A Whole Lot Of Capitals - AKA The Potter Problem Project - Drarry

In Which Harry Definitely Can Not Dance and Ginny and Malfoy Get Along Too Well

The ball was on a Friday and it started at 7 o'clock. Because of his nervousness, Harry'd spent most of his day at work practicing steps while finishing up his reports. He had to go into the lab at one point to consult on a case about an illegal bonding and the room made him miss the Malfoy Murder Mission. And okay, maybe he missed his almost-friendship with Malfoy himself too.

His dress robes, which were dark green with gold buttons up the front and adorning his sleeves, would have made it difficult to travel by Floo, so he opted to Apparate instead. He arrived at the designated Apparition place at the same time as a woman he didn't recognise. She had long blonde hair and was wearing a dress that looked like starlight. It sparkled with every step she took and made her blue eyes shine. Harry had never seen anyone so beautiful. She looked to be about his age, definitely fit, and there was no other reason to think it, but he wondered if he was looking at his future wife.

She looked over at him and her smile grew.

They both stepped forward so they were out of the way of new arrivers and Harry stuck out his hand for her to shake. "Hi, I'm Harry."

"Alicia. You've dressed up. Usually, when there are photos of you scattered about they're.. well." She smiled again.

"Yes, the Prophet loves making me look just like a runway model."

Alicia laughed and grabbed Harry's arm. "Looks like you have a sense of humour, I think we'll have fun tonight."

Things were going great. Better than, even.

The ball was in the Ministry's biggest room. The music playing wasn't the typical ballroom music, and he remembered that the current organizer was trying to combine muggle and wizarding culture. The band switched from something muggle he didn't recognise to A Cauldron Full Of Hot, Strong Love. There were tables along every wall, decked out with the finest foods and alcohol, and practically everyone Harry had ever met was there. The crowd turned to look at them and Harry thought at first they were admiring his date before realising they were just shocked to see him at a public function so close to his last one. Alicia didn't seem to mind the attention, but she let him drag her over to a table with people he knew wouldn't spend the evening fawning over him.

The table seated twelve and they sat down in two of the four empty seats left. It was hard to be heard over the music, but Alicia's hand on his arm was a comforting presence. Ron sat across the table from him and gave him a brief smile as he poured Hermione some wine. Neville sat next to them along with Luna who was chatting to the most attractive person Harry had ever seen. Unlike Alicia's more complex dress, this person was wearing plain robes in a deep purple. It took Harry a minute to realise the person in the robes was Malfoy.

Harry and Malfoy made eye contact and he smirked. "Potter, you know everyone else but allow me to introduce Jerome." The man Malfoy was referring to was sitting next to him and smiling brightly. He seemed younger than the rest of them, probably in his early 20s and Harry immediately didn't like him. He wasn't one to take his hunches for granted, but he wasn't about to be rude either. He stuck out his hand for Jerome to shake.

"Ah, the famous Harry Potter. I've heard a lot about you."

Harry shared a grimace with Ginny who graciously stopped flirting with Oliver Wood for a second when she heard that. He decided to use Alicia's introduction as a distraction from all the awkwardness.

"This is Alicia Baldwin."

Malfoy took Alicia's hand and kissed it and Jerome shook it after. "Pleased to meet you, Ms. Baldwin." They smiled hard at each other.

Harry wanted to do anything in his power to get away from the strange energy around their interaction so he turned to Neville.

"Hi mate, long time no see. How've you been?"