Question: How do you escape unscathed from a pack of ravenous girls?
Adelaide's answer: Just play dumb.
Facing Alice's interrogation, Adelaide's lips curled into a faint smile as she explained unhurriedly, "I only met the eldest daughter of the Parkinson Family tonight; we haven't had much interaction before. However, I heard her mention that she's an incoming Hogwarts freshman this September, just one year below us. I'm simply building a good relationship with a junior in advance."
Alice's lips twitched slightly upon hearing this, revealing a hint of dissatisfaction.
The MacFusty Family and the Parkinson Family were both British pure-blood families with close ties, and Alice had already heard rumors about Pansy enrolling this year.
The thought that there were already two potential rivals among this year's incoming juniors who might compete for Adelaide made Alice feel involuntarily irritable.
It was one thing for Hermione, who grew up with Adelaide, to want to compete with her, but on what grounds was Pansy Parkinson, who only met Adelaide tonight, being so intimate?
Adelaide was the person she had favored for a long time, and now that other girls were eyeing her, how could she not be vexed!
At this moment, Armandina remained remarkably composed, standing half a meter behind Adelaide with a calm demeanor, narrowing her eyes as she waited for things to unfold.
Alice spoke sternly and bluntly to Pansy, "Pansy, by all rights, you should be sorted into our Slytherin House; as your senior, I hope you can focus on your studies after enrollment and strive to bring glory to Slytherin, rather than daydreaming about things that don't belong to you!"
As a natural-born Slytherin, Pansy was different from the other competitors Alice had encountered. She wasn't as easily provoked as Hermione, nor did she like to beat around the bush like Luna.
Pansy's lips curled into a light chuckle, and then, like a supple snake, she pressed her body tightly against Adelaide's right arm.
Before coming to Malfoy Manor, Pansy's father had specifically instructed her to establish as good a relationship with Adelaide as possible, the more intimate the better—and as a member of the Parkinson Family, Pansy could never disobey the family head's orders, even if it meant falling out with a descendant of the MacFusty Family.
"Sister Alice, you really do like to joke~"
Pansy's voice was crisp and pleasant, but the sarcasm within was unmistakable. "We Slytherins have always relied on our own abilities to fight for what we want, haven't we?"
"Could it be that Sister Alice lacks confidence in herself? Then I suggest you give up early, lest you end up in an embarrassing situation."
These words were like a heavy hammer striking Alice's heart. Her expression instantly turned gloomy, clearly enraged by Pansy's words.
Seeing this, Adelaide knew she couldn't let things continue this way. She quickly grabbed Alice and Pansy, leading them into a light jog. Before the two could react, Adelaide had brought them into the gardens of Malfoy Manor.
The pure-blood members moon-gazing in the garden greeted Adelaide one after another. In this situation, for the sake of appearances, Alice couldn't easily fall out with Pansy. She could only put on a fake smile and join the circle of moon-gazers with Adelaide.
The brief intermission passed in a flash. Lucius Malfoy was as punctual as ever—at nine-twenty, he politely invited the guests back to the main hall to continue the second half of the evening.
According to the pre-arranged plan, Adelaide's opening dance was supposed to be with Edward. However, when she hurried toward Edward, she was surprised to find him wearing a bitter smile while arm-in-arm with a strange woman.
Just then, Armandina gently placed her hand on Adelaide's shoulder and said in a soft but unquestionable tone, "My little master, there has been a slight change in plans. You will need to dance the opening dance with me."
Adelaide accepted the proposal with a smile—even Edward seemed unable to go against Armandina's wishes, so why should she go looking for trouble?
It was just a few dances; compared to changing clothes, it seemed like no big deal.
The heavy responsibility of leading the dance at the Malfoy gala naturally fell on the shoulders of the next heir of the Malfoy Family, Draco Malfoy.
He led Pansy Parkinson, who was also dressed in her finest, like two shining stars, guiding everyone onto the dance floor.
Adelaide and Armandina were led to the center of the dance floor to dance alongside Draco and the others.
Armandina's male lead steps were exceptionally outstanding. Her dance steps were light and elegant, with every movement being just right—this made Adelaide harbor some suspicions, wondering if Armandina had planned this all along.
After dancing three consecutive dances, they exchanged partners according to custom.
As Adelaide turned, Draco Malfoy politely extended his hand and took hers.
Perhaps because Lucius had instructed him beforehand, Draco completely reined in his pure-blood arrogance while dancing with Adelaide. His movements were elegant and steady, displaying a very high level of gentlemanly grace, which made Adelaide see Draco in a new light.
This only son of the Malfoy Family did not seem as useless as described in the original books.
During the dance, Draco politely struck up a conversation with Adelaide as per etiquette. Since they weren't familiar with each other, he could only bring up the young boy they had encountered previously at Madam Malkins Robes for All Occasions.
Adelaide told him with a smile that the young boy was the legendary savior, Harry Potter.
Draco was surprised for a moment and then felt some regret for not exchanging names with Harry. Adelaide politely said that if he wanted to meet The Chosen One, she could introduce him after the term started. Draco thanked her very gratefully.
After another three dances, they changed partners again—Edward gracefully took Adelaide's hand and danced the next three slower pieces with her.
"I'm sorry, Master. Armandina is simply too forceful; her current strength has already surpassed mine. I suggest you'd better prepare yourself in advance. Armandina's intentions toward you are somewhat impure."
Adelaide sighed. Did he really need to tell her that?
The problem was that she couldn't find a subordinate who could balance against Armandina right now, so she could only accept it passively!
"I've known for a long time... If I help you ascend to the position of the head of the Borgin family, can you stand your ground against Armandina in Britain?"
Edward mused for a moment before saying, "I don't know what methods Armandina used this time, but she has completely inherited Vinda Rosier's position within the Acolytes. Even if the Borgin family were at its peak and I took over as head, I wouldn't dare say I could be her equal in status... unless a few more British pure-blood families form an alliance with me."
Adelaide nodded after a moment of reflection; she knew what had to be done.
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