@drarrymicrofic | wc: 303 | prompt: ball
"I'm not going."
"You should," Hermione says.
"C'mon, mate," Ron says. "It's for charity!"
Then he adds, "Also, Hermione and I are going, and if I'm suffering through it, so are you."
"I've been to 5 charity galas this month alone! When does it end?"
Harry spears a potato with unnecessary force. "If these rich prats wanted to help, they'd volunteer at an orphanage, instead of prancing around a silly ballroom."
"Funny you say that, that's exactly what this one's fundraising for," Ron says, skimming the invitation. "Me personally, I'm just hoping Malfoy has some decent food-"
"Hang on-" Harry stops mid-chew. "Malfoy's hosting the charity ball?"
Hermione rolls her eyes. "If you'd read your invitation-"
Harry reaches over and nicks Ron's invitation from his hand.
There it is, in shimmering black ink.
Lady Narcissa Malfoy and Lord Draco Malfoy cordially invite you to Malfoy Manor on the 25th of May for the War Orphanage Charity Fundraiser…
The name Draco Malfoy burns across Harry's retinas. His fingers grip the invitation so hard he can feel the gold cardstock digging into the flesh of his palm.
"Oy, Mate, you're crinkling it-"
"Fine," he grits out, thrusting it back to him. "I'll go."
Already, he's calculating. New dress robes from Madam Malkin's. A new pair of formal shoes for ballroom dancing. Preferably ones charmed not to miss steps.
"Hermione," he says abruptly, "What was that hair stuff you used for the Yule Ball?"
"Sleekeazy's," Hermione gives him a knowing smile. "Don't worry, I have a bottle for you. I'll grab it after we finish dinner.
Ron makes a choking noise into his drink.
Harry ignores him. He has less than a week to prepare, and he refuses to let Malfoy get the better of him.
Across the table, Ron and Hermione exchange identical smirks.
x
