At last the music came to an end, and Harry's ears rang in the silence that followed. "Alright, you lot," Cedric declared, his arm around Cho's waist. "Get to bed. Prefect's orders." He winked.
"Yeah, yeah, whatever. Are you in Ravenclaw or Hufflepuff tonight?" Susan asked. Cedric's cheeks reddened, but after a glance at Cho, he looked back at the fourth year. "Hufflepuff. Come on, we'll walk you back. Goodnight, everyone."
At Cedric's lead, everyone started saying their goodnights, Susan pecking Harry on the cheek and thanking him for a great evening before hurrying off after the Hufflepuff champion. Harry belatedly realised that neither of the twins, nor their dates, could be found — they must have disappeared after sending Harry to Draco.
Harry, Neville and Ginny waited by the doors for Hermione to say goodbye to Viktor in private; when she finally joined them, her lipstick was smudged and she looked a lot happier than she had been when Harry had dragged her back in the hall. He was glad; she didn't deserve to have her night end on a low point like that because of Ron.
The four of them dragged their weary bodies up to Gryffindor Tower, Ginny's high heels in Neville's hand and his too-big shoes on her feet, while he walked in just his socks. It made Harry smile; ever the gentleman. "That was fun," Ginny said with a smile, shoulder brushing Neville's as she walked. "Thanks for inviting me."
"Thanks for saying yes," Neville returned, blushing. "I— I had a really good time."
"I'd say tonight was a resounding success," Harry remarked. The only thing that could've made it better was more time with Draco. "It'll only be a success if you tell me who you disappeared off to snog," Ginny teased, dropping back to shoot him a grin, laughing when he blushed.
"That is none of your business," he said haughtily.
"So that's what you were doing outside," Hermione realised, eyebrows raised. "Who is she?"
"I told you, none of your business. I don't kiss and tell."
"You're no fun, Potter," Ginny declared. They reached the portrait hole, and the boys bid the girls goodnight, starting up the stairs. Before they reached the dorm, Neville put a hand on Harry's arm, biting his lip hesitantly.
"Harry, that person you were snogging," he started, and Harry reflexively put up a privacy ward. "Was it Malfoy?"
Harry felt the blood drain from his face. "What?" He forced out a laugh. "What makes you say that?"
"Well, you said you were friends with him. And in all of Hermione's interrogating, you've never said you were seeing a girl."
"Yeah, but Malfoy!"
"I thought it was Cassius at first," Neville continued. "Especially when he said he was seeing someone. But he was still in the hall dancing with Fleur when you were gone, so it couldn't be. And, well, there's always been something between you and Malfoy. I figured if it was anyone else, you would've told me by now." Neville paused, then grinned a little. "Also you did look a bit like you wanted to eat him alive when you saw him in his dress robes. But I don't think anyone else noticed," he added quickly. "I just… I know you, Harry. And if it is Malfoy, it's okay. I reckon you're right that he's not as bad as people think he is."
Harry sighed, running a hand through his hair. "You can't tell anyone Neville," he said seriously. "He could be in serious danger if it gets out. His dad…" He trailed off, and Neville nodded, eyes knowing.
"Your secret's safe with me." Then Neville smirked. "You just might want to look at his arse a bit less when you're in public."
Harry laughed, dropping his privacy ward and continuing up the stairs. "That's just asking far too much of me, Nev," he insisted, yawning. Neville snorted, pushing open the door to the dorm and tiptoeing inside. All the lights were out, and the curtains were drawn on the three other beds.
"Night, Harry," Neville whispered with a smile.
"Night, Nev." Harry barely managed to change into pyjamas and brush his teeth before he was falling into bed, a quiet sigh of relief escaping him. He was so glad he didn't have anywhere to be in the morning; he was going to sleep until at least noon.
.-.-.-.-.
Severus let out a long sigh as he stepped out of the floo at Seren Du. It was nearly one in the morning, but the blasted ball was finally over. "Mister Severus, sir," Ceri greeted quietly. "Is you be needing anything?"
"Water, please." Two quiet pops later, and the elf was passing him a large glass of water. Severus drank thirstily, head pounding. "Thank you, Ceri. That will be all." The elf nodded and disappeared, and Severus toed out of his boots and started up the staircase, thinking longingly of bed. He'd seen far more of his students' skin that night than he ever wanted to see again, Igor had started panicking about the Dark Mark in a place where the children could hear, and his bloody dress robes were uncomfortable after several hours wearing them. Yes, he was definitely ready for the day to be over.
He walked silently down the hall, easing the bedroom door open as quietly as he could, not wanting to wake Remus. That turned out to be a moot point; the bedside light was on, and the werewolf was sat up in bed, bare-chested and reading a book. He smiled when he saw Severus, and then his eyes widened, his book falling into his lap. "Well hello gorgeous," he greeted, voice a little husky. Severus' pulse quickened instinctively. "I've not seen those robes before. Are they new?"
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