Family Matters

Hari carefully slicked back the sides of his curls, aiming for a more formal look. The group was in RORY, getting ready for the Yule Ball, with the room divided in half for the girls and guys. Sirius was fretting over Jason, ensuring his dress robes were properly tailored. The fourth years' activities had caused their bodies to become more muscular, except Jason, who mainly weight lifted, making his muscle more toned from swimming.

“I’m fine, Uncle. You can relax,” Jason smiled, shaking his head.

Sirius placed his hands on his hips. “Well, pardon me for wanting to make sure my nephew looks good for his ball.”

“Pads, I’m a Black-Potter. I always look good.” Jason smirked, giving himself a once-over in the mirror.

“Yeah, you do.” Roy smirked, walking in from the changing area. His black suit looked painted on, with a red satin sash sweeping over his shoulder, nodding to wizarding culture and their one-arm cloaks.

“Now that is a suit I’d like to get 50% off,” Jason winked as he kissed his boyfriend.

Roy laughed. “Don’t you mean 100% off?”

Kaldur’ahm, or Jackson as they called him, furrowed his brow. “You can’t give suits away for free, Roy.”

“That’s—”

“That’s not a way to run a business,” Jackson said, staring him dead in the eyes. He wore a slick maroon suit with a dark gold turtleneck, whether intentionally dressing in Gryffindor colors or because it looked exquisite with his skin tone, Hari would never know.

“Pads, am I wearing my dad’s Sherwani right?” Hari turned, showcasing his father’s dark purple and gold Sherwani. It was preserved perfectly and needed very little tailoring.

Sirius took one look at him before tears fell down his face. “Oh, you look so much like James in that. You know he took your mother to his family Yule Ball in that? I can’t wait for this war nonsense to end so we can start the tradition up again!”

“Start it up again? It never left. Most purebloods are still holding Yule festivities,” Draco called as he adjusted his Muggle suit. “I must say I think I prefer this Muggle clothing over my dress robes.” Draco peacocked in front of his mirror, admiring his emerald suit with a black dress shirt buttoned to the top and a snake-head collar chain.

“Well, don’t we look underdressed, Forge?” Fred laughed as he walked in. “I’m leaving soon to grab Angelina. You all be safe out there!”

“Gred, you're the one who could end up a father. I’ve got my eye on you,” George hit his brother’s shoulder as he walked away to get his date.

Jackson’s face melted slightly at the sight of George. “Hello, beautiful.”

George’s face turned red. “Kal, not in front of the little ones.” The redhead kissed his boyfriend’s cheek anyway. “You look very handsome.”

“Good. Wally had me try thousands of combos to ensure I impressed you.” Jackson held tightly to his boyfriend.

“Are you boys ready?” Hermione knocked on the door adjoining the rooms.

“Yes, my love!” Draco replied, unconcerned about anyone else.

Hari snorted as he picked up the custom-ordered corsage. It featured a purple chrysanthemum, yellow tulip bulbs, and baby’s breath.

Hermione walked in, looking beautiful in an off-the-shoulder green dress that flared at her waist. She wore black gloves, a diamond necklace, and matching earrings.

Draco’s jaw dropped.

Hermione smiled, her hair in an updo. “What do you think?”

“You look beautiful, Hermione. Just give Draco a second to breathe again,” Jason called, his arm wrapped around Roy.

“Exquisite, Hermione. Though it’s funny how you look like old money and Draco like a Muggle. Did you two plan this?” Sirius asked, circling the pair.

“Unintentional. Though, Draco, you are dashing in that suit,” Hermione smoothed down the lapels of his jacket.

“Marry me?” Draco finally exhaled.

Hermione’s laugh filled the room. “I told you to ask me when I’m 23 and established in my career first.”

Draco clicked his tongue before kissing her gloved hand. “Fine. Make a bloke work for it, will you? Also, the Black family jewels look wondrous on you. I’m glad you picked them.”

Hari walked past the love-sick couple to the door. “Luna, are you ready?”

The pale blonde appeared wearing a purple and gold sari that matched his perfectly. “I hope you’re alright. I thought it would look wonderful if we matched.”

Hari melted at the kindness of his friend. “I think that sari suits you quite well. Will you be okay if anyone tries to be mean to you when I’m not there?” Hari wasn’t a fool; he realized how bigotry ran rampant at this school and didn’t want someone who wanted to include his culture to feel terrible about her kind gesture if he were to step away.

“As long as your okay with it, I’ll be fine. Can I have my Wrist bouquet now?” Luna outstretched her hand, smiling widely. Hari chuckled at her excitement, placing the letter in his pocket for now and carefully placing the corsage on her wrist. “I’m glad I went with yellow and purple; they match you perfectly.”

Luna went around Hari to show off her outfit to the group, who were warmed to see her looking so happy and beautiful. Hari smiled as he rejoined the group. Luna was holding a small crystal ball in her hand, she threw it gently into the air. “Record in aeternum.”

The ball began to fly around before hovering behind Luna, a little taller than the top of her head, and about a foot back.

“What does that do?” Jason asked, lightly touching it.

“Record things. Like in those Muggle movies.” Luna smiled as she grabbed Hari’s arm.

“Well, time to get the show on the road then,” Roy smiled as he tugged Jason to the door.

---

Hari smiled at Luna as they began their opening dance with the other champions. He really liked dancing with her; it was fluid motion without overthinking, probably because Luna enjoyed dancing and was in tune with every move he made, even the wrong ones.

Hermione praised him for his dance before Draco swept her off into the crowd. Hari shook off any issues he was having that night and just enjoyed the time with his friends, even if they thought they were slick rotating out and in from make-out sessions. Hari even danced a bit with the other champions, which had them laughing at some aghast faces. The Boy Who Lived rejoined his friends, all present and not making out with each other for once, just as Jason and Roy shared a drink that wasn’t the normal punch.

“Where’d you get that?” Hari twirled Luna, who loved seeing the purple go around and around.

“Oh, one of the professors handed it to me to give to someone. I forgot, so now we're drinking it,” Roy smiled as Jason sipped from a teacup.

“Oh, that smells delightful. Can I try?” Hermione asked, catching the scent emitting from the teacup.

Draco's nose curled. “Hermione, I don't think that’s a—”

Jason offered her the cup, and she smiled as she took a small sip. “Oh, that is a unique flavor. What is that, mango?”

“I don’t know really. Tasted like grape to me.” Jason shrugged, shaking his head a bit. “Roy, I think—”

When Jason turned to look at his boyfriend, he didn’t see his smiling lover. No, Roy was wiping blood off his face, his nose steadily dripping. “Poison.” Roy’s eyes turned bloodshot as red fluid dripped from his sockets. “Cup—Poison.” Roy choked out as he collapsed.

Hermione dropped the cup as blood started to pour out of her face. Draco held onto her, panicked. “SNAPE. SNAPE! SEVERUS!” he screamed.

Hari shared a look with his brother before blood started trickling down his own face. “Bezoar. Ac—” The choking sensation claimed Jason before he could get his thought out.

Hari rushed forward to his brother, turning him on his side. Snape and several professors scrambled to get to them.

Luna had moved Roy onto his side. “It’ll be okay, Roy.”

“ACCIO Bezoar!” Hari distantly heard Snape and Moody call.

Moody reached Jason first, shoving something into his mouth. “Come on, boy. Here, put this in that one's mouth, have him swallow it!” Moody shoved the Bezoar into Hari’s hand, who did as he was told.

Snape was attending to Hermione while Draco cried over her. Fred was shielding Angelina from the scene while holding her for support. George was crying into Jackson’s chest, who was staring pointedly at the teacup Hermione dropped. “That teacup was poisoned.”

Slowly, the trio came to, panting and spouting blood.

Hari felt like it was slow motion as his brother and friends were rushed out of the room with Madam Pomfrey. He looked around at the horrified faces of everyone in the room. He lifted his gaze and met the blue eyes of Albus Dumbledore.

Why was he smiling?