"Hi Terry," Blaise said, sidling up to Terry Boot.
"Zabini," Terry said with a nod of his head.
"Please, call me Blaise." Terry narrowed his eyes but nodded slowly.
"How's that drink treating you?"
"Uh, fine?"
"Look, I had a question." Terry continued to frown at Blaise. "About Ravenclaw."
"Oh my god, Blaise," Draco said, joining the conversation. "You have no tact. You just assume your pretty face will get you everywhere." Terry looked nervously from Blaise to Draco and back again.
"I do not," Blaise muttered.
"Terry," Draco said, ignoring Blaise. "What can you tell me about Ravenclaw's Diadem?"
"That's what this was leading to?" Terry asked, looking amused. Draco nodded. "Everyone knows about the diadem. Or, at least everyone knows the same story. It was lost hundreds of years ago."
"Right, right," Blaise said, waving a hand. "But does anyone know what it looked like?"
"Not officially, but there is a bust of Rowena Ravenclaw up in Ravenclaw tower where she's wearing something that could be the diadem. I mean, it's just speculation, but as the bust was carved in the year 993, it is likely to be an actual depiction of it. No one knows for sure, of course, which is why Bathilda Bagshot didn't include a picture of the bust in Hogwarts, A History, but if you ask me, I think it is. I mean, if you look at the way that the diadem fits on the bust's head, it's clear that it was carved from life. Just the way that the hair looks so natural under-"
"-Circe, you are a Ravenclaw," Draco interrupted him. Terry looked put out. Blaise glared daggers at Draco.
"Please excuse my friend," he said. "Draco, piss off." Draco rolled his eyes at Blaise but wandered away nonetheless. "So no one knows anything about the diadem?" Blaise asked, returning his attention to Terry.
"I mean," Terry said. "The Grey Lady might know something? But she doesn't really talk to people very often, and when she does it's never about anything interesting."
"I would have thought as the Ravenclaw ghost that she would be fascinating," Blaise said.
"One would think that," Terry said. "But she's not. She won't even help with homework. Not that I would need help."
"Of course not," Blaise said, nodding.
"Why do you want to know, anyway?" Terry asked.
"Planning next year's halloween costumes," Blaise said quickly. This was the agreed upon lie they had come up with, but now that he said it, he was worried it sounded stupid. Terry clearly didn't though as he was nodding thoughtfully.
"You might want to talk to the Grey Lady then," Terry said. "If you're going for historical accuracy."
"Thanks, Terry," Blaise said. "I will."
…
"The problem with this room," Harry said to Draco later in the evening. "Is that there are no hidden corners for kissing you in."
"Mm, yes, that is a problem," Draco said. They were lounging against a wall, looking out over all the students. Seamus had somehow procured a record player and was DJing from inside the basilisk's ribs. Most people were dancing. Harry spotted Pansy and Ron twirling in the middle of the group, eyes only for each other. Hermione and Blaise were sitting together at a table, heads close, talking about something Harry couldn't hear.
Ron had been right. With all of the people in the Chamber, it no longer looked as miserable. It gave Harry a warm feeling of joy watching all of the houses come together in a room that had been designed to raise one house above others.
The current song came to an end and then Seamus's voice rang out over the room.
"Shout out to Mr. Harry James Potter," he said. "For organizing this evening's activities."
"Oi, we helped," Ron yelled.
"Yes, yes, Ron," Seamus said as several people laughed. "Are we all having a good time?" People cheered their approval. "I can't hear you! I said are we all having a good time?" The roar was almost deafening as the voices mingled and bounced off of the chamber's walls. Harry looked over at Draco and grinned. It was a perfect moment. Or, at least, mostly perfect.
…
"What if I got my invisibility cloak?" Harry asked Draco about five minutes later. He was still stuck on the whole not being able to kiss his boyfriend while everyone else was having a good time thing.
"How long would that take you?"
"Dunno. Maybe Dobby could get it for me?" Harry suggested. And sure enough, the elf appeared beside him a moment later. Harry knelt down and explained to Dobby where his cloak was and asked him to get it. The elf bowed low and disappeared again. Harry straightened up.
"I can't believe our old house elf loves you so much," Draco said.
"Yes, well, I freed him from your family," Harry said, smirking.
"I was never mean to him," Draco protested.
"Were you ever nice to him though?"
"Uh."
"A wise person once told me that if you want to know the measure of a man, look at how he treats his inferiors, not his equals." Draco didn't say anything, just stood there, opening and closing his mouth, looking a bit like a fish. Harry told him as much and Draco shut his mouth.
"I'd like to think I've gotten better at that," he said finally. Harry nodded.
"I think you have," he said. Dobby reappeared, clutching Harry's silvery cloak.
"Dobby has done as Harry Potter wishes," he squeaked, handing it over.
"Thank you, Dobby," Harry said.
"Is there anything else you is needing?" Harry shook his head.
"Thank you," he said again. The elf bowed and disappeared. Harry jerked his head in the direction of the door.
"Why are we leaving?" Draco asked.
"I think it would be a bit suspicious if we just disappeared from this corner, don't you?"
"No, I think it would be far more fun to do it that way," Draco said, a smile playing about his lips.
"Oh, so you want to live dangerously then?" Harry asked.
"Exactly."
"You are ridiculous," Harry said. "First the Honeydukes cellar and now this."
"Oh, come on, Harry," Draco said. "Live a little. I thought you Gryffindors were supposed to be courageous."
"And I thought you Slytherins were supposed to be cunning. This seems far too out in the open for you." Draco arched an eyebrow at him. Then he took the cloak out of Harry's hands and, looking around to make sure everyone's attention was elsewhere, threw it over them.
"There," he said.
"I can't believe you just did that," Harry said. He was holding back giggles as he stared out at the dancing students. No one seemed to be staring in their direction. So perhaps Draco had actually pulled it off?
"Yeah, well, believe it," Draco said. He pressed up next to Harry, being careful to ensure the cloak was fully covering them and that their feet weren't showing. "And now believe that I am going to do this." He pressed his lips to Harry's and Harry melted back into the wall, his lips parting to allow Draco's tongue to slip inside his mouth. He reached up and tangled his hands into Draco's hair. He felt like his heart might burst from happiness. Sure, they were hidden away under the invisibility cloak, but they were making out at a party like any other couple would. In fact, like many other couples were.
He threw his head back against the wall as Draco moved from his mouth down to his neck, enjoying the sensations of Draco's mouth moving over his skin. He didn't notice Draco working at his buttons until he realized his shirt was rather gaping at the top and Draco's tongue dipped slightly southward.
The next thing he knew, his shirt was untucked and Draco's hands were roaming his stomach. Harry shivered under his touch and tried to do the same, but Draco was crouched too low.
"What are you doing?" he hissed as Draco began to undo his belt buckle. Draco said nothing, only smirked at him and proceeded to unbutton his trousers and unzip his fly. Harry tried to intervene, but Draco batted his hands away. "Seriously. What the fuck are you doing?" Still Draco said nothing. He was kneeling in front of Harry now, careful to keep his feet covered by the cloak.
"Make sure that cloak doesn't slip," Draco said as he eased Harry's trousers down to his thighs. Harry gripped the cloak with sudden fear as his dick was exposed to the room. It was surreal, looking out at the crowd of students, knowing none of them could see what was happening. But then Draco's mouth was on him and Draco was all that Harry could think about.
He didn't care about the rest of the students anymore. They were separate, in their own little world. And Harry's attention extended as far as Draco's bobbing head and the pleasure that was building as he moved. Harry bit his lip as his breathing sped up. He closed his eyes, concentrating only on Draco. He wanted to reach down and caress the blond's head, but he was too scared of the cloak slipping to let go of it.
The reality of the situation washed over him at that point. Draco was sucking him off in what would normally be full view of everyone. And fuck, was that hot.
His orgasm hit him hard and he was glad for the music Seamus was playing as he could not stop himself from crying out, though he did his best to temper the volume. Draco swallowed it all down and when Harry was done, he slowly pulled his mouth off of Harry and wiped his lips with the back of his hand. He looked up, his silver eyes glittering, and smirked. He stood up slowly, leaning into Harry as he did so as not to disturb the cloak too much. He pulled Harry's pants up as he did, then took the cloak from Harry so that Harry could do up his trousers.
"I can't believe you just did that," Harry whispered, grinning at Draco. "I can't believe you just fucking did that."
"You're welcome," Draco said. He leaned in and kissed Harry. Harry tasted himself on Draco's mouth. He finished buckling his belt and then pulled Draco flush against him.
"Have I told that I love you?" he whispered, pulling away.
"Not in as many words." Draco said. A flush crept up his cheeks and he pulled his lower lip between this teeth and worried at it. Harry thought his heart might melt.
"Well I do. Draco Malfoy, I love you," he said.
"I love you too, Harry," Draco said. A smile spread across his face and Harry leaned in and kissed him again.
This, Harry decided, was an actually perfect moment.
…
"Hey girl, hey," Blaise said, sidling up to the ghost of the Grey Lady on Sunday morning. She stared at him. He flashed her his winningest smile. She continued to stare at him. "You're looking very fetching today." She frowned at him suspiciously.
"What do you want?" she asked.
"The pleasure of your company."
"I'm a ghost."
"Ghosts can have conversations."
"Do I know you?"
"Allow me to introduce myself," Blaise said. "I'm Blaise Zabini."
"Charmed, I'm sure," the Grey Lady said, rolling her eyes. She turned to leave.
"Wait," Blaise cried. "I just want to know your name."
"Helena," she said. She began to glide away.
"Helena Ravenclaw?" Blaise asked. She stopped and spun around to face him.
"What of it?" she snapped.
"Nothing," Blaise said. "Just curiosity."
"Yes, well, curiosity killed the cat."
"Do you know anything about the your mother's lost diadem?" Blaise asked. He was desperate. None of his charm seemed to be working. Perhaps he had laid it on too thick.
"You are hardly the first Hogwarts student to ask me about that diadem. And even if I did know where it was, there's no reason I would tell you." And with that she fled.
…
"Hey Luna," Harry said on Monday. He had run after her in the corridor and now she looked up at him in curiosity.
"Yes, Harry?"
"Do you think you could take me into Ravenclaw Tower at some point. I want see the bust of Rowena Ravenclaw that's there."
"Sure," Luna said. "Do you have time now?" Harry checked his watch. He had Defense Against the Dark Arts in half an hour. But there was plenty of time to run to Ravenclaw Tower and then back down to the third floor for class. He nodded and Luna took his hand as they weaved their way through groups of students in the corridors.
"That was a lovely party on Saturday," Luna said as they emerged into an empty corridor. "I had such a nice time, though you never told me you'd fought a toothless basilisk." Harry snorted with laughter.
"It wasn't toothless when I fought it," he said. "But we took the teeth out of the skull before we let people down there. You know, for safety reasons."
"Oh," Luna said dreamily. "That makes more sense." They reached the main staircase and began to climb it. A few people gave them odd looks, presumably because they were still holding hands, but Harry ignored them. It couldn't hurt for people to think he was dating Luna. It might take the suspicion off of Draco. Justin had guessed the true nature of their relationship far too easily on Saturday.
Presently they reached a spiral staircase and Luna dropped his hand as they climbed it. The staircase ended in a door with no handle and a bronze knocker in the shape of an eagle. Luna reached out and knocked once. The eagle opened its beak and spoke in a musical tone.
"What can't talk but will reply when spoken to?" it asked.
"Sorry, what?" Harry asked. He turned to look at Luna who was frowning.
"It's a riddle, Harry," she explained.
"That's it? There's no password? Just a riddle?" She nodded.
"What do you think it is?" she asked. Harry thought back to what the door knocker had said.
"What happens if we get it wrong?" he asked, stalling for time.
"We wait for someone else to come along," Luna said. Harry frowned and checked his watch. He didn't have time to wait for someone else to come along.
"Oh," Luna said, just as he was beginning to despair. "An echo."
"Correct," the door said. It swung open and Harry got his first glimpse of the Ravenclaw common room. It reminded him somewhat of the Gryffindor common room, only it wasn't as cosy. It was covered in blue and bronze silks and there were bookcases along most of the walls. In a small niche opposite the door stood a tall statue carved from white marble. Harry walked over to it, ignoring the looks from the few Ravenclaw upperclassmen who were clearly spending their free periods there.
The statue was indeed wearing a circlet on her head. Harry pulled a chair over and stood on it so that he could get a better look. It was delicate with interwoven bands that culminated in a circular pendant at the front. Though the statue was white marble, Harry theorized that the stone at the front might be a sapphire, given the Ravenclaw colors of blue and bronze. As he peered closer he saw that there were tiny words etched into the side: Wit beyond measure is man's greatest treasure.
He committed the shape to memory, so that he could explain it to the others later, and then climbed down from the chair. For good measure, he pulled some parchment out of his bag and drew a quick sketch.
"Thanks, Luna," he said as he rolled up his parchment and stuffed it back into his bag.
"You're welcome, Harry," she said. "It's always nice to spend time with someone who doesn't look at me like I'm mad." She smiled at him and Harry, who had been about to leave, found himself pulling her into a hug.
"You're not crazy, Luna," he said into the side of her head. "People only say that because they wish they were as secure in themselves as you are."
"Thank you, Harry," Luna said. He let go of her, then nodded awkwardly and left the common room.
…
"It's my favorite Helena."
"Oh," the Grey Lady said. "It's you again." Blaise winked at her.
"Guilty as charged."
"I have nothing to say to you."
"Nothing?"
"Correct."
"You can't even tell me why you're so sad?" Blaise asked, looking hopeful.
"Who said I was sad?"
"Your face."
"Oh Merlin. You're not one of those men who's going to tell me to smile, are you?" Her cheeks turned more opaque as she flushed with anger.
"Wouldn't dream of it. I just wanted to offer my ear in case there were any things you wanted to get off your chest. Are the Ravenclaw students treating you right? That kind of thing."
"And what would you know of the life of a ghost?" she snapped. But this time Blaise was prepared. He'd related his first conversation to Hermione and she'd had lots of pointers on how he could improve. She'd even told him about the "Death-day party" that she, Harry and Ron had been to their second year, which was the most exposure she had gotten to ghosts. That was proving helpful now.
"I know if I were a ghost," he said. "I wouldn't know which I would miss more: physical contact or food."
"Oh," Helena said, drifting down to stand next to him. "It's definitely food. Ghosts can at least touch each other to a degree."
"Is this your way of telling me you have a boyfriend?" Blaise asked. He nudged her playfully, his elbow feeling like it had been plunged into an ice bath.
"What? No. Even after a millennium, I still wouldn't date the Baron, no matter what he tells you."
"The Bloody Baron?"
"No," Helena said, too quickly. "A different baron." Blaise raised his eyebrows at her. "I should go." And she fled again.
Blaise sighed. At least he was making progress. Perhaps he could ask the Bloody Baron for more information. Not that the Baron could speak. But perhaps he could do some sort of charades type thing. Blaise shook his head. Charades with the Bloody Baron? What was next?
Alas, due to COVID-19, I can no longer write any my favorite brewery... Hopefully I can keep the quality up, just writing from home!
