Save The Date (A Drarry FanFiction)

Chapter Fifty One

   There was music in the air.

Laughter fluttered like birds in flight, and crystal glasses tinkled in toasts of happiness and good fortune. Fabric swished as dancers spun like ghosts across the floor, and somewhere in the distance, a clock chimed eleven.

Draco moved through the crowds easily, the guests parting for him with bows and curtseys, smiles delighting every face beneath their exquisite masks. The Malfoy costume balls were always the highlight of anyone's social calendar, but none more so when their only son celebrated his birthday.

He moved towards the buffet, where the children gathered under the tablecloths with sticky mouths and fingers from the coconut rolls and Turkish delights. They giggled as they peeked out at him, and he held his finger to his lips with a "Shhh" and a wink from behind the mask that covered the top half of his face. It sparkled green and silver under the candlelight, and had been specially imported from Venice.

Girls his age collected around the punch bowl, sipping from glass teacups and whispering behind their hands. Draco gave them a bow, and they all dissolved in the fluttering of eyelashes and barely concealed hoots of laughter.

He was having a marvellous time, as was to be expected. There was no expense spared on his birthday, and he revelled in being the centre of attention. He also rather liked being the reason other people were having a good time, he thrilled to see them smile, knowing it was his family affording them such an evening of pleasure.

He wandered back towards the masses, watching as the dance changed and people swapped their partners. The chandeliers glowed gold above the festivities, and Draco allowed his hand to be taken by his mother, decked elegantly in soft shades of silver and pale, pale mint green. Her hair was intricately twisted and adorned with pearls, and her mask a pure, porcelain white. "Happy birthday, my dragon," she murmured as they danced, swirling in the throng to the gentle waltz. "I hope this is everything you wanted."

"It's wonderful mother," he replied warmly.

He danced with her twice, then with a number of good family friends; girls and even the occasional boy, and Draco smiled as he knew their parents were all hopeful of a union between each youth that was put forward. Draco gave every partner his full attention, but he knew none of them were quite right for him, no matter how pleasant their company.

It was after his sixth or seventh dance, when his feet and his head began to hurt, that he made his excuses and went to take a breath and refuel himself first at the buffet, then out onto the balcony. It was a beautiful starry night, but Draco felt fidgety, restless in his best robes, like he wanted the freedom of removing them despite being so excited to be dressed in them earlier that night.

More punch, that was what was in order. He took one last, deep breath of night air, then returned to the ball with a happy smile on his face.

Automatically, his eyes began to scan the crowd, and he realised he was looking for someone. But when he stopped, he had no idea who he was intending to spy. "What is it sweetheart?" his mother asked with concern as she appeared by his side, placing a hand gloved with lace to cup his cheek.

"I hope this is everything you wanted."

Draco pulled at the collar of his robe again, agitated. "I don't know," he admitted. He felt out of place, or like something was missing. He couldn't quite explain it.

"Are you well?" his mother enquired.

Draco laughed ruefully. "I don't know," he said again. He looked around the room, and pondered what could possibly be wrong. Everyone was smiling, his father was standing with his peers and they all looked impressed. Nobody else seemed distressed, and yet Draco couldn't shake this feeling.

This wasn't everything he wanted.

How could he possibly crave anything more though? The ball was extravagant, outdoing all other years; his parents had bestowed so many gifts on him he had lost track of them all; the food was divine and the wine free flowing. Even the musicians were playing his most beloved pieces, and all his friends were gathered under the one roof to wish him his every happiness.

And yet, his heart ached.

Something was missing, something important, something vital...

"Harry," said Draco, felling as if cold water rushed over his skin, and suddenly, his mind snapped back into place.