I've Been Waiting for this Special Night
Banner by the delightful capitu
Title: I've Been Waiting for this Special Night
Author: enchanted_jae
Character(s): Harry/Draco, Narcissa, ocs
Rating: PG13
Warning(s): Mild suggestion
Word count: 1010
Summary: It's the night of the Malfoy Manor soirée, and Harry is up to his old tricks.
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 - Malfoy Manor soirée for felaine
♦ adventdrabbles Prompt No. 18 - sharing a scarf
♦ dracoharry100 Christmas Challenge 2021 No. 18 - Champagne Kisses
♦ newyearcntdown New Year's Countdown Challenge, Day 18 - coming together
♦ slythindor100 Traditional Prompt No. 18 - Lit candy canes in the snow
"It's bloody cold out here," grumbled Harry, reaching for Draco's Slytherin scarf. "Share that with me."
Draco twitched the end of his scarf out of reach. "Bugger off," he snapped. "You're the one who wanted to Apparate outside the gates of the Manor so we could, and I quote, 'Enjoy a lovely stroll up the snowy lane'."
Harry wished he could argue, but he recalled saying that very thing. He cast a strong Warming charm over them both and smiled. "There, that's better. And, it's a lovely evening for a stroll. I always enjoy seeing the iron gates with their festive wreaths, and look, your mum has added some glowing candy canes to light the way."
Draco cracked his own, reluctant smile. "It is a beautiful sight," he agreed. "I'm still not sharing my scarf, however."
"Wanker."
~*~
By the time Harry and Draco reached the Manor, their cheeks and noses were ruddy with the cold. Narcissa tutted at them and checked the time. "Our first guests should be arriving within half an hour. Harry, was your photographer friend going to be here before then?"
The Floo in the parlor whooshed, and Ash stepped out. Harry moved to greet him, shaking his hand and thanking Ash for coming. The young photographer looked much as he had when Harry had first seen him, although he was dressed in a suit and tie this evening.
Narcissa stepped forward, and Harry handled the introductions. "May I present Lady Narcissa Malfoy, and this is Ash..." Harry frowned. "I don't believe I caught your surname."
Ash took Narcissa's hand and said, "I am Ashton le Carriere."
Narcissa's blue eyes brightened. "A relative of Yves le Carriere?"
"My grandfather," Ash replied.
Harry grinned in glee. This was getting better and better. He led Ash to the ballroom and left him getting out his camera and assorted equipment. Harry returned to his husband's side.
Draco raised an eyebrow. "Why do you look like a Niffler in a Gringott's vault?"
"You'll see," said Harry, pressing his tie to cause it to light up.
"Suffering Salazar," groaned Draco. "I told you not to wear that tonight."
"Don't be absurd," said Harry. "Chesney will be here, and I want him to see me wearing his gift. Speaking of wearing, do you have your elf G-string on?"
"Certainly not!"
Harry chuckled. "Are you wearing your Property of Harry Potter-Malfoy pants?"
"It's tradition," Draco said with a sniff.
~*~
The soirée was in full swing. Guests milled around conversing, drinking champagne, and eating fussy nibbles. Ash worked the crowd, taking photos of smiling couples, including Harry and Draco. Harry wove through the throng, greeting everyone and thanking them for attending. He was becoming anxious, as Chesney had yet to put in an appearance. Finally, he saw Draco's cousin step into the ballroom and bend to kiss Narcissa's upraised cheek.
Harry made his way over. "Chesney, how nice to see you again."
"Good evening, Cousin Harry," said Chesney. "I am delighted to see you wearing the tie I gave you. Isn't it smashing, Aunt Narcissa?"
"It's...busy," Narcissa said with a forced smile.
Harry opted for a strategic retreat. He grasped Chesney's elbow and said, "I have someone I want you to meet." Harry led Chesney to where Ash was switching lenses on his camera.
Harry cleared his throat. "Chesney, this is Ashton le Carriere. Ash, this is Draco's cousin Chesney Carlisle. Chesney can't decide if he prefers blokes or birds, and Ash is a Metamorphagus who enjoys assuming either role. Cheers."
Harry strode away with a grin on his face. If Chesney and Ash weren't perfect for one another, he'd eat his Eiffel Tower tie and drink Draco's entire bottle of ghastly cologne. He knew it was bad form to throw the both of them under the Knight Bus like that, but neither of them had ever been shy about their proclivities, and Harry didn't trust either of them to bring such quirks up on their own.
Draco intercepted Harry. He took one look at Harry's expression and repeated, "Niffler in a Gringott's vault."
Harry nodded to where Chesney and Ash were in smiling conversation.
Draco watched them a moment and looked back at Harry. "This is what you had planned for Chesney." It wasn't even a question.
"Yes."
"You're match-making again."
"Admit it, Draco. I'm brilliant at it."
Draco's mouth opened. Closed again. He flapped his hands. "I honestly cannot refute that."
Harry smirked and bumped Draco's shoulder with his own. "My plans are coming together brilliantly. Next year, I'll work on finding someone for your mum."
"Sorry?"
~*~
Although Narcissa had banished enchanted mistletoe from her annual soirée, there were still some regular sprigs hung in strategic corners and alcoves. That's where Harry found himself later, as the party was winding down, exchanging champagne-flavored kisses with his husband. Harry was tired, and his feet hurt. He'd danced with Draco, Narcissa, and Pansy. He'd even taken a turn across the floor with Muffy Mauldeth. Harry had danced with both Daphne and Theodore, who braved Draco's glares as he let Harry lead him onto the floor.
"He's still angry about the pants, isn't he?" Theo had asked.
"He'll get over it," said Harry. "Eventually."
The one notable person Harry hadn't danced with was Chesney. His plan had worked almost too well; Chesney and Ash had been inseparable since Harry introduced them.
Draco broke the kiss and reached for Harry's tie, pressing the button to turn off the light-up feature. "That's making my head hurt."
"Your eyes were closed."
"The lights are seared onto my retinas."
Harry laughed at Draco's dour expression. "Come on, let's help your mum usher the last of the guests on their way, and then we can go home. Molly and Arthur plan to keep the kids until tomorrow morning, and we haven't had sex under our Christmas tree yet."
"Harry, we are getting too old for such shenanigans."
"Are you mad? Shenanigans are what keep us young."
Draco shook his head, even as a small smile quirked his lips. "I've married a madman."
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