Chapter 372 Because His Name Is Draco Malfoy
At breakfast time, golden toast was piled into small towers on silver plates, pumpkin juice was automatically refilled in the air kettle, and the frost had not yet completely melted from the windows, but the students were already in a frenzy of discussion about Christmas dance partners.
In a corner beside the Slytherin table, several boys from Durmstrang were surrounding Julius, talking loudly.
"You haven't found a partner yet?" Mikhailov bit into a grilled sausage and spoke incoherently, "Are you planning to stand alone on the dance floor and watch others dance?"
"Our Lord Hoffman is rarely shy." Valtor smiled and winked, "Don't all the girls in Hogwarts like you?"
Krum also frowned, but his tone was a little concerned: "It's really too late. You haven't decided on the candidate yet?"
Julius sat on the chair with a lazy look on his face, his black hair hanging down in front of his forehead, but the corners of his lips were slowly raised.
"I don't have one," he said slowly, "but I just happened to see one that would be suitable."
Everyone turned their heads following his gaze, and saw a familiar figure with long light blonde hair passing through the entrance of the auditorium. She was wearing a school robe and was walking towards the Slytherin seats.
It's Amanta.
"Amanta." Julius called.
She paused, turned around, and said calmly, "What's the matter?"
"Christmas Ball." Julius stood up and smiled elegantly. "Since you don't have a dance partner yet, why not - let me be your first choice?"
The voice was indescribably calm, and even had a hint of classical aristocratic politeness, as if he really just "happened" to invite her.
The scene was quiet for two seconds.
Harry, who was beside Amanta, threw his fork back onto the plate with a clang and stood up. “Are you kidding me?”
Draco also stood up, his face as cold as ice: "Shut up, Julius."
Valtor cried out, "Oh——" "It seems that the flower protectors of Hogwarts can't sit still anymore."
"The young master of the Hoffman family has good taste." Karenin bit his bread. "Compared to you guys who are always quarreling, he is at least willing to take the initiative."
Julius smiled but said nothing, only looking at Amanta: "Of course, if you want, you can come to me anytime. As long as you don't mind."
Amanta's expression did not change, she just said lightly:
"Thank you, no need."
She turned to leave, but was stopped by Julius' next words:
"What about you?" He looked at Draco, smiling contemptuously, "You are so excited... Did you invite her?"
Draco's face froze.
"Or - you already have a partner?"
Draco didn't answer right away.
He opened his mouth, as if he was choked by something, and almost inaudible syllables rolled out of his throat.
Julius's eyes flashed, and he was about to take another step forward, but at this moment, a voice that did not belong to this dispute suddenly interrupted.
"He's my dancing partner."
Everyone turned their heads and saw a senior Ravenclaw girl wearing a mask standing not far away with a smile in her eyes.
"I just accepted his invitation last night." She smiled and looked at Draco, "Have you forgotten?"
Draco's eyes widened and his throat felt like it was frozen.
He said nothing, nor did he deny it.
At that moment, Amanta finally understood something.
She didn't look at him again.
There was no yelling, no arguing, no questioning.
She just looked at him quietly for a second, her eyes as indifferent as the surface of a lake under ice and snow.
Then turned and left.
"Amanta--" Harry wanted to pull her, but he only had time to see the hem of her cloak flying past.
He glared at Draco fiercely: "What on earth are you doing?"
Behind him, several people from Durmstrang began to laugh quietly.
"It seems that love in Hogwarts is also quite exciting."
Julius stood there, his hands in his pockets, with an ambiguous smile in his eyes.
"Thank you," he murmured softly. "Malfoy."
*
Hogwarts East Tower, fifth floor Ebony Lodge.
Julius stood in front of the window, twirling a thin quill in his hand, his eyes lazily falling on the frozen lake outside the window.
On the table next to him was an unsealed letter from a Ravenclaw girl, Evelyn Pembroke.
There were some wrinkles on the edges of the letter, obviously it was written in a hurry.
Dear Mr. Hoffman,
I know this is a very abrupt request, but I've heard that you've helped people deal with these kinds of 'little awkwardness' in social situations...
My face was stung by a crazy bee two weeks ago and it hasn't healed yet. It's so swollen that I can't even face the mirror.
The Christmas ball was my first formal occasion in my life, but because of this, I became the one everyone avoided.
My father is very upset about this. He has just reached an important agreement with the Ministry of Magic, and I heard that he has been working with your family...
If you could find a way to get me to dance with Draco Malfoy, I would be grateful for it forever.
——Evelyn
Julius put down his quill casually, a slight smile of disdain appearing at the corner of his lips.
"A son pays for his father's debt? This is a traditional virtue of Hogwarts."
He didn't agree out of pity.
But -
"Lucius Malfoy, long time no see." He whispered to himself with a playful tone, "You owe me a favor, so let me help you pay it back."
Before the "invitation to dance" incident in the auditorium broke out, he had already contacted Evelyn, gave her the script, and personally administered the last dose of the medicine.
"You want to wait for him?"
"Then I'll send you off on a bad date."
He raised his head, his black hair falling beside his ears, and a hint of almost cruel sneer flashed across his eyes.
“Anyone who wants to control the chessboard must first break a string or two.”
*
The Slytherin basement dormitory was chilly to the bone.
Draco sat at his desk, his fingertips pressed against the letter from Malfoy Manor on the table, his knuckles pale.
The paper was snow-white, and the handwriting was as neat and gorgeous as usual. It was written by his father Lucius.
"Dear Draco,
I know you must be busier than ever at Hogwarts, perhaps worrying about the Triwizard Tournament, but there is one small thing I hope you will consider.
Mr Pembroke was of great help to me at the recent hearing at the Ministry of Magic, and his influence has meant a lot to me.
His daughter, Evelyn, is in her fifth year at Hogwarts, and I thought you might have heard of her.
It was said that she had recently been stung by a bee and her face was so swollen that she could not go out. The Christmas ball was the most important occasion for her, but no one invited her.
Pembroke asks me to make a small request, hoping that you will invite her to the ball, just this once, and don't force it.
If you already have a partner, please ignore this letter - you still have the freedom to choose.
But if you are undecided, I ask you to consider this.
Father believes that you can understand that this is not just a dance, but an exchange that affects the future pattern.
Waiting for your reply.
——Lucius Malfoy
By the time Draco had finished reading, his knuckles had pressed so deeply into the edge of the letter that they were about to break.
"If you already have a dance partner, please ignore this letter" - this is the most hypocritical sentence.
He had no partner.
Because he originally only wanted to invite Amanta.
He even ordered a pendant, prepared to practice his dance steps, and was ready to extend his hand to her in front of everyone.
But he knew his father too well.
This is not a request, this is an arrangement.
He closed his eyes, but the image of Amanta in the fitting room that day appeared in his mind - the green skirt fell to the ground, the eyes were light, and she turned back and smiled, as if the lights of the entire ballroom were flashing before his eyes.
He didn't give the pendant away in the end.
I just put the letter in the drawer and put away the gift box.
He knew he had to agree.
Because his name is Draco Malfoy.