Hogwarts: I will not become the Dark Lord

Christmas arrived, and the castle and its vast grounds were gently covered in snow, resembling a fairytale world. The Beauxbatons Academy's light blue carriage looked even more elegant in this silver setting, like a carefully crafted frosted pumpkin in winter, while Hagrid's hut transformed into a small, exquisite gingerbread house, sprinkled with icing.

The Durmstrang ship looked even more majestic, its hull draped in a dazzling icy coat, as smooth as a mirror, with delicate white frost adorning the rigging.

The entire school was decorated like a dreamlike wonderland. The marble staircase handrails were entwined with never-melting ice crystal decorations. Inside the Great Hall, twelve towering Christmas trees stood tall, their branches laden with all sorts of festive ornaments, from glistening holly berries to golden, life-like owls poised to take flight.

Even the suits of armor in the corridors had been re-enchanted by the professors. Whenever someone passed by, they would automatically sing melodious Christmas carols.

As night fell, the clock quietly struck eight, and the students who remained at school changed into their carefully selected dress robes, their faces filled with both nervousness and anticipation.

In the warm Gryffindor common room, Hermione wore a shimmering, iridescent light purple-blue robe, the fabric light and flowing. Her hair was no longer casually styled as usual, but carefully arranged into a smooth, glossy updo. She was now completely different from her everyday self.

"Darling, you look so beautiful tonight!" Parvati, wearing a bright green robe, entered the common room and immediately noticed Hermione's transformation. "The champion and his partner have to dance the first dance. Isn't Jerry coming to pick you up soon?"

"Mmm!" Hermione replied, a smile curving her lips as she nodded gently, but behind that smile was a hint of barely perceptible anxiety, because she discovered that she and Fleur Delacour had both received invitations from Jerry.

"Hermione, you've really changed so much today, you're completely different from usual!" Harry, having put on his dress robes, walked over. Parvati was his date for the evening.

Suddenly, a burst of enthusiastic exclamations and commotion erupted at the entrance of the common room, the doorway blocked by Gryffindor girls.

"What on earth is happening outside?" Parvati couldn't help but turn around, her eyes sparkling with curiosity, looking towards the source of the noise.

"Make way, everyone!" Jerry's voice rang out as he pushed through the crowd and entered the Gryffindor common room.

Hearing Jerry's voice, Hermione excitedly looked towards the entrance of the common room. She saw Jerry walking towards her in an exquisite dress robe, exuding an extraordinary aura with every step, like someone who had stepped out of a fairy tale.

Hermione's heart leaped, her face flushed, her gaze instantly drawn to Jerry. She couldn't help but stand up, unhesitatingly throwing herself into his arms and, standing on tiptoe, proactively kissed him on the cheek, eliciting a wave of envy and jealousy from the surrounding girls.

"Merlin's beard!" Parvati's eyes were fixed on Jerry, unable to look away. Now she knew why so many girls had gathered at the doorway!

"Darling, I think I'm going to be jealous of you!" Parvati said to Hermione, half-jokingly, half-seriously. She truly regretted it…

Hermione happily laughed, then quickly took Jerry's hand and left the common room amidst the fiery gazes of the crowd.

Stepping into the Great Hall, the walls were covered with a layer of shimmering silver frost, like a winter wonderland; the ceiling was transformed into a starry night sky, with twinkling stars interwoven with hundreds of sprigs of mistletoe and ivy wreaths hanging above.

The familiar four house tables were gone, replaced by about a hundred small, exquisite tables, each lit with soft lanterns, radiating a warm glow.

Jerry led Hermione to their seats, and that's when Hermione noticed that, besides Fleur Delacour, there was also a woman with a cold and beautiful appearance and a noble demeanor.

"Jerry Green, is this the Christmas surprise you're giving me?" Fleur asked angrily.

"Jerry, who is this?" Hermione's finger gently pointed to Katherine, her eyes full of doubt.

"Huh? Granger, you don't recognize her? Aren't you from the same school?" Fleur sneered.

"Let me introduce myself, Apostle, Katherine Faires!" Katherine's voice was clear and powerful, the aura of a superior suddenly unfolding, like a proud queen.

"Apostle? What does that mean?" Both Fleur and Hermione frowned deeply.

"Champions of the Triwizard Tournament, please come to me now!" Professor McGonagall's voice suddenly rang out, interrupting their conversation.

"Your Majesty, it's your turn, you have to lead the dance!" Katherine reminded Jerry with a smile.

Jerry nodded and extended his hand to Fleur, issuing an invitation. Fleur's mind was still in a state of confusion, and upon seeing Jerry's invitation, she subconsciously placed her hand in his. The surrounding students, seeing this, looked at Jerry with particular shock.

They didn't understand, but they were deeply shaken!

Professor McGonagall wore a classic red plaid robe, with a somewhat unattractive but unique wreath of thistle wrapped around her hat brim.

The champions participating in the Triwizard Tournament and their partners came to the front of the Great Hall. Dumbledore smiled at everyone, while Snape stood beside Dumbledore, sarcastically saying something about Jerry.

Ludo Bagman had chosen an extremely eye-catching bright purple robe tonight, adorned with large yellow stars, making him particularly dazzling. He, like the surrounding students, enthusiastically clapped his hands.

Madame Maxime had, unusually, abandoned her usual black satin robe and put on a light purple dress. She frowned upon seeing Jerry holding Fleur's hand.

At that moment, Dumbledore conjured a towering stage, flush against the right wall. On the stage, a drum set, several guitars, a lute, a cello, and several organs were arranged in a well-organized manner.

Immediately afterward, the Weird Sisters walked onto the stage in an almost exaggerated manner. Their hair was unusually thick, and they wore black robes that were deliberately aged and torn just right. Every movement drew thunderous applause from the surrounding students.

The lanterns on the tables were extinguished one by one. Jerry and Fleur strode into the dance floor. Fleur took the initiative to guide Jerry, placing one of Jerry's hands lightly on her waist, while the other was held tightly by her.

The dance floor was surrounded by students.

Soon, the dance floor gradually became lively, and other students entered the dance floor one after another. Neville's partner was Ginny, but on the dance floor, Ginny always frowned and dodged. Obviously, Neville's dance steps were too clumsy, and he often stepped on her feet.

"Hopefully, this isn't you deliberately stalling for time, finding reasons, finding excuses to deceive me!" Fleur said, taking a deep breath.

"Who exactly are you? What is the Apostle? Why do you call Jerry... Your Eminence?" Outside the dance floor, Hermione, barely holding on, looked at Catherine opposite her, rattling off a series of questions.

"Granger, you have too many questions!" Catherine raised her head slightly, revealing a lofty arrogance in her eyes. "I'm about to graduate and leave Hogwarts. Before that, I think it's necessary to meet you and get to know you! As for other things, you don't need to know. As for the Apostle, trust me, it won't be long before you understand what the Apostle represents!"

As the last note played by the Weird Sisters fell, thunderous applause erupted again in the hall. Jerry and Fleur returned to the outside of the dance floor.

"Tsk tsk! Dumbledore, I didn't expect Jerry Green to have such abilities? Truly amazing!" Snape said sarcastically, "Compared to his magical attainments, I think he has more talent in this area!"

"Congratulations, the Dumbledore family can be considered to have successors! I think with Jerry Green around, the Dumbledore family will definitely not be dwindling!"

"Cough cough," Dumbledore coughed awkwardly twice, "Severus, after all... young people!"

At this time, the atmosphere at the ball seemed to have changed subtly, and the originally lively scene suddenly became a bit quieter.

Everyone suddenly felt that the ball was not very interesting, and their attention was focused on Jerry's table. They all wanted to know what Jerry and the others were talking about? Would the girls fight tonight!

However, unexpectedly, the people at Jerry's table not only did not have the slightest tense atmosphere, but got along exceptionally harmoniously, and even occasional bursts of laughter could be heard.

How could it be so harmonious? Did Jerry Green give them some kind of potion?

Some curious people wanted to get closer and eavesdrop on what they were saying, but were dissuaded by Jerry's cold eyes.

"Fleur, we should go back and take a look!" At eleven o'clock, as the ball approached its end, Madam Maxime walked in from outside the castle. Her brow was furrowed with anger, and without saying a word, she pulled Fleur up and left the hall.

Everyone was very puzzled. Didn't Madam Maxime just go out on a date with Hagrid?

"Your Eminence, I also have something to leave for!" Catherine stood up with a smile, "Don't forget, you still owe me a dance!"

After Catherine left, only Jerry and Hermione were left at the table.

"Come on, Hermione!" Jerry pulled up the dispirited Hermione, left the hall, passed through the entrance hall, and came to the outside of the castle, where the lawn had turned into a rose garden.

Hermione gently placed her arm on Jerry's shoulder, and the two of them danced slowly in this dreamlike world woven from roses, swaying with the gentle breeze.

"How much are you still hiding from me?" Hermione finally couldn't help but ask.

"A lot!"

"What about the Apostle that Ferres mentioned? What does it mean?" Hermione took a deep breath, trying to calm the turmoil in her heart.

"An organization, an extremely powerful organization that has existed for nearly a thousand years!" Jerry replied truthfully.

"Death Eaters?" Hermione blurted out almost immediately, which was the first thing that came to her mind.

"No no no, the Death Eaters can't compare to them!" Jerry shook his head.

"Then, you... you want to use the power of this organization?" Hermione looked up at Jerry. If the Apostles were really as powerful as Jerry said, would Jerry be using them in the end, or would they be using Jerry?

"Why? Jerry, what exactly do you want? Now, you don't lack fame or fortune, and Dumbledore is still your grandfather! What else are you not satisfied with?"

"Some things are destined, and Dumbledore, no matter how powerful, is just a mortal, and he can't change it!" Jerry wrapped his arms around Hermione's waist. "I know you have many questions, but please believe me, telling you some things now will only put you in greater danger."

"Okay, I won't press you," Hermione stopped dancing, "Give me a time, I don't want to keep waiting in confusion!"

"Three years, graduation time!"