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Harry's rather enjoying himself, actually.
"I can go," Ginny had said on her last stop over before she whisked herself off to her next match in Thailand. "It's not an issue," she assured him, thumbing through her sizable stack of Pokemon cards for the correct portkey. "You know you'll hate it," she laughed, rechecking her uniform for the fifth time before packing it away for her travels. "You always hate these big events," she'd murmured as they climbed the hill to where her teammates waited under a naked beech tree.
"I'll go," he'd said, full of confidence. Their divorse had been amicable and their friendship is fairly stable, but there's still a part of Harry that remembers feeling inadequate when sized up against all her dreams. A petty part of him that likes proving her wrong.
And he has. He's having a lovely time. Seeing Albus so happy is a large part of it. He's in his element here, not quite cocky but certainly confident. He's dancing with a girl Harry doesn't recognise around the towering Christmas tree. The candlelight twinkles in his eyes when he spins her. Every so often Scorpius Malfoy will glide close to him with his own partner, they'll exchange a whisper, then both throw their heads back and laugh.
To save space, only fifth year parents are invited to the Yule Ball each year. Harry will sleep in a guest room tonight and attend a parental input meeting in the morning over breakfast. He has Ginny's notes folded away in his pocket too. Unfortunately, it means he doesn't know many of the other parents though.
Or at least, he thinks he doesn't, until blond hair brushes against his shoulder as Draco Malfoy settles beside him. Rather close. He has a firewhiskey cradled in his palm and, from the flush on his cheeks, Harry would bet it isn't his first. He's as graceful as ever when he moves though. The curtain of hair down his back glitters in the golden light and his purple robes compliment his pallor well. He looks healthy.
Perhaps his eyes hold the same quiet happiness as Harry's when he watches his own son smiling, carefree and youthful.
"Nice night for a ball, eh, Potter," Malfoy says, his pale eyes flicking towards the great windows momentarily. It is. The enchanted ceiling has snow fluttering to just above the ocean of candles, but it's nothing compared to the sheets of white blanketing the outside world. It's the peaceful, heavy sort of snow that soothes all problems as you stare at it in awe.
"Very pleasant," Harry replies, wondering if he means present company included. From the little pleased nod Malfoy gives he certainly takes it that way. Harry decides it isn't a misconception.
Malfoy licks his lips, which is a nervous tick Harry hasn't seen from him since they were boys. Ministry officials don't tend to broadcast their nerves outwardly. He takes a hefty sip of his drink before saying, "The boys -- our boys, that is -- get on well."
This is an understatement. Anyone in the room can see they're the best of friends. Perhaps Malfoy isn't sure how Harry feels about that fact. He nods encouragingly, glad for once that he still wears his emotions on his sleeve.
"Perhaps we can organise something for them over the holidays," Malfoy suggests, then promptly downs the rest of his drink. "Of course, if you're uncomfortable, you could supervise."
Comfortable leaving Albus in his care, he means.
Harry would love to visit Malfoy and explore the grounds of the Manor. Perhaps put some demons to rest too. But he understands that addressing Malfoy's insecurity is more important right now. "No, that's fine. You've raised one lad just fine, I'm sure you can handle two for a weekend as well."
Malfoy stares at him like he's grown a second head for a few seconds, before coughing hurriedly into his elbow to cover the moment. "Right," he murmurs, sounding rather like he had a lot more of a speech planned.
He shifts as if he's about to move away, task completed and eager to get away from any awkwardness. Harry decides it's his turn to be brave. "I wouldn't mind a dance while we're here though." He glances over at Albus and catches his worried eyes.
Malfoy considers him for a short moment, his head tilted, then stands. He holds his hand out palm up. "Any reason to embarrass the kids."