No matter how much Harry Potter wished he could replace Draco, or how bitter he felt about not trying harder sooner, those thoughts were useless now.
All he could do was press his hand firmly over the lightning-shaped scar on his forehead as it burned once again, sit rigidly in his seat while pretending everything was fine, and try his best to ignore the two people on stage.
The fierce pride born of insecurity caused a subtle change in the way Harry looked at Draco, one he didn't even notice himself.
Behind the lenses of his glasses, his gaze grew dark and unreadable…
...
Light, lively music filled the air.
Beautiful stars hung high above.
On the broad stage, only two figures could be seen, moving as though they were about to merge into one, freely displaying their shared rhythm and perfectly matched steps…
Pansy Parkinson, radiant like a princess.
And Draco Malfoy, already on the verge of becoming the dream lover of countless witches.
Everyone carries a fairy tale somewhere in their heart, yet princes and princesses are meant to exist only in imagination.
And yet, the scene that should have belonged only to dreams now seemed to unfold in reality through Draco and Pansy's dance.
Every turn sent Pansy's skirt fluttering, stirring envy and girlish excitement among the witches watching.
Draco's hands at her waist, his gentle guiding touches, left even the male wizards below flushed with excitement. Anyone who didn't know better might have thought it was they themselves dancing with Pansy on that stage…
On the stage itself.
Perhaps it was the change in atmosphere, or perhaps he had finally understood what he truly wanted. Unlike at the aristocratic banquets he attended so often, Draco no longer treated this as a tedious social obligation to endure.
Under Pansy's burning, blissful gaze, Draco found himself fully drawn in…
In truth, most people view beautiful things with simple appreciation. And the effortless harmony between Draco and Pansy carried exactly that kind of beauty.
But for Hermione, standing alone in the corner, it was anything but beautiful.
Hidden in the shadows, head lowered and silent, she looked like a small kitten left behind by its owner…
So lost in her own thoughts, Hermione didn't notice the figure that quietly approached her side.
"What do you think of it, the Weird Sisters' music?"
"…Greengrass?"
"I was wondering how music from the Muggle world compares to music in the wizarding world."
"If there's a difference… I suppose there is, a bit…"
Hermione paused before answering, her voice hesitant.
Come to think of it, compared to her complicated, love-hate relationship with Pansy, she had very little interaction with the witch from the Greengrass family. All she really knew was that Astoria was also from a noble family and seemed to be on good terms with Draco.
She hadn't expected her to strike up a conversation, much less bring up Muggle-related topics…
Since it was a question, Hermione, Professor McGonagall's favorite student and the so-called know-it-all, naturally answered with seriousness.
"I haven't studied music in depth, so I can't really talk about style or technique. But being able to produce something comparable to world-class symphonies with just a few people and a handful of instruments… that's probably where the magic lies, isn't it?"
As she spoke, Hermione deliberately avoided looking toward the two figures on stage. Instead, her gaze settled on the Weird Sisters' unusual way of playing, and on the strange instruments that went completely against her understanding.
She didn't know whether other wizarding bands were the same, but compared to Muggle ensembles, this one was certainly far more peculiar, and far more magical.
Maybe that was why they were called the Weird Sisters.
Faced with Hermione's earnest explanation, Astoria blinked, her expression turning slightly awkward.
Didn't Hermione realize she'd only been trying to make casual conversation? In truth, Astoria had absolutely no interest in Muggle music at all.
Covering her mouth, Astoria let out a soft laugh. Only after catching Hermione's puzzled look did she sigh lightly.
"So that's why Draco treats you so differently."
"…Huh?!"
That sudden, out-of-nowhere remark left Hermione both embarrassed and irritated.
Especially with Astoria's tone, as if she were speaking from some position of experience, it grated on Hermione's already sour mood.
"Did you come over here just to make fun of me?"
"Make fun of you? No. Wasn't this outcome something you and Pansy decided on together?"
"...…"
Hermione had no reply.
In a way, Astoria wasn't wrong. This outcome really had been something she and Pansy carried out behind Draco's back. Or rather, it was the result of both of them making concessions.
"I'm just curious," Astoria continued openly, "what did Pansy give up to convince you to step aside and give up the chance to dance with Draco?"
Astoria's undisguised curiosity made Hermione press her lips together.
She had taken Draco's first kiss, while Pansy stepping onto the stage felt like a clear declaration of ownership.
Between the two of them, who had really come out ahead? That wasn't so easy to say…
…
Was there really any girl who could resist that moment on stage?
Astoria slowly withdrew her gaze from Pansy's bliss-filled expression.
"You're quite confident, Miss Granger."
She didn't know what price Pansy had paid, but if it were her, Astoria didn't think she would have given up that opportunity and position so easily.
At least, she wouldn't have.
What Astoria hadn't considered, however, was Hermione's position.
"Heh."
Hearing that, Hermione let out a quiet, self-mocking laugh.
Unlike Pansy, who was lost in the haze of infatuation, Hermione was painfully clear-headed.
In fact, it was the exact opposite of what Astoria had said. Hermione knew better than anyone that what she'd done was a sign of insecurity…
A match made in heaven.
Those four words held just as much weight in the wizarding world.
Bloodline and family background were paramount. Ability only ever served as a bonus. And Hermione, whose strengths lay in academics rather than raw magical power, was at an even greater disadvantage.
Because of that, from the very starting line, she was already lagging behind Pansy, who came from a pureblood family.
She didn't want to admit it, but Hermione knew it all too well. If she were the one standing on that stage with Draco right now, whether they'd receive blessings was one thing. But before tomorrow even came, the Malfoy family would likely make a move.
And the consequences of that were probably not something Hermione wanted to face.
That was why, driven by her lack of confidence, Hermione had taken the initiative to seek out Pansy and strike that unspoken agreement between them.
But that didn't mean Hermione intended to give up.
Watching Hermione's expression grow stubborn once more, Astoria narrowed her eyes slightly, the smile on her face fading just a bit.
She wasn't sure if it was just her imagination, but from this witch, who might one day become someone's fiancée, she suddenly sensed a trace of threat…
And while everyone's attention was fixed on the pair illuminated on stage, no one noticed a figure moving quietly through the darkness, heading toward a distant corner.
For just an instant—
A flash of fiery red disappeared into the crowd.