“Lilith Nott! Your talent for gossiping behind people’s backs is truly eye-opening! So, you mean to say… you look down on a Malfoy?”
Lucius watched in surprise as Draco walked over with a dark expression, silently worrying for her fellow countrywoman. Being caught badmouthing someone by the person in question was not just a stroke of bad luck—it might also reflect poorly on one’s character.
“…D…Draco? What are you doing here?” Faced with a furious Draco, who had drawn his wand and was pointing it coldly at her, Lilith lost all her earlier bravado. Her face turned pale, and her lips trembled as she tried to explain.
“…I… didn’t mean to offend you, I just…”
Lilith felt a bitter taste in her mouth, unable to form a coherent explanation. She was all talk when it came to boasting, but when confronted directly, her legs turned to jelly. She looked pleadingly at Lucius.
No way? Was her fellow countrywoman expecting her to play peacemaker?
Lucius’s lips twitched slightly. Was she really that much of a saint?
“Tarantallegra!” Draco unceremoniously hit Lilith with the “Tarantallegra” spell. The latter seemed to be controlled by an unseen force, twisting and writhing wildly on the spot as she performed an awkward tap dance, making a complete spectacle of herself.
But Draco still wasn’t satisfied. With a flick of his wrist, he hit Lilith with a “Densaugeo” spell, followed by a “Rictusempra.”
Lucius watched his pranks with a mix of amusement and exasperation, slowly letting out a sigh of relief.
As long as the spells weren’t too extreme, it was fine. After all, a boy bullying a girl could easily draw criticism.
From that day on, Lilith didn’t dare to cause any more trouble. She avoided Draco—and Lucius—almost constantly.
That day, she had bounced around like a madwoman, giggling uncontrollably while her front teeth grew wildly, creating a ridiculous and laughable sight. Many curious onlookers had witnessed the spectacle, and she had been utterly humiliated.
Seeing that her fellow countrywoman had finally settled down, Lucius paid her no further attention, thinking to herself: Let’s keep it this way. Good for you, good for me, good for everyone.
……….
Time passed quickly. Lucius handled her studies with ease, though she was disappointed that Professor Snape still hadn’t worn the scarf she had given him. Perhaps it was too cute, and he felt embarrassed. (＞﹏＜)
Draco still hadn’t returned the love potion to her. Lucius could do nothing about it, repeatedly warning him that its effects were stronger than ordinary love potions and that he should never let his curiosity get the better of him by playing around with it. Otherwise, he would have to bear the consequences.
Before they knew it, February 14th arrived—Valentine’s Day in the West.
The house-elves had decorated every corner with a pink, dreamy theme. The tables were draped in fresh cherry-pink tablecloths, and transparent glass vases held single roses adorned with dewdrops. Colorful balloons floated near the ceiling, and a sumptuous feast filled the air with delightful aromas.
On her friends’ advice, Pansy had changed her hairstyle for the occasion. Her short hair was styled in soft waves, with a pink butterfly clip holding back her side-swept bangs. She circled around Draco with a hint of shyness, having applied delicate and flattering makeup for this special day. She pushed Blaise aside to sit next to Draco, speaking to him in a voice that was much softer and gentler than usual.
“Pansy, please! Could you stop talking in that fake voice?” Accustomed to her usual straightforward and loud manner, Draco couldn’t help but frown, rudely interrupting the joke Pansy was halfway through telling.
“…And, didn’t you even wash your face this morning? Look at that smudge of black on your eyelids—did you splash ink on yourself? You don’t even bother to tidy up!”
Smile, I must smile, I must be gentle…
Damn it! That’s eyeliner, okay?!
Pansy twisted her face into a smile, struggling to control her nearly crumbling micro-expressions, while inwardly doubting Daphne’s claim: Do most boys really like gentle girls?
But why does Draco look so disgusted? →_→
“Draco…” Pansy was about to say something to turn the unpleasant situation around when she saw Draco turn his face away, looking around with a displeased expression, pouting as he exclaimed, “Where’s Lucius? Has anyone seen her?”
Hearing this, Daphne knew things were about to go south.
Pansy’s face visibly darkened. She dug her slender, long nails, painted in a deep purple-red, into her palm, her heart churning with resentment and frustration.
It was Lusa Riddle’s name again. She really was like a haunting ghost.
“When I came over… I saw… Riddle in the hallway. She seemed… to be talking to someone from Hufflepuff…” Goyle mumbled through a mouthful of sesame paste pie, swallowing the last bite in a hurry.
Crabbe, nibbling on a small pudding, chimed in, “I saw it too. Riddle was holding a huge pile of chocolates. She’s so pretty, of course she’s popular. There was even a really handsome guy asking if she was seeing anyone?”
The chair screeched loudly as Draco stood up, his expression turning extremely unpleasant. As if trying to cover up his outburst, he sneered in a sharp voice the next moment, “Typical of Hufflepuff’s gluttons, no self-awareness at all!”
Pansy was also upset, feeling neglected.
Aside from Daphne’s friendship card, she hadn’t received any chocolates or love letters from anyone else, especially not from the opposite sex.
But Draco, Blaise, and Daphne all had admirers. Only she didn’t.
Of course, Goyle and Crabbe weren’t in Pansy’s comparison list.
She began to envy Lusa Riddle—a Half-blood who could be so popular. It was undoubtedly a provocation to Pansy’s pride.
……….
Meanwhile, the envied Lucius found herself in an awkward situation. Just five minutes earlier, she had politely turned down a Hufflepuff and a Ravenclaw, explaining that she wasn’t looking for a relationship at the moment.
But now, she ran into another Hufflepuff—tall, likely not a first-year—who seemed to be calling out to her as he chased after her. Lucius didn’t catch what he said clearly, assuming he was just another admisher.
Annoyed, Lucius stopped in her tracks and snapped, “I already said, don’t give me chocolates! I don’t want a boyfriend right now!”
The Hufflepuff who had caught up to her flushed instantly. He held out a few bars of chocolate and explained in a gentle, patient tone, “N-no, you’ve misunderstood. I’m not confessing. You dropped these.”
…An awkward silence followed. Lucius looked up at the overly handsome older boy, suddenly feeling her face flush with embarrassment. How mortifying!
“Sorry, I thought… Thank you, and I’m really sorry, senior.”
Would he think I’m too narcissistic? d(д)
Lucius picked up a few chocolates that had fallen to the floor at some point and stuffed them into her pocket. She glanced at the other person’s expression—the handsome guy wasn’t angry at all. Instead, he smiled understandingly, as if sharing her feelings: “It’s fine… I understand how you feel. Sometimes, being liked by too many people can be a hassle.”
Bro, are you flexing right now? Please spare a thought for all the single dogs out there who get no attention.
But judging by his tone and expression, he seemed utterly sincere. Lucius felt she might have overthought it.
“You are…”
“Cedric Diggory, third year.”
Lucius suddenly understood and felt a surge of excitement. So that’s who it was—the heartthrob of Hufflepuff!
With his athletic build, handsome face, polite gentlemanly demeanor, and infectious smile…
No wonder he was one of the most beloved and unforgettable male characters in Harry Potter.
One of her favorite supporting male characters—Senior Cedric.
“Lusa Riddle. You can call me Lucius.”