Even though nearly everything Fleur had just said was, in one way or another, a slight against Hogwarts, neither the professors nor the students nearby felt any real anger toward her.
That was probably one of the benefits of having Veela blood, wasn't it?
And a wizard of Professor McGonagall's standing would naturally not be so small-minded as to take issue with a student who hadn't even graduated yet.
All things considered, when it came to minor matters, Fleur truly did receive treatment that set her apart from ordinary people.
It was just that this charm, which never failed elsewhere, always seemed to lose its effect when it came to Draco.
After all, Fleur, who had already run out of things to say, still hadn't received the reaction she'd been hoping for.
Perhaps it was precisely because of this exception, coupled with her unwillingness to admit defeat, that her attitude toward Draco differed so much from how she treated other wizards…
"...…"
"...…"
No matter how many flaws Hogwarts had, there was only so much to criticize. And Fleur, who wasn't particularly good at conversation to begin with, quickly found herself with nothing left to say.
More importantly, Madame Maxime's scrutinizing gaze, as though she could see straight through her, made Fleur suddenly realize just what she'd been saying. Regret welled up almost immediately.
Flustered and embarrassed, she poked at the food in front of her with her knife and fork, her mind screaming as if a groundhog were shrieking inside her head.
'What did I just say?!'
She'd clearly meant to give that person the cold shoulder, but for some reason, the moment she saw him not even sparing her a glance, she completely lost control. Her mouth had run ahead of her, spilling out that entire speech without a second thought.
Meanwhile, Draco seemed completely unaware of Fleur's growing frustration and regret…
As turmoil churned inside Fleur, Draco's attention shifted to another table, where Hagrid was looking in their direction.
Hagrid was once again wearing that unsightly, shaggy brown suit tonight. What made Draco raise an eyebrow was seeing Hagrid lift a hand and wave toward them.
At first, Draco assumed he was greeting some professor. But when he saw the Beauxbatons headmistress openly raise her opal goblet in response, he couldn't help but pause.
That strangely subtle exchange, and the odd rapport between the two of them, made Draco narrow his eyes slightly…
...
Just as everyone was finishing their meals, Professor McGonagall, who was temporarily standing in for Dumbledore, glanced at the time and slowly rose from her seat.
The moment her movement was noticed, the banquet hall, lively only seconds before, gradually fell silent…
With a single wave of her wand, the open space deliberately left in the center of the hall transformed. A tall stage rose out of thin air, and near its edge appeared a complete, brand-new set of musical instruments.
All the young wizards who witnessed this immediately set aside the cutlery they had long since stopped using. Their eyes widened with excitement and anticipation, and some of the bolder ones had already begun sneaking glances at their potential dance partners…
As everyone looked expectantly toward Professor McGonagall, the professor who was almost always stern seemed to let a smile flicker across her face. With that brief expression gone as quickly as it appeared, the deputy headmistress raised her wand again, this time toward the entrance.
Bang!
The heavy oak doors burst open, welcoming the guests of the night…
"Is that…?!"
"The Weird Sisters! That's them! I've bought every one of their albums!"
"That's Kirley! He's my favorite singer!"
Standing before everyone was the band famous throughout the wizarding world. The moment they stepped onto the stage, the young wizards who recognized them erupted into thunderous applause.
Draco, who wasn't particularly familiar with them, showed little reaction. Instead, he found himself puzzled by their deliberately torn, ragged-looking black robes.
However, the instant The Weird Sisters picked up their instruments, Draco felt it clearly. A powerful presence that seemed to seize the entire hall's attention radiated from them.
So this was what professionalism looked like.
The moment the music began.
The lanterns that had been sitting on the tables all went out at once. The only light left came from the galaxy-like starlight spread across the enchanted ceiling. As those scattered stars cast their glow over the stage, the scene became breathtakingly beautiful and mysterious.
With the dim lighting and the gentle, flowing music, the romantic atmosphere instantly deepened…
Taking in the scene, along with the darkness and the vanishing dinner plates, the young wizards who had already realized what was coming all turned their eager gazes toward the main table.
That was where Draco and the other Champions were seated.
And now, it was time for the Champions to open the dance…
...
It wasn't so dark that nothing could be seen. Under the starlight from the ceiling, the figures of the Champions were still faintly visible.
What surprised everyone was that, aside from Draco rising smoothly from his seat, the other two Champions showed no sign of standing up.
Unnoticed beneath the cover of the dim light, Fleur's bold gaze kept drifting toward Draco's position again and again, as though she were waiting for something.
But to Fleur's growing frustration, when Draco finally stood, he didn't spare her even a glance. His steps were steady as he headed in a completely different direction.
More precisely, toward the corner where two beautiful girls were seated…
Watching Draco walk toward them, the witches nearby let out excited whispers.
"Who do you think… will be his dance partner?"
"I wonder if I even have a chance."
"...…"
"Isn't it obvious? Besides that Slytherin little princess, who else is qualified to stand next to him?"
"…Have you forgotten? The one our prince treats differently."
"You mean… that Gryffindor? That can't be right. I heard Ron Weasley say the prince was just playing around with her."
"Weasley? His words are as trustworthy as those greedy goblins."
Over the past four years, Draco had long since become the ideal partner in every girl's heart. So when he walked along that path paved with starlight toward them, shrill squeals of excitement rippled through the crowd of young witches.
Even if the lucky one wasn't herself, there was no harm in imagining it…
Because of that, the scene gradually slipped into chaos.
No one noticed that Draco, the center of all attention, wore a conflicted expression hidden beneath the shadows.
The opening dance was moments away, yet it seemed that Draco still hadn't quite made his decision…
...
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