A True Riddle

Chapter 20 - Atoms

"Thank you all for coming to my little soiree." Bellatrix sings from where she's standing at the front of the cavernous ballroom. Silver and green drapes hang over the walls while creaking tables that are piled high with food line the edges of the room.
Impressive. Jormun hisses, surveying the scene with Draco and Hadrian.
"How did she do all this so quickly?" Hadrian mutters, awestruck.
Draco laughs, "Never underestimate Bellatrix."
"Now," Bellatrix continues, unaware of their conversation, "I know some of you may not necessarily agree with the idea of throwing a party the night before a fight," She frowns down at Tom, where he is standing with his family next to the stage, he grins indulgently at her, shaking his head. "But I have to completely disagree, after all, when is a better time to celebrate the joys of life?" A massive cheer rises at her declaration and she laughs, "I'll stop distracting you all, it's time to party!" This cheer is so loud that Hadrian looks up just to check that the room is still structurally sound. People quickly turn to each other, quiet chatter mingling with the clinking of glasses.
"So what do you think?" Bellatrix asks Hadrian's group, stepping down from the stage.
"It's good." Draco responds.
Tom sighs, "Is this really necessary?"
Bellatrix nods, "It is really necessary, now go mingle." She pushes him towards a gaggle of witches and wizards who dip their heads in respect to him then go back to their conversation.
Bellatrix turns to Hadrian and Draco, "Now you two, go. Have fun."
Draco nods, "Bye Bella!" He says, waving cheerily. He latches onto Hadrian's wrist and pulls him into the dancing crowd.

They slowly weave their way towards Blaise, Fred, George, who are quietly talking.
"Hey guys." Hadrian says, waving cheerfully.
"Hey, how've you been?" Blaise asks, moving over to include Draco and Hadrian in the circle.
"Good. Nervous about tomorrow, but you know." Hadrian replies, only for Draco to whack his arm.
"Bad Hadrian, no talk about tomorrow."
Hadrian stares at him in disbelief, rubbing his stinging arm, "What was that for?!"
"Don't look to the future, focus on the now." Draco replies.
Hadrian nods, "Okay. Does that mean you'll dance with me?"
Draco sighs, "Fine."
"Yay!" Hadrian pulls him into the crowd, grabbing hold of his hands, spinning him around. They happily jump together, before turning and noticing that their friends are still standing still.
"Come on!" Hadrian shouts, beckoning them into the fray. Always willing to join in the fun Fred and George turn to each other and comically waltz towards Hadrian and Draco.
They turn, "Come on Blaisey." Fred shouts.
"Dance with us." George calls. Blaise laughs, shaking his head, but moving towards them all the same. When he gets there George grabs hold of one of his hands, attempting to spin him around.
"You're all ridiculous." Blaise laughs, 'reluctantly' spinning.
"Oh we know that." Fred winks at him.

The night passes in a blur of people, colours and laughter until eventually Draco extracts himself from the crowd, to go find something to drink. He's standing by the drinks table, a glass of juice clasped in his hands, his gaze is locked on Hadrian's dancing figure, a slight smile drifting over his face when he is suddenly interrupted by a dark haired girl tapping on his shoulder.
He turns to face her, raising an eyebrow, mildly annoyed, "Yes?"
"Draco right? I'm Astoria." She holds out her hand and Draco warily shakes it, she moves to stand beside him, following where his gaze had been to Hadrian. "Is it true you're dating him?"
Draco rests his gaze on Hadrian again, "Yes."
"Hmm," She hums, "I know he's the Dark Lord's son, and so he has much prestige, but," She turns to face Draco, inching closer to him, "are you sure you want to date him? After all, he's basically a half-blood." She sniffs haughtily, "Plus, how exactly do you expect to have any heirs with him?"
Draco turns to face her, restraining his surprise at how close she'd gotten, he takes a careful step back, "Are you suggesting what I think you are?" He frowns.
"That I'd be a much better match for you?"
"No. I don't care that you're pure blood and he's a half-blood. I don't care that it'll be harder to have heirs. I. Love. Him. With every atom of my being. So go away and don't talk about either of us like that ever again." He hisses. She stares at him for a moment, miffed before turning and stalking away.
"Every atom of your being huh?" A soft voice says.
Draco spins around, "I did not intend for you to hear that."
Hadrian laughs, hugging him, "I came to see what was taking you so long."
"Sorry."
"No need to apologise."
The song changes, slowing. A slow dance song. Couples move to the middle of the dance floor, rocking in each other's arms.
Draco takes a step back and bows, "Would you do me the honour of this dance my love?" He asks, holding a hand out towards Hadrian.
"I will " Hadrian replies, resting a hand in Draco's and allowing him to guide him to the dance floor.
That's my cue. Jormun says, disgust mixing with love in his tone, I do not want to be an awkward third wheel in your dance. He slithers down Hadrian's body to the floor, carefully winding his way between couples. Hadrian watches him go, making sure he finds his way to Blaise safely without being stepped on. Satisfied that his pet is safe Hadrian turns back to Draco. They wrap their arms around each other, gently swaying.
Hadrian rests his head on Draco's shoulder, "I love you too. With every molecule in every atom of my being."

~~~

A/N: Phew, we made it, I know the chapter is super short, but I have been cursed with writer's block. Anyway, the song: So for this chapter I had 2 songs; Shut Up And Dance by Walk The Moon and I Wanna Dance With Somebody - from the room below by Sleep Token, for multiple reasons. This chapter's songs were different in that I actually thought of them before I wrote the chapter, I thought of Shut Up And Dance as a fun, upbeat song while Draco and Hadrian are dancing, maybe with their friends, just loving life. And then I was listening to Sleep Token on repeat, and I Wanna Dance With Somebody came on, I've included it as well, because I feel like it does work for Hadrian and Draco's relationship (and another one that is not yet a relationship yet but will be soon), and I think they would have been really cute just slow dancing to it. I chose the Sleep Token version because 1. I love them and wanted to include them and 2. Vessel's (the lead singer of the band) voice is amazing, and so expressive. Unfortunately Wattpad only lets me add one video though, but know that this was inspired by both songs!