Chapter 614: Natalia and Fleur
Fleur Delacour had been speaking with Cedric. In fact, she had deliberately drawn upon the allure of her Bride of the Bulgarian Team bloodline, hoping to provoke an invitation from him. But despite her efforts, Cedric, though polite, never offered to be her dance partner. Instead, a freckled boy suddenly burst forward with reckless enthusiasm.
The air froze for a heartbeat. Fleur’s gaze slowly swept over Ron—from his wind-tousled hair to the oil-stained hem of his school robes—then her lips twitched faintly, not in a smile, but in quiet disdain. Without a word, she turned her head and walked past him as if he were nothing more than an irritating sea cucumber.
Ron stood frozen, ears ringing, too stunned to believe what he’d just done. The murmurs around him buzzed like a swarm of bees. He couldn’t meet anyone’s eyes. Only when his mind finally caught up did he whirl around and stumble out of the Great Hall, fleeing back to Gryffindor Common Room in a daze.
Outside the Great Hall, Wade stood by the entrance, watching Ron’s wild sprint pass like a storm wind. He didn’t even glance sideways—Ron was gone before he could register who had passed.
Wade lingered briefly at the entrance, waiting for the tide of voices to settle inside the hall before stepping through. Once inside, he scanned the bustling crowd, a quiet unease tugging at his chest.
At the Ravenclaw long table, several seats remained empty. Wade took one and had just picked up his fork when he sensed a subtle, almost imperceptible line of sight from the far end of the table.
Fleur Delacour stood with a few Beauxbatons girls. Though she’d been eliminated in the first challenge, everyone understood: it wasn’t because of her skill, but because she’d faced Wade Gray—someone who played by no rules. So Fleur remained Madam Maxime’s favorite and the center of attention among her peers.
Meanwhile, the girl who’d unexpectedly advanced—Clementine—seemed to carry the guilt of a stolen chance. She was subtly shunned by some of her classmates.
But Fleur herself couldn’t forget that moment. Now, seeing Wade, she arched one elegant eyebrow. Her gaze lingered on him for a few seconds, a faint, thoughtful curve forming at the corner of her lips—weighing possibilities.
She began walking toward him, her tall frame swaying like a willow in the breeze. Her long silver hair flowed behind her like water, her neck slender and proud. She moved like a queen, regal and untouchable.
In the Great Hall, more than half the boys couldn’t tear their eyes away. As she approached, the chatter dimmed. Every gaze followed her, full of longing and anticipation.
“My goodness,” Daphne murmured at the Slytherin table, her fork hovering mid-air. “Is she really going to proactively invite Wade?”
“Impossible!” Braith declared firmly. “Don’t you remember how flustered she was when Wade knocked her out? She’s never gotten over it!”
Pansy snorted. “I’ll bet a Galleon she’s planning to dump pumpkin juice on his head.”
Another girl shot a jealous glance at Fleur’s flawless face and figure. “Or even better—just give Gray a proper slap.”
A hush fell over the table.
Then Crabbe sighed wistfully. “...And that’s why I wish I were him.”
The girls exchanged silent, exasperated glances.
As the whispers swirled, a tall figure suddenly cut between Wade and Fleur, stepping directly into her path.
Fleur paused, her eyes narrowing at the back of the intruder’s head. But Natalia didn’t look back. She didn’t seem to feel the tension in the air. Instead, she beamed a bright, open smile.
“Wade Gray!” Natalia announced clearly. “You can’t still be without a dance partner, can you?”
Her English carried a unique, wave-like cadence—like poetry in motion.
Wade smiled, glancing past her shoulder at the frozen Fleur. “No,” he said. “I’m not going to wait for a girl to be proactive.” He stood, giving a slight bow. “Perhaps I should ask you to dance?”
“Perfect!” Natalia snapped her fingers. She didn’t just accept—she sat down beside him with effortless grace.
Fleur’s lips curled in a cold sneer. Without a word, she turned and returned to her friends, speaking rapidly in French.
Some students glanced between Wade and Natalia, speculating on their relationship. But after watching them eat in silence for a moment, most lost interest and looked away.
Natalia sliced into her steak. Then, suddenly, she leaned in and asked in a low voice, “Strange… isn’t it? That I just cost you a chance to dance with the most beautiful girl?”
Wade sipped his juice, calm and relaxed. “I’d rather thank you. Otherwise, I’d be standing alone on the dance floor like an idiot.”
Natalia burst into laughter.
She blinked playfully. “As Champion, how could you possibly lack a dance partner? But I did step in on purpose. Guess why?”
“I think,” Wade said, glancing at Fleur, “she wanted me to suffer the same fate as Ron—after I beat her. A little revenge.”
Natalia laughed again, her eyes glinting with mischief. “So even without my intervention, you wouldn’t have fallen for it?”
“No,” Wade admitted. “I’m glad you came.”
“Because,” he added, “I don’t know how clear-minded I’d remain if she unleashed her full bloodline charm.”
Natalia didn’t quite understand the words—but hearing him say it made her feel warmer inside.
As dinner neared its end, Natalia suddenly leaned forward, tilting her head with a mischievous grin. “One last question—why did I help you, after you knocked out my friend Olga?”
Her smile deepened. Her gaze roved over Wade’s face, searching for the slightest flicker of expression.
Wade calmly folded his napkin. “Because you’re kind. And you like helping people.”
“Hahaha!” Natalia erupted into laughter, drawing glances from all around. She waved a hand dismissively. “Fine… let’s go with that.”
She stood, then suddenly leaned in close—her golden hair brushing against Wade’s shoulder.
“My formal robes are a deep blue long dress, edged with silver-gray lace,” she said with a smile. “Hope they don’t clash with your outfit.”
(End of Chapter)
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