How to Prevent a War

Party Surprises

Finally, it was Harry's 16th birthday, but he decided against celebrating. Sure, all his friends had given him birthday presents. Even his classmates send him owls with congratulations, but they didn't do much more than that. Instead, the whole group decided to go to Diagon Alley to buy their school equipment and new dress robes for the party. They met up with some of their friends, who all had to give Harry their best again and by the end of the day, they were all exhausted and happy as they fell into their beds.

The rest of the two weeks were filled with quidditch, pranks, reading and hiding in the bushes making out. He and Tom had been caught three times, causing a lot of teasing from Ron, Sirius and especially the twins. Tom didn't seem bothered by it at all, in fact, Harry noticed that he looked very smug every time it was brought up again and he started to get the niggling feeling that Tom had them get caught on purpose for this reason. It was annoying and endearing at the same time.

Eventually, the time came for the party, and everyone had dressed up. Hermione had dressed in a dark green gown with silver trim and Ginny wore a pink lace gown. Fred and George wore dark red costumes that were slightly reminiscent to the uniform Viktor Krum had worn to the Yule Ball while Ron wore simple, yet elegant black dress robes. Harry was dressed nearly the same as Ron, not wanting to stand out too much. Tom too wore simple black dress robes, a bit cheaper than the ones the others were wearing, though Harry would have gladly payed for anything, Tom refused to take anything too costly.

Still, it was probably Sirius that would attract the most attention with his very expensive and fashionable robes. He was dressed like a true Lord, a bit like Lucius Malfoy would go, but in lighter colours and not as stiff of a collar.

"Ready to leave?" Sirius asked, handing Tom the Floo powder first.

Harry watched as Tom stepped into the Floo and threw the powder at his feet. Suddenly, Tom lashed out, grabbing Harry by his wrist and pulled him in as well.

"Malfoy Manor!" he called.

The duo stumbled out of the floo at the Malfoy home, Tom laughing joyously and Harry fell on top of him. Harry jumped up quickly and dusted off his robes, glaring at his boyfriend.

"What the hell was that?!" he demanded.

"That was me doing something spontaneous," Tom chuckled.
"I know I don't do it as often as I should, but you have to admit it was fun!"

Harry rolled his eyes and smiled while the others all arrived too.

The party was already going when they walked into the ballroom. Many purebloods, all dressed in impeccable and expensive robes talked and danced together, enjoying wine and aperitifs that were brought to them by House Elves wearing silver lined cloths with the Malfoy insignia on them.

"Hermione! Tom! Harry!" Alphard called out, waving at them.

He had been talking to Megan, Michael and Sandberg while a bit further, Walburga, Cygnus and Orion were socializing with the Lestrange brothers, Dolohov, Mulciber and Nott. Ravina Lestrange hung on Abraxas Malfoy's arm again and was standing near the food table, where the couple was accepting congratulations.

"Oh! It seems Professor Slughorn and Professor Dumbledore are here too!" Hermione said, pointing at the two teachers, who were talking to Lord Malfoy and Lord Black.

"Well of course. Dumbledore and Lord Malfoy were classmates back in the day," Tom said.
"They might have never gotten along, being rivals as far as the rumours go, but the Malfoys are strong followers of the saying 'Keep your friends close and your enemies closer'."