Draco knew he was enthralled moments after they had started to dance. He became hyper focused on the honey haired boy, watching as he failed to follow Draco's lead. The boy wasn't very graceful, relying heavily on Draco to correct his movements, as they moved about the hall. Gale tripped over seemingly nothing, causing him to fall against Draco's chest.
Draco gave a light chuckle, his grey eyes filled with warmth, as Gale's face flushed lightly, "We don't have to dance, Gale. I know you are far more comfortable standing in one spot."
Gale swallowed nervously, his copper eyes flickering over the surrounding couples. It was easy to see his face grow flush with their proximity, "I thought that was the point of this." his copper eyes flashed up to meet Draco's steel grey.
A small grin pulled at Draco's lips, "Come on."
With that he easily guided Gale across the room over to the refreshments table. Draco separated from Gale to grab them both a drink, as he was doing so he kept an eye on the nervous boy. Gale continuously brought his hand up as if to touch something on his shoulder, presumably his cat who typically perched there, but he always caught himself, dropping his hand back down to his side.
He glanced down and picked up the two drinks, then turned towards Gale, but he wasn't alone anymore. The blonde observed a darker haired boy, who he knew had been harassing Gale and Nova, trying to chat up Gale. Gale seemed to get smaller the longer the other boy talked, then he touched him, causing Gale to freeze.
Draco decided he had seen enough, and quickly made his way over, "Hey, prat, can't you see he doesn't want you to talk to him."
"The brunette sneered at Draco, "Yeah, because he wants a Slytherin to tote him around, only to drop him like he's trash."
Draco's jaw clenched in anger, and his eyes narrowed, "Just because i'm a Slytherin doesn't mean that I don't care about him." Draco stepped in front of Gale.
"And why would he want to socialize with a pureblooded Death Eater?" Around them, other students began moving away sensing the tension.
Gale pushe past Draco, getting up into the boy's face, eyes glowing in anger, "You have no right to judge him like that." he paused to inhale, "Just because his family are prats doesn't mean that he is. Just like I know your mother is a lovely woman, unlike you."
The boy looked offronted, and hurt. Then, with a sharp scowl, he spun around. Barely audible stomping melded with the music within the hall. Draco, held out one of the drinks to Gale, who took it with an apologetic smile.
"I'm sorry that happened." he muttered, then took a shy sip of his punch.
Draco just shook his head, "It's my fault, I left you alone after taking you here."
Gale looked up sharply, "No, Draco, I meant what he said. I know you are not like you Father."
"That's enough for me." Draco replied, he glanced around the room then leaned Into Gale's space, "Come with me." Their eyes met once again, and Gale bobbed his head.
Together they left the main hall, carefully moving through the snow, until they settled on a bench in the nearby courtyard. They both relaxed, finishing their drinks as they leaned against each other and watched the snow slowly drift down to the earth.
Silently Draco prayed that they could make this work, despite his Father and their friends.
"Draco?" Gale hesitantly pulled away from Draco's side, his copper eyes searching him.
He didn't respond vocally, instead he pulled Gale closer, and rested his head lightly in Gale's hair. "I'm fine, Gale" he finally responded, eyes falling shut.
Gale shook his head lightly, jostling Draco, then pulled them up into a standing position. Gale looked directly into Draco's half-closed eyes, and his hands slowly trailed down Draco's arms, until he clasped their hands together. Draco felt himself flinch and he averted his gaze to the falling snow.
Gale let out a soft sigh, "Draco, follow me." then lightly pulled Draco along.
Thus, Draco found himself being guided across the snowy covered plains of Hogwarts grounds. Gale easily navigated the snow, and pulled Draco into a small area, half sheltered by trees. Draco found his gaze wandering his new surroundings, as Gale pulled him directly to the center then let go.
Gale moved a few steps away then paused for a brief moment, gathering himself, he then turned on his heel posture straightening.
He extended his arm to Draco then said, "I, Gale Remus Lupin, wish to enter a formal courtship with the one Draco Lucius Malfoy." There was a small pause, and in a weaker voice he continued, "Do you accept?"
Draco hid his surprise, eyes focusing completely on Gale. Seconds ticked by, and Gale began to nervously jitter. Draco pushed down the small part of him that still wanted his father's acceptance and moved toward the nervous boy. Draco wrapped his arms around Gale pulling him tightly against his frame.
Draco had to pull away slightly to stare directly into Gale's eyes and respond, "I, Draco Lucius Malfoy, accept your courtship, Gale Remus Lupin."
Gale let out a nervous, but happy, giggle, then flushed violently. Draco found himself chuckling at Gale's mortified expression before he gently lifted Gale's chin up.
They stared at each other, but Gale's eyes kept flicking down to Draco's lips. There was a long pause then Gale moved forward, pushing himself up on tiptoe to reach, and kissed Draco.
It wasn't a very good first kiss, but that mattered very little to them. As they pulled away, Draco slowly shifted Gale's hand to his shoulder, then took the other. Gradually, Draco began to lead them into a dance, to a song only they could hear.
They were comfortable ignoring the world around them.
Right then was perfect, clumsy, but perfect, and they wanted it to last for as long as possible.