Ron

“Oi, ’Mione, wait up”.  Luckily she turned around and stopped, clasping Jon’s hand for him to also fall back. “You wouldn’ jus’ take off withou’ me, would ya?”, I looked down at her accusing and offended. Seeing her shocked and slightly guilty face, I smirked, “Aaaah, jus’ messin’ with ya.” She softly hit my shoulder and casually linked arms with me, while still holding onto Jon with her other hand. “So, let’s hit the bar and then mix with the crowd?”, her boyfriend suggested. We got along well, and since Hermione and I split up on good terms, we were still good friends. I loved seeing her happy with Jon, I just wished she would stop worrying about my love life so much.

It’s been the first time in over a month that I had more than a day off in a row. Usually, I spent that day sleeping in, brunching with my parents and siblings, napping in the afternoon, working out in the evening and a beer or two with friends at night. I was usually too tired for a crowd, dealing with the press and superficial social babble, but tonight was different. I felt well-rested and excited to be out and about again. The press wasn’t clinging to me either since there were so many famous and important witches and wizards around, so I could even relax as I was just one of the crowd tonight. It also helped that my boss finally officially announced the changes to the Department of Magical Law Enforcement a couple of days ago. We still had to keep news of the new Anti-Muggle-Movement to ourselves though, so the changes were still highly speculated over. We had set up a new office the Division of Personal Protection, bodyguards basically, for witches and wizards as well as Muggles that were assumed to be on the movements hit list. Even though I’ve only been for the Ministry for about three years, they put me in charge of the division. I liked the job, I rather protected the good guys than hunt after the bad ones. The only downside was that we were currently still lacking the staff, so I worked overtime nonstop. After the September 11 attacks in America were traced back to a group of dark mages, Shacklebolt and Robards had to prepare. We still were mostly in the dark about the movement and could only speculate if they were involved with or inspired by the American group behind the terrorist attack.

Hermione and Jon were chatting up their colleagues, but I’d rather not think too much about work for once. I spotted Luna in the crowd, raised my bottle to them in salute and sneaked up behind the blonde Ravenclaw. I snatched her hips and spun her around as she squealed in surprised joy, “Roooon, stop that!”. I put her down between my legs and hugged her closely, "Alrite, me ’ansum? Tell me everything!” We haven’t seen each other in weeks since she was busy travelling a lot and also just started dating Scamander recently. Between both our tight schedules it was hard to find time for a catch-up lunch or beer after work. She was doing great, work was going well and, as far as I could tell, Rolf was exactly what she needed. We kept talking until the event properly started, so I stayed with her instead of catching back up with Harry and Ginny as I had planned to do.

I haven’t attended a Malfoy’s charity event before, but I had to admit that they did a great job. As the night quickly passed by I caught up with a couple more of my friends, like Neville, Seamus and Dean. Seamus and Dean became a couple shortly after the war ended and they still looked very happy together and in love. It was a huge surprise when they came out of the closet, but it actually helped the people of the magical world to overcome their former prejudice and be more open with sexuality. Well, not all of course, but it was still a huge step in the right direction.

I was just settling into a chair between Harry and Hermione when the final section of the evening started. The audience gasped when Narcissa called her son to the stage. Besides having to regularly report to the Ministry no one had seen him for years. People who interested themselves in fashion knew that he was a fashion designer now, and a rather popular one at that, too and this knowledge spread as rumours like wildfire across the magical population. Most people were curious and amused by the irony - I couldn’t blame them. Who would’ve guessed that stuck up pure-blood brat would live among Muggles? “Cor blimey”, I breathed out as Malfoy took the stage. The man was fit. Lean but muscular, elegant suit with just the perfect cut to show off his dainty body. His shirt was almost white matching his silver-blonde hair that was tied into a low ponytail that was resting between his shoulder blades. His pants and jacket had slightly different shades of dark blue and a fine pattern, that enhanced the overall look of the attire without really being visible. To top it off, he wore a dark blue silk tie - again a slightly different shade to create a subtle contrast between the pieces of clothing - with a matte silver Celtic brooch pinned onto it crookedly just above the lapel of the jacket.

Hermione started choking on her drink as she eyed me curiously. “Wait, what?”, she mouthed at me and giggled. I rolled my eyes at her. Harry quickly caught on to what she was suggesting and his expression shifted from curiosity to unbelieving shock faster than you could say Jack Robinson. I shoved my elbow into Hermione’s ribs and rolled my eyes at Harry. The childhood feud I had with Malfoy wouldn’t stop me from noticing his good looks but how could they actually think that I was interested in the toff? His personality used to be total shite and I doubted that had changed much.

“Ladies and gentlemen, tonight it is my absolute pleasure to present to you two pieces of my upcoming magically enhanced evening attire.”, Draco announced on stage. Despite everyone staring at him, he seemed relaxed and self-confident. He must’ve gotten used to this kind of attention working for the fashion industry. Back at school, he was always tensed up when he got the attention he sought.

A model who took the stage was owning Malfoy’s red dress, her hips rocking the fabrics around, causing little sparkles to spring from it, her long legs forming the perfect contract to the enchanted fabric at the back. The crowd grew even more excited and admiring “oooh”s and “aaaaah”s were growing loud. As the girl reached the front of the catwalk, she rotated, showing off the gorgeous back of the dress. She turned again to face the audience and with an inviting gesture of her arms released the full-blown effect. The sparks turned into flames, making it look like she was burning up in her dress. She nailed the perfect look of desire and lust. Clapping and shouts and whistles erupted. My eyes were still set on the Slytherin however who looked quite pleased. I was irritated by how pure his content looked, without a trace of spite. I frowned, thinking. Maybe he did change. After all, it’s been a couple of years and he got through the rehab program and now was even living with the Muggles.

“Next up, the ‘Aurora Borealis’, a suit that is just as multifaceted as yourself. Mysterious and beautiful you’ll surely be centre of everyone’s attention.”, Draco announced as a male model took the stage. The base colour of the fabric was dark blue, soft stars in the back and light polar lights swivelled all over the man in yellows, greens and violet colours. Just like the girl he released the full power at the front of the catwalk, making the northern lights shine brighter, then adding snowfall, fading back on the lights and leaving the catwalk with a soft snowfall on dim Aurora Borealis. Needless to say, the audience was also in love with the suit.

Malfoy gazed across the cheering crowd, his look content with a slither of pride. He locked his eyes with mine for a second and instantly tensed up, his jaw twitching barely noticeable. I certainly wouldn’t have noticed how nervous he got all of a sudden if I hadn’t spent years staring and assessing the boy back at Hogwarts. I smirked. His insecurities took to him despite all of the praising cheers. The Slytherin quickly glanced over at me again, and I saw a brief flash of shock in his pale grey eyes. I felt Harry tense up next to me, shifting into alert mode; apparently, he’d also noticed the sudden shift of mood in Malfoy. I was wondering why our Auror senses tingled. As the man on stage straightened up again, Harry relaxed and I blamed the tension on our past. “Ladies and gentlemen, I’m happy to announce that both the ‘Fire Place High-Low’ and the ‘Aurora Borealis’ are offered to auction for tonight, the resulting revenue will split equally to all the projects presented today in the names of the auction winners. And in case you’re unable to obtain an attire tonight, I am also glad to announce that we’ll be opening ‘Vêtements Magiques’ on 1 November at noon in Diagon Alley. 50% of revenue will go to this charity’s funds. An early Happy Birthday, mum”, Malfoy announced and the crowd joined his applause for Narcissa as he stiffly walked towards her, still glancing over to where we were sitting.

That’s when it hit me, he really was in danger and we were not just falling back into our hostile habits towards the blonde. He was not only a former Death Eater and a Malfoy, but now he was also famous in the Muggle world, living a rather Muggle life openly. His return to our world with this being common knowledge ... He surely made the top of the movement’s hit list by now. I growled lowly. I had to warn the bloke who was obviously completely oblivious to the danger he’s just put himself in. While I was keeping an eye on the Slytherin, I scanned the crowd, but couldn’t identify any imminent danger. I tried to relax while keeping my sense sharp and alert, watching the blonde taking a seat in between his parents before Narcissa took the stage again for the auction.