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Word Count: 923

Dancing With Intent

Tom caught sight of him almost immediately when he entered the ballroom. It was like his entire being was tuned into him, which Tom supposed it was, in a way.

He'd never wanted anything like he'd wanted Harry Potter.

Just the sight of him was enough to make Tom's grasp on his plans weaken, because he wanted nothing more than to ignore everyone else around them and focus only on him.

He didn't go to him immediately though, instead continuing his conversation with Minister Fudge. As Undersecretary, he couldn't be seen to favour anyone else's company after all; not if his plans were to continue successfully.

Besides, Potter's companion was hanging off his arm, still, and they always did their best verbal sparring when alone. He watched, from the corner of his eye, as Potter greeted people he knew cheerfully as he crossed the ballroom to where the Weasleys were seated around a large table.

He greeted first Arthur and Molly, and then less formally, the rest of the table. Tom knew that Harry was great friends with the entire family, but being brought up the way he had, he knew proprietary was important, even with friends.

Tom had heard talk of people being surprised that Sirius Black had even bothered to teach Harry such things, but Tom knew better. Sirius had taught him much more than the basics, because he knew and understood how important Harry would be in politics, even when he chose not to engage in them as a full time career.

He was a double heir, after all, to two politically strong families. While he'd already taken control of the Potter lordship, Sirius still held the Black, but his lack of children, and already announced intent, meant that everyone knew one day, Harry would hold the Black lordship as well.

There weren't many people who didn't want to be in favour with the young man, but Harry had a surprising knack for picking out those who wanted to know him for him, and those that wanted to use him for their own plans.

Tuning back into the Minister, Tom listened to him prattle on for a while longer, before he politely excused himself with the intent of going to the bar.

Fudge let him go, happy to find someone else to listen to him. As long as he was hearing his own voice, Fudge tended to be happy.

Tom had just been served his whiskey when Harry brushed up against him, asking the bartender for a whiskey of his own.

"Harry," Tom greeted, lips tilting up slightly.

Harry returned the look, and nodded his head. "Tom."

"I see you have a new companion," Tom said, nodding his head to the woman Harry had entered with. She was blonde and beautiful, and wearing an elegant, icy blue dress, but Tom knew she had no chance with Harry. "Does she know that you're not going to marry her later?"

Harry snorted. "Fleur is well aware of my proclivities. She came with me for the opportunity to spend some time with Bill. She likes him."

"Mutually beneficial then?"

"Something like that."

"Perhaps this will be the evening you allow me to steal a dance then," Tom purred, and he smirked slightly when he saw the pink colouring bloom on Harry's cheeks.

He did so love to make the man blush.

"We shouldn't," Harry pointed out. "Dancing at the Summer Ball is practically an announcement."

"Then perhaps it's time to make that announcement," Tom replied, a challenging note to his tone.

Harry tilted his head slightly, and then his lips turned up. "Perhaps it is."

…

The music changed to a slow song, and Tom watched as anyone dancing without their partner left the floor, leaving only couples to slow dance to the last song of the night.

Draining his drink, Tom excused himself from his conversation, and cross the ballroom. He knew there were eyes on him, watching his trajectory, and there were whispers about who he could possibly be going to with such purpose.

He stopped at the Weasley table, where Harry was chatting with the youngest male, Ronald, and tapped Harry on the shoulder. When he turned to look at Tom, a sparkle in his green eyes, he waited for Tom to offer his hand.

"Dance with me, Harry."

There was a pause, and it almost felt like the entire ballroom held its breath, before Harry slipped his slightly smaller hand into Tom's, and allowed himself to be gently pulled onto the dance floor.

Tom spun him into the same pattern as those already dancing with ease, and they swayed together in silence for a few moments.

"Did it have to be the last dance of the night?" Harry asked, but Tom could hear his amusement.

"If we're going to grace the morning papers, my dear, we might as well make the front page," Tom replied. "It is, as you say, a declaration of intent."

"What is your intent, Tom?"

Harry looked up at him, and he looked as confident as he usually did, but Tom could see just a spark of insecurity hidden in the depths of his eyes.

"I'm going to court you, Harry. The proper way. And when the time is right, I intend to put a ring on your finger and make sure that the whole world knows you're mine."

The dance ended, and Tom bowed before he pressed a kiss to Harry's hand.

Harry smiled at him. "Yours. I quite like the sound of that."

Written For:

Limited Edition: Childrens: Charlotte's Web: Companion

Valentines or Palentines: Day 10: Ballroom (setting)

365: 220. Elegant

Musical Yearly: 98. Classic Rock: Can't Take My Eyes Off You: The sight of you leaves me weak

Insane House: 5. Dancing