Snape stood at the front of the classroom, his dark eyes sweeping over the gathered students. The room was filled with fourth-years and above, all of whom had been summoned for an important announcement. Snape's voice was as cold and precise as ever as he began.
"As part of the Triwizard Tournament, Hogwarts will be hosting the traditional Yule Ball," he said, his tone leaving no room for excitement. "This is a formal event, and I expect every one of you who attends to behave to the best of your ability. You will represent Slytherin House, and I will not tolerate any behavior that smears our name."
His gaze lingered on Dante, who stood at the back of the room with his usual air of indifference. "Dante Malfoy," Snape said sharply, "as one of the champions, you are expected to have the first dance. And just in case you were considering it, you cannot skip this event."
Dante nodded. Snape had a feeling that if he hadn't explicitly stated that, Dante would have found a way to avoid the ball entirely. Satisfied, Snape continued. "If any of you are not proficient in dancing, we will hold training sessions. Those who are capable may leave."
Most of the Slytherins, including Dante, filed out of the room. Coming from noble and pure-blood families, they had all been taught to dance from a young age. As they walked down the corridor, Draco turned to Dante.
"Who are you going to invite to the ball?" Draco asked, his tone casual but his eyes betraying his interest.
Dante shrugged. "I haven't thought about it. Anyone will do."
Draco raised an eyebrow. "Anyone? Half the school is hoping you'll invite them. You're one of the champions, after all."
Dante let the comment pass and instead asked Draco back. "What about you?"
Draco replied. "I'm thinking of inviting Daphne Greengrass."
Dante raised an eyebrow, a faint smirk playing on his lips. "Are you sure? You could always invite Harry Potter."
Draco froze, his face a mixture of horror and disbelief. "How could you say that?" he spluttered.
Dante's smirk widened. "You're so obsessed with him, it makes sense."
Draco stopped in his tracks, his mouth opening and closing as he struggled to form a response. Dante, thoroughly amused, continued walking, leaving Draco to question his life decisions.
The next few days were filled with a buzz of excitement as students began inviting each other to the Yule Ball. The castle was livelier than usual, with whispered conversations and hopeful glances exchanged in the hallways. One day, as Dante made his way to the Great Hall, he ran into Luna Lovegood. The two greeted each other with a smile and fell into step together.
As they approached the entrance to the Great Hall, they encountered Draco and his group. Draco immediately seized the chance to tease Dante. "So, have you invited Luna to be your date yet?" he asked.
Dante shook his head. "I haven't invited anyone."
Draco looked genuinely surprised. "Why not? The ball is in a few days!"
Dante shrugged. "I figured I'd ask someone the day before. As long as they know how to dance and want to go, it's fine, right?"
Draco and his group exchanged incredulous looks. Dante's casual approach to selecting a date was baffling to them. "You can't do that," Draco said, his voice tinged with exasperation. "You're one of the champions. The honor of our house is at stake. You need to take this seriously."
Dante sighed, clearly unbothered by Draco's dramatics. He turned to Luna, who had been quietly observing the conversation. "Do you know how to dance?" he asked.
Luna nodded, her dreamy smile as bright as ever. "Yes, I can dance. And the ball sounds fascinating. I think it will be fun."
Dante nodded. "Then we have a deal. You're my date." He looked back at Draco, who was staring at him in disbelief. "Happy? I have a date now."
Without waiting for a response, Dante entered the Great Hall, Luna following close behind. Daphne, who had been standing nearby, shook her head in amusement. "Basically, if any girl had expressed her desire to go to the ball with Senior Dante, he would have agreed without a second thought," she said.
Draco sighed "Probably, yes."
It didn't take long for rumors of Dante's unconventional date selection process to spread throughout the school. Some girls felt pity, they could have been chosen instead of Luna if they just decided to approach. Others found the whole thing ridiculous, unable to believe that someone as prestigious as Dante Malfoy would select his date in such a haphazard manner. After all, he was a Malfoy, a prodigy, and one of the Triwizard champions. Who chose their date like that?
But Dante, as always, remained indifferent to the gossip. For him, the Yule Ball was just another event—one he would attend because he had to, not because he wanted to. And if Luna Lovegood was his date, so be it. At least she wouldn't bore him.
___________
The night of the Yule Ball had arrived, and the Great Hall was transformed into a winter wonderland. Icicles hung from the ceiling, enchanted snowflakes drifted lazily through the air, and the room sparkled with the light of a thousand candles. Students and professors alike were dressed in their finest robes, the atmosphere buzzing with excitement and anticipation.
Dante stood at the entrance of the hall, dressed in a sleek, formal suit that accentuated his tall, commanding presence. His silver eyes scanned the room briefly before he turned to Luna, who had just arrived. She wore shimmering silver dress robes that caught the light, but it was her accessories that truly stood out: a necklace of large radishes and dirigible plum earrings. Dante raised an eyebrow but said nothing, offering her his hand.
The two entered the ball together, joining the other champions as they made their way to the center of the room. At first, the crowd's attention was drawn to Viktor Krum and Hermione Granger, who looked stunning tonight. Many of the male students couldn't take their eyes off Fleur Delacour. But soon, all eyes turned to Dante and Luna—more specifically, to Luna.
Her unconventional choice of dress and accessories drew a mix of reactions. Some students found her outfit interesting and unique, while others laughed openly at the sight. Professor McGonagall, standing at the edge of the room, had a look of utter disbelief on her face. Her lips were pressed into a thin line, and her expression was dark. She cared deeply about the reputation of Hogwarts and its houses, and what she was seeing felt like a joke in her eyes.
The champions began their first dance, and it quickly became apparent that Luna's dancing style was as unique as her outfit. She didn't follow the traditional steps expected at such a formal event, instead moving in a way that was entirely her own. Dante, caught off guard for a moment, quickly matched her movements, his expression calm and unbothered. He didn't mind her unconventional style; in fact, he found it interesting.
The students, however, were less kind. Laughter rippled through the crowd as they watched the pair. Some whispered that Dante deserved this for choosing the weirdest girl in the school' as his date. But Dante and Luna paid no attention to the onlookers, their focus entirely on each other as they danced.
As the night went on, more students joined the dance floor, their initial judgment giving way to the joy of the moment. Even some of the professors couldn't resist joining in, their laughter and smiles adding to the festive atmosphere.
Sometime later, Luna had had enough of dancing. She and Dante stepped outside the hall, the sounds of the ball fading behind them. Luna turned to Dante, her dreamy smile as bright as ever. "Thank you for inviting me," she said. "It was fun."
Dante nodded, his expression as calm as ever. "You're welcome."
Before they could say more, Draco and Daphne approached. Draco looked exasperated, his arms crossed as he glared at Dante. "What was that?" he demanded. "I've never seen McGonagall's face twist like that. And you," he turned to Luna, "can't you dress and dance like normal people?"
Luna's smile didn't waver. "I like my dress, and that's how I dance," she said simply.
Draco groaned, turning back to Dante. "How could you accept that? You're one of the champions! You're supposed to represent Slytherin!"
Dante shrugged, his tone casual. "I don't see what the issue is. She dressed the way she liked and danced the way she wanted. The point of the party is to relax and have fun. Why stress over it?"
Draco stared at him, his mouth opening and closing as he struggled to find a response. Daphne, on the other hand, burst into laughter. "You're unbelievable," Draco finally said.
Dante glanced at Luna. "I've had enough of the ball. Good night." He turned to leave, but Luna stayed behind.
"I'm going to stay and observe," she said. "The Yule Ball is a once-in-a-lifetime event."
Dante nodded and walked away, leaving Draco and Daphne with Luna. Draco couldn't understand how someone could be so nonchalant about everything. Dante's indifference to social norms and expectations was baffling to him.
Luna, however, felt a warm sense of gratitude. Dante hadn't been embarrassed by her; in fact, he had defended her. To her, that made him a true friend. As she watched him disappear into the night, she couldn't help but smile. The Yule Ball had been everything she had hoped for—and more.