Chapter Text
Hadrian smirked. Looking at Astoria whisper something to Draco before dragging him toward them made him exceptionally giddy. He could hear the smile in her voice when she drew her spine straight and said? “Oh, Daphne, you look beautiful tonight.”
Daphne watched her calmly and nodded. “So, this is why you asked Betty to bring your formal blue gown.”
Astoria shrugged as she arranged her skirts and folded her hands neatly in front of her. The mischievous glint in her eyes betrayed her, though. “I reckoned I needed to dress the part. I cannot embarrass House Greengrass, plus I love this dress.”
Hadrian could hardly stop himself from snorting. He had to admit that the soft colour flattered Astoria immensely. The dress was made of soft blue material overlaid with white tulle.
Draco seemed at loss on how to act when his date added. “As always, Draco has been an invaluable Housemate. I couldn’t manage without his help.”
“Of course,” Daphne deliberately straightened as her eyes landed on their intertwined arms. “I trust he will treat you right and make sure you enjoy the ball.”
“You have nothing to worry about, Heiress Greengrass,” Draco held her gaze. “I will treat Astoria with nothing but utmost respect.”
Astoria bit her lip to hide her grin and wore an expression of frank anticipation when Professor McGonagall approached them. “I believe we have to leave. We’ll meet you inside.”
She smiled up at Draco and left, her gown swishing and rusting as she moved.
Daphne’s narrow-eyed countenance was replaced by an arrested expression when she noticed Cassius who was waiting for his date to join him.
Not that he blamed her. His best friend moved gracefully, dressed to perfection in the formal House Warrington black and charcoal colours. With his dark hair brushed neatly away from his face, it drew the attention to his piercing dark grey eyes. Heads turned as Mademoiselle Fleur Delacour deliberately took her time about reaching him.
“Cassius. I’m sorry if I kept you waiting.” She beamed at him when he—ever the gentleman—lifted her dainty hand to his lips and kissed her knuckles.
Hadrian’s lips quirked wryly when everyone paused, he read astonishment, jealousy and confusion in the audience’s faces. To say that no one expected Mademoiselle Delacour’s date to be Cassius Warrington was an understatement.
“A Lady is never late,” his best friend replied smoothly.
“Really?” Delacour asked with a laugh. “I am afraid that you will have to reconcile yourself to the fact that I tend to be late, then. I will hold you to these words, Cassius.”
Cassius clear, grey eyes taunted her. “It would be my pleasure, Fleur.”
“Cassius and Delacour?” Daphne whispered before they joined them. “This is going to be a night to remember, indeed.”
Hadrian’s hand drew gently over her velvet-covered back. “You know that Cassius is a Magic Sentient. He felt the pull toward Delacour’s magic since their paths crossed. Like me, he doesn’t appreciate unwanted attention. They’ve been keeping their relationship under wraps until they could no longer hide it.”
When Cassius cornered him and admitted that he had found his magical match, words had eluded him. He’d been ecstatic for his best friend and brother in all that mattered. Knowing how hard it was for the Warringtons to find their perfect match, had worried him at times. He wished Cassius nothing but happiness.
Naturally, he hadn’t expected the French Half-Veela to be Cassius’ match, but he’d noticed how he’d been attuned to her magic and more than often came to her defence since she stepped into Hogwarts so, it wasn’t really surprising.
Explaining it to Adrian, though, wasn’t that easy. The blond’s reaction was hysterical, it made them take a few steps back, trying to avoid getting slapped by his hands that were flapping in front of him. He couldn’t believe that two of his best friends had already found their matches while he was still single.
“Not that I blame the ladies,” Marcus said carelessly while skimming through a Quidditch magazine. “Your wandering eyes makes it hard for a witch to trust you with her heart.”
Ignoring his spluttering protests, Hadrian and Marcus congratulated Cassius and wished him all the best.
“Heir Potter-Black and date, Mademoiselle Delacour and date, would you join your fellow champions? We have a schedule to keep up with.” Professor McGonagall ushered them toward the closed door.
“Where is Henry?” he frowned when he couldn’t find his brother anywhere.
Professor McGonagall screwed up her face into a threatening scowl. “If he dares embarrass…”
“I’m here!” Henry assured her in a gruff voice. “There is no rush.”
“I have to disagree, Mr Potter,” Professor McGonagall pinched her lips. “Being on time is a must for any wizard who wants to succeed.”
“Of course, Professor,” he said reasonably, ducking his head in fake-shame. “I’ll try to do better next time.”
“There won’t be a next time. I’m not sure if I can survive it.” The Transfiguration Mistress scowled and muttered under her breath.
Hermione blushed when the brat drew her closer to his side and winked. “Helping Ron was worth it.” He remarked shamelessly.
“You look lovely, Hermione,’’ Hadrian smiled. “I hope that Henry is not too much to handle.”
She blinked up shyly at him. “Thank you, Hadrian. Unfortunately, you know he is.”
Henry gasped and assumed a properly wounded expression. “And here I was thinking that you lov—“
Hermione eyes widened, and before he could finish, she clamped a hand over his mouth. “Henry!”
“Mademoiselle Delacour, Heir Warrington, you will stand first, followed by….” Professor McGonagall started.
Cassius cleared his throat. “I’m sorry, Professor, but I think that Hadrian has to be first. He’s Hogwarts Champion and he outranks me. I do apologize, but I cannot.”
Hadrian’s eyes softened. “Cassius, you don’t need to do that. It’s just a ball.”
“No,” Cassius shook his head firmly and gave the door separating them from the rest of the students a dark look. “Maybe this is an occasion to remind everyone who we are. In a couple of months, we’ll take our seats at the Wizengamot. We are the future leaders of Magical Britain. It’s horridly disheartening that our culture is being disrespected in a school built by your ancestor.”
Professor McGonagall jerked as if she’d been hit by lightning.
It was easy at times to forget that this school housed the nobility of Magical Britain. It was easy to disregard Wizarding Politics and Culture, which were the foundation stone of their society. Of course, the Court members intended to change that as soon as they took their rightful places.
Hadrian looked at Mr Krum who inclined his head in understatement and waited for his date—Heiress Susan Bones, who nodded. “I agree with Heir Warrington. After you, Heir Potter-Black.”
He sighed and took the lead, followed by Cassius and Fleur and Krum and Heiress Bones. Henry brought up the rear with Hermione. Not that he cared about ranks and formalities unless he had to.
It seemed that the ball was attended by at least two hundred students. Many second and third years had followed in Astoria’s steps and found older students to escort them.
He concealed a flare of annoyance when Dumbledore studied the Champions’ dates carefully. He didn’t like the look in his eyes one bit.
Daphne ignored the gawking students and glided by his side, her smile easy, her posture as regal as that of a queen. Neither the drastic changes made to the Great Hall nor the hundreds of curious gazes seemed to disturb her composure. She was so polished and immaculately perfect that no one suspected the layer of steel beneath her exterior. No one would ever guess that she was the kind of young witch who would defy the Fates to protect her family.
She drifted closer to him as they followed after Professor McGonagall to take their places at the top table.
He seated her next to him, then motioned for Cassius to take the vacant chair by his left. He had no intention of sitting next to Mr Percival Weasley. Cassius easily took the hint.
Karkaroff wore a bored expression, and Madame Maxime applauded politely as Fleur approached the top table.
“Potter-Black,” Senior Auror Moody grumbled as he offered him a mangled hand. “Great deduction skills. Keep up the good work, lad.”
“Thank you, Sir,” Hadrian replied.
“In any case, if you’re interested in an Auror career, I volunteer to tutor you,” Moody added casually.
“I’ll keep that in mind, Sir.”
“Auror Potter-Black?” Daphne smiled at the thought. “I didn’t know you intended to follow in Lord Potter’s steps.”
“Well, I don’t.” He placed his order. “The Wizengamot is the real battlefield, and I take my responsibilities very seriously.”
“I know,” she said with amusement dancing in her eyes before placing her order.
As soon as the food was consumed, Dumbledore cleared the floor with a wave of his hand in a great display of control over his magic.
Everyone gasped, then started cheering and clapping when the Weird Sisters trooped up onto the stage. The lanterns at the tables went down as hundreds of floating lanterns and blazing lamps lit the dance floor. Daphne knew what was coming next.
“Would you give me the honour of this dance, Daphne?” Hadrian helped her to her feet.
“With pleasure.” Her heart fluttered in her chest and she felt a brilliant tide of pink sweep over her face.
The crowd responded with a round of applause as the Champions and their dates took their places.
Her gaze went instinctively went to Astoria, who wore an irrepressible smile as she waved at her enthusiastically. She beheld the pair she made with Draco, one so fair, one brunette and yet striking in their attractiveness, and wondered if tonight would turn into something more.
“You’re overthinking,” Hadrian rested his hand on her waist, bringing her back to the present.
“It’s Astoria,” she followed his lead as he began to waltz. As expected, he was an excellent dancer, self-assured and easy to follow. Naturally, Potter Manor held many soirées and galas to entertain the family’s friends and allies.
They had extended a few invitations to her parents, which—unfortunately, she couldn’t attend because of Astoria’s poor health.
“She’s doing fine,” he drew her closer to his chest, and she noticed the flecks of light that danced over his eyes. “We’ll find a way, you have my word.”
She hid her face in the crook of his neck and nodded. Her heart was beating high in her throat, making it hard to speak.
He lifted her chin and looked into her eyes. “Tonight, though, I want you to forget about everything but us.” His mouth curved into a half-smile she found so alluring. “Am I that undeserving of your undivided attention?”
Her eyes widened when he coaxed her fingers free of his shoulder and draped them around his neck. She rested her head on his shoulder and relaxed in his hold as he guided them through some intricate steps. She made a sound of surprise as he twirled her twice and he whispered. “I’ve got you. I won’t let you fall.”
“I know,” she smiled and clung to him, holding onto his left shoulder.
Very soon, many couples came onto the dance floor, including Astoria and Draco, Tracy and Blaise and Heir Longbottom and Heiress Abbott.
The Weird Sisters stopped playing and applause filled the Great Hall.
“Let’s take a break, shall we?” he asked as he gave her hand a light squeeze.
Hadrian steered her toward the doors, but instead of leading her to the gardens like she’d expected, he brought her to a quiet corner, tucking her into it so that if she wanted to leave, she had to go through him.
Like she ever wanted to leave his side.
“I thought we were going to dance some more.” She gazed up at him, her pulse hammering erratically because of the way he was looking at her through heavy-lidded eyes.
“It’s too crowded and loud for my tastes,” he casually nodded to the Great Hall. They could hear the noise of the crowd.
“Too bothered with the attention from the girls?” she asked with a lifted brow.
His dryly amused expression let her know he was pleased with her remark. “Why would I bother with them? You put every girl there to shame.”
Her breath hitched in her throat. “I—“ She swallowed hard.
Normally, jealousy wasn’t a sentiment she was familiar with. She was raised by loving parents and never lacked for a thing. However, she couldn’t deny the fire that ignited inside her chest whenever another witch looked at Hadrian in a specific way. It made her restless and itching to draw her wand and teach her why it was too wrong to covet something that wasn't hers.
Maybe Astoria and Tracy were right. Apparently, she was a bit possessive.
Hadrian smirked. “I am yours. You have nothing to fear.”
She stammered through a suddenly dry throat. What he made her feel scared her. The power he had over her heart was breathtaking. It was as if he’d laid some kind of claim on her soul, and she was helpless to resist. She didn’t want to resist this pull.
He brought his hand up to cup just below her ear, running his thumb softly along her jaw. When he drew her forward, goosebumps blossomed on her skin. His other hand landed so softly on her nape, and, with gentle strokes, his fingers traced down the length of her back.
His lips turned up. “I can understand that you're wary of what you’re feeling.” The dim light lit his raven hair and cast a silver hue on his masculine features.
Would she ever get tired of looking at him?
Then he astounded her by saying, “It might surprise you, but I am new to this, too. It’s not every day that a Potter loses his heart. I give you my word that I will honour and respect you as I’ve never done with another. Please trust me on that, Daphne.”
What an absolutely wonderful thing to say. She didn’t doubt he took his vows seriously.
Butterflies battered her stomach when his gaze lowered to her mouth. “And you have my word that I’ll stand by you through thick and thin. We, Greengrasses, do know how to keep our vows.”
Their faces were close enough that his breath tickled her lips. He cupped the back of her head and bent to her ear again, and she had to put her hands on his shoulders to keep herself steady in her heels. “Thank you, for the unwavering faith. You have no idea how precious it is to me.”
She took the expensive fabric of his outer robes between her fingers and worried it, not caring, and he shifted slightly so that his lips could brush hers lightly, teasingly.
Daphne immediately felt herself melt and curl into his strong body. Slipping her fingers into his hair, she fisted a handful and pulled his head down, seeking more contact.
By the time they were done, her head was swimming pleasantly, and she was grateful for Hadrian’s steady guidance as they returned to the Great Hall.
No matter what the future had in store for them, she would remember this night forever.