Harry lost track of the amount of time they stood there kissing passionately, but they never let it get further than that, despite Harry's hand on Draco's velvet-covered arse and Draco's up the back of Harry's shirt. Neither of them wanted to risk doing anything more in such a public place; it was dangerous enough just being near each other. "We're dead if we get caught," Harry said eventually, resting his forehead on Draco's collarbone, sliding his hand up to the blond's hip.
"Worth it," Draco declared, making Harry smile. "Have a little faith in my wandwork, Potter. We won't get caught."
"Oh, I'm sure your wandwork is exemplary," Harry drawled quietly, green eyes bright. "But I don't think that's something you want to show me right now."
Draco's pale cheeks went pink, and he cleared his throat, trying to put a little bit of distance between them so they could calm down. He didn't get very far. "I see all your dance lessons paid off," he said eventually, breathing a little steadier. "You seemed to be a hit." "All thanks to you," Harry said, playing with Draco's hair. "I still wish I could have danced with you, though."
"Why can't you?" Draco returned, shifting his grip on Harry until they were in dance hold. "May I?"
Harry's laugh was breathless as he took Draco's hand in his own, meeting amused silver-grey eyes. "I suppose."
They didn't need music, swaying with each other to a rhythm Draco hummed softly. It was by no means proper waltzing, more just the sort of side-to-side shuffle people did when slow songs came on, but it was perfect. Draco tilted his head down and pulled Harry closer, until his lips pressed against Harry's forehead. Harry could've stayed there for hours, in Draco's arms in the tiny bit of space behind the rose bush, the rest of the world falling away as they swayed gently. Eventually, Draco stopped humming and stepped back a little, bringing Harry's hand to his lips and kissing the knuckles. "Thank you."
"Thank you," Harry returned, smiling shyly. "How did you get the twins to get me out here?"
"Easy," Draco replied with a shrug. "I told them I wanted to snog you, and I'd be waiting out here until I did. They were remarkably obliging. I think they actually don't hate me." "They don't." Harry hadn't properly introduced the twins and Draco yet, but they were the only two people at school who knew the truth about the relationship; and therefore the only people he could gush about Draco to. There were just some things he wasn't comfortable talking about with Sirius. "They know you make me happy, and that's all they care about." The twins were some of the few people who trusted Harry's judgement without question. If he said Draco was a good guy, then they were on board with it. It was refreshing not to be second-guessed.
"Oh." Draco's lips curled at the corners in a reluctant smile. Harry was pretty sure Draco would like the twins, too, given the chance. The pair stayed behind the rose bush for a little longer, just holding each other and occasionally exchanging kisses, before Harry sighed. "I should go before someone notices I'm missing."
"Yes, I suppose I should go say goodnight to Pansy," Draco sighed. Harry, remembering Seamus' talk of 'private goodnights', scowled. "Oh, don't look at me like that," Draco chided. "I mean literally say goodnight, walk her back to Slytherin and make sure she gets to bed okay. I told you, she's not interested in any of that. And I'm certainly not interested in her."
Harry offered a sheepish smile in apology. "I just hate that I can't be the one you say goodnight to." "I'm pretty sure that's what I'm doing right now," Draco replied amusedly. Harry huffed; the Slytherin had a point.
With one last kiss, they agreed to part ways, Harry going first to avoid suspicion. He glanced around the rose bush, then stepped out from behind it, intending to get back on the path and head inside. Instead, he walked straight into Professor Snape. "Potter," Snape drawled, his eyes flicking from Harry to the rose bush and back again. His face turned exasperated, and he pinched the bridge of his nose. "For Merlin's sake, learn some discretion."
Harry grinned, turning to walk away. "And ten points from Gryffindor!" Snape called after him. He heard the man muttering as he walked in the opposite direction, blasting a rose bush with a spell to reveal a pair of Ravenclaw sixth years in a passionate embrace. "Twenty points from Ravenclaw!"
Harry chuckled quietly; at least Snape was having fun.
He heard raised voices when he reached the Entrance Hall, and grimaced when he got close enough to recognise them.
"You're fraternising with the enemy!"
"The enemy? You're the one who's got a bloody figurine of him in your bedroom!"
"He's just using you to get closer to Harry!" "He's better friends with Harry than he is with me!"
Ron and Hermione were stood at the bottom of the stairs, Hermione's eyes red with tears. Ron was glaring at her. "You can't trust him, Hermione. He's from Durmstrang."
"Ugh!" Hermione's noise of frustration echoed through the hall. "If you don't like it, you know what the solution is!"
"Oh yeah, what's that?"
"Next time there's a ball, ask me before someone else does, and not as a last resort!" Hermione whipped around, startling at the sight of Harry. "Harry. Where have you been?"
"Needed some air. You coming back in?" He jerked his head back towards the Great Hall, and Hermione glanced at Ron for a moment, then nodded decisively.
"Let's go." She ignored Ron as she looped an arm through Harry's, heading back into the hall.
"Ignore him," Harry murmured. "He's a jealous git who doesn't deserve you. Go back to Viktor." The Durmstrang champion was dancing with Fleur and Cho, and looked delighted to see Hermione had returned, then immediately concerned when he noticed her crying. Hermione sniffed, carefully wiping at her eyes without smearing her make-up.
"Thanks, Harry." She strode over to Viktor, waving his concerns off and dragging him back to dance.
Harry slipped back into the group, the music still blasting. "Where've you been?" Susan demanded, eyeing him over critically. "Nope, nope, changed my mind, don't want to know. You're a disgrace, Potter." Her eyes were teasing, and she took him by the hand to pull him into a dance.
Some time after, there was a loud groan when the band announced the next one would be the final song, but as much as Harry didn't want the night to end, he was also desperate to go to bed. He was going to ache so much in the morning.
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