A pair of beauties, one tall and one petite, made their way over, their irresistible charm stirring up quite a commotion on the Hogwarts side.
Cute and beautiful. Gabrielle and Fleur.
When these two sisters, both carrying that unmistakable Veela blood, walked together, the impact was anything but a simple one plus one equals two. Just look at the bizarre scene of everyone, male and female alike, unable to tear their eyes away, and you could grasp how devastating it really was.
Even Cedric Diggory, who had a girlfriend at his side, possessed decent personal ability, and was a wizard with a respectable future ahead of him, found his gaze glued along with everyone else's to Gab… cough, to her sister… right?
In short.
Aside from a small handful like Draco, whose willpower was strong enough and who had mastered Occlumency, or Pansy and her circle, who were already treating the newcomers as romantic rivals, everyone welcomed the arrival of the Delacour sisters, regardless of gender.
Even though the person they were looking for seemed to have absolutely nothing to do with them…
At first, everyone thought the way Gabrielle addressed someone had just been their imagination. What happened next, however, left them all frozen, mouths hanging open.
"Draco, we'll be heading back to Beauxbatons soon. My sister and I came to say goodbye."
Breaking free from her sister's hand, Gabrielle hopped over, completely ignoring the way Pansy bristled beside them. Acting utterly familiar, she wrapped herself around Draco's arm.
That intimate gesture made some wizards nearly split their eyes in envy, wishing they could switch places with Draco on the spot.
Though Gabrielle looked reluctant to part, Draco still caught the fleeting flash of cunning in her eyes. If he hadn't already seen through this little girl long ago, he might really have been fooled by that innocent, sweet act.
As for why she was doing this, it certainly wasn't to stir up public outrage…
"Let go of him right now, Gabrielle!!"
"Aww~ Sister, can you really bear to part with Draco?"
"Is that even something I get to decide… No! What is there to be reluctant about! Get over here this instant!"
Fleur, not daring to look at Draco, yanked Gabrielle back with an exasperated expression.
Just moments ago, Fleur had been as proud and elegant as a white swan. No one could have imagined that the moment she stood in front of Draco, the witch known as the "Beauxbatons Gem" would change so completely.
It had to be said, throwing her own older sister into utter disarray with just one line and a single move was a skill in its own right…
...
Looking at the two beauties before him, one tall and one small, Draco's expression turned a little strange.
After being shaken awake by Hermione's initiative, Draco finally understood what was really going on, and had a fair idea of what Gabrielle was plotting.
But… he was pretty sure he hadn't provoked Fleur, right?
And little Delacour, are you sure you're actually helping your sister here…?
Just as Fleur began to feel flustered under Draco's gaze, Pansy, who had suddenly sensed a surge of danger, reacted like a mother tigress whose territory had been invaded, baring her fangs at Fleur without hesitation.
Pansy stepped forward, placing herself squarely between them. Her petite figure now carried an imposing presence.
"Is there anything else 'important' you need, Miss Delacour?"
"You are… who was it again?"
"...…."
Because of the height difference, Fleur's downward glance came off as even more mocking. Paired with that deliberately clueless question, it made Pansy's eyelids twitch violently.
She didn't believe the other girl could have forgotten her that quickly…
As for Gabrielle, standing at Fleur's side and pretending to look pitiful, she naturally took her sister's side.
Her large eyes spun once, then she added another stab.
"Auntie, are you friends with my sister?"
"…Auntie?!"
Pansy's smile twisted slightly as she let out a sharp snort. She wasn't about to let a single sentence from a brat who hadn't even enrolled yet get under her skin.
She wasn't that petty.
Mm… definitely not!
Before things could go any further, however, Fleur, her face darkening, reached over and knocked her sister lightly on the head to stop her from saying any more nonsense.
"Waaah~ Sis?"
"Where are your manners, Gabrielle?"
"I know."
Seeing their apology, Draco didn't take it to heart. He had already figured it out. This little Delacour was a tiny troublemaker who thrived on chaos, and more importantly, absolutely loved setting her own sister up.
Even after being scolded, Gabrielle snapped right back to her old habits, her mouth starting to chatter again the very next second.
"Sis, aren't you going to say something to Draco? The Headmaster thing seems to be over already. Didn't you say back in the room that—"
"You're dead when we get back, Gabrielle!!"
"...."
Apparently sensing the seriousness behind that teeth-gritted threat, Gabrielle immediately clapped a hand over her mouth and stopped pushing her luck. Only then did she blink innocently at Draco.
That smug little look of "I've done all I can" on her far-too-grown-up face made even Draco look at her differently. Everyone present had clearly underestimated this girl.
Whether it was her talent for courting disaster or her grasp of human nature.
...
Only after Gabrielle finally settled down did Fleur awkwardly tuck a strand of hair behind her ear and look at Draco standing in front of her.
To be honest, she didn't even know what she was supposed to say. If Gabrielle hadn't dragged her here on a whim, she wouldn't have come at all.
Whether she truly didn't want to, or was only half-resisting, only she herself knew.
Just as Fleur hesitated, Pansy, growing impatient, pushed her along verbally.
"If there's nothing else, hurry back to your carriage. I don't feel like being stared at anymore."
"......."
Fleur raised an eyebrow. Proud as she was, she wasn't about to endure provocation again and again.
Under Gabrielle's expectant, everything-is-going-according-to-plan gaze, Fleur lifted her chin, straightened her back, and looked at Draco.
"You… the food in Paris is far better than what you have here. If you ever get the chance, you really should come and try it for yourself… Let's go, Gabrielle!"
"Mm-hmm! Brother Draco, if you ever come to Paris, make sure you let us know! My sister and I will be very welcoming. Though it'd be best if you came alone."
"Gabrielle!!"
"Hehe, we're leaving now, Brother Draco, and this auntie~"
Pansy: Auntie my ass!!