Compared with everyone else, Draco had truly coasted through the entire event.
Throughout the competition, he stood two steps behind Pansy to her left, his posture straight and a suitably faint smile on his face.
He neither stepped forward to get in the way nor said much, coasting along in the role of a "competent partner" from start to finish.
Even so, not one of the guests or young witches and wizards present dared say a word against the young master of the Malfoy family's conduct.
The Malfoy family's power and prestige were plain for all to see. Even standing quietly, Draco carried an unquestionable authority, and no one dared provoke him lightly.
The competition ended, and the prize went to Pansy Parkinson without a hint of suspense.
Her spellcasting had been a textbook display of perfection. Whether in spell accuracy, magical control, or bearing and manners, she far surpassed the other contestants and thoroughly deserved her victory.
As the judge announced the result, the parents immediately flocked over, gathering around Pansy and Mr. and Mrs. Parkinson as compliments and praise rose in an unending chorus.
"Mrs Parkinson, you truly have raised your daughter well. For Miss Pansy to possess such exquisite magical skills at her age, she will surely become a rising star in the wizarding world!"
"Mr Parkinson, congratulations on your daughter's victory. Such an outstanding performance has truly brought honour to the Parkinson family!"
"Miss Pansy is not only skilled at magic but so poised and proper, too. What a rare young lady!"
The parents chimed in one after another, their voices full of genuine admiration and deliberate flattery.
Their gazes, too, were filled with approval and appreciation as they settled on Pansy.
Hearing this, Mr Parkinson waved a hand in a show of modesty, saying, "She was only experimenting on her own and got lucky," but he could not hide the smug delight in his expression. The slight upward curve of his lips betrayed his pride and gratification;
Mrs Parkinson responded to everyone's congratulations with a beaming smile, her eyes full of affection and pride as she looked at Pansy.
Someone in the crowd even made a point of mentioning Draco and Pansy's teamwork. "Young Master Malfoy and Miss Pansy truly make a well-matched team. One so composed and proper, the other so accomplished-what a match made in heaven!"
At those words, two faint blushes instantly coloured Pansy's cheeks.
But she quickly reined in that lapse in composure, suppressing her unguarded delight and turning it into just the right measure of shyness and honour.
She retained a young girl's charm while still conforming to the etiquette of pure-blood families.
With perfect naturalness, Pansy turned slightly and moved half a step closer to Draco as though by chance, quietly reducing the physical distance between them.
Then her red lips parted, and she answered the praise in a clear, sweet voice. "You're far too kind. I owe this honour to everyone's recognition."
After a pause, Pansy's gaze unconsciously turned to Draco. "Draco gave me a great deal of... moral support today. With him beside me, I could cast my magic with greater peace of mind. It was my honour to complete this demonstration with him."
As she finished speaking, she stole a quick glance at Draco, her eyes full of boundless trust and admiration, as though he were her staunchest support.
Then Pansy's fingers, clad in sheer gloves, lightly brushed the back of Draco's hand. The movement was gentle and discreet, carrying a young girl's shyness and tentative curiosity.
It lasted only an instant, yet was enough to convey her desire for closeness.
Feeling the faint touch against the back of his hand, Draco's expression did not change. He maintained his polite smile and replied calmly and objectively:
"Miss Parkinson was extremely well prepared today, and her execution was outstanding. The stability of her Engorgement Charm, particularly the linear control of her magical output, was precise and fluid, without the slightest hitch. That was the key to your victory."
"As your partner, although I did not directly participate in casting the spell, our cooperation at least achieved the expected result in ensuring that the competition proceeded smoothly and that I stayed out of the way."
His words were objective and fair, acknowledging Pansy's ability while clearly defining their relationship as partners and maintaining an appropriate distance.
As Pansy listened, a barely perceptible trace of disappointment flickered in her eyes.
She had thought she might hear a little affection in Draco's words, but had not expected him to remain so cool and distant, his tone entirely businesslike.
But that disappointment passed in an instant, and she quickly latched onto the term "linear control" in his remarks.
Her eyes immediately lit up, and she launched into her favourite mode of discussing magical techniques, speaking in an endless stream of enthusiasm and excitement.
"You noticed it too? I practised at home for ages to find the balance point of my magical output, adjusting the force and rhythm of the spell over and over. I couldn't even count how many times I failed."
"Mr Macnair even gave me some special pointers. He said magical output was like flowing water. Too fast, and it sweeps everything away; too slow, and it won't achieve the desired effect. Only by maintaining a constant, linear output can you precisely control a spell's effect..."
That persistence and earnestness were actually just like Hermione's chatter whenever she discussed her studies.
Pansy spoke eagerly, her eyes bright and her voice animated, sharing every detail and insight from the spellcasting process, utterly absorbed in her own world.
Seeing this, the surrounding parents nodded along in agreement, offering remarks such as "Quite right," "An excellent analysis," and "Miss Pansy's dedication to studying magic is truly rare."
After some conversation, the parents turned their attention back to Mr. and Mrs. Parkinson, congratulating them once more. "Your daughter truly has an extraordinary gift for magical control, and she studies so diligently, too. Her future prospects are limitless!"
"Young Master Malfoy's assessment was extremely fair. Miss Pansy's linear control of her magic was indeed the finest in the entire competition. She thoroughly deserved to win!"
"Mr. and Mrs. Parkinson are truly blessed to have such an outstanding daughter!"
Mr. and Mrs. Parkinson answered each remark with smiles, the pride on their faces growing ever more evident. This glorious moment centred on Pansy had also earned the Parkinson family considerable face before everyone present.
After praising Pansy and Draco, the parents' conversation eventually began to shift towards Lucius Malfoy.
After all, in the wizarding world, Lucius's power and influence made him the true focus of everyone's efforts to gain connections and cultivate favour.
They gathered around Lucius, some discussing recent developments in the wizarding world and others bringing up cooperation between their families.
Their voices were full of flattery and awe, while Lucius maintained his aristocratic elegance throughout, responding with composure and well-chosen words that fully displayed his bearing as the head of the Malfoy family.
Pansy, meanwhile, remained glued to Draco's side from beginning to end, holding her head high as she accepted the congratulations of the young witches and wizards around her.
Those on good terms with her came forward to offer their congratulations.
Those who harboured jealousy merely watched from a distance, their eyes full of resentment, though they dared not let any of it show.
Pansy took it all in, her pride swelling ever further at being able to stand beside Draco and receive everyone's attention and envy.
This honour made her happier than winning the competition itself!
The parents' conversation continued for a long time.
As time passed, the guests gradually dispersed, and the lively Puffapod Engorgement Charm competition finally came to a true close.
The crowd on the lawn thinned until only a few families who knew one another well remained, chatting.
After exchanging a few pleasantries with Mr. and Mrs. Parkinson, Lucius prepared to leave with Draco. Narcissa was already waiting at the manor entrance.
As they said their goodbyes, Pansy stayed close beside her parents, her eyes fixed on Draco with a measure of reluctance and anticipation.
Draco bowed slightly. Though the bow was a little shallower than those he gave his own parents, it was still clearly visible.
"Thank you and your wife for your warm hospitality, Mr Parkinson. Today's gathering was exceptionally well organised. Both the arrangements for the competition and the garden decorations were impressive, and I gained a great deal from the experience."
As he finished, Draco turned his calm gaze towards Pansy, who stood beside her parents, and nodded slightly in farewell. "Goodbye, Pansy. See you at Hogwarts."
Mr. and Mrs. Parkinson smiled in satisfaction as they listened, inwardly admiring him: Young Master Malfoy truly is exceptionally well brought up and well mannered. His farewell was appropriate and thorough, preserving the Malfoy family's dignity while giving the Parkinson family ample face.
Standing to one side, Lucius and Narcissa watched Draco's performance, a barely perceptible trace of satisfaction flashing in their eyes.
Their son's conduct today had neither compromised the Malfoy family's standing nor strayed beyond the proper bounds.
Neither arrogant and rude nor deliberately ingratiating, he had displayed aristocratic etiquette and bearing to the fullest. His composure and propriety gave them considerable gratification.
Yet as Pansy listened to Draco's farewell, she felt as though something had lightly pricked her heart, leaving it full of disappointment and resentment.
See you at Hogwarts?
That was it?
No extra words of advice, no affectionate remarks, not even a trace of reluctance to leave?
She had prepared so carefully for today's competition, deliberately sought closeness with Draco, and tried every means of drawing his attention, only to receive an utterly ordinary "see you at school"?
All her eager hopes came to nothing in an instant. Her heart felt empty, and a bitter ache welled up within her.
But she knew the etiquette of pure-blood families well and understood that she could not lose her composure, so she could only force herself to put on her most appropriate smile.
Still, that smile inevitably looked a little stiff and strained as she struggled to answer calmly. "Goodbye, Draco. See you at Hogwarts."
Draco nodded slightly and said no more, turning to follow Lucius and Narcissa towards the manor entrance.
Pansy stood where she was, staring intently at Draco's retreating figure.
She watched until he vanished completely around a corner of the manor and could no longer be seen.
That gaze held all of today's unfulfilled expectations, her hidden shyness, her genuine disappointment, and an inexpressible resentment, all those emotions intertwined, complex and intense.
But that disappointment and resentment did not last long. Soon, a stronger fighting spirit took their place.
Pansy clenched her fists, a determined light flashing in her eyes as she silently made up her mind.
He saw how outstanding I was today. He saw my ability. He just doesn't understand my feelings yet. Perhaps he simply needs more time, needs me to prove myself by being even more outstanding.
Hogwarts... Hogwarts is the real battlefield. Once we're there, I'll make sure he remembers me, make him see what sets me apart, and make him willingly draw closer to me!