Summary: Blaise had plans for a charity event, but needed some help

Rated: K

Genre: Family, General

Warning Tag: N/A

Let Them Burn

Blaise wasn't intending to ask anything more from his partners aside from inviting them to a charity event, but as he sat down to extend the invitation over a cuppa, the troubles he faced that involved preparing for it suddenly flooded to the front of his mind. Losing an important asset to the cause created a nightmare finding someone else he could trust and get the work done properly and correct the first time.

"I need your help." The words slipped right out, and the subtle twitch of his eye signaled Luna that it wasn't what Blaise planned to say.

"Of course," she replied, "We're here for you always, Blaise."

"What do you need?" Harry asked, automatically reaching for Blaise's freehand resting on the table to offer contact comfort to his clearly distressed partner.

Blaise's physical relaxation at their response was the reassurance he needed to proceed. "I have volunteered for a charity auction that is being held in two days, my makeup and hairdresser has decided to walk out on me for reasons unknown, and finding a replacement hasn't exactly been easy." He lightly bit at the corner of his lip, turning his teacup in hand. "It's a tradition my mother used to do, and I wish to continue it, but…"

With all the setbacks he faced, Blaise hadn't thought about what Luna or Harry would think about strangers bidding on him in order to win a dinner date as their reward, so offering some background on it was the least he could do now.

"It's a dating auction—"

"And you volunteered to be auctioned for it," Luna finished.

"I don't have to—"

Harry squeezed his hand, pulling Blaise's attention to the striking green eyes he always got lost in. "You know Luna and I will support and trust you with anything you're comfortable participating in, as we know you'd do the same for us."

"And since you asked," Luna said, moving her chair closer to Blaise, "I'd be honored to do your makeup."

"And hair," Harry added in. "What did you have in mind?"

Blaise was sure the warmth in his chest wasn't from the sip of tea but from their positive response to the situation. It had him wondering why he worried about telling them in the first place.

The lavender dress Blaise slipped on fit his form perfectly and contrasted vibrantly against his dark skin. Its thin straps that hugged his shoulder blades in an X-shape allowed him to show off the pied raven tattoo Luna gave him a while back. He looked himself in the floor length mirror one last time before slipping into the copper stilettos beside him. It was time for hair and makeup.

He kept his outfit a secret from Luna and Harry for the sole purpose to see their breaths be taken away when he entered the room. He gave an elegant turn, showing off the lavender dress swish around his ankles. It was almost like he was flaunting his masterful movements in the stilettos as a little bonus.

"What do you think?"

Lun got up and danced around her tall partner, taking Blaise in. "I really like how it shows off your raven."

"I made sure I found a dress that did."

Harry was rendered speechless until Luna sat back down beside him, Blaise followed to take his own seat in front of the vanity in-between them. This prompted Harry to snap to the present and reach for the mannequin head that wore Blaise's wig.

"You look beautiful," he said, placing the wig on Blaise's head.

The hairstyle chosen was short and spiky. Luna started pulling out pallets and tubes of makeup that would further compliment his appearance.

Harry and Luna took a table for two as close to the stage as possible, eagerly awaiting for Blaise's debut and to admire their handiwork under the spotlight. Harry made the most of the downtime by scouting the room full of eager bidders. The shift in his seat had Luna hone in on his discomfort.

"There's a lot of men in here," Harry observed.

"Blaise said he could decline the winning bidder without reason," Luna reminded, squeezing his hand. "He knows we're here, too."

She flipped open the pamphlet that offered details of the charity, wishing to distract Harry from his uneasiness. "Did you see which foundation Blaise was supporting?"

Harry hadn't, and before he could have a proper reaction seeing the charity was hosted by the war relief sub-program for orphaned children Harry launched, Blaise's name was announced. Their attention went to the stage as Blaise stepped out in his floor-length gown. The slit up the side teased at his dark, long, toned legs the stilettos further accentuated, and the glitter that sparkled from his eyeshadow flashed brightly with every blink. He did a quick turn for the crowd before taking a seat, where he elegantly—and somewhat risquely—crossed one leg over his knee.

"He knows how to draw in the crowd," Luna said, captivated by his beauty.

Harry continued to hold Luna's hand as the bids flooded in. Blaise looked quite pleased with himself as he looked out at the audience, but he kept his secretive winks and air kisses directed at them. Once the bids teetered into the thousands, and Harry took notice that those who kept bidding were giving him bad vibes, he gave Luna a gentle nudge to have her confirm his discomfort was legitimate.

"I feel like burning some galleons. You?" Harry asked, pulling his Gringotts cheques from his inner pocket that converted the amounts to muggle pounds without hassle.

Luna smiled, looking back at the burgundy-clad beauty on the stage. "Let them burn."

Originally Written For:

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft & Wizardry (Challenges & Assignments)

Monthly Challenges for All

The Houses Competition

Word Count: 947

Originally Written: March 2019