Wednesday came and I was oddly excited for our meeting that evening. The notice sent to the prefects had simply told them we were meeting to discuss a project, but not the details of what it was. Being type A, the thought of being able to organize an event gave me an odd sense of excitement.
Draco and I left dinner early and arrived for the meeting at 6:30 to get things set up. There really wasn't that much to do aside for organizing some chairs, but I wanted to be ready when the prefects arrived.
I was straightening a pile of papers on my desk when Draco approached me from behind, his mouth close to my ear and his hands on my hips. "No need to fret, love. It's just the first meeting and we'll be more organized by the end of it."
His breath caressed my cheek and I could feel myself melting into him as I absorbed the current racing through my body at his touch. We had maintained our boundaries physically, but my body wasn't happy about it in situations such as these.
Draco softly kissed my ear and my lips parted as a gasp escaped them. I was just about to turn around and claim his mouth with mine when I heard students outside the door. Very quickly we parted and not three seconds later the students began to file in.
My face felt flushed as I struggled to regain my composure. A few coughs escaped from Draco as he tried to hide the laugh that was threatening to escape. I picked up the piece of parchment which held the names of the 22 house prefects and head boy and girl.
Five minutes later the group was complete. Draco gestured to me to kick things off.
"Welcome everyone. Thank you all for coming tonight. I'm sure you all have quite a bit of questions about what this could possibly be about." There were a lot of looks between students and I could tell there had been much speculation. "I won't keep you guessing any longer. The Headmistress would like there to be a ball before the end of term. She is not interested in a traditional yuletide celebration, but rather an event that serves to reconnect the houses with each other in unity. Professor Malfoy and myself will be overseeing the planning, but plan to only be here if needed. Your Head Boy and Girl, Mr. Felton and Miss Edmundson will be taking the lead on the project to keep it organized, but you will all be responsible for contributing. There will be quite a bit of work to do the first several weeks, but if we can get a good outline going tonight, we should only need to meet weekly. As the event approaches, that may need to increase. Are there any questions?"
A sixth year Slytherin raised his hand. "Yes Mr. Conners?"
"Is it required that we participate? See, dances and planning aren't really my thing." There were a couple of chuckles.
Calvin Conners was a generally good student and followed the rules, but he was definitely someone who would view attending a dance as something trivial that could affect his social status.
"Yes Mr. Conners. When you accepted the role as prefect you that there was potential for planning school events. Participation is not an option." He slunk back in his chair. "I'll now turn the floor to Mr. Felton and Miss Edmundson so you can begin your planning."
The two Heads looked like deer in headlights for a moment before regaining composure and taking the lead. For the most part Draco and I were able to just sit back and take notes to make sure everything was being covered and assigned. We did step in to encourage that since the spirit of the event is unity, the work should be split into partners of different houses. In the end they had divvied out the tasks of finding decorations, planning for food, entertainment, and the unity rules of the dance.
The date they had picked was actually 23rd December which was the final day of term. When Draco reiterated that this wasn't to be a function to be connected with the holiday the students explained it would be presented as an end of term celebration with a theme of unity and that they would ensure all decoration elements stayed away from holiday fare. We were pleased with that answer and let it go.
It was just after 9:30 when the meeting finally concluded and Draco followed me to my room after.
"Well, I think that went well. They weren't all 100% jazzed about the idea, but all were participating fully and without much attitude."
I nodded in agreement as I pulled out some wine and glasses. "I agree. They worked well together tonight and hashed out a fair number of details. I don't think they will have any trouble pulling this all together before the end of term."
I handed Draco a glass and sat next to him on the sofa, resting my head on his shoulder. In return, he kissed the top of my head and placed his arm around me.
"Since you ran most of the meeting tonight, I'll take the responsibility of getting the progress report to McGonagall in the morning. She will be pleased."
"Would you like to work on that while I grade these papers?" I indicated the stack on the coffee table.
He summoned a piece of parchment and quill and we both got lost in our work.