Full Hearts & Empty Rooms || ADELINE

Really, Lucius hadn't been to the Room of Requirement many times. Sure, he'd been here for the odd purpose, such as needing a place to study or for one of Rodolphus' parties. In his sixth year, he'd come here for a rendez-vous with a lovely Slytherin girl, as well. Otherwise, it wasn't a place he found himself frequenting. Now though, he was beginning to see its prodigious amount of appeal. Quiet. Tucked away. Specific to your necessary purpose. Glancing sideways at Adeline, he offered her a small smile. He could see himself coming here again with her in the future, just the two of them, playing music like they were now.

“Thanks,” he murmured mildly when she handed him a cup. He noted that his voice echoed against the walls when he spoke; the room was so open. He breathed in the steam that rose from the surface and then took a deep sip. She must've thought him an absolute prat, Lucius realized when he told her he couldn't make tea. How helpless could he possibly be? And how pathetic did she think him? Though his face and overall composure remained still, Lucius was alight with embarrassment on the inside. Furrowing his brow, Lucius began to wonder about the house elves employed at Malfoy Manor. They'd always been there, and he'd never questioned their presence before. What rich, pure-blood wizarding family didn't have one or more under their banner? To his surprise though, it struck him as nice that the Giovanni family didn't have such creatures. It struck him even further that Adeline clearly didn't need a house elf or servant to help her with domestic tasks. Lucius looked down at his tea, before taking another slow sip.

He was even further fascinated by the grand piano in front of them. Ebony wood that shone underneath the light. Stark white keys, offset by the smaller black ones. Lucius' face fell to a grimace, knowing how his father would feel about all of this. For one, his precious son touching a Muggle instrument would absolutely abhor him. Moreover, Abraxas had always been a very practical man: no-nonsense, focused, and incredibly strict. He didn't much care for hobbies or creativity, or even simple expression. Such things were a waste of time. It was one thing to listen to music, it was a complete other to start immersing yourself in the craft, especially if it became an integral, compulsive part of your life. Lucius was supposed to become a Ministry worker like Abraxas, was supposed to live a life free of folly and distractions. Briefly, Lucius wondered how he could be so different from his father. Surely he was adopted, or switched at born, or something of that dramatic fate. Surely this deplorable man couldn't be his father, this man he had nothing in common with.

It was then that he realized that he hadn't really been paying attention what she'd been dong. He focused, staring at her fingers as they swept back and forth across the keys. He blinked once, twice, hoping he'd been able to completely absorb all of it. Lucius cleared his throat and then set his hand above the D key. Ok, so far so good. Then E. And then... bollocks, what came after that? He shook his head, a blush rising to his cheeks. “Balls,” he cursed in a low voice. “Sorry, I think I forgot.” His head was elsewhere entirely, and he silently hoped Adeline didn't think he was a total git.

Lucius was so taken aback by her out-of-the-blue inquiry that he found he was actually at a loss for words. His pale lips parted, searching for the right thing to say. In all honesty, the formal had been the last thing on his mind. Actually, he'd been putting it off, avoiding the subject altogether because he knew the expectations his family had for him. Just last week his mother had owled him, badgering him to select an eligible girl from the embarrassingly extensive list she'd provided. Among the names included Diana Greengrass, Narcissa Black, Integra Echoes, October Bathory, and many countless others. But no Adeline Giovanni. None of those names provided had interested Lucius in the slightest, but as a potential Wizard's Cup Champion, he knew he had to have a suitable girl on his arm, whether he liked her or not.

Looking Adeline over, he wondered whether his parents would even approve of her. O.K. She was a pure-blood, that was a good thing. Ravenclaw. Not ideal, but not impossible either. However, her father was a notable enemy against Dark Wizards, something he knew without a doubt his parents would shake their heads at. Lucius bit his lower lip, not wanting to deny her. Her eyes seemed so earnest, more hopeful and full of longing than he'd ever seen in someone before. He offered her a small smile and then nodded. “Let's go together then. Merlin knows I'll need someone remotely interesting to distract me from my parents. It's going to be a nightmare having them there.” Now that he thought on it, the whole evening was probably going to be a train-wreck. What, with all the parents attending, the tensions between Rodolphpus and Bellatrix, and Lord knew what else. Lucius was more than thankful he wouldn't be apart of the drama. At least now he would have someone to watch the wreckage with from the side lines. “As friends.” he confirmed with a casual shrug of his shoulders.

Briefly, he admired the way her hair shone in the light, how focused she looked when she played the piano, yet so at peace at the same time. Lucius tilted his head to the side slightly, curious. “I'm actually surprised you don't already have a date to the formal. That you have to resort to asking a Malfoy to go with you.” he joked with a small laugh. He liked Adeline well enough, despite how little they knew each other. She was pretty, and kind, and sincere. If his heart wasn't set on Raven Monroe, he might've suggested they go to the formal as actual dates, rather than just as friends. But ever since his unusual – though that was putting it lightly – with the Daily Prophet gossip columnist, she'd been on his mind more than he would care to admit. Sod that boyfriend of hers, Bryan Xavier. His lips tightened as he looked down at the piano keys, wondering if he might be able to get her alone at the formal...

Per her instruction, he arched his fingers more, nodding seriously as she spoke. He repeated the notes again, this time successfully. Admittedly, his beat had staggered slightly but he was beginning to get the hang of it. He could see why she enjoyed playing so much. There was something incredibly therapeutic about creating music like that. Even still, he was finding he was having trouble concentrating ever since she asked him so suddenly to the dance.