Lucius Malfoy didn't just suffer a humiliating setback; because he was the one to strike first, he was the party in the wrong and couldn't even retaliate later.
Feeling utterly stifled and aggrieved, he led Draco away and stormed out of the hall.
No one cared about his departure.
With hundreds of people in the venue, his absence wasn't missed, nor would his presence have added anything.
After the Malfoys left, the banquet continued. People ate, drank, and enjoyed themselves.
After dealing with several people who came over to chat, the "Father-Troublers" gathered once again. They began to focus intently on watching Hagrid and his destined lady.
At that moment, two towering figures were sitting in a secluded corner. Hagrid's bushy hair, after an application of Sleekeazy's Hair Potion, was plastered to his head like a polished helmet.
He was wearing a dress robe specially tailormade at Madam Malkin's, looking like a completely different person.
Madame Maxime sat opposite Hagrid, gazing at him with an expression of deep affection.
Their hands were tightly clasped together.
Judging by the smile on Madame Maxime's face, she and Hagrid were having a wonderful conversation.
This was largely thanks to the efforts of the Father-Troublers.
Last night at the Leaky Cauldron, they had spent a long time brainstorming and advising Hagrid.
Kyle had called in ten thousand Acolytes overnight to help scout Madame Maxime's likes and taboos. This ensured Hagrid would have enough to talk about without accidentally offending her by touching on sensitive topics.
George and Fred, those silver-tongued talents, had prepared a list of "cheesy pick-up lines" for Hagrid in advance. That was the only reason the usually tongue-tied Hagrid was able to make Madame Maxime beam with such joy today.
Cedric had also contributed significantly.
If anyone among the four Father-Troublers understood a girl's heart best, it was undoubtedly Cedric—a "winner in life" who had long since started dating Cho Chang.
He had anticipated all the potential "trap questions" Madame Maxime might ask during the conversation, helping Hagrid navigate the minefields in advance.
Normally, a common romance wouldn't garner such high-level attention from the Father-Troublers, but the love between two half-giants was simply too...
Rare.
Yes, "rare" was a better word than "bizarre."
They could confidently say that in the entire European wizarding world, there were likely fewer than ten couples like Hagrid and Madame Maxime.
Furthermore, given their friendly relationship with Hagrid, all four of them hoped that this "Blue Beast of Hogwarts" could find a companion to walk down the aisle with.
Just as the four were enjoying the fruits of their strategic planning, an arrogant voice drifted over from beside them.
"A toad lusting after swan meat! That man isn't worthy of Madame Maxime at all!"
The group turned in unison to see a girl dressed in magnificent silk robes, her long, silvery hair cascading down to her waist like a waterfall.
The girl was beautiful, but the arrogance on her face made her seem completely unapproachable.
If Kyle wasn't mistaken, she likely possessed Veela blood.
She seemed like the type who was constantly surrounded by "simps" because of her outstanding appearance—someone who had been pampered by everyone for years, making her willful, sensitive, and incredibly temperamental.
However, just because others coddled her didn't mean Kyle would.
Kyle narrowed his eyes dangerously. "Watch your wording, half-Veela. Hagrid is my friend."
The Father-Troublers all cast hostile glances toward the girl.
Generally speaking, those who found themselves on the receiving end of such stares from the Father-Troublers didn't end up very well.
One only had to look at those three unlucky souls—Tom Hiddleston, Quirinus Quirrell, and Gilderoy Lockhart—to know the truth.
Flinching under their gaze, the half-Veela took a step back in fear.
A Veela might be beautiful, but among the Father-Troublers, those who were off the market were taken, and those who weren't only wanted to spend their lives with puppets. They had zero interest in chatting with her.
Besides, this Veela was putting on such superior airs in front of four recipients of the Order of Merlin. Who did she think she was?
Still, they didn't feel the need to pick a fight with a girl.
Without giving her a second glance, they turned back to watch Hagrid.
Being ignored like that caused Fleur Delacour's face to gradually flush red.
She had been observing them from the side for a while and noticed Kyle and the others hiding in the corner, whispering and pointing at Hagrid and Madame Maxime.
She had assumed they were like her, thinking that Hagrid was unworthy of Madame Maxime.
After all, no matter how much Hagrid dressed up, he couldn't help but inadvertently project a certain uncouth aura.
In contrast, while Madame Maxime also possessed giant blood, her every move was filled with French elegance.
Moreover, her neck and thick fingers sparkled with many luxurious opals.
She was a wealthy woman!
So, with Madame Maxime as a foil, Hagrid looked exactly like a toad wishing to eat swan meat.
Of course, this was merely Fleur Delacour's one-sided opinion.
She didn't know that the Forbidden Forest adjacent to Hogwarts Castle was a treasure trove that Hagrid could draw from at will.
Unicorn hair—at a market price of ten Galleons a strand—was that expensive?
In Hagrid's hut, they were only fit to be used as cleaning brushes for dusting.
Furthermore, because Fleur and Madame Maxime were both part-humans, Fleur held Madame Maxime in high regard, which was why she couldn't help but speak ill of Hagrid.
The Father-Troublers' dismissive attitude infuriated Fleur.
"Am I wrong?"
The group turned their heads again in unison.
"From what perspective are you judging whether they are 'worthy' or not?" Kyle asked, looking at her with a strange expression.
Status?
It was true that a Hogwarts Groundskeeper didn't equate to the Headmistress of Beauxbatons.
But the wizarding world was a place where strength was respected above all.
Even if Dumbledore went to work as a janitor at the Ministry of Magic, would anyone dare to look down on him?
Kyle didn't even know which of the Eight Inner Gates Hagrid had reached in his cultivation. He had seen Hagrid practicing the Morning Peacock in the Forbidden Forest at the end of last term, which meant he was definitely at the Sixth Gate or higher.
A Hagrid capable of opening the Sixth Gate, combined with the physical talent of a half-giant—even Voldemort in his prime might not necessarily win a fight against him.
Kyle didn't think Madame Maxime's strength could reach Voldemort's level.
Wealth?
Hagrid, who sat upon an entire Forbidden Forest, simply didn't want to over-exploit nature. Otherwise, even the Malfoy family fortune couldn't hope to compare to his assets.
Character?
Putting aside status, strength, and wealth, Hagrid was a very excellent and quite considerate man.
As a partner, he was absolutely qualified.
So, Hagrid wasn't worthy of Madame Maxime?
What a ridiculous joke.
As Kyle listed Hagrid's merits one by one, Fleur was left dazed by the verbal onslaught.
Was this guy actually a hidden powerhouse?
————
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