Chapter 34. 3:

Chapter 34. 3:

...

-November 11, 1990

The idea of taking them to a VIP box at a Quidditch match had started as a joke.... yep just a J O K E....

After all, a Malfoy with a Lovegood? That wouldn't be too bad.

But a Malfoy and a Weasley together?

Yeah… that was just asking for trouble.

So he never really considered it seriously.

Until he realised Ginny was taking it very very seriously.

"Are you really saying we could go?" Ginny asked, her eyes shining with hope.

Adam really couldn't bring himself to crush her excitement, so today, he ignored the very rational part of his brain screaming that this was a bad, bad idea.

Instead, he just shrugged casually.

"Of course. I have access to the VIP boxes for the Arrows and the Falcons. I could get tickets for one of their upcoming matches"

Ginny literally froze for a second.

Almost like she couldn't believe this was actually happening.

Then, her face lit up like he had just handed her the greatest gift of her life.

"That would be incredible!"

And just like that, she launched herself at Adam, wrapping her arms around him in an overexcited hug, practically jumping in place.

Luna, although not as obsessed with Quidditch as Ginny, also seemed pleased.

"I've never seen a match live. I wonder if the players can see Nargles from that height"

"...." 

Adam chuckled.

"Um, well, I suppose we'll find out"

Meanwhile, Ginny was still murmuring excitedly, barely able to contain herself.

Yeah… he had probably just given her one of the best surprises she could've asked for.

And he had also, most likely, created a whole mountain of future problems for himself.

Yea.... He might not be as brilliant as he thought he was. 

But for now, he was content just seeing them both so happy.

And as for the problems....?

Well, he'd let his future self deal with them. Heh

...

.....

-November 15, 1990

The day of the match had arrived.

Ginny had spent the last three days reminding Adam not to forget the tickets.

"You can't back out now, Malfoy! I'm going to see a VIP box!"

She said this with a mix of excitement and warning every time she saw him.

"Who said I was backing out?" Adam replied with a smirk.

Although, he had definitely considered coming up with an excuse to skip it.

He knew this could cause him serious problems.... problems that would never end if Lucius ever found out he had gone with a Weasley of all people.

Yeah… he'd be a dead man.

"My intuition tells me so!"

Luna, as always, was a picture of calm in comparison.

"I'm sure Draco wouldn't lie to us about something like this, Ginny. Although, if he did, it would probably be for something very serious or because someone erased his memory"

Ginny simply rolled her eyes, but Adam laughed.

And just like that, the big day finally arrived.

Pandora, of course, was kind enough to be their accomplice, taking them to the stadium.

Though she had to return to work, so she would come back to pick them up once the match ended.

Luckily, in the magical world, match results were announced instantly the moment they ended, spreading the news across the wizarding community in mere seconds.

So Pandora would know exactly when to come get them.... either when the winning team finished celebrating or possibly even earlier, depending on how long the festivities lasted.

.....

The entrance to the Quidditch stadium was a spectacle in itself.

From a distance, giant banners waved with the teams' colours, and the stands vibrated with the energy of thousands of excited witches and wizards.

The air was filled with the smell of magical food... from floating pumpkin pasties to fizzing candy wands.

But Ginny wasn't looking at any of that.

She was too busy staring at the VIP box like she had just stepped into a fairytale castle.

The golden tickets shimmered with protective runes, and a uniformed attendant greeted them with a polite bow.

Adam, with the ease of someone who had done this countless times, handed over their tickets and entered without a second thought.

Ginny, however, couldn't contain herself.

"Merlin, this is incredible… Look at these seats! They're bigger than my bed... or the beds my brothers have to share!" she exclaimed, running her hands over the plush green velvet chairs in fascination.

Adam rolled his eyes, though amused.

"Ginny, don't make it sound like I've brought you to the Wizarding Court or something like that"

"This is far better than the Wizarding Court!"

Luna, meanwhile, observed everything with her usual serenity.

"It's quite comfortable. Though it would be even better if the seats floated"

Ginny laughed, completely agreeing.

Adam sank into one of the seats, looking perfectly relaxed, while Ginny and Luna continued exploring the VIP box as if it were the most interesting a magical place in the world.

And as Adam watched them, he realised something.

He was finally starting to understand how certain things lost their magic after experiencing them so many times.

It was strange.

He had always told himself that wouldn't happen to him.

But now he realised that, even though he still loved being here, it didn't feel as exciting as it had the first time.

Still, he didn't have much time to dwell on the thought.

Because, just as expected, it happened.

Some people began to glance in their direction.

Not at him, of course. Draco Malfoy in a VIP box wasn't unusual.

But his company?

That was unusual.

Especially Ginny Weasley.

Not because anyone recognised her personally.

But because her red hair was practically a Weasley trademark. There weren't many members of wizarding families with red hair in the magical community after all..., and the Weasleys were a whole family of redheads. 

Still, Adam had faith that no one would immediately assume she was one of them.

Why?

Well, just couse after all, red hair wasn't exclusive to the Weasleys. 

And also... who would ever expect a Malfoy to bring a Weasley to a VIP box?

Exactly, no one, right?

People would probably come up with other, more rational explanations.

So.... yeah, nothing to worry about.

He was definitely just overthinking this.

And yet, he couldn't ignore the whispers among some of the aristocrats in the other boxes.

A few curious glances.

And some rather disapproving ones.

Well… damn.

Maybe some of them actually did recognise Ginny.

It wasn't a secret that the Weasleys didn't have the best reputation in high society.

And yet..... there was Ginny, acting as if she belonged there.

Well, almost.

She was still a little too excited and energetic.

But unlike what any other Weasley would probably do, Ginny didn't look nervous.

She didn't feel out of place.

She didn't ask permission to enjoy the luxury.

She just took it.

As if it were completely natural.

Adam smirked slightly.

Yeah… she had a bit of a Slytherin in her, after all. Having noticed this during this time, he couldn't stop thinking how amusing it would be if she ended up at the snake house contrary to and breaking all expectations, yes, no one else would ever dare to believe it, except for him of course.

Although if this were to happen it could be more hassle than fun..., so, as much as he would enjoy seeing this happen, he preferred to avoid so much trouble for the poor girl. 

.....

The stadium erupted as the teams flew onto the pitch.

The Appleby Arrows, dressed in sky-blue robes, clashed hands in the air as their fans cheered wildly.

On the other side, the Falmouth Falcons, in black and silver, radiated an intimidating energy.

Ginny was practically vibrating with excitement, nearly bouncing in her seat as the golden Snitch shot into the air and the players took their positions.

"Come on, Arrows! Crush those thick-headed Falcons today!"

Adam raised an eyebrow in amusement.

Quite the vocabulary for someone so small and seemingly sweet-looking.

"That passionate about the Arrows?"

Ginny turned to him with absolute seriousness.

"Of course. My brother Charlie is obsessed with the Falcons, and I refuse to agree with him on anything"

Adam couldn't help but laugh.

Yeah… he could understand that feeling, having six older siblings in another life. Another thing they both had in common, both had six older siblings, with them being the 7th an last son in the family, except that he had both male and female siblings, and she was the only female, so obviously she was much more pampered and spoiled than him by her parents... he on the other hand inherited everything from his brothers, she didn't really have that problem since well, she couldn't inherit her male siblings clothes, right? So yes, alike but not really entirely alike. Very different experiences. Just as it was now for him to be an only child like Draco. 

Luna, wearing a pair of strange rotating spectrum glasses, observed the field curiously.

"How long do you think it will take before they commit a foul?"

Adam smirked.

"Ten minutes"

Ginny gave him an incredulous look.

"Ten minutes? No, no, no. Have you ever seen the way the Falcons play? I give them five!"

Turned out, Ginny was right.

At exactly four minutes and thirty seconds, one of the Falcons' Chasers shoved an Arrows player illegally, and the referee's whistle shrieked across the field.

Ginny celebrated like she had just won the most important bet of her life.

"Told you, Malfoy! I told you!" she grinned smugly, pointing at him.

Adam huffed.

"Yeah, yeah. No need to repeat it five times"

Luna, who had been watching the play with interest, murmured thoughtfully:

"Is this part of the strategy? Because it looks more like a magical creature's territorial display"

Ginny and Adam exchanged glances.

Then burst into laughter at the same time.

....

Everything was going perfectly well until a boy, a couple of years older than them, approached their box.

It was Ambrose Selwyn, son of one of the most influential pureblood families.

Tall, dark-haired, and with his hair combed back to perfection.

And judging by his expression…

He wasn't very happy to see them.

"Well, Malfoy. I didn't expect to see a Weasley in a place like this"

Ginny, who had been fully focused on the match, suddenly stiffened.

Adam didn't even blink.

"And yet, here she is. Incredible, isn't it?"

Selwyn ignored the joke and turned to Ginny with a condescending smile.

"You must feel quite special being here, don't you?"

Adam felt Ginny's fists clench on her knees.

She leaned forward slightly, her tone light but sharp.

"Special isn't the word. More like… comfortable."

Then, with a cheeky smile, she added:

"Unlike some people, I don't need to be reminded of my worth"

Selwyn's eyes narrowed.

Adam grinned internally.

That was the difference between Ginny and other Weasleys.

Others would have tried to justify why they were there.... or would have gotten angry, not knowing what to reply. 

Or they would have ignored the comment.

Ginny, on the other hand, fired back without hesitation.

Selwyn clicked his tongue, turning with a scoff.

"Enjoy the match"

Ginny huffed once he was gone.

"What is wrong with these people?"

Adam smirked.

"Probably just a lot of empty air in their heads"

Ginny snorted.

And with that, Selwyn's remark was forgotten.

Because, at the end of the day, nothing mattered more than the stadium roaring as the Snitch was caught....

And the Arrows won the match.

And Ginny Weasley celebrated like she was the champion of the world.