Termites in Your Smile
Banner by the delightful capitu
Title: Termites in Your Smile
Author: enchanted_jae
Character(s): Harry, Narcissa, Krum, ocs
Rating: PG13
Warning(s): Flangst, smarm
Word count: 1175
Summary: Harry steps into the role of host at the Malfoy Holiday Soiree.
Disclaimer: Characters are the property of JK Rowling, et al. This fic/drabble was written for fun, not for profit.
Written for:
♦ Jae's Advent Drabbles No. 18 - Unexpected mistletoe kiss for sw33tch3rrypi3
♦ adventdrabbles No. 18 - Teddy bear ornament
♦ dracoharry100 Christmas Challenge 2019 No. 18 - Cider
♦ newyearcntdown New Year's Countdown Challenge, Day 18 - Ring
♦ slythindor100 25 Days of Draco and Harry Early Bird No 18:
Rather than arrive by Floo, Harry Apparated to the gates outside of Malfoy Manor. He wanted a moment to collect himself and make sure he was presentable before stepping into his role of host at the annual Malfoy Holiday Soiree. The gates leading to the Manor were covered with a dusting of snow, and beautiful wreaths, courtesy of Neville's floral shop, graced each side. Harry squared his shoulders and approached, touching the Malfoy crest ring he wore. The gates opened for him and Harry strode through, as befitted the Lord of the Manor.
He cracked a smile at his own pomposity. Harry composed himself and stepped inside the grand foyer. There, he paused to admire the immense tree that Narcissa had installed in the entryway. Each decoration was placed just so, unlike Harry and Draco's rather haphazard tree. Harry grinned as he thought of the red sequined heart the orphans had made them, as well as other handmade ornaments from the Weasley children. One of Harry's favorites was a teddy bear, which Roxanne had made.
Narcissa swept into the foyer, looking beautiful in a gown of deep rose. "Harry!" she exclaimed. "Did you walk up from outside? You must be chilled to the bone. Come, have a cup of hot cider before our guests arrive." As she spoke, Narcissa was herding Harry into the ballroom, where a house elf in a festive frock handed him a cup of cider.
"Harry, I must warn you, the Daily Prophet requested to send a photographer to the Manor this evening, and I've agreed," said Narcissa. "I know you have little use for Ms Skeeter and her ilk, but making the society pages used to be commonplace for the Malfoys."
"It's quite alright, Narcissa," said Harry. "I don't mind. Truly. Did you invite Mrs Mauldeth?"
"I did," Narcissa confirmed. "She really is a delight, once you get to know her."
"Cousin Chesney will be here?"
"Yes, since his father is the oldest of their line, it falls to Étienne to represent them regarding Marie-Louise's estate. That frees Chesney to come and go, and he's agreed to help out with hosting duties."
For the first time, Harry wished old Lucius were still alive. Had that been the case, it would have been him spending the hols in France, rather than Draco.
Harry finished his cider, surrendered the empty cup to a passing elf and joined his mother-in-law in the parlor to greet their guests.
~*~
The party was in full swing. Guests milled about, engaging in happy conversation or else dancing to the string quartet playing at one end of the ballroom.
"How are you holding up, Cousin Harry?"
Harry aimed a rueful smile at Chesney. "I wish Draco were here, but otherwise, I'm having a fabulous time. You?"
"I am enjoying myself as well," Chesney replied. "I confess I was surprised to see Muffy Mauldeth here."
Harry strove to keep from laughing.
"I am quite vexed with you, Harry," Chesney added. "Were it not for the fact that she seems to prefer Mr Slughorn's presence to mine, I would fear for my virtue."
This time, Harry did bark out a laugh. "Wait," he said. "She threw you over for Horace?"
Chesney sniffed in affront. "She told me, and I quote, 'There's just something about an older gentleman.' I believe they knew one another from their days at Pigwarts."
"Hogwarts."
Chesney responded with an absent nod. "Save me a dance, Harry," he said before snagging a flute of champagne from a floating tray and wandering away.
Harry returned to mingling. He paused at the edge of the dance floor to watch the waltzing couples. After a moment, Harry turned to go. He couldn't move. Harry glanced up and groaned. Enchanted mistletoe. Now he'd have to wait until someone came along to release him with a kiss. He hoped it wasn't Chesney. Or Muffy. Or Slughorn.
"You are trapped, Harry, yes?"
Harry clenched his jaw, wishing for Chesney or Muffy or Horace. When no one else came to his rescue, he sighed and said, "It appears that way, yes."
Krum smiled, but rather than put Harry at ease, he felt a prickle of revulsion. "Pucker up, Harry, and I shall save you."
Harry's eyes darted this way and that, but no one else seemed to be paying any attention. He tensed as Krum leaned in close. Godric willing, he would settle for a quick peck on the lips. Not surprisingly, Krum took shameless advantage of the situation. He claimed Harry's lips in a hungry, devouring kiss. Harry brought his hands up to push him away, which is when a flash of light startled them both.
Krum released him, reluctantly it seemed, and Harry glared at Skeeter and the photographer with her.
"Oh my, what do we have here?" she simpered.
"Enchanted mistletoe," Harry snapped, pointing up. Of course, by that time, it had disappeared. He stuck his nose in the air, in true Malfoy fashion, and stalked away. Harry forced the scowl from his face and resumed making the rounds of guests. He was skirting the edge of the dance floor after speaking to Slughorn and Muffy when Krum waylaid him again.
"Come, let us dance, Harry," he cajoled, taking Harry's arm in a firm grip and leading him among the dancers. Not wanting to cause a scene, Harry capitulated.
"Are you angry that I stole a kiss?" Krum asked.
"I am disappointed that you took advantage of my predicament."
Krum snickered as he moved them through the waltz. "That was some kiss, yes?"
"No."
"Harry, you are hard to get playing."
Harry was trying to come up with a scathing response when salvation arrived.
"May I cut in?" asked Chesney, tapping Krum on the shoulder. "I have not yet had a chance to dance with our host."
Krum bowed out, jaw tight with irritation.
"Forgive me if I'm overstepping myself, Cousin Harry, but you seemed uncomfortable."
"You're not overstepping," said Harry. "He's being too forward, considering I'm a happily married man."
"As forward I was?" Chesney asked with a charming smile, executing a perfect turn on the floor.
Harry smiled back. "I wasn't married then. You've been a perfect gentleman ever since."
"Perish the thought," said Chesney. "I must be getting old if I'm behaving like a gentleman."
They shared another laugh, and Harry finally relaxed.
~*~
Harry trudged into his bedroom, toed off his shoes, and removed his tie. He was still angry at Krum, but there was nothing to do about it now. Harry undressed down to his Property of Draco Potter-Malfoy pants, then headed for the shower. He felt unclean.
By the time he emerged, Harry was ready to fall into bed and get some sleep. First, however, he picked up his glass dragon figurine. It was late, so Draco was probably in bed and wouldn't notice his stag glowing. Nevertheless, it made Harry feel better to hold the dragon and think about his husband. It began to glow in his hands.
Harry smiled and reached for his mobile phone.
Consider the Price to an Elf