The Internal Devices

Chapter 13

"Theodore, if you're going to wear a tie that crooked, don't bother wearing one at all."

Theo flipped Draco off over his shoulder and tugged on the silk tie, begging it to right itself. His friend had never quite mastered the Windsor Knot. It was a tragedy, really.

Draco flicked an invisible fleck of dusk off of his pristine black button-down. No tie for him tonight. He preferred to look like he couldn't be bothered. This was a lie, of course. He had spent over an hour perfecting his look. It took time to look this bloody gorgeous.

"Toss me that cologne, will you?"

Theo reached for the amber-colored glass and chucked it over his bed. Draco reflexively snatched it out of the air before it could collide with anything important. "Thanks."

"Smelling nice for anyone in particular?" Theo asked innocently. He wasn't fooling anyone, Draco could hear the smile in his tone.

"Missing a button for anyone in particular?" Draco couldn't help but quip back. Theo groaned as he spotted the empty hole in his shirt and redid the fastens. Draco chuckled and sauntered over to his friend. "Honestly, mate, you've got to pull yourself together. Granger's nice, but even she would comment on the state of your shirt." He graciously straightened the stubborn tie, nodding at Theo's appreciative look.

Tonight was Slytherin's winter formal. No expense was too great when it came to this event, and only the finest decor and drinks were ordered in. Slytherin House knew how to have a good party. A knock sounded on the door, and Draco left Theo to fuss with his unruly curls to answer it. He opened it to see a grinning face, pressed into the frame.

"Zabini," he drawled before the tall boy pulled him into a tight hug.

"Malfoy!" The dark-skinned boy said joyfully. Blaise released Draco and pushed through the doorway to bother Theo in the corner. Draco sighed and pulled his sleeves into their proper place. The two boys were already joking about something across the room. Theo had always had a soft spot for Blaise; his smiles were undeniably contagious. For some reason, no matter how sour Draco's moods were, Blaise never seemed to mind. He supposed there was something admirable in the consistency.

"All ready, boys?" Draco called. Theo and Blaise hurried over and the three of them exited the dorm, heading down the wooden staircase. As they made the final turn, they were bombarded with the sounds of a party already in full swing. A low bass was gently shaking the railings, and Draco shared a grin with Theo. No Slytherin could resist a good party.

Draco strode down the final steps, a handful of girls turning to take him in. He couldn't stop the smirk that settled on his face. He brushed past the staring females and went straight to the punch table. He grabbed the first goblet in view and filled it with the spiked beverage, glowing a fluorescent green. Eyes closed, he soaked in the heavy metal and knocked back his first drink. It was always more fun to go into these gatherings properly sloshed. Blaise briefly squeezed his shoulder and took a shot of his own. They mingled for a while, drifting over to the rowdy game of gobstones in the corner to cheer on a second year, then over to a crowd of girls. He still hadn't spotted Pansy or Astoria, which was odd. Normally those girls were running the scene. Draco glanced at Theo, who leaned against the wall with a quiet smile on his face.

Draco was thankful Theo was feeling better this week. A few years ago, he had an episode a few days before the winter formal and spent the day in the infirmary. Draco had been miserable without him; neither of them liked to go anywhere without the other.

A flicker of movement drew Draco's attention back to his friend. Theo was pulling out his wand and casting some nonverbal spells toward the ceiling. Small explosions of light erupted above the partiers in shining silver and green. A roaring snake popped into existence and flew over everyone's heads, causing the room to burst out in cheers. Theo looked over at him smugly, and Draco shook his head, holding in his laughter. What a show-off. He didn't know anyone who could cast more intricate charms than Theodore. Even the diagnostic test he ran on the assay with Granger was something his friend had taught him.