Solarium de Caritate

Chapter Six

February 14, 2001, Valentines Day Ball, Ministry of Magic Ballroom Four

For the first time in over a year, I attend a ministry event with a date, and the media goes wild.

Draco looks absolutely stunning next to me. He's chosen to wear the grey tuxedo again, after laughing profusely at me for attempting to wax poetic about how good he'd looked in it that first time he wore it. Honestly, a guy tries for a little romance and that's the thanks he gets.

The sound of glass shattering and a shriek of fury, followed by shouting in a language I don't understand briefly draws the attention away from us, and I turn to see Trevor Hartwell staring at us in horror, drenched in what looks like red wine. As if his glass exploded in his hand in a burst of furious, accidental magic. A woman standing beside him, also drenched, is screaming at him, but his eyes are locked on me.

A wicked sort of glee fills me as I turn to grin at Draco, reaching out to take his hand, and then the attention returns to us. The camera flashes are nearly blinding, but for once I don't mind answering a few questions as long as Draco keeps a steadying hand in mine and continues to throw adoring smiles and amused smirks my way as I attempt to answer the increasingly invasive questions calmly, if a bit evasively.

"Harry Potter! Are you dating Draco Malfoy?"

"Yes."

"How long have you been in a relationship?"

"We've been friends for a while, but we started dating in December."

"Don't you care that he's a former Death Eater?"

"No."

"Aren't you worried he's...enchanted you somehow?"

Draco chuckles softly next to me, trailing a thumb over my hand and lending a bit of his calm to me. "No, I'm not."

"Why not?"

"I know him. He would never do that."

When the reporters finally clear off, I sag against Draco in relief for a second before he drags me out onto the dance floor. Dancing publicly with Draco is surprisingly pleasant, even though I'm as awkward as ever. Holding him close, breathing in his bergamot cologne as we move to the music. I manage not to step on his toes for a few songs before asking if he wants to get some air. He smiles and nods.

I cast the Notice-Me-Not Charm over both of us this time and, hands clasped tightly, we bolt up the stairs and into the wide second floor hallway. We stop short, dress shoes skidding on the smooth floor. We clutch each other for balance, staring at the blank wall.

"Wait, isn't this where...?"

"Yeah."

We both glance back at the stairs, then at the wall, then at each other.

"What the fuck? Where is it?"

"I don't know...I don't understand."

We go downstairs and drag Hermione back up with us, Ron, Ginny, and Charli following curiously.

Hermione regards the blank wall with a calculating look. "I suppose it could be magical, only appearing when needed...not unlike the Room of Requirement. That would explain why the press has never followed you out there, but I found you just fine, if it can somehow recognize intent..."

I turn to Draco. "Well, you've used it longer, you said it was your normal hiding place for Ministry..." I trail off as he flushes, looking guilty.

"That...um, that may have been a lie," he bites his lip, then laughs at my outraged expression. "What? I wanted to talk to you! I saw my chance to get you alone and I took it!"