Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or any of the story's characters. I also do not own Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet

Warning: This is a Draco Malfoy and Harry Potter slash (a male/male relationship). IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT, DON'T READ IT!

I just want to thank all those who reviewed my story! I really appreciate it!

Chapter 5

The Masked Ball

Harry knew that the Malfoy's were the wealthiest Slytherins, but now, looking around their ballroom, he had an idea of how wealthy they actually were. James and his godfather, Sirius Black, had often told him several times how filthy rich these people were but at that time Harry just thought they were just complaining about the Malfoys, as they usually did. But now, he completely believed them both.

The ballroom was enormous, and although it seemed a bit over decorated, it was still beautiful. The ceiling was high and extensive; it was enchanted to look like a starry night sky with a full moon. A large sterling silver chandelier was levitating in the middle of the ceiling, some feet from the ground; at least 70 long whites candles were lit in the candleholders of the chandelier. Soft music was playing from enchanted instruments that were placed near the front of the hall on a large dais. The floors were made from expensive amber colored marble that was so shiny, you could almost see you face on it. Several torches were dimly lit around the room to make the hall a more intimate atmosphere. Long buffet tables were placed near the walls that were filled with all sorts of delicious food, and small round tables, with shiny silver tablecloths and slender white candles, were scattered throughout the room, where guests could sit down and eat, chat, or watch the dancing. There was a dance floor filled with some of the younger guests who were doing the more popular wizarding dances. Harry was very impressed but also very out of place. He had never been around such decadence before.

The minute he and his friends arrived at the masked gala, their guests, Narcissa and Lucius Malfoy, greeted them by the door. Hermione and Neville both looked rather anxious because they thought that they all would be recognized as Gryffindors. But luckily, they weren't. Lucius just gave them a haughty welcome, and Narcissa made empty compliments about how "charming" they all looked.

The second all seven were inside the party, everyone seemed to split up. Neville and Ron made a beeline to the buffet tables, where they immediately began to stuff their faces. Lee went off to the dance floor and mingled. And Fred and George started chatting with the various young ladies in a flirtatious manor.

"This is all quite extravagant isn't it?" Hermione asked as she looked at the little blinking blue and yellow fairy lights around the room. "I can't believe how nice everything looks. I almost feel bad about ruining all this."

"Yeah, but I'm just glad they haven't recognized us," Harry answered distractedly. As he scanned the room, he could see why they wouldn't stand out in this crowd. There were a lot of people here, and everyone had on an assortment of decorated masks. Even his friends looked different to him with their masks on; they all just looked like random guests.

Since he had stepped foot into the ballroom, he had been looking for Cho, and ignoring Hermione. He could tell that she was a little frustrated with him, so he decided to give her a little attention before she ran off in a huff. She did look quite lovely this evening, and he really didn't want to hurt her feelings. "I guess we'd better look like we're having fun, so we don't get caught," Harry grinned at her. "Do you want to dance with me?" he asked as he held out his hand to her.

Hermione was glad that her glittery pale blue mask was on and covering her face because she didn't want Harry to see her blush. She nodded her head shyly at him in consent.

He impishly bowed to her, beaming, and entangled his arm with hers as he lead her, giggling, to the dance floor. They danced the wizard's waltz gracefully for several minutes when someone tapped Harry on his right shoulder and made him turn to face them.

"Hey Harry, I was wondering if I could cut in?" asked Neville shyly. Harry snickered to himself. Neville was so shy around Hermione that it seemed completely ridiculous; Nev was, after all, her boyfriend.

Harry smiled at him, "sure Nev, go right ahead," he winked at the blushing pair playfully and turned away from them to give them some privacy. He almost felt sorry for Hermione because he knew her feet were going to be sore after dancing with Neville; he was a tad bit clumsy.

As he was making his way back to the tables to sit down, some random girl grabbed his arm and forced him back onto the dance floor. He didn't know why he couldn't see her creeping next to him, considering that she was wearing the loudest yellow robes he had ever seen. And, her mask was made of long yellow glittery feathers. She looked like a chicken.

"Come on let's dance," the pug-faced chicken girl said demandingly. She looked vaguely familiar to him, but he wasn't exactly sure who she is. Whoever she was, she apparently had terrible taste in clothing. He almost felt nauseous.

"Alright," Harry said hesitantly. He really wanted to run away. Being forced to dance with Big Bird could possible destroy his cover.

As they were dancing, the girl was openly staring in his face, and it was starting to make him feel uncomfortable and a little annoyed.

"Have we ever met before? It seems that I've seen you from some place. Are you from Hogwarts?"

"Uh, yeah, I'm from around here," Harry said calmly. He was starting to get worried; she was asking too many questions.

"Oh I know you! You're a Hufflepuff right? My name's Pansy Parkinson. What's your name?"

Oh so this was Parkinson. Harry had often heard Hermione talk about how foul and bitchy she was. Rumor has it that this girl was supposed to be Marcus Flint's fiancée. Harry didn't know if he should feel sorry for Flint or Pansy. The pair seemed to deserve each other. "Yeah, sure, I'm a Hufflepuff," he lied. "My name's Henry Pots."

The two danced for a while longer and she started openly flirting and brushing up against him; Harry kept wishing he was someplace else while Pansy was staring at him as if he were a piece of meat, and asking him all sorts of personal questions.

"I'm starting to get tired. Maybe we should sit this dance out."

"Alright," Harry said eagerly. He made to run in the other direction, but she wouldn't let go of his arm.

"Come on. You can sit with my friends and I." She started dragging him through the middle of the dance floor and across the room towards a table that was filled with Slytherins. Harry was mentally cursing his luck.

There sitting at the table was Blaise Zabini, Theodore Nott, Étienne Lestrange, and Marcus Flint. Pansy forced Harry in the seat next to Marcus, who was looking at him warily.

"Pansy dear, who's your friend?" Flint calmly asked.

"This is my new friend Henry. He's one of the Hufflepuffs from Hogsmeade," Pansy answered, while batting her eyelashes at "Henry" sweetly. Harry felt like he was going to gag on his own tongue.

"It's a pleasure to meet you all," Harry said to the Slytherins, trying to remain as calm as he could. They all nodded their heads to him politely, all except Flint, who was just staring at him calculatingly. Clearly, Flint didn't like the way his fiancée was looking at him, and Harry often heard how stiffest Flint was around all nonSlytherins.

"Henry, hum, you look somewhat familiar to someone I know," Flint said.

"Oh…?" Harry said.

"Yeah. The Potter boy. Are you related to him in some way?"

"I've never met a Potter, and I'm not sure I know whom you're talking about," Harry lied while tapping his foot nervously on the marble floor. Harry was always a terrible liar; his eyes were always so expressive, and they always showed honesty.

"Ah, leave him alone Marcus. You know none of the Gryffindors could get into the party without an invitation," Pansy said.

"Yeah man. None of those bastards are here," added Nott.

Harry swallowed his anxiousness at where the topic of the conversation was leading. He didn't really think he'd like listening to any Gryffindor smashing from the Slytherins. All he wanted to do was get up from this table and find Cho.

After a few minutes of sitting with the Slytherins, Harry found it began to get more tolerable. Zabini, Nott, and Lestrange weren't too bad; they just seemed to like to spend their time sucking up to Flint. Parkinson was terribly annoying, though she wasn't half as bad as he'd thought she'd be. She was still a bit to bold and flirtatious for Harry's taste. Flint, on the other hand, was a complete and utter bastard. Harry was one step away from hexing the prick. Harry realized that Flint most likely knew that he wasn't a Hufflepuff. He assumed that Fred, George and Lee charmed the masks carefully enough to disguise their faces completely. Harry planned on hexing the three when he saw them after this blasted party.

Luckily, Flint got up from his seat after awhile, planning to leave. Harry had never been so happy. "I have some business of my grandfather's to attend to. I'll be back later," Flint stated.

"Do you want us to go with you?" asked Lestrange.

"No, you guys stay here. It shouldn't take long to handle."

As Flint turned to leave, he looked directly at "Henry" one last time and narrowed his eyes. No, Flint couldn't be fooled, and he didn't trust him at all.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO

Draco Malfoy absolutely loved attending parties. He was always a very sociable person. With his good looks, charm, and wealth, Draco was often considered the life of the party. But, for once, he found being at a party complete torture.

Draco had spent the entire gathering hiding in the shadows like some sort of escaped criminal. But, he had no choice; he didn't want his mother or the Dark Lord to finding him. So now, he found himself sitting with Crabbe and Goyle near the back of the ballroom. Draco thanked Merlin that he hadn't eaten anything before or during the party because watching Crabbe and Goyle eat would have probably made him sick.

He groaned to himself. This was the worst party he had ever been too.

"You don't look like you're having a very good time," someone behind Draco said.

Draco turned around to see who it was, praying to the gods that it wasn't Voldemort. When Draco looked to see who it was, he visibly sighed in relief.

"I am rather bored actually," Draco drawled. Marcus was never exactly the best company in the world. In fact, Draco often found him to be downright unpleasant. Still, he was much better then Goyle or Crabbe put together.

Marcus smirked. "Of course you're bored. You're sitting with these two idiots," he said while nodding to Crabbe and Goyle. "They're not much good at making coherent conversation."

Draco snorted and looked at Crabbe and Goyle. They were the biggest dimwits that he'd ever met.

While Draco was looking in disgust at Crabbe and Goyle, who were stuffing their fat faces, Flint took the opportunity to pour the love potion into Draco's drink. Unfortunately, Draco didn't notice.

As Draco was about to pick up his drink, someone put their hand on his shoulder. "Hey Draco, how are you doing this evening," asked Samantha Dolohov. Sam was the daughter of his father's best friend. She and Draco had practically grown up together.

"I'm fine Sam, how're you?" Draco asked.

"I'm alright. Would you like to dance with me?" she asked Draco. "You seem a little bored."

"No, not right now Sam, but maybe later," Draco answered kindly. He was afraid that if he got up from his seat that the Dark Lord would see him.

"Alright then, but if you change your mind, come and find me," she said with a smile as she walked away.

Draco sighed and took a sip of his drink. He really wanted to go up to his room and hide.

Draco never did see Marcus eyeing him wickedly as he drunk his drink. Flint knew he would be rewarded by his grandfather for this.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO

Narcissa Malfoy was pleased with the success of her spring gala. Everything turned out perfectly in order. And, she looked fabulous! Her pale long blond her was curled beatifically, and her rose-colored dress robes made her look young and fantastic. This evening couldn't be more perfect. Except, one minor detail was missing…. her son!

She had been looking for Draco at least half an hour. It seemed as if he weren't even in the room. She had been trying to find him so that he would get a chance to properly introduce himself to the Dark Lord.

While Draco was missing, she took the opportunity to dance with and flatter Voldemort. She had to keep the man pleased, so he would continue to ask after her son. She was determined to marry him off to Voldemort if it was the last thing she did.

"My Lord, have I tell you how handsome you look this evening?" she gushed.

"Thank you Narcissa, that was very nice of you to say," he said arrogantly.

The two continued to dance in companionable silence when Narcissa saw a gleam of platinum blonde hair across the room.

Yes! She had finally spotted her target at the other side of the room.

It looked as though Draco was sitting with Marcus Flint and two chubby boys.

She could finally pawn off her son to the Dark Lord!

"My Lord," she started innocently, "I don't believe you have ever had the pleasure of meeting my son. If you'd like, I'd love to introduce you to him."

"That is true Narcissa, I have never properly met Draco. I'd loved to meet him," he answered casually.

"Come, he's sitting by your grandson," Narcissa said readily.

While the pair walked across the room, the Dark Lord prayed that Marcus placed the drug in Draco's drink.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO

Draco and Marcus talked amiably while sitting at the table. Draco was actually starting to enjoy himself and forget his worries that his mother or Voldemort would find him. He figured he didn't have to worry so much anymore because the pair probably forgot all about him. And, there were so many young and attractive people around, that the Dark Lord probably found someone else to amuse him.

The poor fool thought too soon.

As Draco scanned around the room, he knew he was in deep shit now.

His mother and the Dark Lord were heading directly toward him.

He started to panic and curse himself for sitting in one spot for to long. He knew it was to late to run off, so he did the only thing he could do. Hide his terror.

"There you are Draco! I've been looking for you everywhere. If I didn't know better, I'd think you were hiding from me," his mother laughed lightly.

Die, Mother, Die! "Don't be silly mother, why would I be hiding from you?" he laughed nervously while fidgeting with his robe sleeve. He loved his mother dearly, but she was turning into the busybody matchmaker from hell.

"Draco, I've come here to introduce you to Lord Voldemort. I've told him how anxious you were to meet him," she said pointedly.

Damn you to Hades Woman! "It is a pleasure to meet you my Lord," Draco smiled tightly.

"And it is a pleasure to meet you as well Draco. Your mother has told me a lot of good things about you," Voldemort purred in what he thought was a seductive voice.

Gross! "Thank you my Lord, but I'm sure that my mother was exaggerating," he said through clinched teeth.

"Oh don't be so modest Draco," she cooed. "Darling, why don't you have a dance with our Lord. After all, you're just sitting here."

Draco felt the urge to vomit. His mother would ask him to dance with Voldemort while a slow song was playing.

He knew we couldn't find an easy way out of this situation unless he ran out of the room screaming like a crazy lunatic. It would be best to get one dance over with. "I would love to have a dance," he smiled prettily at the Dark Lord, who was leering at him.

As Draco moved to stand up, he didn't see Marcus nodding and winking at the Dark Lord in what seemed as if he were confirming something.

By the time Draco was on the dance floor dancing with the Dark Lord's arms around him, he had prayed at least five times for the floor to swallow him up.

He felt extremely filthy dancing with the old man, especially when he knew the Dark Lord's intentions weren't pure.

And, the Dark Lord's stare was becoming quite unnerving; it was like he was expecting something from Draco. It seemed as if he was waiting for Draco to have a sudden epiphany and fall head over heels in love with him on sight. Yeah, like that was ever going to happen! Curiously, it was the same way Flint looked at him while they were sitting at the table together

"You know Draco, you could move a little closer to me if you'd like," the Dark Lord said as he wrapped his arms more tightly around Draco's waist.

Draco swallowed thickly and begrudgingly wrapped his arms more securely around the Dark Lord's neck. He figured it was best to just go along with whatever the Dark Lord wanted; because let's face it, Voldemort was freaking scary.

Draco could see his mother in the background beaming at him. He forced himself not to role his eyes at her.

"I find you a very attractive young man Draco, and I would like to see more of you, if you'd allow it."

Oh Merlin! Draco knew couldn't agree to this. Because if he did, the Dark Lord would think he returned his affections. But if he denied the Dark Lord of what he wanted, he'd be as good as dead. He was as good as screwed.

Draco didn't notice, until it was too late, that the Dark Lord's face was getting dangerously close to his own. He stared wide-eyed at the old man's approaching face. Draco couldn't let the Dark Lord kiss him. He'd never been kissed before, and it would be a shame to waste it on someone he didn't care about. But once again, he was stuck between a rock and a hard place. If he allowed the kiss, it would give the Dark Lord the assumption that Draco fancied him, but if he stopped the kiss, Draco would probably be maimed. Shit!

As the Dark Lord's putrid breath brushed against Draco's lips, someone cleared their throat near the dancing couple.

Draco and Voldemort looked up to see Millicent Bulstrode staring at them with a slight blush growing on her cheeks.

Draco almost melted in a puddle of relief; he had never been happier to see her then at that moment.

However, the Dark Lord didn't look so thrilled to see her.

"What do you want girl!" he screeched. His normally cold brown eyes were flaring to an angry red.

Millicent looked as if she was going to faint. The Dark Lord looked positively furious.

Voldemort was about to curse the girl. When he finally got his chance to talk alone with the Malfoy boy, this hideous gorilla girl got in his way. She had just better hope that whatever caused her to interrupt his wooing was important.

He was a bit surprised to find that Draco was being so unresponsive to him, especially after Marcus had let him know that Draco had drunk the potion. But clearly, Draco had not. The Dark Lord wasn't happy at all, and he planned on punishing his grandson for not poisoning Draco's drink as he was instructed to do.

"My Lord," she squeaked meekly, "Lord Jugson has asked me to find you and tell you there's an emergency that needs to be attended to in the Death Eater meeting room. The Death Eaters need your help straightening out some business."

The Dark Lord mentally groaned to himself. Those Death Eater fools couldn't do a thing without him telling them what to do. And when they tried to operate without him, they messed something up. He'd have to go to them before they ruined the plans he'd been making. He rather deadly plans to power.

He turned to the girl in front of him and sneered. "Very well," he spat in a clipped tone. He then turned to Draco's flushed face, "It has been a pleasure dancing with you Draco, and I hope you'll consider what we've talked about," he said smoothly as he picked up Draco's soft hand and kissed his knuckles.

Draco was about to heave when he felt the Dark Lord's thin lips on his hand. Gag!

He couldn't have been happier when old Grandpa Voldie turned and left. He let out a breath he'd been holding.

After the Dark Lord left, Millicent to the opportunity to study Draco closely. He looked as though he were about to collapse on the floor.

She had been looking for him all evening to apologize to him. Earlier that day, Draco had flooed her and told her that his mother was trying to push him into an engagement with the Dark Lord. Millicent thought it was a joke at first because Voldemort was way to old for Draco, but then she saw the look of horror on his face and knew the truth. She thought that was the grossest and most horrible thing that could have happened to poor Draco. She did the only thing that anyone would have done in that situation- laughed at him and thanked Merlin she wasn't in shoes. As you can imagine, that didn't make Draco very happy and he stopped talking to her.

Millicent didn't mean to hurt his feelings; he was her best friend. They had been friends since they were practically toddlers. He was the only person that ever saw her for who she really is and not as some loser fat girl.

"Hey Drake, you look a bit pale, are you alright?" she asked kindly, hoping that he would take this as an apology for what happened earlier today.

He smiled weakly at her and nodded. He was more then okay; the Dark Lord was gone. "Yeah Millie, I'm fine. I just need a second to breath."

"I can tell. I watched you the entire time you were dancing with him. You looked as if your head was about to explode."

"I have no idea what you're talking about. A Malfoy never loses his cool," he said haughtily with his nose in the air and his arms crossed over his chest.

She giggled; he must be feeling better, if he was calm enough to go into his "Malfoys are Superior" speech.

"I have been looking for you all evening! Where are you been?" she asked accusingly. She hated being ignored.

"I've been hiding from dear old Grandpa Voldie and my crazy mother," he mumbled.

She chuckled. Draco always had a weird way of putting things. "I figured as much. I saw you sitting in the corner with Flint." The smile dropped off her face at the thought of Flint. She didn't trust the bastard.

Draco saw how quiet his friend had gotten. He could tell Millie was thinking about something because she was biting her bottom lip. She always bites down on her lip when she was thinking. Girls could really be very predictable.

"What's bothering you Millie?"

"Look Draco, something weird is going on with Flint," she blurted out. Millicent knew she had to tell Draco what she saw, but he was going to completely freak out. This was going to give her a headache.

Draco snorted, "a little paranoid are we?"

"When I saw you sitting with Flint, I was about to make my way over to you, until I saw Flint do something weird."

That got Draco's attention. "Well, spit it out. What did you see?" he asked impatiently.

"Look Drake, I don't want to freak you out or anything, but I saw Flint slip something into your drink," she flinched, waiting for his reaction.

"What!" he screamed. Everyone around the two Slytherins looked at them strangely. Millicent was mildly embarrassed, but Draco was too busy shaking with either anger or worry.

She shushed him. "Draco, calm down!"

"How in the hell can I calm down! That bastard could've poisoned me! I could be dying!" he shrieked melodramatically.

She knew Draco would ramble on and on unless she cut him off. "Look Draco, you don't have anything to worry about. I had you drink switched when you and Flint weren't looking."

"How in the name of Merlin could you have done that? You didn't even come to our table?" he asked incredulously, though a lot more calmly.

"Samantha Dolohov," she answered proudly. "When I saw what Flint had done, I sent Sam to switch your drugged drink with a fresh one. I would've done it myself, but I wanted to continue watching the pair of you without being noticed by Flint."

Draco couldn't have been happier to have Millie as his best friend. But, he was still curious as to why Flint would have put something in his drink. They had always been friends, or so he thought.

"What do you think he's up to Millie?" he asked worriedly.

That is what Millicent had been trying to figure out since she had seen what Flint had done. "I'm not sure Draco. But whatever it is, it has something to do with Voldemort. Flint may be evil, but he would never have drugged you, especially if he knew his grandfather was interested in you. Lord Voldemort would kill Flint if he did something to harm you before he was finished with you. So, whatever it was, Voldemort must have known what Flint was planning to do," she reasoned.

Draco gulped. This situation was getting worse and worse.

"Now, I have to find a way to stay away from both Flint and Voldie," he whined.

"I know, that's why I made up that story about the Death Eaters wanting to see him," she said.

"What? You mean that the Death Eaters weren't having a meeting?" She shook her head. "Millicent, when the Dark Lord finds out you lied to him, he'll kill you!"

"Look Drake, I had to think quickly. I couldn't have let you alone with him for too long. It was too dangerous."

He smiled at her. "Better watch it Millie. You're starting to act as loyal as a Hufflepuff," he teased, making her chuckle lightly.

As Draco continued to ponder what his best friend had told him, he had a strange feeling that he was going to be in serious danger in the future. Whatever the Dark Lord had intended for him was not be good.

At first, Draco hadn't taken the whole Voldemort/marriage too seriously. It wasn't the first time his mother tried to set him up with people. But now Draco knew, that the Dark Lord wouldn't take "no" for an answer. But, all he could do was wait and see what the maniac had planned for him and try to stop it whatever the cost.

As Draco was lost in thought, he noticed that he started to feel a bit dizzy; he massaged his temples warily. Naturally, Draco began to worry that Flint found a way to drug the drink Millicent had given him. Then all of a sudden, a weird tingle ran down Draco's spine and ended in his stomach; it felt like butterflies were scurrying around in there, like his magic was vibrating through body. Somehow, it was a different feeling then the spine-tingling revulsion Voldemort presence caused. This new feeling was warmer and more welcoming; his magic seemed to be calling to something. It made Draco feel as if someone's eyes were boring into his skin.

He began to look around the room to see if someone was watching him, when suddenly, his body seemed to have a mind of its own and directed his to gaze at someone a few feet away from him.

AN:

I know some of you are pissed that I cut the chapter off right there, without Harry and Draco meeting. But, I promise that they'll meet it the next chapter, which I'll be posting in a couple of days.

Please be patient!