Chapter 238
"Of course," Luna Lovegood said with a smile.
The two of them stepped onto the dance floor. At that moment, music from The Weird Sisters was already playing. The performers on stage had wild, thick hair and wore deliberately torn black robes. Each held their instrument, fully immersed in the performance.
Luna closed her eyes, listening to the rhythm. Her arm swayed gently along with the music, as if she had completely lost herself in it.
Draco Malfoy let go of her hand, but Luna didn't notice. Instead, she became even more absorbed. Her aqua-blue dress flowed with her movements—like a blooming flower, or a rippling stream.
It was a strikingly beautiful sight.
"This rhythm is quite nice!" Just as she was about to drift off the dance floor with her eyes closed, Luna suddenly turned, gliding back. Opening her eyes, she said, "Come on, Draco."
"She dances very well, doesn't she?" Malfoy said, clapping lightly.
"I'm just dancing for fun," Luna replied. Then she suddenly turned and pointed to her right. "They're the ones who are truly good."
Malfoy followed her gaze.
It was Cho Chang and Cedric Diggory. They were performing a classic ballroom dance. Cedric held Cho's waist, and the two moved in perfect harmony, exchanging affectionate glances as they stepped forward and back.
It seemed Cedric, not being a champion, had more time to devote to his partner.
"Let's try," Luna said eagerly. "Don't worry—I won't step on your feet."
Malfoy's expression turned slightly awkward.
"Alright," he replied, unsure whether to laugh or sigh—she had just stolen his line.
They began to dance at the center of the floor. Both were somewhat restrained, moving at a slower pace.
"Listen, they know we're beginners," Luna said with a smile, her eyes narrowing. "They slowed the music for us."
Indeed, as if on cue, the Weird Sisters shifted from a lively tune to a slow, gentle melody that enveloped the entire hall.
After a while, the final trembling note faded, and the dance came to an end.
"Looks like we did well," Luna said cheerfully. "Everyone's watching us."
She pointed toward the crowd.
In truth, their technique was far from perfect. Malfoy's steps were slightly stiff, while Luna simply moved according to her own sense of rhythm. Yet precisely because of that, their dance carried a strange sense of freedom and charm that drew attention.
"I'm very happy today," Luna said softly as they moved to the edge of the dance floor, a new piece beginning behind them.
"That's good," Malfoy replied, nodding. Even he found it refreshing to relax for once.
"Shall we try again?" he asked.
"No," Luna declined. "Happy moments should be treasured. Too much happiness might make Merlin jealous—that's what my father says."
She shrugged lightly. "Let's stop here. Perhaps you should spend time with the person you're meant to accompany. Goodbye, Mr. Champion. I hope you enjoy the rest of your evening."
With that, she slipped back onto the dance floor alone, moving like a butterfly weaving through flowers, dancing freely by herself.
"What an unpredictable girl," Malfoy murmured with a faint smile.
Carefully navigating through the dancers—especially avoiding the wild movements of Fred Weasley and Angelina Johnson—he finally stepped off the floor.
Then he spotted Pansy Parkinson sitting in the front row, watching the dancers with clear longing in her eyes.
He walked toward her.
When Pansy saw him, her eyes lit up for a moment before she quickly masked it with a proud expression.
"Well? Is your partner's dress beautiful?" she asked deliberately.
"You were the one who lent it to her, weren't you?" Malfoy immediately caught on.
"Of course. Otherwise, you'd have spent the whole evening dancing with a giant corn cob," Pansy said, exaggerating her expression. "When I saw her at noon, I thought I was hallucinating."
"She's a strange girl," Pansy added, her tone turning slightly sour. "Who wears something like that to a ball?"
There was a trace of envy in her voice—along with a hint of regret.
"If you can't dance," she continued, slowly standing and extending her hand, "how about a walk?"
"Of course. The rose garden?" Malfoy suggested. "It should be lively. Watching the moon there might be nice."
"Alright," Pansy agreed, though she seemed faintly disappointed—she had hoped for somewhere more secluded.
"Good luck."
A soft, airy voice suddenly reached her ear.
Luna.
She had drifted near the edge of the dance floor, leaning in just enough to whisper before slipping away again into the crowd.
Pansy turned, but only caught a glimpse of Luna's retreating figure before it vanished among the dancers.
"Seems like you two get along," Malfoy remarked.
"Maybe," Pansy said after a moment's thought. "If she weren't so… strange, she'd probably be very popular. At least a third of the boys here are staring at her tonight."