Adam in Real World and Harry Potter(Showbiz/OC/HP/Hollywood)

Chapter 32:

.....

- October 10, 1990

If there was one thing Adam had learned during his time as Draco Malfoy, it was that aristocratic magical parties weren't really parties.

At least, not in the sense of carefree fun and spontaneous enjoyment.

Nop. They were carefully calculated gatherings where every interaction had a purpose, every word was measured, and every smile was a strategy. Even the children were part of the game, subtly maneuvered into socializing with the "right kind" of company under the silent supervision of their parents—like chess pieces being moved with precision across the board.

And this time, the event was being held at Greengrass Manor.

The big celebration was, in theory, Daphne's eleventh birthday. 

In reality, it was just another excuse to bring together the heirs of the most prominent pure-blood families who had yet to enter Hogwarts.

The enchanted garden of the manor was decorated with floating lights, elegantly arranged dessert tables, and floral centerpieces that changed color depending on the tone of the nearby conversation. The soft melodies of enchanted string instruments filled the air, adding to the sophisticated—yet extremely monotonous—atmosphere.

Draco—or rather, Adam—moved through the crowd with his usual air of elegance, though internally, his thoughts on the event were far less composed.

'Another boring party... where we're being evaluated like racehorses… Oh yeaa... Fantastic.'

The guest list was exactly as expected: Vincent Crabbe and Gregory Goyle, who had basically become his personal shadows, Pansy Parkinson, who always had something to say about everything and everyone, Millicent Bulstrode, Tracey Davis… the usual.

Nothing particularly interesting.

Well, at least his good friend Blaise Zabini was there, making the whole ordeal a bit more tolerable... but just a bit.

Oh and then there was the birthday girl's little sister, Astoria, with whom he had already grown quite close.

The girl was fiercely attached to him, practically glued to his side whenever she had the chance. It was amusing how much she enjoyed having someone actually listen to her ramble about the thousand things swirling in her head.

From what Adam had gathered, she really didn't have anyone else to talk to.

Her older sister, despite clearly caring for her, was naturally reserved and cold, and their parents were basically Daphne but multiplied by a hundred—formal, distant, and emotionally detached.

So, in a way, Adam had unintentionally become her big brother and her safe space in an otherwise very rigid household.

And honestly? He couldn't blame her.

If he didn't have his family in his original world, living only with Lucius and Narcissa could probably break anyone's psyche.

...

As Adam wandered through the party—after Astoria had been reluctantly dragged away by her parents to be introduced to other families—an unexpected face caught his attention.

Off to the side of the garden, slightly apart from the other children, stood a young girl with long blonde hair and large, silvery-blue eyes, dressed in an outfit that was… well, let's just say, considerably more eccentric than everyone else's.

Or, to be completely honest, a LOT more eccentric.

Luna Lovegood. 

She wasn't alone.

Beside her, Pandora Lovegood, her mother, was engaged in an animated conversation with a small group of adults who did not seem to share her enthusiasm. Still, out of sheer courtesy, they smiled and nodded along.

Adam knew exactly why.

Pandora Lovegood was not particularly welcomed among the high-class pure-blood circles. Not because she wasn't one of them—her lineage was just as noble—but because she and her family refused to conform to the rigid customs these people deemed "proper."

So while she wasn't entirely shunned, she was certainly looked down upon.

That being said, she was far from being ignored.

After all, her reputation as an exceptionally gifted spell inventor granted her a certain level of authority and respect. Any intelligent person knew better than to openly insult her without a damn good reason.

Lucius, of course, avoided her like the plague.

To him, Pandora Lovegood represented everything he despised: a pure-blood who willingly associated with "unworthy" witches and wizards, held progressive views, and dared to challenge long-standing traditions.

And, unsurprisingly, her daughter didn't fit in with the rest of the children either.

Or rather…

Not at all.

While the other kids socialized out of obligation, Luna seemed far more interested in some invisible creature she claimed was fluttering around near the hedges.

Adam watched for a moment before making a decision.

With a quiet sigh, he stepped away from the main group and made his way toward her.

Luna noticed him before he even spoke.

"Hello, Draco Malfoy," she greeted, her usual dreamy tone making it sound as if her mind was elsewhere.

Adam raised an eyebrow.

He had never really spoken personally to her before, but it wasn't exactly difficult to recognize him. According to most people, he was the spitting image of Lucius Malfoy.

Yeah… to this day, he wasn't particularly thrilled about that fact.

Sure, Lucius was an undeniably handsome man—few would argue otherwise—but still…

The comparison wasn't exactly flattering in his opinion.

"Hello, Lovegood. Enjoying this… fascinating gathering?"

Luna tilted her head.

"Not really. But the pumpkin pudding is nice."

Adam let out a small chuckle.

"Well, I suppose that's something."

Without further ceremony, he sat down beside her.

That, of course, caught Pandora's attention.

Her mother didn't intervene immediately, but her expression shifted into something between curiosity and caution.

After all, Malfoys weren't exactly known for their kindness toward families that didn't meet their impossibly high pure-blood standards.

But Adam wasn't the Draco they all expected.

Or rather, he wasn't the Draco they thought he was.

He spoke to Luna without the usual condescending tone that anyone would assume he'd use.

Instead, he engaged in a surprisingly pleasant conversation with her—discussing everything from magical creatures to ancient runes, and even some of the theories about magic that she and her mother had been researching.

To his own surprise, he was actually enjoying it.

Sure, some of the things she said were a bit out there—completely nonsensical, really—but rather than argue, he simply chuckled and let them slide.

At the very least, she was entertaining.

And oddly enough, she reminded him a little of Astoria in some ways.

Maybe that's why he'd been tempted to approach her in the first place....to keep her company in her solitude, just as he did with Astoria.

Luna, despite her peculiar nature, had a refreshing way of seeing the world.

And, more than that…

She had such an effortlessly serene presence that just being around her felt relaxing.

Refreshing and relaxing…

Honestly? Those were two things Adam truly appreciated.

So he stayed with her far longer than he had originally planned.

....

The problem began the moment Lucius noticed who his son was talking to.

Adam felt his father's presence before he even spoke.

And when he did, his voice was as cold as ever.

"Draco."

The blond looked up calmly.

"Father."

Lucius cast a disapproving glance at Luna and Pandora, who was standing just a few feet away, observing the situation. Then, his sharp grey eyes locked onto his son.

"Why are you not with the others?"

Adam kept his expression composed.

"I was having an interesting conversation."

A tense silence followed.

Finally, Pandora stepped forward, her smile pleasant yet carrying a sharpness that only the observant would notice.

Lucius barely acknowledged her.... offering only the faintest nod, the absolute minimum level of courtesy.

But when he addressed Draco again, his displeasure was unmistakable.

"Come. There are important people you need to speak with."

It was a command disguised as a suggestion.

Adam remained unbothered.

For some reason, being around Luna made him want to drop all the masks he usually wore as Draco and just be himself.

And so, for the first time in a long while…

"I'm fine here."

Lucius's eyes narrowed.

"Draco."

His tone sharpened like a blade.

For a moment, the air grew thick with tension.

But before things could escalate further, Pandora intervened..... her voice as light and casual as if she had never noticed the hostility in Lucius's stance.

"Oh, but if Draco is interested in ancient runes, he should visit our home one day. We have a fascinating collection."

Ah. She had been listening.

Lucius's jaw tightened ever so slightly, though he masked his irritation well.

"I do not believe that will be necessary."

Pandora merely smiled.

"Of course. Just a suggestion."

A brief silence stretched between them before Adam finally stood up.

Not because he was intimidated.... he wasn't.

But because he knew this wasn't the right moment to challenge Lucius openly.

Even if a part of him really really wanted to.

For a second, he had almost let himself slip.... almost let himself rebel just to see how far he could push it.

But then… Natural Oclumen kicked in.

And his rational mind took over.

Not yet.

"I suppose we'll talk later, Lovegood," he said to Luna before giving Pandora a polite nod. "Mrs. Lovegood."

She returned his nod with a warm smile.

"Whenever you wish, Draco."

Lucius placed a firm hand on his son's shoulder and wordlessly led him away.

Adam didn't resist.

But he already knew..... yep, this wouldn't be the last time he heard about this.

And sure enough…

He was right.

...

...

From that day on, Lucius never missed an opportunity to make disparaging comments about the Lovegood family.

To him, they were eccentric, unworthy of the pureblood lineage they carried.

But what truly bothered him about Pandora wasn't the woman herself.

It was her connections..... her associations with wizards he despised, like the Weasleys and others who supported pro-Muggle legislation.

Adam was… tired.

No. Correction..... he was completely exhausted.

How many times since becoming Draco had he listened to his parents ranting about Muggles?

Muggles were barbarians, lazy, stupid, unworthy of sharing this planet with wizards.... or so Lucius and Narcissa liked to say.

And, by extension, anyone associated with them was considered tainted in their eyes.

It didn't take long for Adam to notice how Lucius's tone grew even colder whenever he mentioned Luna or her mother.

At first, it had been subtle remarks.

But over time…

They turned into outright reprimands.

"I do not understand why you insist on wasting your time with that family."

Lucius had gritted out after discovering his son had been exchanging several letters with them... both mother and daughter.

Adam didn't even hesitate.

"Because they're interesting."

And it was the truth.

If they weren't, he wouldn't have bothered spending his time writing back and forth..... much less at the cost of angering Lucius.

Lucius's jaw tightened.

"They are a disgrace to our society."

Adam leaned back in his chair, keeping his voice calm and unwavering.

"Mrs. Pandora is brilliant in her field."

And she truly was.

Adam was fascinated by everything she had been teaching him..... theoretical and practical aspects of spellcrafting, the meticulous detail behind every incantation, the way magic evolved from its raw form into its final result.

Lucius never had a proper response.

Their conversations always ended the same way:

Lucius..... frustrated.

Adam..... quite angry.

For the first time, Adam could feel his patience with his supposed father running out.

And the worst part?

He knew this was only the beginning.

Natural Oclumen constantly reminded him that this battle wasn't worth fighting. That pushing back against Lucius served no real logical purpose..... that it was unnecessary conflict.

And yet…

Even knowing all this, Adam couldn't stop himself.

Maybe this was his way of releasing some of the frustration that had been building up inside him for months.

Kinda like a small battle in a larger war.

And at the very least…

He wanted to win this one.

The one silver lining?

Surprisingly, Narcissa didn't oppose Pandora.

In fact, she was willing to acknowledge the woman's brilliance.... and more importantly, how valuable her connections could be for Draco in the future.

And that was the only reason Adam was still allowed to keep in touch with the Lovegoods without serious consequences.

Lucius, of course, continued making his daily insults..... likely thinking it would eventually make Adam drop the subject altogether.

But he was gravely mistaken.

Because all he was doing…

Was pushing Adam even further in the opposite direction.