Chapter 34. 1

-October 28, 1990

The second time Adam visited the Lovegood house, it was no longer just out of courtesy. And the third time... and the others...? Definitely not.

To his own surprise, he genuinely enjoyed being there.

At first, he would admit that it had been pure curiosity. Everything about that house was so different from what he was used to, and from the letters he had exchanged with both mother and daughter, he knew there were a lot of interesting things there.

But with each visit, he realised that there was something about the magical chaos of the Lovegood home that had a certain charm to it—something that felt... comfortable.

Maybe it was the warmth with which Pandora always greeted him, as if she was genuinely happy that he was there. And, honestly? She probably was.

She always seemed incredibly grateful that he spent time with Luna, because, as Adam had come to learn, Luna didn't really have, ummm, friends.

Sure, there was Ginny. But rather than being actual close friends, they were simply two girls who got along well and saw each other because their mothers arranged it.

Well..... because Pandora arranged it.

From what Adam had figured out, it was actually Pandora Lovegood who personally made an effort to organise the meetings with Molly Weasley.

And Ginny?

She liked Luna, but they were very very different. Without Pandora inviting her over, Adam suspected Ginny probably wouldn't have spent that much time with Luna at all.

In the end, Adam supposed Pandora was also one of the reasons he kept coming back here, even with Narcissa's permission.... fully aware that Lucius would be less than pleased once he found out.

But maybe… maybe it wasn't just Pandora.

There was also Luna, with her unfiltered way of talking about anything and everything, completely unconcerned with social norms or what people considered "normal" or "acceptable."

Adam wouldn't say they were close friends just yet, but they definitely got along well, probably even better than Luna and Ginny did. Which made sense, considering that talking to Luna could be difficult if you didn't learn to just go along with some of her many eccentricities.

And then, the funniest part…

Maybe there was a third reason.

Yep. And that reason surprised him even more.

Maybe it was Ginny herself.

The same red-haired girl who had barely spoken to him at first had now become a never-ending source of questions and commentary..... almost like Astoria, except on completely different topics.

Once Ginny Weasley got comfortable, she didn't hold back. At all.

And the funniest part?

Most of her questions revolved around high-society wizarding events.

She seemed obsessed with all the grand gatherings, galas, and traditions—the same events Adam didn't even enjoy but was forced to attend.

.....

"So, at the Rosier autumn gala, there's a floating banquet that moves around by itself? How does that even work?" Ginny had asked one day, leaning on the table, eyes locked on him with pure fascination.

Adam, amused, simply smiled.

"Something to do with runes and levitation enchantments, I suppose," he replied. "Though, to be honest, the food tastes just as good on a normal plate."

Ginny ignored that completely, far too excited about the idea of luxurious floating feasts magically drifting around so guests didn't even have to walk to get their food.

"And what about the dances? Is it true that some witches' dresses change colour with the music?"

Adam shrugged.

"Er… Some, yes. Depends on how eccentric the witch is."

Ginny sighed dreamily.

"Merlin, it's like something out of a fairy tale."

Adam let out a small laugh.

"More like a circus with etiquette rules," he joked.

But, as always, Ginny ignored the sarcasm and continued daydreaming about how amazing it would be to attend one of these extravagant events and wear those enchanted gowns.

Beside them, Luna watched the exchange with her usual serene expression, as if everything they were saying was just as fascinating as discussing invisible magical creatures.

"You should write an article about wizarding aristocracy for The Quibbler, Draco," she suggested in her usual matter-of-fact tone.

Adam blinked.

Ginny, on the other hand, burst out laughing.

"Yes! 'How to Survive a Pureblood Gala Without Dying of Boredom,' by Draco Malfoy," she teased.

Adam pretended to think about it.

"Too long. I'd go with 'Etiquette and Strategy: The Malfoy Survival Guide.'"

Ginny shook her head, clearly amused.

"Well, if you ever need an apprentice, let me know."

Adam just chuckled.

But that's when it hit him.

Ginny Weasley… was nothing like he had imagined.

She didn't fit the image the Malfoys had of the Weasleys... she wasn't clumsy or completely naive. And while she certainly didn't have the same refined education as high society, she had ambition.

And she was eager to learn.

She never stopped asking him about all the different etiquette rules he had been forced to memorise for every possible occasion.

Adam had even given her a few books he no longer used—books where he had summarised the endless etiquette lessons he had suffered through.

Now, that being said....

Ginny Weasley would never, under any circumstances, convince him to teach her those damn ballroom dances.

Absolutely not.

He had suffered enough learning them himself, and he wasn't about to relive that experience, not even if she batted her eyelashes like a puppy or gave him one of those sweet little pouts.

He wasn't going to give in.

Oh, but she had tried.

Ever since she found out, she had insisted—even roped Luna into her scheme to help convince him.

But it was a lost battle from the start.

Adam would never allow it.

But anyway, as we were saying…

Ginny was probably the black sheep of her family.

Just as he was for his.

Not for anything bad.

Ginny simply wanted more. She aspired to more.

And she wasn't ashamed to admit it.

Which, to be honest, Adam found quite admirable.

Especially coming from a family like hers—a family that, well… wasn't exactly known for aiming high.

Though, of course, there were always exceptions in every family, weren't there?