Chapter 6
Harry felt like he was about to hyperventilate as he looked at himself in the mirror. He felt like some kind of dressed up spaniel. His dark green robes had soft gray designs along the bottom. His hair was just as stuck up and untameable as always. His glasses were replaced with a quick eye spell that would let him go through the night without needing them. His pocket watch, on full display on the deep gray slacks and button up shirt he had under the robe. It was all tied together with dark green dragonhide boots. He adjusted the tie one more time before checking the small gift that was wrapped on the bed. Taking it up to slide it into his pocket. “Adrian, do you really think this is okay?”
Adrian was next to him in entire silver robes with hints of soft creams along the hem and tie, “You look fine. Harry, he is going to love it. You are even wearing the silver and emerald cufflinks he got you.”
Harry sighed and checked himself one more time, “My hair is a mess.”
“It is part of your charm, though I would grow it out. That way you can tie it back and it won't be as much of a mess.”
“I don’t know if I could pull off long hair.”
“It is just hair, if you don’t like it, cut it off.” Adrian stepped over and readjusted the tie. “There, you are stunning Harry. May I escort you to the Great Hall?”
Harry laughed and took the offered arm, “You may. Are Terrence and Marcus meeting us up there?”
“Yes. Apparently they want to be proper gentlemen and wait for their dates to arrive. Let’s give them something to drool over shall we?”
The Gryffindor snorted, “Like what?”
“This.” He pulled out his wand and tapped each of Harry’s eyes, “There we go.”
Harry glanced at the mirror and blinked in awe, “Is that eyeliner?”
“Not a lot. Just enough to offset those green eyes of yours. See I am wearing some too.” He points at the thin lines of cream around his dark hazel eyes that made the gold in them pop.
“I never thought about doing that. Always thought make-up was for girls.”
“Makeup is for anyone who knows how to use it properly. Go to a pure blood ball and you will see plenty of makeup on both genders.”
Harry laughed and the two made their way up towards the Great Hall arm in arm. He really felt like he was making new friends and alliances with each person he met. Slytherin really wasn’t as bad of a place as he had first been led to believe. Sure he would probably never like Malfoy or a few others but it wasn’t a bad place and he enjoyed the company. They ascended the last few steps and began walking down the hall before they could hear talking.
“Where is he? I need all four champions and their dates. Mister Flint, please go ahead into the Great Hall.”
He felt like snickering as he rounded the last corner, “He is my date Professor.” He left Adrian’s arm and took the one Marcus had extended towards him. The other males eyes wide as he drank in the younger wizard.
“You look magnificent Harry.” He swept Harry close and lifted his hand to kiss it gently. He was dressed in rich blue robes with soft grays and blacks whispering along the hem and sleeves. It looked almost like smoke climbing up the fabric. A crest rested over his heart of gray and blue with a silver hammer striking a glowing blue rune. In his hand was a wreath of silver vines with green stones mixed along in it, “For you.” He lifted it to set it on Harry’s head gently.
The smile on his face made his cheeks hurt as they burned. Knowing others were looking. Carefully he took the wrapped box from his pocket, “For you.”
Marcus tilted his head and took it, opening the box to show a lovely silver tie clip shaped like a snake eating its tail, the eyes different stones. One emerald the other sapphire. “Harry, it’s amazing.”
Harry took it and carefully fit it on the other tie like he had been shown by Adrian, “I accept our courtship.”
A gasp from Hermione was covered by the clapping of Adrian, Terrence, Delacour, and Krum.
The latter stepped up and patted their shoulders, “Congratulations on your courting. It is good thing!”
Harry and Marcus thanked him before looking up at McGonagall clapping her hands, “Alright now, get in line. Pucey, Higgs, into the hall with you. Champions line up Krum in front, followed by Diggory, Miss Delacour, and Mr Potter bringing up the end. Best smiles and do try not to embarrass the schools you are representing.”
The champions all got into position and Harry ignored an angry looking Hermione who kept glancing back at him angrily. Noone, not even Hermione, could ruin this night for him. The doors open and the music began as they filed in one after the other being announced with each couple. Once Harry and Marcus stepped in the clapping nearly ceased except from those who already knew it was coming. They all filed into the center of the Great Hall. The lights glittering with ice sculptures and decorations artfully set up with the tables for talking and a long buffet already looked to be dug into.
The music started and Marcus pulled Harry flush against him and the world dropped away. Green met Gray and that was all that mattered to them. Marcus leading them in a sweeping graceful dance. Not once did Harry lose his step or lose his faith in Marcus as they were taken about the floor. The music was nothing but drifting notes and he lost himself in the other. He felt his back dip and heat pressing against his lips. He returned the kiss shyly as they came to a pause in the dance. Then he was lifted backup and against the others’ warm chest as the music ended. The two bowed towards each other and the clapping was louder as they left the dance floor for other couples to begin.
Marcus led him to a table where most of the quidditch team sat, save for Malfoy and his goons. Harry smiled and sat with them when Marcus pulled the chair out for him, “I can’t believe I didn’t fall on my face in front of everyone.”
Terrence smiled, “You did wonderful Harry. Not a single eye was turned away from you two. We watched everyone’s faces when you walked in with him on your arm.”
“Turned a few heads. I bet you will be headlining tomorrow.” Cassius raised his goblet and the others joined.
“I hope not. I hate it when she writes about me. Or when anyone does. It shouldn’t matter who I go with, who I court, or what I do with my life.” Harry grumbled softly as he took the goblet that was handed to him happily, glad it was water instead of pumpkin juice or that cranberry sludge they had prepared. “How long will we be staying?”
Marcus sat next to him wrapping an arm around Harry’s shoulder glaring at anyone who was glancing over, “About 15 till midnight. Everything is already set up we just have to go to the room we prepared.”
Harry fidgeted with his glass, “Could we do another dance before we leave?”
“Of course. It would be an honor to dance with you again. Or as often as you want. I enjoy showing you off on my arm.”
Cassius skewed his lip, “Ugh, are you two going to be like that all the time?”
Graham smacked him across the back of the head, “Oh shut it. You and that girl from Ravenclaw are just as bad when you get going.”
“At Least they aren’t trying to eat each other's tonsils like you do, Cas.”
“Fuck you both!” Cas growled at Graham and Adrian. Taking a swing at the latter. It was dodged and the others laughed as Cas' near face planted in his own plate of food.
Harry took the chance and snuck a small pastry off Terrence’s plate and nibbled on it. He met Terrences’ eyes and got nothing but an eye roll and the plate being moved closer, “Thanks. I don’t want to risk going to the buffet.”
The other snorted, “I wouldn’t go over there either at the moment. That is why we sent Cass for plates early. Eat what you want. This one is good.” He picked it up and held it out to Harry.
He took a bite and hummed, nodding, “Strawberry and something else. It’s good.”
Marcus snorted, “I should be offended you and Adrian keep hand feeding him but I can’t seem to find the will to deny him.”
Harry flushed, “I’ll stop.”
Marcus caught his chin and met his eyes, swiping a bit of the jam from his lip with a thumb, “Don’t, I like watching your reactions to new foods. They are like brothers to me. So I want you to think of them as brothers as well. Let them.. Us, Let us spoil you Harry.”
“A..alright” his voice faltering as his cheeks heated to the point of melting chocolate.
“Now try this one Harry.” Cas lifted one up and yelped when Marcus smacked his hand.
“I said Terrence and Adrian. Not you Cas.”
Cas gave a full pout and leaned back in his chair crossing his arms, “Ass. I was just trying to join in on the fun.”
Harry laughed and reached over patting Cas’s arm, “It’s alright. Here I will still try it.” He took the small pie looking pastry and bit into it the purple jam catching along his lips as he hummed happily closing his eyes, “this one is my favorite so far.”
Marcus wiped his mouth, “I will remember you prefer Elderberry pies. They were my favorite when I was younger. Though they tend to stain everything they fall on.”
“We should have him try elderberry wine next. He is old enough for a small glass. My father should have a good aged bottle in our cellar,” Graham checked the time and looked out at the crowd, moving a bit closer to Harry when he noticed a few glaring over.
“It won’t get me drunk or anything will it?”
“A small glass shouldn’t but we can try a half glass first.” Marcus stated and tightened his arm around Harry’s shoulder possessively.
“Enjoying yourself boys? Harry?” The group looked up to see Professor Moody hovering nearby, his flask clutched in one hand.
“Yes sir.” Harry spoke happily, “How are you tonight.”
The man chuckled and moved his stump leg, “ah the usual, aches and pains. These dances are too much for an old man like me. Don’t have too much fun, constant vigilance Harry.” He tapped the flask against the harness for his magic eye and gave an odd grin, his tongue flicking over his bottom lip.
“Will do Professor, we aren’t staying the whole ball. Too much chaos.”
The Professor shook his head before waving them off and limping off to break up two Hufflepuffs kissing in a corner.
“He calls you by your first name?” Adrian spoke up curiously.
“Yeah. He lets me call him Moody. We have tea every once in a while. He was the one who gave me the tip about the dragons.” He leaned against Marcus’s side and finished off the elderberry tart.
Marcus nodded, “At Least one of the Professors is taking their job seriously. Odd though, I have read about Alastor Moody, you would think a tick like his would have been mentioned.”
“Tick?”
“Yes, that tongue over his bottom lip. He does it almost without thinking. Like a tick. An impulse he can’t control. My father has one. When he is working he tends to tap his fingers in a certain pattern.”
“Oh. I never really noticed. Do I have one?”
“Yes.” The unanimous response had Harry flushing all over again.
“Alright, It's time. Let's head out. Harry this way.” Marcus stood first and helped Harry stand before escorting him from the room, dodging Ron who was coming up with his face flushed.
Harry let himself be led to where they would be doing the ritual. He was excited for his first Yule celebration. He still wasn’t sure what all was entailed but he knew he could trust them all to get him through it.