NRM
“That was very nice of Draco and his friends,” Hermione said. “It seems like you have a busy day tomorrow.”
“Use that fancy phone of yours to call us if they take you to their brainwashed cult,” Ron added helpfully.
Hermione smacked Ron’s chest in disapproval.
“Sorry! New religious movement.”
Hermione huffed, giving him a pointed glare before resting her head on his chest again. She turned her attention back to Harry, just missing the smug look on her boyfriend's face. “And you've been invited to the Malfoy Gala! It's really hard to get an invitation to one of those. I mean, I’ve known Draco for years and I still haven't managed to be invited.”
“What's so special about it?” Harry asked, hoping to feel the same excitement Hermione did. He still wasn't attuned to the importance some things here held and Hermione, having come from a humble background like him, was his best chance at understanding the world Draco and his friends lived in.
Hermione sat up and the glimmer in her eyes told Harry he had asked exactly the right question.
“Harry, the Malfoy Gala is one of the most important events on the calendar! Every year, politicians, royal families, celebrities, and other influential figures travel from all over Europe to the Malfoy Manor to dance, socialise, network, and give to charity.” As she spoke, her face went dreamy and Ron rolled his eyes. “The women wear these gorgeous dresses and men wear the most handsome suits. Although lately, it's also been a political campaign for Draco’s dad, it really is the most magical event in all of England! I would absolutely love to go, just once, and last year I thought Draco might invite me as his plus one, but he took Marcus Flint, which was understandable but disappointing.”
Okay, so maybe the Malfoy Gala was a bigger deal that Harry had first believed. But now, he was confused. He thought that Draco didn't like Flint. Why would he have taken him to the gala?
“That gala is just a bunch of snobs rubbing elbows. Why would you want to attend something like that?” Ron said, his nose scrunched.
Hermione glared at him. “Well for one, Ronald, my family doesn't have the same connections that your family does so attending the gala could really help with my future. A lot of big-name scientists in attendance sponsor university scholarships that could keep the stress off my parents.”
Ron's cheeks went red. “I. . . I didn't know you were thinking about it like that.”
“Really, Ron, if you'd ever bothered to ask,” Hermione said and crossed her arms as she looked back at Harry. “But I'm very happy for you, Harry. This really could be life-changing for you. That is, more than Brighton already has been.”
“Right,” Harry said shortly. He felt guilty because Hermione didn't know he'd inherited all of his father's money and was set for the rest of his life. So he changed the subject. “Did you say that Draco invited Flint to the gala?”
Hermione nodded. “Yeah, they were together then.”
Harry couldn't hide the shock on his face. “They were dating?”
“Oh yeah, he and Flint were quite serious. They were together for months and I’m pretty sure they were in love. At least, I know Draco was,” she said.
“Why did they break up then?”
Hermione gave him an apologetic look. “I think that's a question you have to ask Draco.”
Harry guessed their breakup wasn't on good terms considering the hostility between them. He made a mental note to ask Draco about it tomorrow.
“Honestly, I'm glad they broke up,” Ron said. “Flint is an even bigger arse than Malfoy is. Together they were unbearable.”
“Ron!”
“Come on, 'mione, you were happy when they broke up too. I saw you trying to hide a smile when you first heard the news.”
Hermione flushed and she shook her head. “What kind of friend do you take me for? I would never delight in a friend's pain like that.”
Ron sighed. “Whatever, ‘mione. Still, Flint is a real prat. He's like Malfoy if Malfoy was even more of a sadistic bastard. I don't know how Malfoy himself could stand him. You know, Harry . . .”
Harry had stopped listening then. He had so many questions about Draco. He wasn't surprised that Draco was gay — really, that Beautiful Thing poster told Harry exactly what he needed to know about Draco's sexuality — but he was curious about Draco's relationship with Flint. If Draco had been in love with Flint, then why did he hate him so much? Was the breakup really that bad? Had Flint done something to Draco?
Harry didn't think he could hate a person he had once loved so much. Then again, Harry didn't have many people to love in his life, so maybe love turning to hate was more common than he thought.
Either way, Harry had a mystery on his hands, and he had every intention to solve it.