothes without any problem. He transformed his shirt into various styles of dresses: backless, high-slit, deep V-neck, you name it, just waiting for the man to choose which one.

"That's enough! Just put on your pants." Severus closed his eyes, not wanting to watch Emeric's fashion show; he was already dizzy from all the swaying in those few seconds.

"Okay." After changing his clothes back, Emeric was still a little disappointed. He thought he looked quite good in a dress, so why didn't Severus appreciate it?

"Are you still going to jump?"

"Jump! Here we come!"

He pressed the switch, and a melodious tune echoed in the living room. Emeric bowed and invited Severus, placing his left hand on the man's shoulder and interlocking his fingers with his right.

The two danced to the rhythm of the music, their eyes fixed on each other. Severus saw the love in Emeric's eyes and quickly looked away, his cheeks burning.

As the music ended, Severus, as if burned, immediately withdrew his hand from Emeric's waist, and an ambiguous atmosphere lingered between the two.

"Severus, can I hug you?" Before the man could answer, Emeric reached out and hugged him tightly, nuzzling Severus's face like a small animal.

For some reason, Severus surprisingly responded, hugging Emeric as well. Considering that the little rascal had never tried to force him, he decided to give him a little treat.