Choosing Pansy Parkinson was, in most people's eyes, exactly what they had expected.
What truly surprised them was Hermione Granger's calmness, and the way she chose to step back.
No one knew what Draco and the others had said to each other, but Hermione's deliberate retreat was seen clearly by everyone.
Aside from a certain red-haired boy who reacted with unusual excitement, the rest of the witches and wizards all turned their curious gazes toward the Gryffindor know-it-all.
This really didn't seem like something a brave Gryffindor would do.
Unfortunately, Hermione, who had lowered her head and retreated into the shadows, gave no one any chance to read her thoughts or understand how she was feeling at that moment…
Unable to glean anything from Hermione's expression, the others eventually shifted their attention to Draco and Pansy on the dance floor.
However, before anyone could make sense of Draco's actions, the commotion at Harry Potter's table drew everyone's attention instead.
"Mr. Potter, Miss Delacour, what are you waiting for? It's your turn."
Seeing her favored students still seated, Professor McGonagall's mood clearly soured, and her tone grew impatient as she addressed Harry Potter and Fleur Delacour.
Of course, Professor McGonagall hadn't considered that there was a reason the two of them hadn't stood up.
Or rather, given their status as Champions, this was an outcome she had never even imagined…
"...…"
"...…"
"Professor… I actually… haven't found a dance partner yet."
"I won't be going up. If someone wants to be my partner, it won't be that easy."
First came an awkward silence, followed by responses that made the veins at Professor McGonagall's temple throb.
In the end, despite how different their explanations sounded, the meaning behind them was the same.
Unlike the visibly irritated Professor McGonagall, the others at the table looked on in surprise, glancing between Fleur, who seemed to be grinding her teeth, and Harry Potter, whose expression held a mix of frustration and disappointment.
Fleur's reply was as proud and aloof as ever, and she certainly had the confidence to back it up. But Harry Potter's reaction, on the other hand, caught everyone around him off guard.
Hearing their answers, Professor McGonagall's eyes filled with disbelief and irritation.
Setting aside the question of why Harry Potter hadn't found a partner, Fleur claiming she hadn't received a single invitation was plainly untrue.
Professor McGonagall herself had encountered at least ten wizards in the corridors who had tried to invite Fleur to be their dance partner.
Even though all of them had failed, it only proved that finding someone to open the dance with her should have been effortless.
Was she simply uninterested in the other students, or had she never seriously considered it?
With that thought, Professor McGonagall shifted her gaze to Headmaster Maxim, whose expression looked just as helpless.
It seemed Fleur's decision had given her quite a headache as well.
In any case, Professor McGonagall understood one thing clearly now. Asking them to find partners on the spot and immediately take part in the opening dance was simply unreasonable.
After letting out a sigh, unwilling to force the issue, she resigned herself to sitting back down.
Now, all she could do was hope that Draco alone would be able to carry the moment…
…
Stage.
Music.
A starlit sky.
While most eyes were fixed on Harry Potter and Fleur Delacour, Draco took his time, openly and thoroughly looking Pansy over from head to toe.
That unguarded gaze made Pansy feel as though she were dyed the same shade of pink as the evening gown she was wearing.
Truth be told, for witches and wizards born into noble families, occasions like this weren't rare at all. They had attended plenty of similar events, and dressing up so formally in front of one another was hardly anything new for Draco and Pansy.
So it certainly wasn't a matter of inexperience, nor was it the first time they'd seen each other dressed this way.
Even so, Pansy still managed to make Draco's eyes light up.
The carefully chosen high heels, the hairstyle refined with a touch of magic, and that pink evening gown that perfectly highlighted her best features.
Standing on the stage and seeing Pansy up close beneath the starlight, Draco suddenly realized that the little shadow who had always followed behind him had, without him noticing, grown into someone so captivating.
Perhaps it was the change in perspective, or perhaps his own mindset had shifted. Either way, faced with such openly displayed allure, Draco's gaze kept drifting toward Pansy's soft, delicate lips…
Whether she noticed that unusually aggressive focus or not, Pansy grew visibly tense, her body betraying her nerves.
Catching that, Draco briefly glanced at the crowd below, where no one seemed to understand what was happening. Only then did he half-lower his eyes and look directly at her, at those beautiful eyes that now seemed a little unfocused.
"Impressive, Miss Parkinson. You've even learned to link arms now. This was your idea, wasn't it?"
The moment he spoke, Draco felt the slender, supple waist beneath his hand stiffen instantly. Clearly, she understood exactly what he was referring to.
As the initial excitement faded, Pansy finally remembered just how domineering and sharp her childhood companion could be. She knew there was no way she could hide anything from him.
Feeling guilty, she quickly lifted her face and tried to plead her case with a foolish grin.
"…Hehe."
"...…"
Seeing that silly expression she only ever showed him, Draco shook his head, helpless yet indulgent.
There were many things Draco liked to keep firmly under his control, but changing the girls' personalities was never one of them. Especially Pansy's clever mischief and that little devilish streak of hers, which he genuinely liked.
"I am curious how you managed to convince Hermione. But decisions like this should still come from me."
"Mhm, I know!"
Only after realizing that Draco truly wasn't angry did Pansy finally relax. Almost without thinking, she leaned a little closer to him, leaving the two of them standing so near that they were just short of touching.
But…
'If we left it up to you, Granger and I would be even more worried.'
Wrapped in that all-encompassing sense of happiness, Pansy couldn't help but mutter quietly to herself…
...
As the only pair on stage, every small movement Draco and Pansy made tugged at everyone's emotions. That bold, almost-touching closeness drew soft gasps from the girls below who were prone to letting their imaginations run wild.
That striking moment also pushed aside the lingering curiosity about why Harry Potter and Fleur Delacour still hadn't stepped onto the stage.
From below, Harry Potter, who had been watching the scene the entire time, clenched his fists and lowered his head.
For no clear reason at all, the scar on his forehead began to throb once more…
...
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